Recent press release from Dunlop tires on Team Zyvax WERA race efforts. Zyvax Racing runs Graves Motorsports Yamaha R1 and Yamaha R6 built and equipped motorcycles.
Buffalo, NY-Â Dunlop Tire Company proudly extends its congratulations to the 2010 WERA National Championship winners: National Endurance Champion Team Zyvax, WERA Superbike Expert Champion Brian Stokes and 600cc Superstock Expert Champion Benny Solis.
There was no shortage of spectacular racing action and epic displays of endurance during the 2010 season. Team Zyvax, represented by a combination of riders throughout the season including Ben Bostrom, Chris Clark, Eric Bostrom, Jason DiSalvo, Josh Herrin, Dane Westby, Clinton Seller, Tommy Aquino and Scott Russell, were unstoppable with their Dunlop-fitted Yamaha R1, pulling off a perfect sweep of the National Endurance Championship after finishing on top at all eight rounds in the series. At the four-hour finale at Road Atlanta, Clark, Disalvo and Herrin raced the team’s R1 to victory, cementing the title. Stokes raced his Dunlop-shod Honda CBR1000RR to impressive results, achieving seven WERA Superbike Expert podiums in eight races, including two wins, five second-place finishes and a fourth-place result en route to taking the title. Finishing on top in the points, Solis raced his Dunlop-equipped Yamaha 600 to five 600 Superstock Expert podiums, three times taking the victory and twice placing second.
“This is the best year yet for Team Zyvax,” said JB Layman, Team Zyvax owner. “You could say it was a year of firsts for us for many reasons. It was our first year working directly with Graves Motorsports; our first year running the Yamaha R1; our first year running Dunlop tires; and most importantly, it was the first year we’ve won the WERA National Endurance Championship overall. This season has been so successful because of the hard work and tremendous effort by everyone involved. I’m looking forward to returning to defend the title next year and for the first time running the number one plate!”
Dunlop outperformed all other tire brands in the National Endurance Championship with eight of the top ten teams in the series points on Dunlop tires. Garnering more overall wins in the series than any other brand-in almost every class the overall winner rode on Dunlop tires-Dunlop was represented by a significant percentage of teams that qualified to race.
“Dunlop couldn’t be prouder of Team Zyvax, Stokes and Solis performances this season,” said Sabastian Mincone, Senior Manager, Motorcycle Road Race. “To be a part of Team Zyvax’s success—winning their first National Endurance title in their first year with Dunlop—is a great result for us. Stokes and Solis were solid contenders at every race aboard their Dunlop-equipped race machines and very worthy title winners. We are committed to supporting road racing at all levels in the sport and judging by this year’s results, WERA series racers fared quite well with our support.”
Dunlop would also like to congratulate Tim Bemisderfer, Tim Hunt, Garrett Gerloff, Hayden Gillim, Opie Caylor, Jimmy Merck, Trevor Townsend, David Ur, David Pullen, Taylor Knapp and all of the 2010 WERA riders, on a very successful season.
Dunlop Tires is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S. and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America. With North American operations headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Dunlop has been making and selling high-quality tires in the U.S. since 1923. For more information, visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com.
Team Zyvax is sponsored by Zyvax, Inc, Graves Motorsports and Dunlop. www.teamzyvax.com
Graves Motorsports is a leading motorcycle sport bike parts and accessories manufacturer. Graves Motorsports produces exhaust systems, fender eliminator kits, frame sliders, velocity stacks, engine case covers, engine performance and the leading resource for Dynojet Power Commander + accessories. Graves Motorsports has two locations: Van Nuys, California and Kennesaw, Georgia. www.gravesport.com
Kennesaw, Georgia, (October 19, 2010) – 2010 has been an exciting year for Graves Motorsports! Carrying on our Championship traditions is our passion and drives everything we do from the production of world class parts and accessories to grassroots racing and support programs. Graves Motorsports HAS A WINNING HISTORY OF BUILDING FACTORY PARTS FOR PRIVATEERS AND RACERS WORLDWIDE.
