L&W Motorworks Dominate MIR Finale
By Jack Korpela

L&W Motorworks stable of four top-notch Outlaw Pro Street motorcycles dominated the Maryland International Raceway Fall Nationals by winning the event, re-setting the E.T. record and collectively capturing nine round wins.

The L&W crew of "Fast" Joe Long, Barry "Georgia Boy" Greene, Corey Myers, and Charles Varnedo, wasted no time establishing themselves in qualifying, by putting all four bikes inside the top five. Greene led the pack and eclipsed the elapsed-time record by almost a full tenth with a spectacular 7.28 at 189 mph.

"I told ya we had some bad bikes," Long said. "L&W puts together the quickest machines."

All four competitors were victorious in round number one, leaving L&W with four of the six bikes left in competition for the second round.
In round two Greene used a 7.35 to defeat a wounded Brian Rich. Points leader, Long took out his teammate Varnedo with the quickest Outlaw Pro Street run of-all-time with an amazing 7.27. Unfortunately for Long he was unable to back up the run within one percent to officially claim the record.

Myers couldn't get past Angie McBride's 7.37 despite recording the quickest pass of his career with a 7.50.

"We are real happy with Myers' performance," Long said. "He's only got three races under his belt, he weighs over 220 pounds, and were about to get him in the 7.40s! Varnedo ran his quickest run also. We have some good riders here; they just need to get more laps under their belt."

Greene enjoyed a semi final bye and Long better Angie McBride's 7.58 with a 7.38 to set up an all-L&W Motorworks final.

"Racing my teammate in the final is the ultimate because it really doesn't matter who wins," said retirement bound Long, who had never won at MIR. "I wanted to back-up the record more than anything."

In the final Greene scored his second straight victory over teammate Long with a 7.31 to Long's 7.43.

"It came down to lanes," Long said. "I 60-ed him. I 330-ed him, but I just blew the tire away after the eighth-mile. That's Ok. I'm happy for Barry. We are like brothers."

Despite the loss Long still maintains a comfortable lead in the championship series.

L&W Motorworks now looks to the series' next race, the Fish's October Bike Fest from Rockingham NC, September 27th-28th.

"I think were going to put up some numbers at the Rock," Long said. "When it starts to cool down were going to blow em away with consistent quick passes. That's what's most impressive when you can put up the numbers consistently."

Long mentioned that L&W Motorworks can build one of these superior machines for anyone interested. In fact Long said he will take his 7.27 motor out of the frame rails and sell it today.

"I want to see this class continue to grow after I'm gone," Long said "We want to help some of these guys that have been struggling with different motor programs. We are trying to help Dave Norris now."

Long and crew chief, Dan Wagner are the minds behind the Florida-based L&W Motorworks and are available for all kinds of high-performance work on race bikes. L&W specializes in custom fabricating, racing engines, and high performance electronics. Long pointed out that GSXRs are their forte.

"Nobody and I mean nobody can make a Gixxer (GSXR) run with us," Long said. L&W Motorworks can be reached at 954-792-3339 ask for Joe or Dan.