IN
THE
WIND
P30
WHIBLEY
PACKS IT UP
A
fter 12 years, two GNCC
titles, six OMA Champion-
ships, one perfect OMA season
and 17 consecutive wins, Kiwi off-
roader Paul Whibley says he is
calling it a career. The long-time
AmPro Yamaha rider announced
he plans to move back home to
New Zealand with his family.
"It's a tough call to make, and
one I have wrestled with for a
while now, but I know it's time for
us to head back to New Zealand,"
said Whibley. "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 is unsure what his
next career move might be but is
certain about thanking all of his
many sponsors.
"The support from the fans
has been amazing," he said. "We
have been welcomed and ac-
cepted as if we were one of your
own. Which makes it even harder
to leave. 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."
Paul Whibley
announced his
retirement from
professional off-
road racing.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
SHAN
MOORE
WILLIAM "BILL" MAXEY PASSES
W
illiam "Bill" Maxey, an un-sung legend of motorcycle racing, passed away on November 14. Maxey,
of Rockford, Illinois, was a member of the AMA congress for over 40 years who, along with other
legends on the competition committee, was instrumental for many of the racing rules the AMA uses today.
Maxey was involved with upping the displacement of
dirt track bikes to 750cc and implementing the addition
of brakes to their machines. He was an avid enduro rider,
besting greats like the Penton's, and pairing with seven-
time National Enduro Champion Bill Baird to win team and
individual honors throughout his career. Maxey rode en-
duro back when "men were men," as he would say. He
was a loyal Harley-Davidson rider who rode a Harley KR,
then an XLCH Sportster for much of his enduro career.
Bill Maxey (on motorcycle), a long-time motorcycle enthusiast
and AMA congress member, had his photo taken alongside
former Enduro Champion Bill Baird.