In honor of these winning ways we now offer the 20% off SUPERBIKE20 discount special. This offer is valid until December 31, 2010 and available to retail customers only (not valid for dealers or WORKS parts / customers). When using the all new GRAVESPORT.com website, place the products in your shopping cart and at the bottom of the checkout page (before selecting your payment type) add the coupon code: superbike20 for an additional 20% saving on your order.
Pictures of the 2010 AMA and WERA Race Season can be found in the Graves Motorsports Photo Galleries: http://www.gravesport.com/gallery2/main.php
Congrats to Josh Hayes for his 2010 AMA Super Bike Championship, Team Zyvax Racing for thier 2010 WERA Heavy Weight + Medium Weight + Overall Endurance Championship and to Benny Solis, Jr. for his 600 Superstock WERA Championship + C Super Bike WERA Championship + C Superstock WERA Championship! We’d also like to thank our customers and racers at all levels for their Championships and the support of Graves Motorsports for 2010!
Kennesaw, Georgia, (October 13, 2010) – The Road Atlanta WERA GNF Finals held October 7-10 finalized Team Zyvax Racings’ dreams of winning two class championships along with the overall endurance crown. Considering the high level of competition, winning at GNF was not an easy task. That didn’t stop the entire team of riders, crew and support staff from going into the event with high expectations for their team. When the day’s racing was said and done, Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports’ Yamaha R1 won the Endurance Class Overall Championship and the Heavy Weight Championship. Coming in a close second place was the Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports Yamaha R6, taking the win in the Medium Weight Endurance class and second place Overall.
Despite an off track excursion resulting in an unplanned pit stop, the team’s R6 came in first place in class and third overall in the race. The Graves Motorsports built R6 ran such an impressive season that it came down to the final race to decide the overall championship against the larger capacity R1. The R6’s sharp edge handling along with perfectly choreographed pit stops allowed it to stay within one lap of the second place liter bike despite the tire setback. “Like true professionals we performed exceptionally,” commented team owner JB Layman, “I think the R6 would have been in second place overall if not for that bent wheel.” Team Zyvax riders Clinton Seller and guest rider Tommy Aquino each put in incredible rides and overcame the entire field save their Zyvax teammates on the R1 and an outside 1000c effort. Aquino reveled in the endurance opportunity and again proved his talent during the race. “I had a great time on the Zyvax endurance bike,” said Aquino, “The 1000s were too quick to stay with at Road Atlanta but I did my best to keep us in the hunt. I’d like to thank JB Layman and Chuck Graves for the opportunity!”
Despite the Yamaha R6’s speed and agility, Road Atlanta’s straights and fast, flowing corners allowed the Yamaha R1 to really stretch its powerful legs. Friday’s four hour endurance race saw the Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports Yamaha R1 being piloted by a trio of proven riders. Jason Disalvo started the race and set the stage for the day, positioning the Zyvax heavyweight machine to lead from start to finish. Team rider Chris Clark along with guest rider Josh Herrin from Team Graves Yamaha put in notable rides on the R1 to seal the deal the overall and class win for the day and the year. Though Herrin lacked R1 seat time unlike Disalvo and Clark, he quickly acclimated himself to the big bike and got to work putting in fast laps. “I had fun and was really comfortable after seat time,” said Herrin of the opportunity, “I’d like to thank JB Layman and the entire Zyvax team, Chuck Graves and Keith McCarty.”
Chuck Graves couldn’t have been more pleased with the results. “I’m extremely happy for Team Zyvax and all the crew and riders that worked so hard all year in the pursuit of delivering the Middleweight, Heavyweight and the Overall championships aboard the Graves Motorsports supported Yamaha R1 and R6; this is a great accomplishment,” said Graves, “I’d like to thank all the WERA officials and competitors that participated in the series and made the championships possible.”
Kennesaw, Georgia, (October 4, 2010) – As Team Zyvax looks forward to two locked-in championships in the WERA National Endurance Series and hopes of nailing the Overall championship at WERA’s Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta, they take a minute to look back at their winning season. “This has been a season of growth and learning for us,” said Zyvax team owner JB Layman, “It has been the realization of a dream that started in 2008.” Layman had quite a job on his hands, learning to manage and coordinate twenty people instead of just eight. Layman also quickly learned how to campaign two team bikes, instead of just one. One of the team’s greatest successes throughout the season was the evolution of their pit stops.
