The Bridgestone/WERA National Endurance and the Michelin/WERA National Sprints had a great weekend at picturesque Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama over the September 19th through 21st weekend.
Friday saw the make-up races for the six classes canceled at Round #7 in West Virginia. The action got everyone looking forward to Sunday’s Michelin/WERA National Sprint races. Winners for the make-up races included Opie Caylor on his Suzuki 750 take the win over Dane Westby and Robert Jensen in the 750 Superstock Class.
Lightweight Twins Expert went to Ghetto Custom’s Chirs Parrish, Novice winner was Heath Cope. The 600 Superbike Expert was Dane Westby, Novice win to Jevaughn Simons. Formula Two Expert winner was Parrish’s second win and Garrett Gerloff took the Formula Two Novice win. In 750 Superbike Expert Payton Sassaman came out on top of a great battle with his brother Brett and Novice Jimmy Merck took the win in 750 Superbike. The final make-up race was the Formula 1 race and the top three were only seconds apart at the finish with the win going to Jeff Wood with Robert Jensen taking second and Tray Batey rounding out the podium.
On Saturday the Bridgestone/WERA National Endurance took the grid and with two red flags and a little rain during the final hour, Vesrah Suzuki took the top of the podium with 105 laps followed by Brand X with 104 laps and Zyvax Racing with 103 laps taking the final podium spot. In class Vesrah took the Heavyweight Superbike win with Chris Ulrich, Tray Batey and John Jacobi doing the work, Heavyweight Superstock saw TVR 131 take top honors with guest rider Jamie James helping them out by sharing riding duties. Mediumweight Superbike saw an epic battle to the line at the end of the four hours between Zyvax Racing and Wikle Racing this is one of the Class Championships coming down to the final at the GNF next month. Mediumweight Superstock saw a new winner in Willow Motorsports on their Yamaha 600. The Lightweight Superbike Class saw the Class Championship close up and making Round #9 the place that will determine the final outcome. Point’s leader Cycle Specialties had a crash on the 1st lap of the re-start for the last red-flag with enough damage to the machine they could not continue and Ghetto Customs who had maintained a lead throughout the race took the class win and gained some valuable points on Cycle Specialties who had to settle for 4th in Class.
On Sunday the riders in the Michelin/WERA National Challenge did not let anyone down. The stage had been set on Friday and proved to be even better on Sunday. The mini races started the day’s racing with Aaron Harned taking the 50cc win and young phenom Michael Scott winning the 80cc Class. Open Superstock saw a come from behind win by Jeff Wood on his Suzuki 1000 and Novice multiple winner, Jimmy Merck on his 750 Suzuki taking the win. Jay Scott Quick took his Kawasaki 600 took victory in the 600 Superstock Novice race and Taylor Knapp too the Expert win in the 600 Superstock. 750 Superstock Novice was Merck’s second win and Opie Calyor did not disappoint on Sunday taking a 6.446 second win over Jeff Wood in the 750 Superstock Expert Class. Chris Parrish won the Lightweight Superstock Expert and Tryg Westby took the Novice win. In 600 Superbike Payton Sassaman won over his brother Brett by only 0.875 seconds with RoadracingWorld.com’s Kris Lee Turner taking third only 0.933 seconds behind Payton. Quick took his second win in 600 Superbike Novice. The Formula 2 Race gave Parrish his second first on Sunday and young Garrett Gerloff took his little Honda 125 to victory for the Formula 2 Novice race.
750 Superbike Expert saw Brett Sassaman take the win from his brother Payton with only a 0.559 second gap. Merck took another Novice win in the 750 Superbike Class. The final race of the day was the Formula 1 race and the top 4 riders ran close for the entire race with Jeff Wood coming out on top of the box with Taylor Knapp second and Robert Jensen rounding out the top three. It was good safe close racing all weekend. Round #9 will run in conjunction with the prestigious WERA Grand National Finals and Suzuki Sup Series Finals at Road Atlanta over the October 8th through 12th weekend. This will be the most action packed weekend for the racers of WERA Motorcycle Roadracing. Check WERA out on the web at www.wera.com for more information.
More, from a press release issued by Guy Martin’s publicist:
Martin creates Gold Cup history with sixth successive win
Guy Martin created history on Sunday when he won the International Steve Henshaw Gold Cup for a record-breaking 6th time, the first rider ever to achieve such a feat. Riding the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda around the Oliver’s Mount race circuit in Scarborough, Guy dominated proceedings to win by over 13 seconds, claiming the outright lap record along the way, whilst he also won both Superbike races to crown a highly successful weekend.
