BRASELTON, Ga. The paddock at Road Atlanta was overflowing during last weekend’s WERA Cycle Jam as competitors from the WERA National and Sportsman Series came out for some of the hottest racing of the year. Over three days of racing, the huge turnout of riders accounted for 1251 sprint race entries. All of the classes had a strong turnout with the riders spread evenly throughout the many grids, a testament to the popularity of all of WERA’s classes.
Friday’s six-hour WERA/Bridgestone National Endurance Series race had just one brief red flag, and the 46 teams that participated were able to turn lap after lap under green flag conditions. Since endurance championship points are determined according to miles ridden, all of the teams gained valuable points thanks to the safe racing. Vesrah Suzuki was the big winner, with a six-lap margin of victory. Tray Batey, John Jacobi and Lee Acree rode the Heavyweight Superbike Suzuki GSX-R1000. 5150 Racing made a welcome addition to the overall podium, and a second-place finish for Justin Marm, Chad Lewin, Phil Caudill and Tony Palarie also gave them the Heavyweight Superstock win on their Suzuki GSX-R1000. ARNCHU Racing’s Randy Sherman and Mark Crozier brought home third on a Heavyweight Superstock Suzuki GSX-R1000. Fourth overall went to Mediumweight Superstock winners TVR II. The team featured Steven Breckenridge, James Stroud and Chuck Ivey on a Yamaha YZF-R6. Red Star finished fifth overall, claiming another Mediumweight Superbike victory thanks to the talents of William Lindsay, Brett Champagne, Ben Walters and Ben Thompson on a Yamaha YZF-R6. In the Lightweight Superbike class, Ghetto Customs earned their second victory of the season. Russell Stoddard, Chris Parrish, Cale Swiger and Tim Birdsong rode the Suzuki SV650 to a finish of 12th overall.
After a full day of WERA/Pirelli National Sportsman Series action on Saturday, fans were treated to Sunday’s competitive WERA/Michelin National Challenge Series sprint races. In the expert ranks, Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey brought home the trophies in Open Superstock and Heavyweight Twins Superstock. Local racer Brian Stokes, riding for Team Lipton & Dupont, took the 600 Superstock win. Vesrah got another win with Lee Acree’s last-lap pass for first in Formula 1. Butler Machinery’s Robert Jensen was victorious in 750 Superstock. In 600 Superbike, Garrett Carter rode to the win while Daniel Parkerson earned the top spot in 750 Superbike. When it came to racing twins, Chris Parrish was the quickest of the field in Lightweight Twins Superstock and Dane Westby got the win in Formula 2. In the novice classes, Seth Starnes was again the big winner, with victories in Open Superstock, 600 Superbike and 600 Superstock. Curt Henderson dominated in 750 Superstock with his three-second margin of victory. Tim Hunt had an even longer lead in 750 Superbike. Kris Turner got a narrow win in Formula 2 novice. In the twins classes, Mark Wyland won Heavyweight Twins Superstock and Chris Slay won Lightweight Twins Superstock.
WERA owner Evelyne Clarke and the entire WERA staff would like to extend their condolences to the friends and family of Chris Stevenson, a WERA racer and friend who passed away Sunday from injuries sustained in a chain-reaction crash that day.
The WERA National Series heads to Grattan Raceway in Michigan in just two weeks for round six of the season. More information about WERA can be found online at www.WERA.com.