“The pit stop is actually a choreographed dance; a ballet of operations that take place in a designated sequence,” said Layman, “It’s optimally designed to ensure that every second the bike is in the pits at least four mechanical operations are taking place simultaneously.” Once the team got the foundation in place they went to work fine-tuning each person’s position and movements to ensure each operation could be completed in the shortest possible amount of time. If time was used to move or change a tool then that’s more time the bike had to stay in the pits. “We had to make sure each crew member was doing the operations that they were most efficient at. The entire synchronized process is incredibly intricate,” continued Layman, “Creating the most efficient system has been an on-going process as the season progressed – It’s one of the things I’m most impressed with,” said the proud team owner.
Pulling together a group of crew members to function as one unit has also been a growing process for the team. Races can be won or lost in the pits and Team Zyvax hasn’t lost many races. “The people that make up Team Zyvax are professionals,” said Layman of his team, “They are very good at working on motorcycles and the needs that road racing requires of them.” It wasn’t an easy climb to the top but the team did it together. “Our biggest challenge came from running a two bike team that competes against each other,” said Dustin Meador, the team’s head R1 mechanic, “I’ve won championships with Dane (Westby) in the past as a rider in WERA endurance and I’ve really enjoyed working with this team.” “Basically it’s the people behind the scenes that make a championship happen,” said team manager Jerry Daggett, “Championships are hard to come by and they don’t come by themselves.”
Layman and his entire crew have high expectations going into WERA’s final race of the 2010 season. “As we sit here coming up on the last race of the year we find ourselves in a better position than last year,” reflects Layman, “We have not only locked up two class championships before the final race, but we also control the top two overall positions. My dream has come true and Team Zyvax will have the #1 plate for the 2011 season.” Hopes are also high for the future of Team Zyvax. “This season sets the baseline for achievement as we go into the future. I would like one day to compete in the World Endurance,” said a determined Layman, “To put Team Zyvax on the world stage would be the ultimate test of our capability.”
Such big hopes fit well into a big racing weekend! WERA’s GNF at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA takes place October 7th – 10th and promises to be full of entertainment and fan activities. Come out and watch Team Zyvax in action, get a free t-shirt from the Team Zyvax girls and stop by the Project 1 Atlanta (AMA Pro Roadracing team) truck. While you’re at it stop by Yamaha’s NESBA demo display and take a ride on one of Yamaha’s demo motorcycles! Graves Motorsports will be on hand giving out discount flyers and signing up racers for Graves’ exclusive WORKS programs. In addition to racing the weekend boasts $5 two-lap rides (proceeds to benefit the Red Flag Fund for Injured Riders), Josh Borne’s stunt show, a fan zone behind the Pro Paddock and daily autograph sessions. It’s going to be a fantastic event! For more info go to: www.wera.com.
Team Zyvax is sponsored by Zyvax, Inc, Graves Motorsports and Dunlop. www.teamzyvax.com
Graves Motorsports is a leading motorcycle sport bike parts and accessories manufacturer. Graves Motorsports produces exhaust systems, fender eliminator kits, frame sliders, velocity stacks, engine case covers, engine performance and the leading resource for Dynojet Power Commander + accessories. Graves Motorsports has two locations: Van Nuys, California and Kennesaw, Georgia. www.gravesport.com
Visit the all new Graves Motorsports website and use coupon code “graves20″ for a 20% discount on purchases for a limited time. - www.gravesport.com
Kennesaw, Georgia, (September 12, 2010) – At Alabama’s Barber Motorsports Park Team Zyvax’s R1 and R6 efforts gained enough of a lead over the rest of the WERA endurance field that they are guaranteed two championships. At the final round in Atlanta the Overall will come down to one of the two Zyvax bikes.
Heading into the Barber round the two Zyvax bikes were on a level playing field. Barber’s shorter straights and technical turns made the smaller, more agile bike able to keep up with the stronger, bigger machine. Both bikes were flawless going into the race and both got out in front quickly. But fifteen laps in the seat came loose on Dane Westby and Clinton Seller’s Team Zyvax / Graves supported Yamaha R6 and they had to come in for an unscheduled pit stop. Despite the setback, Westby and Seller battled hard and came out with the class win.