Saturday’s races were held in dry, sunny conditions and Guy opened his account around the 2.43-mile public road circuit with a start to finish victory in the 8-lap Superbike race, coming home 11.6 seconds clear of his nearest rival Ryan Farquhar. Later in the day, he took a hard fought 3rd place in the opening leg of the 600cc David Jefferies Trophy.
The weather on Sunday was slightly cooler with overcast conditions and normal service was resumed when Guy took another dominant win in the second Superbike race. Third in the opening stages, Guy overhauled Ian Hutchinson and Ryan Farquhar in successive laps and, with a new lap record, he romped home to take the chequered flag by 10.1 seconds, earning himself the Darran Lindsay Memorial Trophy. The 600cc race was again a different proposition but, with a new lap record of 1m47.230s, he was able to finish in 4th place, only 1.4 seconds off the race win.
The 12-lap feature race was last on the agenda for Guy and he didn’t disappoint his legion of fans, putting in a faultless performance. Never headed in the race, Guy put in a series of fast laps to pull clear and he took his 6th successive title by a commanding 13 seconds. He also set a new outright lap record of 1m45.332s to become the first man ever to lap Oliver’s Mount at more than 83mph, his new speed being 83.052mph.
Speaking afterwards, a delighted Guy said:
“I always enjoy racing at Scarborough and this weekend has been no exception. It was where I made my first ever road race appearance in 2002 so it’s always been special and to win 6 Gold Cups in a row is brilliant and a real honour. When you look at all the names on there, it makes me realise what an achievement it is so I’m chuffed to bits but if someone had said that to me all those years ago that I’d win 6, I would have told them to wash their mouth out!”
“The Superbike never missed a beat all weekend and to get 3 wins and the outright lap record was brilliant. The team put in a big effort so it was nice to repay them and we’ve really enjoyed our racing this weekend, which is what it’s all about. We were able to get out on Saturday night, have a couple of beers and generally chill out, and everyone in the team’s been in high spirits. There’s been some top teamwork this weekend and I’m really happy with how the weekend has gone.”
It’s back to British Superbike Championship duty next for Guy and he makes his way to Silverstone, Northamptonshire for the next round of the series, with the meeting taking place from 26-28 September.
More, from a press release issued by Ryan Farquhar’s publicist:
Scarborough success sees Farquhar clinch Duke Road Race crown
Ryan Farquhar wrapped up a brilliant 2008 road race season at the weekend, when he clinched the International Duke Road Race Championship for the third time in his career. Competing in the Gold Cup races at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, the Dungannon ace put in a series of high class performances and a quartet of podium finishes completed an excellent year.
For once, the rain stayed away for a full weekend and with brilliant, sunny conditions on Saturday, Ryan was able to take 2nd in the opening Superbike race, once more riding his trusty Harker Racing Superstock-spec Kawasaki. The 600cc race later in the afternoon would prove to be one of the best of the weekend with 5 of the sport’s leading road racers going head to head around the tricky, woodland venue and Ryan was able to take a close fourth place.
Sunday’s results were better still and the second Superbike race of the weekend saw Ryan not only lead the race but also set his best ever lap around the Oliver’s Mount course. Although he had to give way to Guy Martin on the 3rd lap he comfortably held on for 2nd place and his time of 1m45.952s, made him the 2nd fastest rider ever in Scarborough’s illustrious racing history.
The second 600cc race was again superb and Ryan held second throughout until an audacious overtaking manoeuvre for the lead on the final lap saw him drift wide at Mountside Hairpin. As he ran wide, he was relegated to third although he was still only 0.376s adrift of the race win, such was the closeness of the racing! Another 2nd in the feature Steve Henshaw Gold Cup race followed and with 5 top-four finishes from 5 starts, it was a highly satisfied Ryan that later commented:
“It’s been a really good weekend and it’s great to end the year with more success and my 3rd Duke Championship. With Guy being so good on his Superbike, it was always going to be a race for 2nd in the big bike races and I’m well pleased with a brace of runner-up spots and even more so with my best ever lap around this circuit.”
