WMRRA Round 1 in Review

[Studio819]

I think I read in a book once "God made Pacific Raceways to train the faithful". This first round had it's share of up's and really low downs. With temps in the 30's, a variety of changes like rain, snow, hail, and sun this was truly a weekend to remember (and then seek therapy to try to forget.

The wet got to many people this weekend and turn 6 took more then it's fair share of the body count. Scott McNees saw his first podium slip away during his race.

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273285713_pv4aZ-O.jpg

Acy Rolf...aka The Star Child made his way through the pack in both 600 classes (we are still waiting to see if Eric Dorn will sport the gargoyle or pussy cat make up in the paddock)

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273285608_NXRhi-O.jpg

Eastside Motosports rookie, Jason Valley scored his first podium in OpenGP Twins

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273285720_emswM-O.jpg

And KC Clarke returned to WMRRA in his usual style capturing a 2nd place

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273287038_fxUaT-O.jpg

Brad Haley also return to WMRRA after a year haitus, but transmission problems plagued him and he was forced out of his lead in the Formula Thunder race.

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273287054_BrZre-O.jpg

Sunday saw snow covered pine trees and WMRRA in a yuletide spirit

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273285793_AXyjt-O.jpg

So vintage is was the ice age, snow, slush and ice was literally on the track

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273285852_hxFU7-O.jpg

Of course, some of our illustrious riders took that as an excuse to try to create a dry line with their exhaust pipes

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273285800_BNfbL-O.jpg

The day got better and by noon the 750 race went off without a hitch. Edwards was on target for a win but a crash in T3 and a screaming fast Delong ended the race

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273285565_HxZd2-O.jpg

Oliver Jervis, Mike Sullivan, Jake Rower, and Eli Edwards played "Follow the leader" at 100mph during the 600 race. Eli took the win after a crash caused the red flag to come out.

http://studio819.smugmug.com/photos/273280760_JFkuQ-O.jpg

[Corona 1]

Nice job brandon.always great shots

[Hypnotiq]

Nice shots. Someone show Acy how to put #'s on his bike please. LOL


I'd argue that Eli didn't stand a chance at winning that 750SBK race even if he didn't crash in T3. Ross was on it and there was no way Eli was going to be able to keep Ross' pace. :D

[Barry Wressell]

Eli had a rain front and a dot rear, the track was dry. Ross had slicks, so yes Eli would have had a hard time keeping the position. Props to Brad Gua, finished 3rd on full Dunlop wets in the dry! Nice job!! Great photos Brandon, as always!

Corona1 is a Pussy....

[CoachVino]

Great pics and thanks for the "visual" race review!
-Vino-

[Justin Watkins]

WOW, it looks like PR has done some nice work, moving the trees back down the back straight away!! Glad to see its slowly getting a little safer and I am sure that helps with sunlight and visibility as well.

:great:

[EmDee]

Nice friggin shots Brandon!

Safer...that's a relative term. They, PR, brag about the cleared trees and additional tire walls...but ask them about pavement and you'll think you're talking to a US House member testifying before the Senate with all the double speak, lies, and excuses.

Lets get real...until they move a few 1000 cubic tons of dirt from Turns 7, 8, & 2, actually creating some run off, add a culvert in the chute area to remove the gawd damn lake that SITS there during rain days, and fill in the hole outside of 5 while removing the wall installed there 4 years ago to create legitimate run off, the track will never get much safer. I love the track, but with the rates they charge and all the money they've taken in from gravel, you'd think they could do something more than cut a few trees down with a Stihl and use a DeWalt to put a few tire walls together...

[Studio819]

track needs to be repaved, pure and simple. Do half of it at a time or all of it or something, but being in some of the areas I am you get to see just how god awful the condition of the track is. Mladdin will come how with some real stories about safety at that track

[Tito]

on the flip side, wouldnt repaving increase corner speeds and with the limited runoff could be more hazardous, but you could argue the pavement is unpredictable. Anyhow, I definately would not be opposed to repaving.