VESRAH SUZUKI ANNOUNCES THAT THE TEAM WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN THE 2010 WERA NATIONAL ENDURANCE SERIES.
Vesrah Suzuki has competed in the WERA National Endurance Series full time for 9 years amassing 8 championships, 3 perfect seasons including 2 years back to back, 76 race wins, has not been defeated in the last 24 races and won the last 24-hour endurance race held in the U.S. It has been an amazing adventure that has included a lot of the same riders and crew throughout the entire time frame. The team is looking forward to a new challenge and wishes all the competitors in the WERA National Endurance Series good luck in 2010.
Vesrah Suzuki would like to thank WERA motorcycle racing (Evelyn & Sean Clarke along with all of the officials) for providing the venue that allowed the team to display its talent, drive and determination. Vesrah Suzuki thanks all of the sponsors that made it possible for the team to compete at this level for the last decade and looks forward to continuing these relationships in the future. Mr. Aki Tamura of Vesrah Co. deserves special recognition for always standing behind the team. Suzuki has provided support that enabled the team to showcase the performance and reliability of the GSX-R 1000 since the models inception in 2001. Pirelli Tires, Traxxion Dynamics, Penske Racing Shocks, Maxima Racing Oils, Nielsens Suzuki and Factory Pro are all sponsors that have been with the team since the beginning and their continuous support is appreciated. Thanks also go out to all of the current and past sponsors for their efforts in supporting the team.
Vesrah Suzuki thanks all of the riders for their efforts in piloting the teams Suzuki GSX-R’s while owning the racetrack Mark Junge, Tray Batey, John Jacobi, Cory West, Chris Ulrich, Lee Acree, Glenn Szarek, Joe Prussiano, Daryl Saylor, Michael Barnes, David Rose, and David McGrath. Vesrah Suzuki also thanks the crew for the effort needed to repeatedly be able to perform pit stops changing both wheels and fueling the GSX-R 1000’s in under 12 seconds consistently Chris Junge, Nancy Junge, Tony Pogue, Mark Oatley, Jeff Wolfe, Pat Holly, Chuck Desimio, Travis Smith, Bruce Stanford, Scott Harwell, Chris Semoff, Jesse Daugherty, and the people who filled in when the team was shorthanded.
Mark Junge “I would like to thank the riders and crew for their hard work, dedication and team work over all of these years. Without this and the dedicated support from all of the teams sponsors none of this would have been possible. I never imagined it would be possible to build this team up from the 2 place open trailer out of my father’s garage. I am sad that the endurance racing is ending, but it really has not been the same since my father passed. I really want to thank Tray and John, they gave me 100% every hour of every race.”
Cory West “Being a part of the Vesrah Suzuki Endurance team last year was a great experience for me. Working with so many individuals who were all dedicated to one goal, winning, taught me how important teamwork is and how a well-organized group of people can work like a machine. Finishing out the year undefeated and knowing that I helped bring home Vesrah’s 8th WERA National Endurance Championship makes me feel very special. I would like to thank the entire crew of Mark, Nancy, Tony, Chuck, Bruce, Scott, and Travis for excellent work in the pits and my teammates Tray and John for outstanding riding all year long. I think it will be a long time until the WERA Championship sees a team as dominant as the Vesrah Suzuki Endurance team!”
Tray Batey “Endurance racing has been a huge part of my racing career and I’ve been extremely fortunate to have been involved with some of the best teams in this racing discipline. This team [Vesrah Suzuki] is certainly one of the very best to ever compete. The wins and championships Vesrah has accumulated speak clearly about the commitment, work ethic, and the superior performance of top-notch equipment provided by our sponsorship partners. Meanwhile, I’ve got lots of great memories. How could you consider yourself an accomplished competitor or feel you were riding for one of best teams ever if your competitors were no good? It’s been a privilege and a great honor to compete against each and every one of you at tracks across the country, in conditions from perfect to horrendously cold or wet. Thank you each and every team and a thank you to each rider individually for giving all you could give and pushing us and myself to be the very best we could be. Thank you Sean and Evelyn, and all our friends at WERA for keeping this great series alive. Nothing but warm thoughts goes out to each of you.” TRAY #33
John Jacobi “What a 9-year run! I have to thank Mark and Nancy for bringing me on board Team Vesrah Suzuki in 2002. I never would have thought that it would lead to 8 championships and 76 Wins. When I look back and think of all the people that helped make Team Vesrah what it is, I’m at a loss for words. Vesrah has become a dominant force in racing because of every one of them. I want to thank Tray, Cory, Mark and all of my co-riders over the years. It takes a special (or crazy) breed of rider to ride at your limit hour after hour rain or shine. A special thanks to my teammate Tray. I’ve learned so much from Tray over the years. It’s been a privilege to ride along side one of the greats! Thank you to the whole crew (Mark, Nancy, Tony, Chuck, Bruce, Travis, Scott). Anybody that had the chance to watch our crew at work knows there is none better. Thanks to Crew Chief Tony Pogue. Every time I rolled out of the pits, I knew I was on a great bike. Thanks for building and maintaining our Suzuki’s to the highest caliber. Thanks to Evelyn, Sean, and everybody at WERA for putting together the best racing series. If it has got to end, there is no better way to go than with 2 perfect seasons in a row and 24 wins in a row. I’m not sure what the next chapter will bring but I look forward to the challenge.” John Jacobi #49