“The 600cc races were extremely competitive but we changed the mapping for Sunday’s race and I’d say the bike was the best it’s been all year. Dunlop also gave me a new tyre and that also helped to make the bike faster than ever. It’s been a brilliant year and I’d like to thank everyone that has supported me this year, especially my sponsors both trade and personal as they’ve played a huge part in all the success. I’m looking forward to a break now before we start planning for 2009 when we’ll be doing it all over again!”
More, from a press release issued by John McGuinness’ publicist:
Trophy success for McGuinness at Scarborough
John McGuinness enjoyed another successful trip to Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough at the weekend and the Morecambe ace claimed the David Jefferies Trophy for the first time in his illustrious career. Never off the podium in his four races, McGuinness put in a series of high class performances on the Padgett’s Honda’s and he was rewarded for his efforts with a brace of second place finishes and a pair of thirds.
With ideal racing conditions on Saturday around the undulating Oliver’s Mount circuit, John got Saturday underway in the 250cc Phil Mellor Trophy race and he led the field round at the completion of the first lap. With an extremely competitive pace, fellow Honda riders Ian Lougher and William Dunlop eventually pushed John back to 3rd but a fine third place was achieved and he backed this up with a brilliant second in the opening 600cc race. There was little between the leading five riders but John again had to give second best to Dunlop although he was only 0.504seconds adrift at the chequered flag and he did have the consolation of setting the fastest lap.
Sunday’s 250cc Lee Pullan Trophy race again saw John claim the final step of the podium but he saved the best until last with a brilliant ride in the second leg of the 600cc David Jefferies Trophy. An excellent start saw John shoot off into the lead but it transpired he had jumped the start and although he was leading on the road, the time penalty issued kept everyone on the edge of the seats. John led the way race for the entire 8 laps, keeping some of the sports finest stars at bay and although he was put back to 2nd on corrected time, he only missed out on the win by a tenth of a second, also breaking the old class lap record. However, 2nd place was still enough for him to claim overall victory in the two races and another piece of silverware made its way back to Morecambe.
Speaking afterwards, a pleased John commented:
“I love racing at Scarborough and it’s been a really enjoyable weekend. The entry was superb but we were very competitive on the 600 and they were the best races of the weekend. ‘DJ’ was a big mate of mine and I still miss him so it was great to get my name on the trophy for the first time and a real honour. I rode my hardest from start to finish and I was under pressure throughout at every corner, all I could here was the sound of engines! It’s a shame Pauline, DJ’s Mum, couldn’t be here to see it, but I’m sure she’s smiling somewhere.”
“It was good to get out on the 250 again and get some solid results and I still enjoy racing here as much as what I did 12 years ago, when I made debut in 1996. I get a real buzz being out there and the club do a great job so it’s nice to come along and put on a bit of a show. The atmosphere was great and the whole team were here to enjoy the craic and the delights of downtown Scarborough. It’s a great circuit, there’s been some top racing and a big crowd has turned out and it doesn’t get much better than that!”
John’s next outing comes at the latest round of the British Supersport Championship at Silverstone this weekend where he will be looking to continue his strong run of form and claim more championship points.
More, from a press release issued by James Gang Racing:
JAMES GANG/HOBAN BROTHERS RACING WINS ASRA GTL TEAM CHALLENGE AT VIR
Team Leads GTL Team Challenge Championship; Second in MOTO-ST GST Championship Waukesha, WI (Sept. 22) — James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing rode their H-D/Buell of Appleton sponsored Firebolt XB12R to win the GT Lights class and finish fifth overall in the ASRA Team Challenge 2-hour endurance race at Virginia International Raceway on Sunday, September 21st. The win moves James Gang/Hoban Brothers Racing into the ASRA GTL championship points lead with one round remaining at Daytona International Speedway on October 17th. The team also sits second in the MOTO-ST GrandSport Twins championship, just two points out of the lead. That championship will also be decided the same weekend during the MOTO-ST season finale 8-Hours at Daytona race.
“Everyone on the team has worked so hard this season,” said team rider Jeff Johnson. “We feel blessed to be competing for two national endurance championships going into the final rounds at Daytona. It’s winner take all and we’re going for it.”
More, from a press release issued by Brian Stokes’ publicist:
Stokes Wins in Virginia!
Brian Stokes won big in weekend sprint races held at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. Stokes was able to capture race wins in four classes, several of which took place in dramatic fashion. Stokes rode a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-6R and ZX-10R, which were supplied by Duponte and Lipton, attorneys at law, and G Behavior’s Tim Robinson.