Seller was relieved and happy after the win. “The traffic made this race very challenging. At the same time, it made the race very exciting! It was a lot of fun finding different ways to pass other riders. It was unfortunate that the seat came lose because we would have had a better chance to win the overall,” said Seller of the race.
In addition to the loose seat Seller, Westby and the rest of the endurance riders had to suffer through thick southern heat. “It was hot!” said Westby of the four hour race, “The stints seemed to roll together but I am glad to have this win and this championship. We fought our battles hard and won the war. The bike was flawless, save for the seat issue, which unfortunately cost us some time. The clouds moved into the area just as we finished, cooling us off, and giving a fitting end to a hot war.”
Chris Clark and guest rider Jason Disalvo, their crew and their Team Zyvax / Graves prepped Yamaha R1 were the stars of the Barber endurance round. Consistent fast laps and hard work paid off for Clark and Disalvo. Both riders had no easy task harnessing the big bike’s power on a track better suited for the smaller bike.
“This track is very technical which makes it very demanding on a 1000cc. It is hard to keep the fast lap times for the whole hour,” said Disalvo of the bike. “This is the most rewarding win with Team Zyvax because of how hard the race was.”
“This was the toughest race yet,” commented Clark, “The track had good slip for as hot as it was. This track is hard to ride on a 1000. Thanks to Chuck Graves and team owner JB Layman for the opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to the GNF.”
Event Photos can be found in the Graves Motorsports Galleries: http://www.gravesport.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=887
Kennesaw, Georgia, (August 4, 2010) – Team Zyvax is looking forward to the WERA Cycle Jam 4 Hour endurance race at VIR, near Danville, VA this weekend. The entire team is excited to endure the racing against each other and the competition! With the drama of a shortened race and a leveled playing field, it’s anyone’s game!
The flowing VIR track plays to the strengths of both Team Zyvax race machines. Chris Clark and returning guest rider Jason Disalvo’s Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports prepped Yamaha R1 can really stretch it’s powerful legs on VIR’s long front straight but Clinton Seller and Dane Westby’s Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports supported Yamaha R6 will be lightning quick through the track’s technical sections. The win will come down to whichever team has the fastest, most consistent laps and the fastest, most precise pit stops.
The Cycle Jam weekend’s packed racing schedule leaves less time for the endurance riders to battle, putting more pressure on the Team Zyvax riders to achieve and maintain the lead. Fewer race hours also means less time to fix any issues that may arise during the race. Team Zyvax owner JB Layman expects top results from his riders and crew but he knows it’s going to be a dog fight ’til the end. “With the variations in this track and past rider results, there are no bets on which bike will take the victory,” stated Layman, “We’re expecting to see some new, talented teams this round which will make things all the more interesting.”
Team Zyvax would like to thank Jason Disalvo for stepping in to ride for Ben Bostrom at the WERA Cycle Jam weekend. The team looks forward to Ben’s return once he recovers from a thumb injury.
Kennesaw, Georgia, (August 1, 2010) – Team Zyvax riders dominated the entire six hours of the Summit Point WERA Endurance race. The Team Zyvax R1 effort led the entire race and the second place Team Zyvax R6 effort defeated the rest of the field by ten laps! And the icing on the cake; all top five overall finishers were on Yamahas.
A fast bike, a perfectly suited racetrack and a bit of luck helped team rider Chris Clark and guest rider Jason Disalvo astride their Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports prepped Yamaha R1 outrun the competition. The riders put in consistent, flawless laps and their uncatchable R1 proved its dominance. “We led from start to finish and didn’t see any deer,” said Clark of the race and the track’s recent proclivity for wildlife visitors, “Not a bad day!”
The track may have been better suited for the liter bikes but the Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports supported R6, with team riders Dane Westby and Clinton Sellers in the irons, gave the R1 a run for its money. An unfortunate oil spill through the tighter sections of the track robbed the smaller bike of its opportunity to really shine where it performs best. Even without the speed advantage through the tighter areas, the Graves spec R6 came in only one lap down from the team’s R1. “The R6 team put in an unbelievable effort to stay so close to the R1 on that track!” exclaimed ecstatic team owner JB Layman.
