From a press release:


TEAM VESRAH SUZUKI LOOKING FORWARD TO VIR

Practice began today at Virginia International Raceway for round 8 of the WERA National Endurance Series. Team Vesrah Suzuki leads the series by 60 points with three races remaining. Officially, this is the penultimate round of the series, but due to the rainout in Memphis, Tennessee, WERA will be holding two separate 3 ½ hour endurance races on Saturday. In an effort to increase their lead in the series, Team Vesrah Suzuki may field a second team aboard the back-up bike in race two. Sprint racing will also be a focus this weekend, as Mark Junge tries to clench the Open Superstock and 600 Superstock sprint championships before heading to the season final at Road Atlanta.

The dual endurance race schedule could change the race strategy for series leader Team Vesrah Suzuki. “We will run it like two 4 hour races.” Said team owner Mark Junge. “The race length will still dictate two stops for fuel and tires, but the shorter total time means we don’t have to stretch out the fuel.” Red Flags may determine when and how far apart those 2 fuel stops will be taken.

Team Vesrah Suzuki is planning on running their usual lineup during race one with riders Mark Junge, Tray Batey and Chris Ulrich. Regular team rider Glenn Szarek, who is still recovering from injuries sustained earlier in the season, will also be on hand this weekend but there is still a question as to whether or not he will ride. The decision to run a second bike in race two will not be made until after race one. Should the second team be fielded, Junge and Batey will ride the lead bike, while Chris Ulrich and either Glenn Szarek or another rider will be on the backup bike.

Mark Junge will be racing for early championships on Sunday when the WERA National Challenge Series takes center stage. Junge leads the Open Superstock championship by 30 points with only 40 points available in the two remaining rounds. A finish of 5th or better will chinch the championship with one round remaining. Mark enjoys a 16-point advantage over second place Chris Caylor in 600 Superstock. Junge could wrap up the championship if he can win and Caylor finishes no better than 3rd. Otherwise, it will go to the last round at Road Atlanta.

Team Vesrah Suzuki and Mark Junge are sponsored by Vesrah, Suzuki, Metzeler, Nielsen, Watahan, Fujico, Traxxion Dynamics, Marshall, Factory, Shoei, Sprocket Specialists, Air Tech, Vanson, Penske, Graves, DID, LP, Diadora, M4, Maxima.

Tray Batey and Chris Ulrich each run independently sponsored sprint racing programs when not riding for Team Vesrah Suzuki.