Sutton wins $7k in WMRRA Season Finale as Pierce Sets New Track Record
The Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association held their final event of the 2017 season September 2-3 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA with some fantastic summer weather for the Labor Day weekend. Up for grabs was the $10,000 in purse money for the overall championship. Of which $7k goes to the champion, second keeps $2k, and third overall garners $1k. Ryan Sutton had a points lead of 74 points going into the weekend over 2015 Overall Champion Sam Verderico, who had a 15 points lead over Mitchell Pierce. With the championship decided be points from 3 classes, the fat lady had head to sing in this opera.
The race everyone wanted to see, Seattle Triumph/Speed Dealers Motors Formula Ultra, pitting all 3 of these protagonists against each other, was the first race out of the box. Superbike Underground’s Sutton had been talking prior to the race how the Pacific Raceways lap record that he himself set in 2014 of a 1:23.115 would be broken. Pierce who the race round prior had his bike burn to the ground in a crash, was right there with Ryan after his 2Wheel Dynoworks team rebuilt his bike, also confident the lap record would be destroyed. When the light went out and the battle began, all heads were watching. Mitchell Pierce grabbed the hole shot on his Dunlop wearing CBR1000r, with Sutton on his BMW S1000rr wearing Pirelli’s in tow. Pierce’s second lap was a scorcher, as well as Sutton’s. Both would crush the old track record, yet the #37 of Pierce would earn bragging rights lowering the time to a 1:22.366 vs Sutton’s 2nd lap of a 1:22.548. Always a fierce competitor, Sutton then began to close the gap on Pierce, stringing 3 more laps below the old track record all in the high 1:22s. By the end of lap 5, Ryan had clawed his way back right on the rear wheel of Pierce. With 11 laps to go, anticipation was building in all whose eyes were watching the spectacle. All the while this was going on, SuperBike Underground’s Verderico on his Yamaha R1M was being chased by Marcel Irnie of Irnie Racing on his BMW S1000rr having quite a battle of their own for 3rd & 4th. Marcel kept pressuring Sam and eventually found his way by on lap 8. Verderico battled back and was right with Irnie all the way to the finish line, unfortunately for his title bid, was unable to find a way around, finishing 4th. Irnie earning a well deserved and hard fought 3rd place, was excited on the podium, yet stating it was a exhausting race and one he had to work hard for. At the front, Pierce kept the pace quick and on lap 7 Sutton dug his knee puck in the dirt at the apex of Turn 4, losing the puck. That would be enough of a factor for him to have to back off a bit. With leathers noticeably damaged after the race, Sutton said he could push as hard on left hand turns without the knee puck and said he had to begrudgingly end taking the fight to Pierce for the end. Pierce won the race while setting a new track record and took home $1,000 in purse money for the win.
On the podium, PIerce was so excited and near speechless. “I just can’t believe this all went as good as it did. Last weekend my bike was ashes. The 2Wheel Dynoworks team worked hard to rebuild my bike and it was awesome. At the beginning of the season, I didn’t expect for all of this to happen. But I find myself in a championship battle, setting a lap record, and having the time of my life. Thanks to Dunlop for the awesome tires, my team for working their butts off, and my wife for supporting me!” Anyone that knows Mitchell Pierce, knows the guy is a flat track phenomenon as a kid and is not surprised by his success this year.
While sleeping on his competitor breaking his old track record, Sutton came out swinging on Sunday to try and reclaim it. In the OpenSS purse race sponsored by Moto Vixens, Sutton took the hole shot and lead it back to back. He nearly broke the track record with a 1:22.484, winning the race on his Pirelli mounted BMW S1000rr and earning $200 in purse money. In the Noble Rush OpenSB race, Pierce took a flag to flag win in that one with his Dunlop shod CBR1000rr, taking home $500 in purse money. Sutton had a fuel pump issue that had him retire from the starting grid, much to the disappointment of fans and Pierce alike. All who were looking forward to one final throw down battle between the two.
In the final purse race class, Formula Female sponsored by Sixth Gear Publishing, Katie Carney took the win in the class for a $200 cash prize on her Yamaha R6 sporting Pirelli’s. Mallory Dobbs ended a great season by taking the Formula Female championship in its inaugural year . This was a new class for the club in 2017, imagined, created, and promoted by class sponsor Brittany Dickson and her Publishing company to enhance female racing. And it worked, the whole female racing contingency within the North West is excited about it and proud the class.
Speaking of championships. When all was said and done, the unofficial results had Ryan Sutton winning the overall WMRRA championship and Overall #1 plate with 842 points, Mitchell Pierce taking the #2 plate with 786, and Sam Verderico earning the #3 plate with 758. Those plates all come with checks attached to them too, which makes the season even sweeter. Ryan “Chromie” Sutton was very stoked at the awards ceremony, as he accepted his overall victory. “What a season it has been. i want to thank KFG Racing who has always been with me over the years; Barry & April, I love you. Don at SuperBike Underground who no one tunes better than. Pirelli tires & MotoG racing for the fantastic tires and service. Mark DeGross & 2Fast, thanks for all the good track time to get my fast on. My crew chief, Donny Shultz, you are the man! And mostly to my wife Avril, my kids, and my family who help make this all possible. Thank you for an amazing season!”
WMRRA would like to thank all of its competitors, sponsors and volunteers for making 2017 a fabulous season and one to remember!