July 14 - TVR/EBC Yamaha Wins Superstock

TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha Wins Heavyweight Superstock at Grattan

Never a team to give up in the face of adversity, TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha came away from Saturday’s WERA National Endurance Series race at Grattan Raceway with the Heavyweight Superstock class win, skillfully overcoming the challenges of the weekend.

When team owner Chuck Ivey crashed earlier this month during a Sportsman Series event, the team was dealt a double blow: not only were they now out one rider, but their primary Yamaha YZF-R1 was out of contention, too. Despite nursing a broken foot, ankle and leg, Ivey prepared the backup R1, and the team headed to Grattan.

James Vanderhaar rode the TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha R1 with Reuben Frankenfield, who is filling in for Ivey. With a skeleton crew in the pits and just two riders for the six-hour event, the team was still able to secure the Heavyweight Superstock win and fifth overall.

“The whole team worked together on pit stops, and Reuben and I put in really consistent laps,” said Vanderhaar, who along with Frankenfield had to pitch in on front tire changes. “I just got back from the Isle of Man, and after racing there, Grattan felt as smooth as glass!”

Frankenfield has most recently ridden the team’s R6 in Mediumweight Superstock, but he’s no stranger to riding a TVR R1. “The bike is familiar to me, so I was able to just hop on and get back to it,” said Frakenfield. “The front Michelin tires were really working well for us, even when they were worn. I really enjoyed riding the R1 on Michelins.”

TVR’s second entry, the TVR136 Yamaha YZF-R6, took second in the Mediumweight Superstock class, finishing seventh overall. Ohio racer Jeff Wrobel joined TVR136 regulars Ethan Ellis and James Dellinger. Although new to TVR, Wrobel brought a lot of experience at Grattan to the team.

“Everything went well for us,” noted Wrobel. “We practiced a lot for our pit stops, and everything went as planned in the race. James and Ethan turned great times, and having all the right equipment really made a difference. Whatever we needed as riders was there for us; Chuck just makes it all happen.”