WERA B Superbike Battle (FZ750 vs GSXR750)

• Larry Lawrence

I don’t have an ID for this photo other than “B Superbike action”. It illustrates the great battles between Yamaha FZ750s and Suzuki GSXR750s in this era of club racing. My guess is this is at WERA race at Grattan in 1986 or ’87 based on the bikes being raced. I think (but am not sure) that the riders are Michael Gallaway leading on his No. 600 Yamaha FZ750 over Bob Englert (No. 298 Yamaha), Dave Knapp (behind Englert on a Yamaha) and Steve Landrey on his No. 334 Suzuki. If anyone can confirm or modify the ID of these riders please leave a message.

My guess is this is Grattan in 1986 or ’87 based on the bikes being raced. I think (but am not sure) that the riders are Michael Gallaway leading on his No. 600 Yamaha FZ750 over Bob Englert (No. 298 Yamaha), Dave Knapp (behind Englert on a Yamaha) and Steve Landrey on his No. 334 Suzuki. (Larry Lawrence photo)

My guess is this is Grattan in 1986 or ’87 based on the bikes being raced. I think (but am not sure) that the riders are Michael Gallaway leading on his No. 600 Yamaha FZ750 over Bob Englert (No. 298 Yamaha), Dave Knapp (behind Englert on a Yamaha) and Steve Landrey on his No. 334 Suzuki. (Larry Lawrence photo)

5 thoughts on “WERA B Superbike Battle (FZ750 vs GSXR750)”

  1. I’m trying to figure out what turn this is, but I can’t quite place it. I would have thought it was the last turn coming onto the straight, but there’s a bit too much positive camber, and the tress in the background look too close. Maybe the kink running backwards, or turn 4 running backwards?

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  2. Kevin

    I think you’re right about this being shot when the track was run backwards. Yes, the tight corner back there in the northwest section of the track.

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  3. Nice shot, Larry. Brings back some memories for sure. In our club (CRRC) the B classes looked the same, too. Those were some classic times in club racing – Yamaha FZs versus Suzuki GSX-Rs. It was “Us against Them”. I had FZs for a season or two, and although I could never truly figure out who “Us” or “Them” were, most of the time I felt like the FZs were “Them”. Later I defected to GSX-Rs (“US?”) to make sure the grass really was greener. It was.

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  4. I think it’s turn 4 running backwards.

    I stuck with the the somewhat bronwer side of the fence and ran the FZ through ’89. The motor was just fantastic. When I moved out to the northeast in mid ’86 I drove people crazy with my road block “speed” through the corners followed by rocket launches out of the corners. But in the end the length and spongy front end could not be made up for.

    When I made my break I went totally to the dark side and got a Honda. The magical handling of the RC30 renewed my interset in racing.

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  5. the year is definitely 1986 ,I also believe it’s turn 4 run counter clock wise . # 334 Steve Landrey was my Endurance racing partner in 1985 & 1986

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