WERA at Summit Point

For race results, go to the WERA Results Page.

When WERA comes to Summit Point, especially in the month of April, racers and cornerworkers alike usually bring their entire closet of warm clothes because know when is ever quite sure of what the weather will do. Those arriving at Summit Point on Friday night all spoke of the beautiful weather the area experienced all week, especially April-like warmth. And when Saturday dawned to a blue sky and warm breezes, everyone let out a collective sigh and prepared for racing.

But a few experienced souls noticed the small line of clouds growing on the horizon, and realized that the nice morning was only nature's cruel tease. During morning practice the conditions were favorable, but the breezes began to come more frequently, and by noon, the temperature was dropping. And by the end of the race meeting, it was pouring rain. Things were back to normal for Summit Point in April.

WERA Race Director George Mood shortened the races of the day by about half. Riders also voted with their feet, with most grids with only about half of those riders who had entered the races. Most races comprised of about 10 to 15 riders who sloshed around the wet course trying to salvage some points and convince themselves that the drive to Summit Point was not wasted. The cornerworkers remained dependable and rather busy. Although the conditions were not horrendously slipperly, several riders still found their way into the mud. During a particulary exciting battle in the LW Solo event, an FZR400 passed for the lead going into Turn 10 and held it for only a few feet. The rain only allows for so much speed in any turn, and he found the limit and promptly crashed out. The rider and the bike were covered with mud but none the worse for wear, and both rode back into the pits on their own.

Believe it or not, rumors of a forecast for snow spread around the paddock Saturday night. Although Summit Point only received a light dusting that didn't last long, cars drove in from the DC area covered with snow. Yes, it was definitely April at Summit Point.

Heavy winds that started during the night stayed throughout the day on Sunday. The paddock area looked as though a hurricane had hit it, with canopies blown down and debris spread around the entire area. And it stayed cold. And cloudy. All poor combinations at a track not known for its outstanding grip. Although the new pavement helped considerably, even riders on the softest of compounds could not get enough heat built up in their tires to get good traction anywhere. The wet conditions also meant that in Turns 8 and 9 water percolated up through the asphalt and made those turns treacherous if the rider went outside the established racing line

As for the racing, some of it was close, but overall riders did their best to stay up. Some notable races were the Formula 2 Expert race, where 125GP National Champion Mike Himmelsbach brought out a new Yamaha TZ250 and rode it to a win over local favorite David Yaakov on his SV650.

Current track record holder Tim Bemisderfer (#511) had a good weekend, winning every event he entered on his Yamaha R1, and had a spirited battle with his brother Bryan (#198) and Art Diaz (#83) during the A Superstock event. Tim also took the C Superbike win from Diaz as well, but Diaz kept pace during the C Superstock event and ended up at the top of the podium.

Thanks go out to MARRC member Glen Ouye for the race photos. If you want Glen to get your picture and have it appear on these pages, put a MARRC sticker on your bike. That's it! For more information about Glen and see more of his outstanding work, go to his pages at www.seapup.com.

	This is vintage? Lance Yeager (#89) of Chambersburg, PA on a very nicely setup Suzuki 750 gets a good drive out of Turn 5 during the Vintage 6 event on his way into the Carousel. Lance went on to take the win after a strong ride.
	Keenan Gingrich of Lancaster, PA (#230) on a RD350 stops in Turn 1 for a consultation with corner captain Liz Brinson. No doubt he stopped for advice on the best lines into the turn, or perhaps it was just a mechanical problem. Either way, Liz was her usual ebullient and helpful self, and got the rider back to the pits safely.
	In the best race of the day, Hawk mounted Ryan Chapin (#647) leads Robert "Ruddy" Rudnicki (#55) through Turn 6 in the final stages of the LW Solo 16. At first it was a four bike battle for the lead, until Bob Herring (#41) crashed in Turn 10, and SV650 rider Steve Clark faded after realizing what a huge lead they had over 4th place. Chapin took the win at the checkered flag, but not without a spirited and entertaining fight.
	Third place finisher Steve Clark (#16) navigates the Carousel on his SV650 during the LW Solo event on Saturday. Clark had pushed his way to the front several times, only to pushed back by the other riders.
	Who says racing is only for guys? Two of the club's best assets are these two women, MARRC Associate Safety Director Wendy Leland (left) and corner captain Liz Brinson. Liz and Wendy are shown here in a more jovial mood Saturday morning before the cold front hit. We also couldn't confirm if Liz is gesturing to the camera or just smacking an insect.
	In a great photo, Gary Lhommedieu (#726) rides during the C Superbike Expert event, with a marginal lead over Quentin Mise (#23) and Brian Snurr (#177). You can see the mud from Gary's crash during the C Superstock race, and also how cold it is by the fogged faceshield. Gary couldn't hold the pack at bay for long, and Snurr eventually got by for 4th place, and Gary took 5th ahead of Quentin. Gary is sponsored by Fast Lane Cycles, Dunlop, EBC, and Vortex.
	Donnie Durrance (#666) of College Park, MD, slides out of Turn 5 after highsiding his Honda 600 during the C Superbike Novice race. Donnie was not hurt badly in the crash, but missed his races for the rest of the day.
	Eric Dwyer (#692) and Jay Watts (#928) of Frederick, MD, go Yamaha versus Yamaha at the entrance of Turn 5 in the B Superbike Novice event. Battling for the lead, Watts attempted an inside pass but couldn't put his bike ahead of Dwyer's, and had to settle for second place behind Dwyer.
	Tibor Sulyok (#165) of Manassas, VA follows Eric Dwyer (#692) of Rochester, NY, through the Carousel during the early stages of the B Superbike Novice event. Dwyer eventually pulled away and took the win. Sulyok had to settle for fourth after a strong effort.
	Mark Blackman (#185) aboard an Aprilia 250 leads Randy Moran's SV650 through Turn 6 during the Novice LW Twins race. The horsepower of Moran's SV made the difference as Moran won convincingly. Blackman finished a strong third. Moran is sponsored by Whitt's Suzuki and Speedwerks Racing.
	William Lindsay (#45) leads Quentin Mise (#23), Tim Bemisderfer (#511), and Gary Lhommedieu (#726) during the C Superstock event on Sunday. In an amazing race, both Bemisderfer and Lhommedieu crashed out of the front pack, and Art Diaz fought his way to the front for the win. Lindsay and Mise took 2nd and 3rd respectively.
	Second place finisher Michael Garofalo (#360) tries to shake race winner Mark Reeser (#516, white helmet directly behind Garofolo) who is hot on his heels in Turn 6 during the Mediumweght Solo 20 Novice race. Terry Taylor (#214) paces the two riders in the background. Incidentally, this is the last event before the rain began to come down, and you may be able to tell from the dark conditions.
	Former track record holder Dave Yaakov guides his Suzuki SV650 through Turn 5 on Saturday. Yaakov took the strange route of buying an LW bike after riding heavyweight machines for several years. Yaakov still races a Yamaha R6, and it shows. He's nearly as fast on the SV as he is on the 600, despite the difference in horsepower.
	Fast Lane Cycles-sponsored Tibor Sulyok (#165) makes an outside pass on Michael Swank (#832) in Turn 5 during the Mediumweight Solo 20 Novice race on Saturday afternoon. Sulyok made the pass stick and eventually finished in 9th ahead of Swank's 12th.

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