Brand X Yamaha’s Flawless Weekend Leads to 2nd Overall at Barber
LEEDS, Ala. Ben Walters and Brett Champagne rode the Brand X Yamaha YZF-R1 to second overall and second in Heavyweight Superbike during Saturday’s WERA National Endurance Series race at Barber Motorsports Park, but their riding skills were just a part of the perfect teamwork that made the weekend a success.
In only their second year as a team, Brand X has consistently finished on the overall podium, and each weekend has netted better results. Walters and Champagne are both quick to give credit to their crew for the good results at Barber. Army of Darkness veterans Tim Gooding, Sam Fleming and Melissa Berkoff traveled to the Alabama track to act as crew this weekend.
“It’s been an uphill battle all year, but we’ve been improving our riding and we’ve been improving as a team,” said Walters. “We couldn’t have asked for a better race this weekend. The whole crew did an excellent job with out stops and made great calls that made our jobs as riders easy. Thanks to Brett, too. He’s been riding well all year and he’s done a lot for our development.”
“It was a great weekend, just like Summit Point,” agreed Champagne. “We had the quickest pit stops we’ve had all year, so thanks to the crew for such a phenomenal job. It was a great weekend and I’ve got a big smile on my face. I can’t wait until the next race.”
The weekend may have been flawless for Brand X Yamaha, but it was anything but easy. Walters and Champagne each rode two stints in the four-hour race, and during Walters’s second hour on the R1 a light rain began to fall. Champagne took over soon after the rain began, heading out on Michelin slicks since the track wasn’t completely wet yet. As the rain began to fall harder, Champagne had to tip-toe around the slippery circuit without giving up any positions.
Walters rode the final stint on rain tires, and at the checkered flag Brand X was on the same lap as the eventual race winner, and a full lap ahead of third place.
The WERA Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta will wrap up the endurance season next month with a four-hour race on October 10. Keep up with Brand X online at www.BrandX13.com.
More, from a press release issued by Conor Cummins’ publicist:
Cummins impresses on Oliver’s Mount debut
Conor Cummins made a successful debut at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough over the course of last weekend and the Manxman vowed to return to the woodland circuit bigger and better in 2009. The Ramsey rider was also having his first ever outing on a 250cc machine, courtesy of Terry Gilmour of TG Racing, and he steadily improved his times over the two days of race action.
Opting to use treaded tyres initially, as he got to grips with both the circuit and the 2-stroke Honda, Conor was thoroughly enjoying himself and he was eagerly looking forward to the first of his two races, the Phil Mellor Trophy race. However, his race lasted little more than 500 yards as he highsided on the exit of Mere Hairpin on the opening lap. As two riders in front of him touched, Conor tried to capitalise but his over-eagerness on the throttle spelt disaster.
Unscathed and undeterred, he regrouped for Sunday’s 8-lap Lee Pullan Trophy race and his efforts were rewarded with a solid ride seeing him take a deserved 9th place at the chequered flag.
Commenting on his weekend at Scarborough, Conor said:
“It’s been a brilliant meeting to be part of and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself so I definitely plan to be back stronger in 2009 with at least a 600cc machine. The atmosphere has been superb and I’ve met so many friendly people it’s been brilliant. It was good to get a solid result in the 2nd race and, like I say, I’ve had a great time.”
“It’s a mega circuit to ride on so I’ve got to say a big thank you to Terry Gilmour for the loan of the bike and for the opportunity and also to Paul Owen who gave me loads of help and advice in learning the course. I’m really looking forward to Silverstone now and ending the season on a high.”
Conor’s next outing will be at Silverstone for the penultimate round of the National Superstock Championship this next weekend, September 26-28, where he will make his debut in the colours of Team Black Horse Yamaha,
More, from a press release issued by John Davison:
Nate Kern Sweeps VIR CCS Weekend
CONCORD, N.C. Nate Kern, “N8!” on his postcards and posters, swept all four classes he competed in at the final Championship Cup Series race of the season at VIRginia International Raceway.
Nate took his BMW to his “favorite track” to close out his season, after locking up the 2008 national ASRA Pro Thunderbike class championship two weeks earlier. In taking the four classes: Middleweight (600) GP, Heavyweight (750) Superbike, Supertwins, and Thunderbike Kern and his German motorcycle beat out the best efforts of the Japanese and Italian makers.
“Every time I go to VIR, it reinforces how much I love the track and the sport,” Nate said about racing at VIR. “I wanted to come because I love the track.” He must like racing there, as he went from strength to strength, beating out the competition with margins of victory that ranged from eight seconds to 24 seconds.
The victories mirrored his team’s success in the 2007 Moto-ST race at VIR, where he and teammate Brian Parriott rode a dominating race to beat out their competitors after starting third on the grid.
Kern started racing in 2002 and moved into the “Pro” class in his first weekend at Daytona after winning his first eight races. Following that March, 2002 weekend, he has become a factory BMW rider, tapped to ride in the Le Mans 24-hour motorcycle race, where he served as a backup rider. “I’m looking forward to the new S1000RR Superbike from BMW,” said Nate. “This past weekend was a fitting cap for the 2008 season.”
Watch for Nate in the Moto-ST 8-Hours of Daytona finale for the Sun Trust Moto-ST series, October 18-19.