From a press release issued by Willow Springs International Raceway:
TOYE TAKES YET ANOTHER WIN AT WILLOW SPRINGS RACEWAY
Rosamond, CA – 2002 WSMC champion Jeremy Toye once again enjoyed the lead from start-to-finish in this month’s installment of the Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One series held at the historic Willow Springs Raceway on Sunday. It was his third win in as many starts.
Toye’s team mate Marte Cooksey who also races for Lee’s Cycles out of San Diego, started strong, battling more experienced riders Jack Pfeifer, Stoney Landers and Corey Eaton for the second slot. Throughout the early running, these four riders shuffled back and forth running nose-to-tail and often handlebar-to-handlebar. As the pack turned into turn one on the sixth lap, Cooksey lost his footing and tumbled, putting himself out of the race. He was not injured.
As the yellow flag went out, Toye had already secured a ¾ mile lead ahead of the remaining riders. A tight pack of five riders followed with Pfeifer ahead in 2nd place, Landers in 3rd and Jeff Stern in 4th. Eaton and Clinton Whitehouse continued to nip at their heels.
By the start of the 8th lap, safety crews had cleared Cooksey’s wreckage and riders were under a green flag as they once again tussled for position. Suddenly along the backstretch, Eaton, who had been running strong, encountered problems and fell off the pace a bit, while Landers crept up on Pfeifer who seemed determined to hold onto second place. Pfeifer and Stern both hail from Las Vegas and seem to have a bit of a rivalry going. Stern edged out Pfeifer for third in last months race and the two are vying for bragging rights as Las Vegas’ fastest.
Earlier in the day, Pfeifer had taken a tumble in a prelim on the same Suzuki, but obviously was none the worse for wear as he continued strong through traffic near the tail end of the 30 miles trek.
Landers who had a strong second-place finish last month, continued to challenge Pfeifer up to the final moments. As Jeremy Toye took the checkered flag, the two battled neck and neck for the second slot. But Pfeifer managed to maintain his lead and was next across the finish. Landers was followed by Corey Eaton and Jeff Sterns to round out the top five finishers.
Toye’s runaway finish was made even more remarkable by the fact that his regular mechanic was off racing himself this weekend in Phoenix so Toye had to recruit his girlfriend to tote tires and help with last minute adjustments.
“Call it luck if you want, but I had a good combination running today and decided to get out front early and enjoy the weather!”
The clear blue skies and sunny temperatures of Sunday’s races were a marked change from the practice rounds on Saturday that had been halted by torrential rains. All claimed the track was in great shape for the main event.
The Toyota Cup Unlimited Series is a yearlong calendar of events sanctioned by the Willow Springs Motorcycle Cub. These high-charged, unlimited Formula 1 races lead up to the grueling Toyota 200 race to be held October 19th. Here top riders will compete for a $150,000 purse with the winner taking home $50,000, one of the richest rewards in motorcycle racing.
This world-class event is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the famed Willow Springs International Raceway. Founded in the fall of 1953, the track has been under the ownership of Bill Huth for over 40 years and has hosted many legendary racers.
Round Four of the Toyota Cup will be held April 18-20th, with the main event scheduled for Sunday, April 20th. Race schedules and ticket information can be obtained from the track office at (661) 256-2471. Admission including pit passes and camping privileges is only $10/person for all three days.
More, from a press release issued by Team Orthopedics:
Jack Pfeifer wins three at Willow
Team Orthopedics’ rider Jack Pfeifer won the 600 Superstock, 600cc Modified Production, and the Formula 2 race on his F-USA spec Suzuki GSXR600. Arriving late to Willow Springs Sunday morning due to mechanical problems with our GSXR1000 and our race truck returning late from Daytona, gave Jack a good four hours sleep before raceday.
After replacing the throttle position sensor that gave Jack trouble on the last eight laps at Daytona we found ourselves battling the same front-end gremlins on his Suzuki GSXR1000. On the first lap of the Open Superbike class Jack low-sided his GSXR1000 in turn three while running second. The team quickly repaired most of the crash damage except for a bent left handlebar and sent Jack back out for the Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula 1 race. Jack put forth a great effort on the recently crashed GSXR1000 and finished second to Jeremy Toye in the F1 race.
Jack Pfeifer is a contestant in the Team Hammer Talent Search presented by AlpineStars.
Team Orthopedics thanks its sponsors:Dr. Paul Canale, Dr. Ernie Louk, Desert Motorsports Las Vegas, Dunlop Tires, Dynojet, Galfer Brakes, Hotbodies, Lockhart Phillips, Mike Farney, Motorex, Pricz Tattoo, SIDI boots, Skorpion Racing, Suomy Helmets, The Pfeifer Family and Vortex.
Updated Post: Toye Wins Again At Willow, Pfeifer Second
Updated Post: Toye Wins Again At Willow, Pfeifer Second
© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
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