AUGUSTA, Ga. — TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha will have some additional muscle when they return to WERA National Endurance Series competition this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. Roadracing legend Jamie James is reuniting with the team to co-pilot the No. 131 Yamaha YZF-R1, and two Isle of Man racers will ride a second TVR R1.
James first rode with TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha last year at Barber, where he has a lot of experience through both racing and instructing racing school students. A crash at the 2008 round made the race a challenge, but TVR went on to a class win, clinching their fourth consecutive Heavyweight Superstock title.
TVR riders have had a difficult summer: team owner Chuck Ivey is still in a cast after breaking his leg, foot and ankle at Road Atlanta, and Zac Chapman is still hospitalized following a sprint race crash at Virginia International Raceway. Calling on James to step in was a natural choice.
“Our thoughts are constantly with Zac, who’s still in a coma,” commented Ivey. “We needed a rider who could equal his talent, and who better than Jamie James? We had a fun time with him last year, and his setup skills at Barber are unsurpassed. We’re looking forward to a great weekend.”
Reuben Frankenfield, Brett Champagne and James Vanderhaar will ride the Michelin-shod Heavyweight Superstock R1 with James. The team’s Mediumweight Superstock Yamaha R6 entry, TVR 136, will feature regular riders James Dellinger, Jeff Wrobel and Ethan Ellis.
TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha is ordinarily a two-bike team, but this weekend they will have a third entry: a Heavyweight Superstock R1 ridden by Richard “Milky” Quayle and Craig Atkinson. Both are veteran Isle of Man racers who wanted a taste of American endurance racing. TVR’s Vanderhaar, who was teammates with Atkinson at the Isle of Man TT this year, arranged for them to ride the four-hour race at Barber. Quayle is a former IOM TT winner, and Atkinson has won the competitive Manx GP.
To accommodate the expanded team, Ivey had to prep four race bikes: the two R1s, the R6 and a backup R1. Since he is still on crutches, crewmember Michael Dunn pitched in to get the job done in time for the race.
TVR’s three endurance Yamahas will roll off the starting grid at 12:30 p.m. this Saturday, September 12.