Paul Whibley, who won the AMSOIL GNCC title twice, is heading back to his native New Zealand.
Two-time AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Champion and six-time OMA Champion Paul Whibley of New Zealand announced his retirement from professional off-road racing today. Whibley said that he plans to move his family back to New Zealand.
“It’s been one heck of a ride,” Whibley said in an official press release. “Never thought I’d end up where we stand today—12 years down the track with 2 GNCC and 6 OMA Championships, one perfect OMA season and 17 consecutive wins, and a lot of holeshots—some achievements that I’m pretty proud of. It’s a tough call to make though and one I have wrestled with for a while now, but I know it’s time for us to head back to New Zealand. I will miss being a professional racer and going to all the races, but will miss even more the friends we have made along the way and our family at the Am Pro Yamaha team. We have met some great people and made lifelong friends. We’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from many of the sports greats from here and all over the world. We have seen a lot and experienced even more.”
Whibley also said that the support he has received from American fans has been amazing.
“We have been welcomed and accepted as if we were one of your own, which makes it even harder to leave,” he said. “And it all would not have been possible without the great sponsors, many have been with us for the long haul and become as much friend as sponsor. To Donnie Luce and Yamaha for the great support and providing the best equipment, Ash and the team at Monster Energy, The Coombs Family/Racer Productions Staff for providing the world’s most professional off-road series, Bill Gussie and the staff at the OMA events for some of world’s best courses, John Ayers and his staff for the wonderful television coverage that has helped elevate all the Racers that compete at the GNCC events, also all the members of the Media that have provided all the coverage over the years. A huge ‘Thank You’ to all.”
Whibley, who earned his first GNCC championship in 2009, and earned a second title in 2012, said that his future is a little uncertain right now.
“But I welcome the blank canvas and look forward to painting the next portrait of my life,” he said. “Looking back on it all, I wonder where the time went, traveling around the world, chasing our dreams and realizing many of them. Now it’s time to take a step to the side and help little Colton chase his. So, from myself, Katherine and Colton, we thank you all for your great support and friendship over the years. And if you’re ever in New Zealand please drop us a line.”
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