BMW riders claim a top-three lock-out in the IDM and a top-four lock-out in Canada.
•First podium of the season for Alessandro Delbianco in the FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship.
•Ilya Mikhalchik dominates in the IDM at Oschersleben.
•Another win for record champion Jordan Szoke in the Canadian Superbike Championship.
Munich. Oschersleben (GER), Brno (CZE) and Grand Bend (CAN) – where BMW racers competed successfully in all three locations at the weekend. The “German Speedweek” took place at Oschersleben, with the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) 8-hour race and two races in the International German Championship (IDM). The NRT48 – BMW Motorrad team was the best-placed BMW team in the EWC with fourth place. In the IDM, BMW riders claimed a top-three lock-out. Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) topped the podium both times. The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) and the FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship (STK1000) both visited the Czech city of Brno. Alessandro Delbianco (ITA) celebrated his first podium finish of the season there in the STK1000. BMW riders secured a top-four lock-out at the second race of the Canadian Superbike Championship 2018 (CSBK) at Grand Bend, led by record champion Jordan Szoke (CAN).
FIM Endurance World Championship at Oschersleben, Germany.
The fourth race of the 2017/18 season in the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) took place as part of the “German Speedweek” at Oschersleben (GER). A total of five BMW teams took part in the eight-hour race. The NRT48 – BMW Motorrad (#48) team of Kenny Foray (FRA), Stefan Kerschbaumer (AUT) and Lucy Glöckner (GER) missed out on the podium by just one place. The team gave a strong performance to claim fourth place in their home race. The #21 BMW S 1000 RR of Mercury Racing, ridden by Karel Hanika, Jakub Smrz (both CZE) and Sylvain Barrier (FRA) crossed the line in 14th position. Filip Altendorfer and Rico Löwe (both GER) attempted a major feat on the E.INFRA GERT56 by RS Speedbikes team#56 RR: after their team-mate Christof Höfer was injured in a qualifying crash, the two riders shared duties between them, despite soaring temperatures. However, an incident in the final hour of the race saw them forced to retire.
MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Brno, Czech Republic.
The appearance of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in the Czech city of Brno began promisingly for Loris Baz (FRA) and the Gulf Althea BMW Team. The French rider completed Friday’s first practice session in second place, despite the wet conditions. Baz was in good form when the weather dried up as well, qualifying straight into Superpole 2. He then started Saturday’s first race from eighth place. However, a crash on the twelfth lap saw his hopes of a good result evaporate. Baz was able to continue but had to be content with 18th position. He then secured eleventh place in Sunday’s race.
FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship at Brno, Czech Republic.
The fifth race of the FIM Superstock 1000 European Championship (STK1000) season took place as part of the WorldSBK weekend in Brno (CZE). Markus Reiterberger (GER / alpha Racing-Van-Zon-BMW) had dominated Friday’s practice session and secured pole position with a new lap record in qualifying on Saturday. It was a wet-weather race on Sunday – and this time, another BMW rider was celebrating. Alessandro Delbianco (ITA) from the Gulf Althea BMW Team claimed second place, his first podium finish of the season. Reiterberger crossed the line in fourth position. The top ten also included Roberto Tamburini (ITA / Berclaz Racing Team), who finished in eighth place. Reiterberger still tops the championship standings, nine points ahead of second-placed Maximilian Scheib (CHI). Tamburini is third.
Alessandro Delbianco: “The race went really well. We’d have completed a solid race in dry conditions too I think, but the wet definitely helped us today. I’m really pleased with the result and thank the team for all their great work this weekend. I’m very happy and hope we can continue like this.”
Markus Reiterberger: “I slid quite badly in the second turn and nearly fell. I was just able to catch it and then I was in second or third for most of the race. I closed the gap to the leaders at the halfway point, but I had some problems towards the end. Fourth place in the rain is OK though, and now we know how to set the bike up for rain to make sure it works better for me. All in all, it was a positive weekend and I am happy with the work we put in. It’s just a shame we weren’t rewarded as well as we’d have liked.”
