Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Tray Batey, Robert Jensen, Brian Kcraget and Doug Duane closed out the 27th annual WERA Grand National Finals with race wins Sunday at Road Atlanta.
Vesrah Suzuki’s Batey had already clinched the National Challenge Series Championships in the Formula One and Heavyweight Twins classes, but that didn’t stop the 43-year-old Tennessee resident from taking wins in the final running of both classes.
In Formula One, Batey overtook early leader Scott Carpenter on lap three of six to win by two seconds on his Pirelli-slick-equipped GSX-R750. Carpenter took second on his Ronayers.com-sponsored Suzuki GSX-R1000, and Duane finished third on another Suzuki 1000.
Duane came back to win the 750cc Superbike sprint over Team Velocity’s Chuck Ivey and A.R. Hoshmandy.
In Heavyweight Twins, Batey passed Aprilia Mille-mounted Frank Shockley on lap three of eight and pulled away to win by eight seconds on his Suzuki TL1000R. Shockley finished third after TL1000R rider Scott Brown came by him on lap three.
Butler Machinery’s Jensen rode a borrowed Yamaha YZF-R6 fitted with Michelin tires to the win in 600cc Superbike. Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Matt Furtek took a lonely second on a GSX-R600 Superbike. Teen Jesse Janisch moved up to third on the last lap.
After clinching the Formula Two Championship by riding a Honda RS125 all season, NESBA.com’s Brian Kcraget rode a Phil-Dodd-tuned Honda RS250 to a dominant win in Sunday’s final round. Speed Zone Race Gear’s Jason Temme came back from a stop-and-go penalty to finish second on a Yamaha FZR400 Superbike. First-year-Expert Lyles Sanders took third on a Suzuki SV650.
In WERA National Challenge Series Novice action, Matt Lynn, who had already won the points Championships in 600cc Superstock, 750cc Superstock and 600cc Superbike, won the final race in each class on his Michelin-sponsored Suzukis.
Kart2kart.com’s Eddie Kraft won the Heavyweight Twins and Formula One Novice finals on a Suzuki SV650, and Bartow Suzuki’s Ryan Elleby took a victory in 750cc Superbike on GSX-R750.
More, from a press released by Proforma:
STAR SCHOOL WINNER MATT LYNN FINISHES STRONG NOVICE SEASON AT WERA GNF
Matt Lynn finished off a stellar first year of roadracing at the WERA Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta with three National Challenge Series class championships and a sportsman championship. Matt, age 19, had clinched the three national classes, STAR School 600 Superstock Novice, 600 Superbike Novice and 750 Superstock Novice at the last round at Barber Motorsports Park, but also won the C Superstock sportsman title by virtue of winning the race at Road Atlanta. Matt won a total of four races over the course of the WERA GNF weekend.
“I had an awesome season,” said Lynn, who rode the same Suzuki GSX-R600 in all his races throughout the year. “It’s my first year of roadracing, so everything’s new to me. My dad, Britt, has supported me through everything, he works on everything, he hauls everything. Michelin tires has helped me out and Mike Fitzgerald at Thermosman Suspension has helped me out with not only suspension but with mental advice as well. I’m really looking forward to being an expert next year.”
Matt attended the STAR Motorcycle School event at Barber Motorsports Park on August 9-10 as part of STAR School’s sponsorship of the WERA National Challenge Series 600 Superstock Novice class. Lynn was awarded a free two-day STAR School after becoming the points leader in the class following the WERA National event at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway, June 20-22.
“I really learned a lot at the STAR School at Barber,” said Lynn. “It helped be break down my riding and focus on analysing all the different things it takes to go fast on a sportbike. I had motocrossed for years, but going fast on a road race bike is a lot different.”