K&N's Javelin Broderick Wins 2011 B Superbike WERA West Championship
- Nov 14, 2011
With only three years of roadracing experience under his helmet, the K&N sponsored rider did indeed win the WERA West 750 Superbike Expert title. After a demanding season, Javelin clinched the championship by the slimmest margin with his thrilling victory on the final day of competition. To clarify, the "B" Superstock and Superbike class is essentially the same; however you can move up to 750cc machines. Meaning you are allowed to race up a class in WERA, so Javelin won his championship in a 750cc class, racing on a 600cc motorcycle. "He didn't start on a bike until he was nine-years-old which is old compared to a lot of the kids he was racing against," explained Bernie to K&N News. "His learning curve was much steeper than most and he had to adapt quickly to both the motocross and roadracing disciplines. He pulled back on the motocross effort after two years and decided to focus his attention to roadracing, starting on a Honda RS125 with an 85cc engine. Those were rough days, as just about everyone on the track was able to run circles around him, but he was very determined and never gave up a fight."
Javelin was 12 when he first started racing as a novice with WERA, riding a Suzuki SV650 Superstock. "First race of the year he came in dead last, yet by the end of the season he won both the Lightweight Twin Superstock and Superbike novice classes. Exciting for our first year," says Bernie. "Second year we went expert, still racing the SV650 in Superstock, but added a Suzuki GSXR600 in "C" Superstock (600cc stock class). That year went amazingly well and he clinched the LWT Superstock "Expert" class at the final race in Vegas, and also set the lap record for a Superstock SV650 at that track. We didn't win a championship on the 600, but we were okay with that - it was a learning year. Finally, we went all 600cc this year, racing a pair of Suzuki GSXR600's in both C and B Superstock, and Superbike." The year started off a little rough for team Broderick, as their Superbike wasn't ready in time, and they had to miss the first Superbike even of the season. But things steadily improved and by mid-season, Javelin hit his stride. "We continued to make up points and actually went into the final event at Las Vegas with a chance to win two championships," said Bernie. "We only ended up taking one away, but that was more than enough for us, as he set his personal best laps around the track, and we learned a huge amount from the year." For Javelin and Bernie there wasn't any one moment during the 2011 season where they felt comfortable that this might be a benchmark year for them, it was a year where they just kept grinding, and moving forward. "I don't think either of us thought we were getting a championship this year, as the competition was very high. On top of the riders in WERA, we would regularly have to compete against AMA Pro riders that use WERA events for practice," added Bernie. "Not that WERA riders can't hold their own against them, but it made it very challenging. We learned a lot from these guys though and love having them there. I wish they would white flag their own races though and not take the finish. It screws up the points for racers who are in it all season. If there was any real turning point, I would have to say the R6 was probably it (three-quarters through the season the Superstock was replaced with a Yamaha R6). At that moment, he was pretty determined to put that thing on the box. In 2012 we will be competing on Yamaha R6's in AMA Supersport." Sixteen is the minimum age for AMA Pro Racing and Javelin turns 16 this November the 8th. "So we are legit to start racing the national AMA circuit next year starting in Daytona. We have formed a brand new team for the effort with Title Sponsor "Dynojet Research out of Las Vegas, and also "Diablo Racing from North Carolina. We are still in the infancy stages of getting the team together for next year, but we know it's going to be a strong effort," continues Bernie. "I'd like to add that we are very grateful for the help that K&N filters provided for us in 2011. Johnny Jump was instrumental in putting our deal together and he has been great. The products are the unsung soldiers on a sportbike, because you can't really see them. We are working to create ideas for K&N in our 2012 AMA effort to change that!" Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