In the Unlimited Supersport and Grand Prix classes, Stokes used great starts to lead each lap of the races and claim the top spot on the victory podiums. In Middleweight Supersport, Stokes battled head-to-head with veteran racer Mike Smith. Stokes got a great drive out of the last turn and moved around Smith to cross the line first by a narrow margin. The Middleweight Superbike race saw the familiar pair of Stokes and Smith joined by young racer Eduard Alberts. The penultimate lap saw each of the three riders change positions quickly. Stokes fell from the lead to third place, but for only a moment. Stokes moved past Alberts into second, then closed the gap to Smith. As the trio moved to the finish line, Stokes swept around Smith and crossed the line first in a photo finish!
The results of the weekend fulfilled Stokes’ expectations. He commented, “This is the first weekend this year that I’ve been able to go four-for-four. We’ve had up and down results all year. It’s nice to be able to build some momentum. I’d really like to thank my crew and all of my sponsors for their support and motivation.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Motorrad Suzuki:
Round five, Spanish 1000cc Formula Extreme Championship
Circuito de Albacete, Spain
September, 2008
Fifth and Lap Record for Noyes in Spanish FX
Kenny Noyes (Motorrad Suzuki) tore through the field from tenth at the end of lap one to finish fifth, just missing a podium finish by a couple of bike lengths and breaking the Albacete Spanish National 1000cc Formula Extreme lap record in the process.
Winner Carmelo Morales (L´Oreal Laglisse Yamaha) moved into a one point lead in the championship over former 500 and MotoGP regular Jose LuÃs Cardoso, who was third on his Blusens Suzuki in the fifth round of the series.
Morales, starting from the pole, beat his team mate Javier del Amor by a tenth of a second and the battle for third was even hotter with Cardoso just getting the better of Bernat Martinez (T.B. Yamaha) with both riders being chased home hard by Noyes who started from seventh place off the second row and was down in tenth at the end of the first lap, but came charging through the field to challenge Bernat and Cardoso for the final podium position. The Spanish-based American set a blistering pace and took 1.1 second off the Albacete FX record.
“I was using a standard Suzuki clutch instead of the STM because I have been getting better starts with it. But the start was bad this time and I was having a lot of trouble with the clutch when I was on the brakes,” said Noyes. “It was a hard race and I am afraid I had to rub and bump more than usual to get past on the early laps, but if we can get the clutch sorted for the final two races we will be there! I had a better pace today than third place but I cooked the tire coming thorough the pack and was having trouble betting hooked up at the end.” Said team owner Manual Alonso, “Kenny came back very strong from his two AMA events in August. He has had better results, but considering his place on lap one, it was the best race he has ridden for us.”
Results: 19 laps
1. Carmelo Morales (L´Oreal Laglisse Yamaha) Race Time: 28´55.900 2. Javier del Amor (L´Oreal Laglisse Yamaha) +0.100 3. José Luis Cardoso (Blusens Suzuki) +7.373 4. Bernat Martinez (T.B. Yamaha) +7.541 5. Kenny Noyes (Motorrad Suzuki) +7.774 6. Victor Carrasco (Palmetto Kawasaki) +12.079 7. Diego Lozano (Darcey Honda) +17.079 8. Javier Fores (D´Antin Kawaski) +17.595 9. Enrique Rocamora (Speed Racing Suzuki) +17.722 10. Julián Mazuecos (D´Antin Kawasaki) +22.163 11. Ivan Silva (Yamaha Spain) +29.408 12. Jordi Torres (Yamaha, Spain) +30.481 13. Sergio Fuertes (Motorrad Suzuki) +39.272 14. Russell Gomez (Blusens Suzuki) +46.143 15. Victor Casas (Gher Concept Suzuki) +55.369
Starters 30, finishers 25
Old lap record: Javier del Amor (Yamaha) 1´31.038 Fastest lap and new record: Kenny Noyes (Suzuki) 1´29.952
Championship Points (After five of seven races)
1. Carmelo Morales 85 2. José Luis Cardoso 84 3. Javier del Amor 80 4. Bernat Martinez 58 5. Kenny Noyes 51 6. Enrique Rocamora 45 7. Diego Lozano 44 8. Ivan Silva 36 9. Victor Carrasco 34 10. Jordi Torres 34