WMRRA Round 1 – Robarts Wins 3 for a Points Lead

April 24-25, 2016 at Pacific Raceways

Northwest motorcycle road racing was back to Pacific Raceways, as WMRRA hosted their inaugural event of the 2016 season over this last April 24-25 weekend. As with every opening round in the NW, rain is as common to the Seattle region as Starbucks, Microsoft, and Boeing; it’s not if it is going to make an appearance, simply when and how much. Saturday revealed a few sunrays poking their optimistic glow through the clouds and garnering some smiles upon the faces of the regional tribe that was present to throw their eager hats into the ring.

Practice was dry, and after lunch the Novice grid took the track for the first race of the weekend. Will Hara took the first WMRRA win of 2016 in Novice 1, with Shaun Rohatinsky securing a win in Novice 2. Up next and anxious to get their race completed on a dry track, was Open SuperSport, or what has jokingly been coined, “The Yamaha R1 Cup,” as 6 of the 14 entries are all on new R1 models. 2015 Overall #1 plate holder, Sam Verderico, jumped out to an early lead on his Superbike Underground R1, however, the scrappy Adam Robarts, riding his Redline Motorsports FS2 R1, was able to fight his way around to pass Verderico and maintain a slim lead for most of the contest. On the last lap as the bikes crested T8 and came back into view, allowing the crowd to witness the final few jabs before the drive onto the front straight toward the finish line, with Robarts grasping tightly at his slim lead. “Super” Sam Verderico got a solid drive out of the “bus stop” and both blasted down the front straight with that intoxicating R1 crossplane drone filling spectators ears in the grandstands. Verderico lived up to his name, drafting past Robarts for the win at the finish line. Allister MacKinnon rounded out the podium with a 3rd on his Speeddealer Motors R1.

The rain then sprinkled for a moment, making riders consider rain tires, but fate would have Pacific Raceways stay dry for the remainder of the day. In 750 SuperSport, 2Fast Trackdays Mark DeGross took a flag to flag victory on his Superbike Underground R6, with self sponsored Wes Stults applying pressure with his R6 the entire race and finishing on DeGross’ tail. Open Singles saw a good 3-way battle between Sean Galt, aboard his Sik Werks Moriwaki MD250H, Mick Hart, mounted on his MJH Classics Honda RS 650, and the young David Kohlstaedt riding an RS125. They finished respectively, providing a great race for the crowd to enjoy. R6 mounted Wes Stults took his first win of 2016 in 600 SuperSport over SpeedDealer Motors R6 Chase Glidden in 2nd and Phil Melnyk in 3rd atop his Premium Rush Motorcycle Rentals ZX6R. The 600 SuperSport honorable mention goes to 2Fast’s DeGross, whom because of an electrical gremlin, was relegated to join the class from the hot pits long after the race had started and the grid was entering T1, working his way through the pack to finish an impressive 4th on his R6 and salvage a few valuable points. Vintage staple racer and former WMRRA President, Tim O’Mahony, showed the folks in the stands how to ride a CB160 fast, dominating 160 Vintage for the win on his Group W Racing C175L over CB175 rider Mathew Winter in 2nd and Tim Fowler in 3rd racing a CB175. The hotly contested Formula Ultra race ensued with an exciting start, with Adam Robarts on his R1 securing the holeshot. Sam Verderico’s R1 worked by Robarts for an opening lap lead, with DeGross on his Superbike Underground GSXR1000 and MacKinnon on his R1 in close pursuit. Lap 2 saw a red flag, with the race immediately restarted. DeGross lead the opening restart lap, but Robarts and his Dave Alexander FS2 suspended R1 managed to overtake him. Robarts kept his lead as Verderico worked around DeGross a few laps later. Robarts would go on to win the race with Verderico nearly repeating his finish line draft move on his Superbike Underground rocket ship. The two traded wins Saturday in the Open Classes and were looking forward to a good fight on Sunday.

Sunday’s forecast came to fruition; wet, cold, miserable rain. Just like Barnum and Bailey’s famous mantra says, “The show must go on,” WMRRA didn’t even flinch. Practice took place, and the gritty band of racers took to the track, armed with rain tires, layers of Under Armor, various rain wear, and a few prayers that they were smooth enough to keep from scathing the ground. GSXR750 rider John Gebbers and Eric Moore on his R6 took Sunday’s first wins in Novice 1 and Novice 2, respectively, starting the day off. Up next was a family feud in 500 Superbike with Jack Stevens riding his Wildwood Homes Kawasaki EX250 taking the win over his father, John Stevens, trying to “put it to the kid” with his Wildwood Homes KTM RC390 coming in 2nd. Sean Cresap, riding his Cresap Orthotics & Prosthetics Ninja 250 rounded out the podium in 3rd. Just before lunch you could hear the faint sound of the Eurythmics singing, “Here Comes the Rain Again,” as all of the Open Superbike riders prepared for torrential conditions. R1 mounted Redline Motorsports FS2 rider Adam Robarts won a wet flag to flag race over fellow SpeedDealer Motors R1 racer Allister MacKinnon in 2nd. 2Fast’s Mark DeGross was running a close 3rd on his R6 when he retired from electrical issues, enabling Superbike Underground’s Verderico to snatch the 3rd position on his R1. The winds picked up and began to dry the track, resulting in a half-wet, half-dry racing surface; everyone’s least favorite dance, and leaving the 600 Superbike jockeys to decide which they wanted to partner with, rains or slicks. DeGross was able to pull another flag to flag victory with his Dunlop partner, but again, Stults was there to make him earn it, with Pirelli mounted Chase Glidden filling out the podium. SpeedDealer Motors Allister MacKinnon on his GSXR750 took the win over R6 mounted Wes Stultz in 750 Superbike shortly after, taking advantage of the grunt of his 750 in that class over the R6 riders. Formula Ultra closed Sunday races with Adam Robarts coming from behind to take the win over 2nd place Sam Verderico and 3rd place Mark DeGross. After the race, Robarts was positive and shared a few comments, “I’m happy to get through the weekend with an overall points lead. The Redline Motorsports FS2 team is really working good together and I’m very pleased with the support that Pirelli is providing.” Happy he is, because escaping these kinds of riding conditions unscathed is quite an accomplishment. Well done, Mr. Robarts.

WMRRA Overall Championship point totals after Round One are: Robarts 181, DeGross 171, Verderico 161, respectively.