Race Report: PIRC – WERA

PIRC (formerly known as Beaverun) is a track within the North Central region that does not fit the mold. New ownership within the last few years has brought investment and changes to the property that motorcycle racers dream of. For this reason, it was a highly anticipated return to PIRC at the end of the 2013 season and witness first-hand all the new changes that have been made to the facility. As a team there were mixed emotions about the overall race weekend and some love/hate feelings coming from a very wet 2012 race weekend that left plans for finding even more speed.

The team loaded-up and traveled to the track late Friday evening. The weekend would be setup as another regional double-header, Saturday and Sunday would both be a regional sprint (8 laps) race format. Saturday’s racing provided some great battles not only within the 419 RACING team, but also with riders from the Mid-Atlantic region. A great example of this was the Formula 2 race on Saturday that had Jake Maas (#419) and Jon Crawford (#592) in a three-way battle to the finish line with regular MotoSeries rider Scott Nelson. The time on the clock between the three riders was less than half a second at the stripe!

Sunday morning weather brought overcast skies and a slightly damp track from the rain that came through the area Saturday evening. The morning practice was slightly off pace due to the damp conditions, but overall the race line was dry. A small amount of rain just before lunch would delay the start of racing by a few minutes, but the track was completely dry for Jake and Jerry Reeves (#728) during their first race of the day. Overall the two days of racing were a success for the team as lap times improved throughout the weekend and even further setup issues were resolved. Seconds separated the entire field each day and the following is a summary of how the greatest battles this season finished:

Saturday Races:
Lightweight Twins Superstock
#419 – Justin Maas – 1st place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 4th place

Heavyweight Twins Superbike
#592 – Jon Crawford – 3rd place

Lightweight Twins Superbike
#419 – Justin Maas – 6th place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 8th place
#592 – Jon Crawford – 9th place

Formula 2
#592 – Jon Crawford – 5th place
#419 – Justin Maas – 6th place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 7th place

Sunday Races:
Lightweight Twins Superstock
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 1st place
#419 – Justin Maas – 2nd place

Heavyweight Twins Superbike
#592 – Jon Crawford – 1st place

Lightweight Twins Superbike
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 4th place
#592 – Jon Crawford – 5th place
#419 – Justin Maas – 7th place

Formula 2
#592 – Jon Crawford – 6th place
#419 – Justin Maas – 7th place
#728 – Jerry Reeves – 9th place

Jerry’s LWTSS win on Sunday was not enough to close the points gap on Jake for the North Central LWTSS championship. Friends and teammates off the track they may be, but on the track it is serious business between the two and the battle has been great to watch. Jon took to the track later in the day to clinch the North Central HWTSB championship. The points battle in Formula 2 and LWTSB were close going into the weekend, but the fast pace and consistency of Witchkraft Racing’s Joe Kraft would enable him to take regional title in each class. 419 RACING would like to congratulate Joe on his efforts throughout this season and look forward to bringing the fight back to the LWT classes in 2014.

With the regional season coming to an end, the team prepares for the long journey to Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, AL for the WERA Grand National Final (GNF). Last year the team had a great time at the event and this year should be even more exciting as all three will be competing in the Expert class together. WERA invites the top finishers in each region to compete for overall championships in each class and the competition this year looks great.

People say “time flies when you’re having fun”… well, the 419 RACING team would certainly agree with just that. During the long trip home from last weekend’s final WERA North Central round at PIRC, several comments were made about how it felt like the season had just started yesterday. Stacking three regional rounds within 30-days on the calendar is fun, but at the same time very tough with families, real jobs, other hobbies and everyday life away from the track. There are no regrets from the time and effort put into this year’s season and 419 RACING is already looking forward to what is around the corner in 2014.

Of course it cannot go un-mentioned that 419 RACING appreciates the support from fans, friends and family that were able to attend the events throughout the weekend and the entire regional season. From the first round at Grattan Raceway in May, the terrific turnout at the Vintage Motorcycle Days and the action-packed last three races of the season, 419 RACING have had overwhelming support and it is much appreciated. Big thanks also go to the sponsors that helped the team along the way: Autolite, Fram, Jazz Motorsports, Spears Racing, Vortex, Motion Pro, Pit Bull, Galfer, ARP Customz, Dynamite Designs, Amsoil, KG Clutch Factory and Sportbike Tire Service.

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