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Aaron’s Analysis – WERA Round 2, Grattan CCW

By fellow Witchkraft rider Aaron Bagwell:

Witchkraft Racing returns to the Lightweight Twins class for the first time in 2009.

Witchkraft Racing showed up for the WERA NC Regional at Grattan with confidence for the LW Twins action. It was not in the form of the NC Regional Champion Joe Kraft however. Instead Aaron Bagwell would be trying to carry on the Witchkraft Twins winning tradition on his 2001 Suzuki SV650. Semi-retired Champion Joe Kraft would be on hand in his Crew chief / Team Manager role along with suspension advisor Doug Cornett helping Eddie on the Witchkraft Racing, Flagstar, Honda East Yamaha R6 chase down a fast field of Middleweight competition.

Saturday morning looked to be a rain-out as far as practice. Aaron would take to the track in hopes of re-acquainting himself with the flow of the Grattan track in the CCW direction. Getting comfortable on the bike and remembering the basics were top on the list, lap times were not a concern.

As the afternoon approached the clouds and rain gave way to sunshine and WIND … lots of wind. The first race for Aaron would be the LWT Solo 20. The grid had a mix of fast 125’s and 250’s with the addition of some Superbike SV’s. It would be a good test of set-up, endurance and skill. Grids for the race had the Witchkraft SV in the middle of the front row. The green flag waved and the field piled into the first turn with Eric Koeningsburg and Allan Burley in the lead. After some contact on the exit between the leaders Aaron was left trying to re-group as a lightening fast 125 rocketed by to lead the field. Aaron regained his composure and slotted into second. As the race proceeded a number of other GP bikes would get by as well as Eric Koeningsburg after an amazing recovery from his first lap contact. In the end Aaron would bring the Witchkraft SV home in fourth place, just off the podium. A debrief with Doug Cornett after the race brought to mind some opportunities for improvement for Sundays sprint.

Front end feel, that is what we racers are often times searching for. In a hopes of finding a better feel through the fast sweeper between Grattan, turn 8 (the Bowl) and turn 9 (the Bus Stop), Doug and Aaron performed a fork oil transfusion on Sunday morning. The desired result was to keep the front end from rebounding so quickly coming over the rise in that section. The first chance to test the change was morning practice. The cold temps and cold track would make evaluating a change like this a bit of a gamble though. Aaron went out and pushed as hard as possible on the tires from the previous day’s action. The bike was better but felt a little stiff in some of the braking zones. Another wave of Doug’s magic wand, maybe that was a wrench in his hand .. hmmm, and the bike felt fast and comfortable in the second session.

Two races were on tap for Sunday, LWT Superstock and LWT Superbike, both classes would consist of a field made up of SV’s. The first race was LWT Superstock. By some unknown stroke of luck Aaron would again be on the front row. With a similar start to the previous day he slotted into third going into the first turn and down the hill chasing fellow Witchkraft rider Wes Swain. The race for the second podium spot would remain between these two for the length of the race. On lap 3 Aaron saw his chance entering the final corner as Wes set-up a wide entry. Aaron put his bike to the inside and completed the pass concentrating on a good drive out to keep Wes at bay on the long Grattan straight. This is how the race would finish, Aaron would fall one step short on the podium finishing in 2nd.

Editor's Note: Eric Konigsburg knowingly (and admittedly) ran his SV650 Superbike motor (w/slipper clutch) in the Lightweight Superstock class. Had he ran within the rules, Aaron would have won the Lightweight Superstock race.

The last race of the day, LWT Superbike, would find the same combatants fighting for the podium. The race started much like the Solo 20 the day before with Allan Burley and Eric Koeningsburg fighting for the lead into the first corner. No fireworks this time though as Aaron slipped into third place ahead of Wes. Aaron followed Allan for two laps searching for an area to make a pass that would stick and not allow Allan to use his powerful Superbike motor to pull him back down the straightaway. As the pair started down the hill towards the “Bus Stop” (turn 9) on lap 3, Aaron layed back to allow himself to roll through the middle of the corner and get a good drive out to make a clean pass through the sweeper. This is where the suspension magic of Doug Cornett paid dividends as Aaron could stay in the gas all the way through into second place. The beauty of the pass was that it was early enough in the lap, with good corner speed the rest of the way, Aaron opened up a gap that would not allow Allan to draft back by. Wes had also made a move on Allan and would continue to pressure Aaron in second place but would never quite be able to take the spot away. As the checkers flew Aaron again would come home 2nd.

Thanks to Eddie, Joe and the Kraft family for all of their hospitality and friendship. A big thank you goes out to Doug for all of his knowledge and help. Thanks to Tom Beagle of Honda East for sharing the pits with us. The weekend was good .. In hindsight there is room to improve and although it stings at times falling short of those race wins it also motivates you to push harder the next time.

Thursday, May 21st, 2009 | POSTED AT: 6:47 AM
FILED UNDER: Race Reports

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You're currently reading "Aaron’s Analysis – WERA Round 2, Grattan CCW," an entry on Witchkraft Racing.
Published: 05.21.09 / 6am
Category: Race Reports