Josh Hayes rode an AMA Superstock-spec 2004 Erion Honda CBR1000RR to victory in the opening WSMC F-1 race of the 2006 season, at Willow Springs Raceway on Sunday. Hayes had a tight battle with Honda R&D test rider Jeff Tigert and his CBR1000RR Superbike until Tigert chunked his rear tire in turn eight on lap 8 of 12 and retired. Tigert ran a medium-compound Dunlop 16.5-inch rear slick and Hayes ran a hard-compound Dunlop 17-inch rear slick. Jack Pfeifer, who finished fourth in the 2004 Daytona 200, returned to racing for the first time since breaking his back in a big crash last July, and finished third in Open Superbike and fourth in F1, on a borrowed Suzuki GSX-R1000. Former WSMC Champion Jeremy Toye missed the race weekend due to illness. Results follow, in chronological order. (Note: Some of the races featured several different classes, started as second or third waves. Each class is listed separately below.) FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT: 1. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. John Ashker (Hon) 3. David Conger (Duc 996) 4. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Paul Milligan (Yam) 6. Rocky Caceres (Suz GSX-R750) FORMULA 40 LIGHTWEIGHT: 1. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 749R) 2. Mark Watts (Yam TZ250) 3. Steve Hewitt (Kaw ZX-6RR) 4. Tom Sera (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Stan Bates (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Joel Manes (Hon RS250R) TRACK RIDERS TAX SERVICE FORMULA 50: 1. Mitchell Wissner (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Dave Molitor (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Charles Burnett (Hon) RACERLOANS.COM 2-STROKE PRODUCTION: 1. Kris Provost (Apr RS250) 2. Jamie Lenore (Apr RS250) 3. Robert Gosney (Apr RS250) 4. Richard Barnett III (Apr RS250) 5. Herb Abell (Apr RS250) 6. Lloyd Magruder (Apr RS250) VINTAGE HEAVYWEIGHT DINOSAURS: 1. George Beavers III (Suz) BOTT LIGHTWEIGHT: 1. Michael Gougis (Kaw EX500) 2. Larry Cochran (Hon) 3. Tracy Bennett (Hon) 4. Allan Karman (Suz) 5. Eric Compton (Hon) 6. Cody Burton (Hon) TRACK DAZ 650cc SUPERBIKE: 1. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Brant Wiwi (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 749R) 4. Adamar Nunes (Kaw ZX-6R) 5. Matt Quigley (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Raul Padilla (Suz GSX-R600) H-D/BUELL OF GLENDALE BOTT MIDDLEWEIGHT: 1. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 749R) 2. Marlon Ibarra (Duc 749R) 3. Joey Landford (Buell) 4. Tim Martinez (Suz SV650) 5. Andy Palmer (Suz SV650) 6. George Beavers III (Suz SV650) VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT DINOSAURS: 1. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam RD400) 2. Larry Cochran (Hon) 3. Warren Spradlin Jr. (Yam) 4. Eric Compton (Hon) 5. Tracy Bennett (Hon) 6. Cody Burton (Hon) SPORT TIRE SERVICES 600cc SUPERSTOCK: 1. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Brant Wiwi (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Blair Sullenger (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Stan Bates (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Shaun Summers (Yam YZF-R6) 6. James Brown (Hon CBR600RR) FASTRACK RIDERS OPEN SUPERBIKE: 1. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR1000RR) 2. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R1) 3. Jack Pfeifer (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Jason Caldwell (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Reno Kariminian (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. John-Mark Arechiga (Suz GSX-R1000) RACERS EDGE 750cc SUPERSTOCK: 1. Karl Lowry (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Bradley Adams (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Adamar Nunes (Kaw ZX-6R) 5. Dustin Coyner (Kaw ZX-6R) 6. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750) BOTT HEAVYWEIGHT: 1. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 999R) 2. Adamar Nunes (Apr RSV1000) 3. Marlon Ibarra (Duc 749R) 4. David Conger (Duc 996) 5. Don Erickson 6. Bob Setbacken (Duc 999R) 500cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. J.C. Gibbs (Yam FZR400) 2. Ryan Sturz (Yam FZR400) 3. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam FZR400) 4. Eric Angel (Yam FZR400) 5. John Sender (Hon) 6. Jane Schwartzkopf (Yam FZR400) ROADRACINGWORLD.COM/REDLINE MOTORSPORTS 250cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Mark Watts (Yam TZ250) 2. John Ulrich (Yam TZ250) 3. Kris Provost (Hon RS250R) 4. Jesus Amezcua (Hon RS250R) 5. Blair Sullenger (Hon RS125R) 6. Joel Manes (Hon RS250R) 7. James Wilberger (Hon RS250R) 8. Melissa Paris (Hon RS125R) 9. John Dalton (Hon) 10. Steve Lambrick (Yam TS250) 11. Lloyd Magruder (Yam TZ250) 12. Jorge Artola (Hon) 750cc SUPERBIKE: 1. Karl Lowry (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Adamar Nunes (Kaw ZX-6R) 3. Don Erickson (Suz) 4. Michael Bishop (Suz) GOLDEN CANTINA OPEN MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. Tony Meiring (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Mike Martin (Yam YZF-R1) 3. Ren Karminian (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Jason Caldwell (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. John-Mark Arechiga (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Chris Duran (Yam) L&L MOTORSPORTS/GP SUSPENSION 600cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. Brant Wiwi (Yam YZF-R6) 2. William Clarke (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Shaun Summers (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Stan Bates (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Brandon Davies (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Daniel Shaffner (Kaw ZX-6RR) TOYOTA CUP UNLIMITED FORMULA ONE: 1. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR1000RR) 2. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R1) 3. Tony Meiring (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Jack Pfeifer (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Ren Karminian (Suz GSX-R1000) 7. Jason Caldwell (Suz GSX-R1000) 8. Jacob West (Suz GSX-R1000) 9. Mitchell Wissner (Suz GSX-R1000) 10. Tony D’Augusta 11. Jeff Tigert (Hon CBR1000RR), DNF, tire 12. Mike Martin, Yam YZF-R1, DNF, crash 650cc TO OPEN HEAVYWEIGHT NOVICE: 1. Eric Nolan (Hon CBR1000RR) 2. Tjadir Harris (Suz GSX-R) 3. Jonathan Rapel (Suz GSX-R) 4. Jason Galvez (Hon CBR1000RR) 5. Michael Biard (Duc) 6. Michael Quinn (Kaw ZX-10R) GOLDEN WEST TRAILERS FORMULA 2: 1. Daniel Shaffner (Kaw ZX-6R) 2. Jesus Amezcua (Hon RS250R) 125cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Blair Sullenger (Hon RS125R) 2. Melissa Paris (Hon RS125R) 3. Joel Manes (Hon RS125R) 4. Brandon Davies (Yam) FORMULA TWINS: 1. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 999R) 2. Adamar Nunes (Apr RSV1000) 3. David Conger (Duc 996) 4. Jeff Eklund (Buell) 5. Bob Setbacken (Duc 999R) 6. Don Erickson (Apr RSV1000) 500cc SUPERSTOCK: 1. J.C. Gibbs (Yam FZR400) 2. Ryan Sturz (Yam FZR400) 3. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam FZR400) 4. Eric Angel (Yam FZR400) 5. Jane Schwartzkopf (Yam FZR400) 6. Mark Guzman (Yam FZR400) FORMULA SINGLES: 1. Jeff Rheaume (Suz) 2. Cody Burton (Hon) GRAVES MOTORSPORTS OPEN SUPERTOCK: 1. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R1) 2. John-Mark Arechiga (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Jason Caldwell (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. John Ashker (Hon CBR1000RR) 5. Armen Manougian (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Erick Navarro (Yam YZF-R1) 750cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. Karl Lowry (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Adamar Nunes (Kaw ZX-6R) 4. Dustin Coyner (Kaw ZX-6R) 5. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Mike Scherer (Suz GSX-R750) LITTLE BIG RACING SERVICES 550cc SUPERBIKE: 1. Tim Martinez (Suz SV650) 2. Ryan Sturz (Yam FZR400) 3. J.C. Gibbs (Yam FZR400) 4. George Beavers III (Suz) 5. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam FZR400) 6. Kevin Jump (Kaw Ninja 650R) 500cc SINGLES: 1.Larry Cochran (Honda 500) 2. Eric Compton (Hon) 3. Patrick McGinley (Buell) 4. Mario Vindeni (Buell) 5. Cody Burton (Hon) 6. Jim Chaconas (Buell) 600cc SINGLES (No starters) 0-500cc LIGHTWEIGHT NOVICE: 1. Rick Stitely (Apr RS250) 2. Charlie Coyner (Suz) (Withdrew) 3. Barrett Meeker (Hon) 4. James Schipper (Yam) 5. Brent Meeker (Apr) 6. James Provencher (Buell) 501-650cc MIDDLEWEIGHT NOVICE: 1. Ryan Long (Hon CBR600RR) 2. Gregory Kim (Hon CBR600RR) 3. Ryan Gagliano (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Wayne Couter (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Kirker Kassabian (Suz GSX-R600) 6. Seth Clark (Suz GSX-R600) More, from a press release issued by Kenny Kopecky: Willow Springs Motorcycle Club’s new #1 plate holder Kenny Kopecky rode his pair of Ducati Oceanside/Dunlop/Maxima/Suomy/TrackDaz supported race bikes to four wins in five starts, and led 23 of the 30 laps he raced on Sunday in the southern California tracks’ season opener. The day’s first race of the new year saw Kopecky holeshot the F-40 Lightweight class from the second row and lead all six laps just ahead of the 2005 class Champion and new #2 plate holder Mark Watts. The pair of top ranked racers from 2005 at Willow climbed to 3rd and 4th overall on the track, passing all but two of the F-40 Heavyweight class riders that started as a first wave. After a one race break, he then ran back to back races in 650 Superbike and BOTT Middleweight on the teams’ 749R-04, holeshotting both races. Kenny briefly led ahead of young teen charger Michael Beck, who made a pass off turn 9 to complete the first lap and pull away steadily to win 650 Superbike. Kenny was demoted to 3rd by rising WSMC talent Brant Wiwi, and the top 3 pulled away by nearly 15 seconds ahead of the nearest challengers at the finish. In BOTT Middleweight while narrowly leading class challenger Marlon Ibarra (Duc 749R), Kenny slackened his pace considerably in the increasing winds past halfway of the sprint race, and found himself in 2nd at the white flag. With a strong run into turn 1 on the brakes, Kopecky was able to re-take the lead and hold off Ibarra by just .256 of a second. After the race Kenny said “This guy (Ibarra) is really hungry and we expect him to be the favorite for the class title this season, as we’ll be missing some events later on. We’re sure to have some more great races with him when we make it out!” To finish the day Kenny raced a Ducati 999R-05 to victories in both BOTT Heavyweight and Formula Twins classes. “The winds were getting worse, and I think most of us were just trying to get through the day without making any big mistakes. I know I was. It feels really good to put the #1 out front in these races, and into the lead in some class standings, even briefly, this year. We’re tied for the overall 2006 lead, as well.” The next WSMC race day is February 19th at Willow Springs.