Jordan Szoke, middle, is on the pole once again for the latest leg of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship
By John Hopkins and Josh Penner, reporter
Parts Canada Superbike Championship leader Jordan Szoke set a red hot pace in testing for this weekend’s fourth and fifth rounds of the series at Mosport International Raceway on Thursday.
Despite air temperatures in the low to mid-30s Celsius (around 90 Fahrenheit), the Brantford, Ont. racer took his Waznie Racing / BMC Ciclo Werks / DeWildt Honda Powerhouse Honda CBR1000RR around the 3.957km (2.459-mile) road course in one minute, 20.829 seconds for an average speed of 176.239 km/h (109.520 mph).
His closest challenger in the Superbike standings, Francis Martin of Sherbrooke, Que. was second quickest at 1:22.209 aboard the radX HD / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR and Kleinburg, Ont.’s Frank Trombino placed third with a time of 1:22.327 on the ProStar Motorsports / Sturgess Cycle Honda CBR1000RR.
“I am surprised with the time because of the heat,” admitted Szoke, who was under the lap record of 1:21.061 set by Brett McCormick last year. “Usually it takes a few days to get the times down here, but the track is in good shape. I’d like to make another step tomorrow. There’s lots left in it for sure.”
Szoke comes into the weekend with a 54-point lead over Martin in the Superbike standings, 164-110, with 50 points available for a race win.
Cody Matechuk is still not 100 per cent after a crash at Race City earlier this month
Calgary riders didn’t fare as well in the heat. Cochrane’s Cody Matechuk, just 16 and in his first full season of Superbike racing, qualified in ninth spot on a Suzuki GSX-R600 with a time of 1:24.738. Clint McBain, father, team owner, and crew chief for Acceleration Racing’s said Matechuk’s performance was affected by the heat wave scorching southern Ontario.
“It’s been blazing hot here all day. It’s 37 degrees and 40 degrees on the humidex. We’re having an excellent weekend out here and we’re looking forward to tomorrow”
“Super Pole was cancelled unfortunately, putting us in ninth on the Superbike grid. It started raining almost as soon as the first rider got to the starting gate. Cody managed to grab 5th place in Pro Sportbike 600, though.”
Last weekend Cody Matechuk crashed in corner one at Race City Motorsports Park in Calgary, injuring his right hand. “His hand’s not much of an issue this weekend. Cody’s complaining of numbness, but said he’s not feeling any pain from it, thankfully. We’re having a great weekend out here and look forward to Saturday,” McBain said.
The other Calgary rider on the Superbike circuit, Dave Stokowski, was not available for an interview. He qualified in 23rd spot on his Kawasaki ZX-10R with a time of 1:28.494
Points leader Szoke also set the quickest time in testing for the Pro Sport Bike class with a time of 1:23.664 on his Honda CBR600RR. Keene, Ont.’s Jodi Christie, Szoke’s closest challenger in the points race placed second at 1:24.119 aboard the Jodi Christie Racing / Durham Honda Powerhouse Honda CBR600RR and Trombino completed a Honda 1-2-3 with a time of 1:26.752.
Raphael Archambault of St-Colomban, Que. was quickest in testing for the Amateur Sport Bike class with a time of 1:27.215 on his Archambault Racing / Centre Hamel Honda-backed CBR600RR.
Brantford, Ont.’s Rob Busby led the K&N Filters Sport Twins class with a time of 1:31.515 on his Buell XB12R and St-Lazare, Que.’s Ryan McCormick was fastest in the Honda CBR125R Challenge at 2:07.820.
The electric motorcycles of the TTXGP eGRAND PRIX Series made their Canadian debut at Mosport on Friday. Michael Hannas of Santarose, Calif. turned a lap at 1:58.599 for an average speed of 120.112 km/h (74.641 mph).
Action resumes at Mosport on Friday with qualifying for all classes, including the Pirelli SuperPole for the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award in the Parts Canada Superbike class. Races in all national classes will go Saturday and Sunday.
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