Riders launch their bikes at the drop of the green flag in a WERA regional sprint race in February of 1988. WERA often kicked off the racing season very early with February races in Talladega, Alabama, of Savannah, Georgia. A lot of riders used these winter races as warm ups for Daytona. In this photo you can tell this is a winter race. No leaves on the trees, sun low on the horizon and still dormant grass. Race winner Jeff Duckworth, on a Yamaha FZ750 Superbike, starts on the far side and went on to win the race over Kurt Hall (60), who got a slow start on his Honda 600 Hurricane. Also on the front row are David Probst (21) and possibly George Fox (359).
Race winner Jeff Duckworth, on a Yamaha FZ750 Superbike, starts on the far side and went on to win the race over Kurt Hall (60) in a 1988 winter race at Talladega Grand Prix Raceway. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
I would do WERA race-school on a borrowed 1981 CB750-F/SS OEM/stock, 1987.
Would do my First Race ever, first time on racetrack after the 87 Race-school, at this Feb-88 race.
2-Hour endurance. I ran the whole 2-hours myself. Rained at the 1/2-way mark for 20+ minutes, letting you physically catch your breath.
I was docked 2-laps (-1 not getting off bike during refueling, -1 lap wheeling out of pits), and would still get 2nd place 600/middleweight-production (on my Hurricane). I finished ahead of local longtime racers, Spellman (and I think Machecca) that day. Awesome day/memories.
I met Kurt Hall that day, he tech’d my bike…. Nicest guy I ever met, to this day. He passed/lapped me entering T-1 or T-2 in the rain/wet… he was smooth as Glass.. Was a beautiful sight to witness.
D Probst was down there on his 86/1100, I remember. He was local (to me) fast guy.
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