MARRC News: WERA Sprints September, 1997

WERA at Summit Point

September 6-7, 1997

With weather reports earnestly calling for clear skies around the Shenandoah Valley, suspicions of a WERA curse at Summit Point began Saturday morning when cloudy skies once again hovered over the track. Right on time, at the beginning of the second practice session, a lazy rain fell onto an already marginal surface. Practice was delayed, and eventually the lunch break taken, to see whether the rain would pass. And pass it did. Skeptics doubted that the sun would appear, but by the end of the second practice, the sun had emerged and warmed the track.

Racing conditions from then on came somewhere near perfect. Sunny skies and cool air made for a good track surface and strong engines. Only one red flag came out during the Novice Middleweight Solo20, and there were no serious incidents. During the Lightweight Solo20, nearly a quarter of the field was eliminated due to crashes or mechanical failures.

The great weather continued on into Sunday, with the only incident being a high-side in Turn 3 stopping a race. Otherwise, the racing was handlebar to handlebar, seeing track times down in the 1:18s for several Heavyweights sprint races.

All action photos courtesy of member Thanks for the great shots!

Brian Summers (#132) celebrates atop his Suzuki RGV for his bike-length victory over Rich Sturges (#411) in the Lightweight Twins race on Sunday. Sturges and his Kawasaki EX superbike battled with Summers during the entire 8-lap race.

WERA Race Director George Mood must be thinking "These cornerworkers have a tough job!" while pointing out a line of oil in Turn 5 during a 600 sprint race.

MARRC Assistant Safety Director Marc Shockley and several cornerworkers load a pair of damaged bikes into Roadrash Jr in the Carousel. Few clubs provide a service to return bikes directly to their pits, free of charge. Neither rider was hurt during the incident.

Dean Middleton in fine form aboard one of Freddie Spencer's old Honda Interceptor 750s on Saturday, earning him a first place finish in Vintage 5. He earlier won the Formula 2-Stroke event aboard his Yamaha RZ350.

Bucky Sexton takes his immaculately prepared Ducati 350 through the Carousel to win the Classic Lightweight event on Saturday.

	Brian Summers (#132) celebrates atop his Suzuki RGV for his bike-length victory over Rich Sturges (#411) in the Lightweight Twins race on Sunday. Sturges and his Kawasaki EX superbike battled with Summers during the entire 8-lap race.
	WERA Race Director George Mood must be thinking "These cornerworkers have a tough job!" while pointing out a line of oil in Turn 5 during a 600 sprint race.
	MARRC Assistant Safety Director Marc Shockley and several cornerworkers load a pair of damaged bikes into Roadrash Jr in the Carousel. Few clubs provide a service to return bikes directly to their pits, free of charge. Neither rider was hurt during the incident.
	Dean Middleton in fine form aboard one of Freddie Spencer's old Honda Interceptor 750s on Saturday, earning him a first place finish in Vintage 5. He earlier won the Formula 2-Stroke event aboard his Yamaha RZ350.
	Bucky Sexton takes his immaculately prepared Ducati 350 through the Carousel to win the Classic Lightweight event on Saturday.