Pirelli Scorpion MX Tops the Podium at Rainy GNCC

May 9, 2009, 10:17am

Rome, GA – It was a big weekend for Pirelli Tire at the Weekend Warrior Titan GNCC from Lafayette, Tenn., round six of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC). After extensive racing in some of the most treacherous and muddy conditions the series has seen, GEICO Monster Kawasaki placed 1st and 2nd in the XC1 class for the second time this season with riders Paul Whibley and Jimmy Jarrett thanks to the versatile and reliable Pirelli Scorpion MXMS (32) front and rear tires. In the XC2 class, fellow GEICO Monster Kawasaki rider Scotty Watkins brought home a runner-up finish of his own.

As mud flew off the line to start the XC1 race, Jarrett raced to the $250 MotorcylceUSA.com Holeshot Award. The Kawasaki duo, along with FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang, battled back and forth through the mud and woods over the early portion of the race. Eventually, Whibley asserted himself as the top rider of the day and slowly gapped the field as he overcame the terrain. Jarrett stayed respectably close to his teammate throughout the race but was forced to settle for a solid runner-up finish, nearly two minutes ahead of third place.

In the XC2 class, Watkins was strong throughout the beginning stages of the rain-washed race. He traded the lead on several occasions with Monster Energy/Fred Andrew’s Yamaha’s Jason Thomas and Shock Doctor KTM’s Kailub Russell. Eventually, Russell made his move to stay out front for the win, but Watkins kept him honest the whole way to bring home yet another strong result for the GEICO Monster Kawasaki team and Pirelli Scorpion MXMS family of tire.

Thanks to his XC1 win, Whibley jumped into the points lead and carries a nine point advantage over FMF Makita Suzuki’s Charles Mullins. Jarrett sits fourth, 39 points behind. In the XC2 class, Watkins holds down the third position thanks to one victory, 45 points out of the lead.

Can-Am GNCC Racing continues on to round seven of the 2009 season next weekend from Mountain Ridge in Somerset, Pa., May 16-17.

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycle and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets. For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.