Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey and Mark Junge each won two races during the WERA National Challenge Series weekend at Grattan Raceway in Michigan, while Batey also rode to the win in the Suzuki GSX-R World Cup Qualifier race.

Junge won Open Superstock on the Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R1000. Brent Bennett, who rides a Yamaha YZF-R1, followed Junge until the halfway point, when Junge was finally able to break away. The race was red-flagged on lap eight when rain began to fall. Bennett took second and Eric Spector was third on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Rain was falling during the 600cc Superstock race, but it did not stop Junge from pulling away for the win on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Tim Bemisderfer and Fritz Kling battled for second after David Weber crashed out of the position, but John Jacobi worked his way up to take second on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Kling finished third on a Yamaha YZF-R6.

Batey won the Heavyweight Twins race on a Suzuki SV1000. Batey had mechanical problems with his Suzuki TL1000R in practice on Friday, and Mark Junge loaned him the SV for the race. Batey pulled away, while Bradley Champion was second on a Suzuki SV650 and Paul Vitale was third on a Ducati 996.

Batey led the entire Pirelli Formula 1 race on a Suzuki GSX-R750, setting a new track record of 1:19.15 on the third lap. Spector was second, far behind Batey, also on a Suzuki GSX-R750, and Bennett was third on a Yamaha YZF-R1.

Scott Trautmann won the 125cc Grand Prix race on a Honda RS125 after Kevin Gonyou crashed out of the lead with only a few laps remaining. Larry Cohee took second, also on a Honda RS125.

Bradley Champion won the Lightweight Twins race on a Suzuki SV650. Champion built up a long lead, while Chris Normand finished second and Jesse Janish was third, all on Suzuki SV650s.

Jacobi crashed out of the 750cc Superstock race lead on the first lap, handing Batey the lead. Reuben Frankenfield began to catch Batey, and passed for the lead on the fifth lap. Batey had a rain tire on the front, and the track was drying, so he could not keep up with Frankenfield, who was on intermediates. Frankenfield won, followed by Batey in second and Chuck Bannon in third, all three on Suzuki GSX-R750s.

Team InfoTech’s Nicky Wimbauer earned his first victory in the WERA National Challenge Series, winning the 600cc Superbike race on a Yamaha YZF-R6. XT Racing’s David Weber led the first four laps on a Suzuki GSX-R600, but was passed by Wimbauer. Weber had the lead on the final lap, but nearly crashed in the last turn, allowing Wimbauer to pass for the win. Weber was second, and Scotty Van Scoik was third on a Yamaha YZF-R6.

Weber led the 750cc Superbike race on his Suzuki GSX-R750 until turn one of the last lap, when Chuck Bannon passed him for the win. Bannon was riding a Suzuki GSX-R750. Wimbauer took third on a Yamaha YZF-R6.

Only two Experts started the Formula 2 race. Scott Trautmann was first on a Honda RS125, and Bradley Martin was second on a Suzuki SV650.

In the Suzuki World Cup Qualifier race, Batey took the lead at the start and went on to win the race and a trip to Magny-Cours, France, to compete in the World Cup race. Greg Moore ran off track on the first lap, falling to the back of the field. He was able to pass the rest of the riders to finish second. John Jacobi was third, finishing just behind Moore. David Weber was fourth, and Reuben Frankenfield rounded out the top five. All riders were on Suzuki GSX-R750s.

Suzuki officials say that Batey is eligible for the Suzuki GSX-R World Cup despite riding for a Suzuki-sponsored team in the WERA National Endurance Series.