After tasting first at Grattan and finishing so close to the bigger bike at Summit Point, Westby and Sellers are hungrier than ever for another win. “We’ll be ready to pounce on the opportunity to win at VIR,” said a very determined Dane Westby. Next weekend at VIR the Team Zyvax riders and crew look to further their points lead and lay down some more fast laps.
Team Zyvax would like to thank Perry Melnecuic of Project 1 Atlanta for stepping in as our axle man this weekend.
Team Zyvax is sponsored by Zyvax, Inc, Graves Motorsports and Dunlop. www.teamzyvax.com
Graves Motorsports is a leading motorcycle sport bike parts and accessories manufacturer. Graves Motorsports produces exhaust systems, fender eliminator kits, frame sliders, velocity stacks, engine case covers, engine performance and the leading resource for Dynojet Power Commander + accessories. Graves Motorsports has two locations: Van Nuys, California and Kennesaw, Georgia. Visit the all new Graves Motorsports website – www.gravesport.com
Kennesaw, Georgia, July 6, 2010 – Team Zyvax created their own fireworks on the track during the 4th of July WERA Endurance weekend races at Grattan Raceway in Belding, MI. Despite the big power of the team’s Yamaha R1, the little brother Yamaha R6 stood out as the champion in all out lap times during the shortened endurance race.
Perfect weather and perfectly prepped bikes and riders could not outweigh the less than perfect track conditions at Grattan Raceway last weekend. Track surface issues and resulting clean-up efforts caused cancelled practices on Friday and a shortened endurance race on Saturday.
Taking it all in stride, guest rider Jason Disalvo with team riders Dane Westby and Clinton Seller put in careful but lightning quick laps on their Team Zyvax / Graves Motorsports prepped Yamaha R6. With the help of his uncatchable R6, Westby bought his team an early thirty-seven second lead and set the pace with the fastest lap time of the race. Despite poor track conditions, Westby was a full second quicker than the fastest lap of the same race in 2009 set by Tray Batey.
“I just went crazy from the beginning; flying off the jump, landing at the apex and flicking it in,” said Westby after his first stint, referencing the famous Grattan Jump. He also commented on the track saying, “It was getting better each lap. Turn three was okay if you stayed way inside and turn two is still a little sketchy.”
Ben Bostrom and Chris Clark astride their Graves Motorsports prepped / Team Zyvax Yamaha R1 had their work cut out for them. Both Zyvax R1 riders were new to Grattan Raceway and they too were forced to deal with the loss of track time. Even more challenging was hooking up the more powerful R1. Bostrom and Clark had to adapt to track conditions and work hard to get horsepower to the track. “The R6 has loads of grip!” said a slightly envious Bostrom at the end of his first stint, “Dane just left me! But I was having so much fun learning each hole on the track. It got more exciting every lap.”
Former AMA Champion Kurtis Roberts’ scheduled guest ride with Bostrom and Clark was shelved by the shortened race, forcing the team to adjust their race strategy. Unfortunately the adjusted strategy left Roberts without a stint in the race.
Team Zyvax marked the halfway point of the season at Grattan by solidifying the first place championship positions of both the R1 and the R6 in their respective classes. In overall championship points the Zyvax Teams are first and second with the R1 holding a narrow four point spread over the R6.
“What a race!” exclaimed ecstatic team owner JB Layman, “The little R6 finished on top over the big R1. The riders adapted to the changing track conditions and were able to get the most out of the bikes. This is our team’s best performance so far.”
Team Zyvax is sponsored by Zyvax, Inc., Graves Motorsports and Dunlop. Check out www.teamzyvax.com for team news and details.
Graves Motorsports is a leading motorcycle sport bike parts and accessories manufacturer. Graves Motorsports produces exhaust systems, fender eliminator kits, frame sliders, velocity stacks, engine case covers, engine performance and the leading resource for Dynojet Power Commander + accessories. Graves Motorsports has two locations: Van Nuys, California and Kennesaw, Georgia. Visit the all new Graves Motorsports website – www.gravesport.com
