Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Practice for the WERA National Challenge Series at Virginia International Raceway got underway in rainy conditions, but the track dried in time for racing, and Tray Batey and Brian Kcraget each won two races.

Batey’s first win was in Heavyweight Twins on his Suzuki TL1000R. Bill St. John on a Ducati 996 kept Batey from breaking away in the early laps, but Batey was eventually able to build a lengthy margin of victory. The race was red-flagged after five of six laps had been completed, for a bike down in a dangerous area.

Batey’s second victory was also shortened by a red flag. He rode his Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R750 to a win in Pirelli Formula 1. Batey was building a long lead over Tim Bemisderfer when rain began to fall and the red flag came out on lap four.

Local star Brian Kcraget rode his Honda RS125 to a win in both 125cc GP and Formula 2. He checked out from the rest of the field in both races.

Greg Moore earned his first Open Superstock win, taking the lead from Mark Junge on the second lap. Moore, on a Suzuki GSX-R1000, took the win while Junge managed to hold onto second despite his GSX-R1000’s frame being bent from a crash the previous day.

Junge later won the 600cc Superstock race on his Suzuki GSX-R600. Moore was initially just behind Junge, but crashed on the third lap.

Josh Hayes showed up for the weekend and won 750cc Superstock on a Suzuki GSX-R750. He started from the third row since he had only earned points in the season opener at Jennings GP, and had to work his way past Vesrah’s John Jacobi and Batey. Hayes took the lead on the fourth lap, and Batey stayed close behind him on the final two laps.

David Weber pulled ahead at the start of the 600cc Superbike race to win on his XT Racing Suzuki GSX-R600. Greg Myers was catching up to him on a Yamaha YZF-R6 when the red flag came out with one lap remaining for a crash. Myers and Weber are teammates, giving XT Racing the top two spots on the podium.

Doug Duane rode his Suzuki GSX-R750 to victory in 750cc Superbike. Weber built a long lead in the opening laps, but Duane worked his way into second and started chasing Weber. Duane took the lead on the fourth lap, and beat Weber by inches.

In Lightweight Twins, a.k.a. The SV650 Race, Bradley Champion won over Martin Musil. Champion’s typical long margin of victory has been dwindling this season as Musil continues to pick up the pace.

The WERA National Series will have a month-long break before round five at Talladega.