International German Championship at Oschersleben, Germany.
The second race weekend of the season for the SBK1000 class in the International German Championship (IDM) took place at Oschersleben (GER) as part of the “German Speedweek”. The BMW drivers celebrated a top-three lock-out on Saturday. The dominant man of the weekend was Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) from the alpha-Racing-Van-Zon-BMW team. He secured pole position, won both races and grabbed the lead in the championship.
In Saturday’s first race, Bastien Mackels (BEL / Wilbers BMW Racing) finished second and Mikhalchiks team-mate Julian Puffe (GER) finished third to complete a BMW podium. Mackels then finished third to claim another podium in Sunday’s second race.
Canadian Superbike Championship at Grand Bend, Canada.
The BMW S 1000 RR remains the bike to beat in the Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK). BMW riders had celebrated a top-three lock-out at the season-opener – now they have gone one better, recording a top-four lock-out at the second race of the season at Grand Bend (CAN).
Out in front, record champion Jordan Szoke (CAN / Mopar Express Lane BMW Superbike Team) and BMW brand team-mate Ben Young (CAN / Ben Young Racing) put on a thrilling battle for the win. Young moved into the lead during the final phase of the race, but Szoke made the most of his extensive experience. In the final turn, a brave manoeuvre saw him overtake Young and claim his next CSBK victory. Behind Szoke and Young, third place went to BMW rider Samuel Trépanier (CAN / Blysk Racing), while Michael Leon (CAN / Royal Distributing Racing Team) completed the top-four lock-out for BMW.
More, from a press release issued by Ben Young Racing:
YOUNG BRINGS HOME SOLID 2ND AFTER LAST LAP DRAMA
Round 2 of the MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK), promised to bring excitement to race fans, and it certainly did not disappoint! Weather, yellow flags and lappers kept everyone on their toes, but Ben Young and the team battled through on the #86 Scot-Build BMW S1000RR to achieve his debut CSBK Pole Position and another solid 2ndplace finish.
Friday’s practice sessions went very well for the Collingwood ON rider, with Young topping the time sheets in both sessions. Scott Cartier, Willy Vass and Steve Weir worked tirelessly to get the BMW set up perfect for Young, and it paid off. Both bike and rider were planted all weekend.
Saturday brought with it some iffy weather conditions. It was overcast, windy, and a little cool for the morning practice session, though Ben still managed to keep his times in the consistent 1:03’s. During the lunch break, the rain started, so the CSBK officials chose to shuffle the schedule, postponing the Dalton Timmis Insurance Pro Superbike SuperPole to Sunday morning.
Sunday morning weather brought dry conditions and so the qualifying session went off without a hitch. Young was absolutely planted on the Scot-Build BMW S1000RR, and finished with a best time of 1:03.259, almost half a second in front of Jordan Szoke in second position. This is the first time that last year’s champion Szoke has not landed on the top step since SuperPole was introduced. On the qualifying podium, Young raved about how good his BMW felt, and was excited to see what the race would bring.
Fans who came out to Grand Bend Motorplex were awarded with a fantastic show on Sunday afternoon. The race start was clean, though Szoke got the holeshot with Young slotting right behind, then Samuel Trepanier. During the first half of the race, Young sat behind Szoke showing his front wheel, but was quite content to wait it out. There were a few yellow flags, and the top riders quickly ran into lappers – these made it difficult for Young to get by Szoke. With 5 laps to go, Young took the lead by making a fantastic pass going into turn 1 and the grandstand went wild. By this point, lapped traffic had held up Trepanier, so it was a two-man battle to the end. Szoke stayed with Ben, but never came near enough to pass, until the pair reached the last couple corners on the last lap. Young approached lapped traffic at the end of the back straight, opting for a more defensive line, though it didn’t work out. Szoke managed to make the pass, and they crossed the line with Young in P2 with the fastest lap of the race, and just 0.171 behind Szoke.
