Race Report: Mid-OH Raceway – WERA

419 RACING ventured to Mid-OH Sports Car Course during the 3rd week of July for six days of practice, racing and … more racing. This year was the first time that WERA would organize a regional race during the week between the AMA Superbike weekend and the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (VMD) events. Mid-OH and the VMD’s weekend has become a favorite stop on the yearly schedule for the team, so the opportunity to race with the region’s best was exciting to say the least.

Team members Justin Maas (#419) and Jerry Reeves (#728) traveled to the track early in the week to participate in the WERA regional races on Wednesday and Thursday. Extremely hot temperatures lead to tricky conditions as traction went past ideal due to heat. Nevertheless, both riders were able to complete the event on a high note and take away valuable championship points. Justin had a slight mistake during his first race on Wednesday, while running at the front of the pack, but was able to rebound for his second race and continue to compete without any problems on Thursday. The following is a summary of their results:

Wednesday Races:
Lightweight Twins Superbike
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 4th place

Formula 2
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 4th place
#419 – Justin Maas – 7th place

Thursday Races:
Lightweight Twins Superstock
#419 – Justin Maas – 3rd place

Lightweight Twins Superbike
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 8th place

Formula 2
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 4th place
#419 – Justin Maas – 6th place

The AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event officially started on Thursday night as part of the WERA crew departed the paddock and “vintage” bikes of all styles lined the huge complex of the Mid-OH Sports Car Course. The 419 RACING machines are far from being vintage, but the rules allow the bikes in several classes due to engine style and displacement. Friday was a day of rest for the team while the vintage practice hit the road course. Saturday and Sunday were both sprint style racing with each team member participating in three races each day.

Sitting out from the weekday racing to let a collar bone fracture heal, the #592 rider Jon Crawford joined-in on the action for Saturday and Sunday. Weather was again a factor in the morning on Saturday, as severe thunderstorms came through the area and brought a lot of rain. Wet conditions at Mid-OH are very treacherous and the team decided to skip practice with hopes that the afternoon would be dry. The weather cleared in time for the late afternoon races, but some adjustments to riding needed to be made due to cooler temperatures and a partially dry track. Overall the team had great starts and battled in several races towards the front on Saturday and Sunday. The following is a summary of the results:

Saturday Races:
Lightweight Twins Superstock
#419 – Justin Maas – 2nd place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 3rd place

Lightweight Twins Superbike
#419 – Justin Maas – 1st place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 5th place

Formula 2
#592 – Jon Crawford – 3rd place
#419 – Justin Maas – 6th place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 8th place

Sunday Races:
Lightweight Twins Superstock
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 2nd place
#419 – Justin Maas – 5th place

Lightweight Twins Superbike
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 3rd place
#419 – Justin Maas – 8th place
#592 – Jon Crawford – 9th place

Formula 2
#592 – Jon Crawford – 6th place
#419 – Justin Maas – 7th place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 8th place

Heavyweight Twins Superbike
#592 – Jon Crawford – 8th place

Mid-OH is the closest track to home for the team and the turnout of friends and family was the best yet at the track. It’s humbling for the team to see everyone in the paddock wearing the 419 RACING shirts and cheering from the sidelines. As always, we truly appreciate the support from all that came out and look forward to the next round of racing at Grattan Raceway in Belding, MI on August 10/11.

Also big thanks to the sponsors that made this long week of racing a success: Autolite, Fram, Jazz Motorsports, Spears Racing, Vortex, Motion Pro, Pit Bull, Galfer, ARP Customz, Dynamite Designs, Amsoil, KG Clutch Factory, Bridgestone, Sportbike Tire Service and Held.

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