From a press release issued by USGPRU:
USGPRU National Championship Round 7 Results
ALTON, VA – June 30, 2004 – The USGPRU shifted gears from the tight confines of NHIS and traveled south in search of the fast flowing layout at Virginia International Speedway. Despite the radical change of scenery the battle in the 125 race took shape once again as a test of wills amongst Brian Kcraget, Josh Herrin, Todd Puckett and Steve Wenner. Kcraget set the qualifying pace with the only lap in the 1:34 bracket while Herrin sat a second back and everyone else spent Saturday night wondering where they might find an extra 2 seconds per lap. A total of 36 bikes qualified for Sunday’s race making it the largest grid of the day.
The 250cc class took on a very different complexion with the arrival of Bruce Lind and a 6-pack of 250 contenders from the Western US, producing the largest and most competitive grid this season with 32 riders making the main event. Chuck Sorensen also arrived to a hero’s welcome as the former AMA 250cc champ seriously upped the ante in the maiden year of USGPRU 250 competition. Qualifying had Sorensen out front by a wide margin, due in part to Kcraget’s crash in the opening lap of the session. Kcraget remounted on his 125 to claim 5th spot on the grid but eventually forfeited his position and started at the back of the grid when he decided to use his 250 in the race. Top qualifying spots went to Herrin on his 125, Sean Wray, Wenner, and Lind.
The 125 race was a two horse race early on with Kcraget and Herrin locked in a close duel that had spectators on edge. Corner speeds of both riders through the NASCAR bend were frightful and Herrin appeared to lose the front end nearly every lap in the early going. He rode a smart race preferring to keep his position as Kcraget opened a significant gap during the middle of the race. In the end though a mechanical problem caused Kcraget’s bike to stick in 2nd gear and the race came back to Herrin. Todd Puckett and Steve Wenner fought their way up to 2nd and 3rd respectively while Loudon podium finisher Eric Yoo held off John Hjelm and Steve Gorrel for 4th place points.
Red flags in the FUSA feature events pushed the 250cc race late into the afternoon but nothing would deter Chuck Sorensen from claiming the victory. Kcraget sliced through the field and managed to hold the gap to Sorensen, but eventually he capitulated and settled for second. Sean Wray made back-to-back trips to the podium while Steve Wenner fought off Herrin for fifth. In keeping with the theme of the day, the race ended early after a back straight incident forced a red flag. The USGPRU returns to action July 10th at Buttonwillow Raceway.
FINAL RESULTS:
USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix:
1. Josh Herrin
2. Todd Puckett
3. Steve Wenner
4. Eric Yoo
5. John Hjelm
6. Steve Gorrell
7. Frank Guadagnino
8. Dale Greenwood
9. Gregor Halenda
10. Mike Orien
11. Brian Kcraget
12. John R Klaras
13. David Celento
14. Brian Roach
15. Joe Melchionda
16. Turu Illgen
17. Michael Santelia
18. M Eschman
19. G Pison
20. Scott Coccoli
21. Joanne Sawyer
22. Rebecca Henn
23. Brad Reese
24. Scott Bourke
25. Mark Johnson
26. Ryan Clay
27. Chris Cosentino
28. Anna Garrison
29. Stewart Aitken-Cade
30. Nobi Iso
31. Philip Bangle
32. Barry Gilsenan
33. Dennis Woods
USGPRU 250cc Grand Prix:
1. Chuck Sorensen
2. Brian Kcraget
3. Sean Wray
4. Steve Wenner
5. Josh Herrin
6. Scott McNew
7. Mark Stiles
8. Patrick Dowd
9. Eric Yoo
10. Nobi Iso
11. Stewart Aitken-Cade
12. John R Klaras
13. Mike Wright
14. David Celento
15. Kory Gill
16. M Eschman
17. David Mathews
18. Dennis Woods
19. JP Bartlett
20. Ryan Clay
21. Scott Coccoli
22. Rebecca Henn
23. Brian Roach
24. Meghan Stiles
25. Williard Jones
26. Mark Johnson
27. Philip Bangle
28. Bruce Lind
29. Boyd Bruner
30. Rafael Garcia
USGPRU sponsors include Infinity Investing, Acid Cigars, CCS/F-USA, Bridgestone, Dunlop, EBC Brakes, GPC Moto, Hjelm Motorsports, Motion Pro, Redline Cycle Imports, REV’IT! USA, Silkolene, Speed Fiber, 888-Fastlap, and VP Fuel.
About USGPRU
The USGPRU is the officially recognized Motorcycle Grand Prix Road Racing National Championship series in the United States. The USGPRU emulates true World MotoGP racing experience and serves to attract young riders to gain experience in a professional environment and provide a path to world-class motorcycle racing. The USGPRU structures events with extended length grand prix racing exclusive to the GP machines, timed qualifying and strong contingency and sponsor support. For additional details, visit www.USGPRU.net.