Young said the following about the weekend: “The guys worked hard all weekend to provide me with a great bike that was able to lap consistent times, which prove for a good race. I didn’t really have a plan, I just wanted to see how the start went, then play it by ear. I knew Jordan was going to be tough to beat. It’s unfortunate it ended the way it did as I was hoping for a straight one-on-one battle. Looking forward to rebounding at St-Eustache!”
The MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship returns to TSN for 2018. Visit www.csbk.ca for confirmed dates at times for broadcasts.
The MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship heads to Autodrome St-Eustache in St-Eustache, Quebec on June 29-July 1, 2018.
Young’s partners for his 2018 CSBK Championship season include; Scot-build Developments, BMW Motorrad Canada, AXO Racing, Arai Helmets, Hindle Exhaust, Woodcraft, SBS, Motion Pro, Bickle Racing, Liqui Moly, ACF-50, Barrie Trim and Mouldings Inc.
He is also proud “Laps for Muscular Dystrophy” (Laps4MD) rider who’s pledged to donate $1 for every lap he leads. These donations go to Muscular Dystrophy Canada to help make a difference in the lives of over 50,000 Canadians affected by a neuromuscular disorder.
To keep up-to-date on Ben Young throughout the year visit; www.BenYoungRacing.com, www.facebook.com/BenYoungRacing and on Twitter and Instagram: @benyoung_86.
More, from a press release issued by Waznie Racing:
That Was a Close One!
The Battle by the Beach was just that this past weekend at Mopar Canadian Superbike’s Round #2 at Grand Bend Motorplex.
The Pro Superbike feature morphed into a battle Royale with heavy hits and back and forth blows fighting for every 10th of a second and each millimetre of racetrack.
12 time defending Superbike champion Jordan Szoke was inched out for the Dalton Timmons Superpole spot by fellow BMW Motorrad mounted competitor Ben Young.
“We’re riding our new bike out there. It was challenging conditions today because the track was warm in places and cool in others. It was difficult to throw one fast lap in there.” said Szoke. “The new bike isn’t there yet but we’re really really close with it.”
Starting from second spot on Sundays feature race. Szoke snatched an early lead with the hole shot and remained out front for most of the race, collecting points for most laps lead. Young passed Szoke for the lead late in the race and appeared to be on his way to his first victory when lapped traffic came into play. Szoke’s experience placed him in perfect passing position and propelled him to his second victory of the season.
“I knew this was a strong track for Ben. When I was out front I wanted to control the pace and catch most laps lead. We’ve got a championship to win here and that’s always the end goal. In the last corner I was able to put myself in a good position and get by for the win.”
Szoke rolls into the third round of the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship with a 12 points lead. Autodrome St Eustache will be hosting the championship during the Canada Day long weekend just outside of Montreal Quebec.
“Now make sure you keep the stands full and wait to watch my wife in her Amateur Superbike race.” says Szoke to the fans from the podium.
Amy Szoke started her BMW S1000RR off the line clean and entered into the back straight in 5th position. After a lengthy race battle with two other riders Amy brought herself and her motorcycle home in 6th.
“It was a bit of a rough weekend for me mentally. I felt very shy on track time and was scrambling for comfort even up until I gridded. Although I am really fortunate to have this motorcycle under me and our crew helping me every step of the way. It’s not my best personal performance but I suppose you have to appreciate the races for what they are and how they teach you. Thanks everyone for screaming for me, giving me a squeeze when I needed it and a swift kick in the butt when I needed that too.”
The Battle by the Beach second race of the premier Mopar Pro Superbike class will be televised on TSN. Keep your eyes peeled (or keep up to date on social media) for listings.
Catch the Szoke’s in Mopar Canadian Superbike action when they meet up with their rivals in “La Belle Province” St Eustache Quebec Canada.