More, from a press release issued by Speedwerks:
Tough Competition and Bike Problems at VIR make for a long weekend for Kcraget
Alton, VA: Brian Kcraget headed to VIR, his home track, this past Friday for the USGPRU’s East Coast Round 4. Going into this weekend, Kcraget was leading the points in the East Coast’s 125GP series and second in the points for the 250GP series. For the National series standings, he was second in the 125GP series, only four points behind young gun Josh Herrin, and tied for third in the 250GP series, only 14 points behind first place Steve Wenner.
Saturday’s CCS races provided a preview of what Sunday’s USGPRU events may look like.The first race of the day was CCS’ GP Singles. After starting on the third row, Kcraget followed Herrin into turn 1. They immediately put a gap on the field and Kcraget drafted Herrin for the lead beginning the second lap. Herrin wouldn’t stand for that and repassed Kcraget on the brakes into one. Kcraget was able to go around the outside of Herrin on the exit of turn 3 and immediately dropped his times into the 1:34 range. With a best lap of 1:34.1, Kcraget crossed the line first with about a five second lead.
Saturday’s 125GP qualifying went well for Kcraget, as he set the Formula USA National 125 track qualifying record with a time of 1:34.688. With that qualifying time and his Nesba.com/Acid Cigars/Speedwerks Honda RS125, Kcraget took pole once again, over second place Josh Herrin, who ran a 1:35.357.
The 250GP qualifying session was up next, and Kcraget took to the track with the Nesba.com/Speedwerks Honda RS250. Kcraget knew the competition would be tough, with former AMA 250GP Champion Chuck Sorensen showing up on his factory Aprilia RSV250 to take part in the USGPRU event. On the first lap of qualifying, cold tires may have caused the vicious high-side Kcraget suffered in turn 3. After slowly getting up from his crash, he realized that if he got his 125, he could finish qualifying. The USGPRU rules state that if you switch bikes, your previous times are void and the times on the second bike are what count. Kcraget made his way back to the pits to grab his bike, with only 5 minutes left in the qualifying session. Kcraget took to the track with enough time for two laps, and in his second lap he qualified with a 1:37.757. This was good enough to slide Kcraget into the fifth place position, which would start him on the second row, behind Sean Wray, Josh Herrin, and pole sitter Chuck Sorensen (who qualified with a 1:31.152).
Sunday brought both the 125GP and 250GP races and Kcraget was ready to erase the memories of his weekend crashes. Starting from pole, Kcraget got a great start off the line, with Herrin in tow, and 29 other riders ready to dice it out behind them. Herrin gave it all he had, and stayed with Kcraget for four laps, before Kcraget turned up the pace, with a best lap time of 1:34.5. Kcraget stretched out a lead over Herrin of more than ten seconds, and it looked like he was cruising to another victory. With four laps to go, Kcraget’s Honda RS125 broke a shift linkage, jamming his bike in second gear. At this point, Kcraget knew all he could do was finish the race and grab whatever points he could. Fortunately, even after crawling around the 2.25 mile track for four more laps in second gear, he had stretched out enough of a lead that he was still able to claim eleventh place. Josh Herrin took the win, with Todd Puckett and Steve Wenner finishing second and third respectively.
With such a frustrating weekend, Kcraget took a breather before his 250GP race. With multiple red flag situations, it gave Kcraget time to rest and put the day’s earlier incidents behind him. After qualifying on his 125 because of a crash, he had two choices. He could either ride the 125 in the 250 race, and start from fifth, or he could choose to ride his 250, but would have to be gridded in last place of a field of 29 riders. Kcraget is always up for a challenge, and decided to grid in last place on his 250. Sorensen got the hole shot, and went into turn 1 with 28 riders on his tail. Kcraget diced his was up to six place in just the first lap of the race, and it was obvious that he meant business. Sorensen sailed off to a huge lead on his Rocky Stargel Aprilia RSV250, leaving the rest of the field battling for second. By the second lap, Kcraget had made his way into second place, and was closing the gap between him and Sorensen. Kcraget put in some blistering laps, but couldn’t close the gap tight enough, finishing second, with Sean Wray finishing third, Steve Wenner fourth, and Josh Herrin fifth.
The weekend’s events have put Kcraget in an even tighter battle for all of the championships. In the East Coast, Kcraget is still first in the 125GP, with second place Todd Puckett closing the gap only 23 points behind him. For the East Coast 250GP championship, Kcraget is now tied for first place with Steve Wenner, with a total of 138 points each. For the National Championship, Kcraget is now 39 points behind Josh Herrin in the 125GP series, but he has gained in the 250GP National Standings, and is tied in first place with Steve Wenner.