Jordan Szoke – Mopar Canadian Superbike 2nd Place
Sunday June 11th 2017 – Grand Bend Motorplex – Grand Bend Ontario Canada
Temperatures soared at Round Two of the Mopar Canadian Superbike Nationals held at the “new to the series” venue Grand Bend Motorplex.
The National series has not visited the circuit in previous seasons so this was virtually the first time many national competitors has turned a wheel on the 2.2 km track. Series officials in partnership with track personnel worked tirelessly to pull off a successful event much to the race fans delight.
Szoke earned the Dalton Timmins Pole Position on Saturday afternoon setting a blazing track record of 1 min 2.300 sec around the course.
“All the teams and riders are working hard to find traction on this track,” said the defending champion. “Going into qualifying we were really confident with our setup for a fast time (I thought maybe a 1:02.9) but the wind was crazy. I did another three or four laps right close to the pole time, which is very encouraging going into the race.”
Race day Sunday was set for an epic battle up front with most competitors being within sneezing distance of each other during qualifying. Szoke got off the line well leading the race for most of the laps, earning extra points towards the Superbike Championship.
With two laps left, a racing incident left fellow BMW rider Ben Young on the pavement after a nasty high side. The win went to lap leader to Bodhi Edie.
“I’m glad Ben is ok first and foremost. No one wants to see a fellow racer on the asphalt.” Said Szoke from second spot on the box. “That being said, I’m disappointed. I had a plan and the red flag really threw that for a loop. I want to congratulate Bodhi, He ran extremely well, and I knew once they got a good bike under him he’d be up there.”
“It sucks to have it end,” said Szoke about his 15-race win streak, which dated back to early 2015. “But I was the quickest rider (this weekend), and we’re still there, we got second place. We were on pole, we led the most laps, and it’s about the championship for us.
More, from a press release issued by Ben Young Racing:
YOUNG BENT BUT NOT BROKEN
Collingwood, ON CANADA – The 2017 MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship’s (CSBK) first-ever visit to Grand Bend Raceway, aptly titled the Battle By The Beach, proved to be a race many fans will not soon forget. With consistent improvements throughout the weekend it seemed Young was poised to upset the defending champion’s admirable 15-race win streak.
Young’s chief mechanic Scott Cartier and suspension specialist Willie Vass didn’t waste time getting Young’s #86 Scot-Build Developments / BMW Motorrrad Canada S1000RR set up to suit Young’s preferences. The 2016 Brooklin Cycle Pro Rookie of the Year set the second fastest time during Friday’ practice session.
On Saturday Young put in a noble effort during the Dalton Timmis Insurance SuperPole claiming second spot on the grid thanks to a 1:03.459 from his Scot-Build Developments BMW, just 0.259 seconds back from the top qualifier.
Increasing temperatures and strong afternoon wind guests coming off the shores of Lake Huron for the last two days were certainly going to play a factor in Sunday’s feature Pro MOPAR Superbike race. During Sunday’s morning warm up session Young seemed to find his pace early and topped the charts with the fastest time.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd of race fans Young took his spot on the grid for what was sure to be an exciting and unpredictable race. He bolted off the line into the first corner in third place for the 20-lap feature. The current champion Jordan Szoke jumped to the front of the three-rider pack with Young quickly closing the gap on the second-place rider Bodhi Edie.
Just prior to the midpoint of the race Young made his move to secure second spot. The hungry pilot from Collingwood Ontario began to nibble away at Szoke’s lead and on the 11th lap he was able out-break Szoke for the lead on the back straight.
Edie made a pass on Szoke and was now trying everything to pass Young. This was the battle that race fans had come to see with a historic moment in the making.
With 2 laps to go, Edie made a daring pass for first rubbing bodywork which resulted in Young and his Scot-Build Developments BMW S1000RR launching skyward which triggered a red flag to allow the medical team to tend to the motionless rider.
Amidst the medical team’s comprehensive examination Young gave a thumbs up to reassure his team, fans and family that he was fine. With some assistance Young stood up and began his walk back to the grandstands which was warmly acknowledged by the Grand Bend crowd.
Understandably disappointed Young commented: “I’m fine, really – just upset. My BMW S1000RR was set up perfect for me and the track conditions.” He said “I have a ton of respect for Jordan, but I wanted to be the guy who finally beat him. I’m happy for both Bodhi and his team, but my guys deserved to celebrate a win for all their hard work.”
Thanks to Young’s AXO leathers and Arai Helmet he’ll be ready for Round 3 of the MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship at Autodrome St-Eustache near Montreal on June 23-25.
This past weekend Young also participated in a test of a 360 Degree Track Lap video around the Grand Bend circuit which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/X3qOLtGfVLk
Young’s partners for his 2017 CSBK Championship season include; Scot-build Developments, BMW Motorrad Canada, AXO Racing, Arai Helmets, ACF-50, Hindle Exhaust, Woodcraft, Bickle Racing, SBS Brakes, Motion Pro, Human 2.0, K-Tech Suspension & Epic Racewear.
The 24 year old pilot of the #86 BMW S1000RR is also a proud “Laps for Muscular Dystrophy” (Laps4MD) rider who’s pledged to donate $1 for every lap he lead this season. 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 BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
Top-4 lockout for the BMW S 1000 RR racers at the Isle of Man TT and a special honour for BMW rider Peter Hickman.
The BMW riders dominate the Isle of Man TT Superstock race.
Peter Hickman wins the “Joey Dunlop Championship Trophy” for the best overall performance of the Isle of Man race week.
Jordan Szoke fastest man on his BMW S 1000 RR in Canada.
Munich. The 2017 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy continued with more success for the BMW S 1000 RR racers: Ian Hutchinson (GBR) led the array of BMW riders in a top-4 lockout in the Superstock race. In the Senior TT, Peter Hickman (GBR) finished second of the podium. The BMW Motorrad Motorsport specialists have been on site on the Isle of Man to support the BMW teams in preparing their RRs. In the Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK), Jordan Szoke (CAN) was second in a thrilling race in Grand Bend (CAN). In addition, the BMW Motorrad Motorsport racers have been in action in South Africa and Japan at the weekend.
Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.
After already being victorious in the Superbike race, Tyco BMW rider Ian Hutchinson (GBR) won Wednesday’s Superstock race in a dominant manner. In the race, the BMW S 1000 RR riders claimed a top-4 lockout and no fewer than six BMWs crossed the line within the top-10.
Hutchinson took the lead on the opening lap, stayed in front over the entire four lap distance and crossed the line with an advantage of over 22 seconds. It was “Hutchy’s” 16th TT win and his fifth in a Superstock race, making him the record holder in this category, the most successful Superstock TT rider of all time. Peter Hickman (GBR) and his Smiths Racing team again secured second place as they did with the RR in the Superbike race. Third place on the rostrum went to local hero Dan Kneen. It was a special result for the Manxman as it was the maiden TT podium for him as well as for Team Penz13.com BMW Motorrad Motorsport. Michael Rutter (GBR / Bathams SMT) completed the top-4 lockout in fourth. David Johnson (AUS / Fleetwood Grab Services BMW) and Jamie Coward (GBR / Radcliffe’s Racing) finished the Superstock race in eighth and ninth respectively.
In Friday’s Senior TT, Hutchinson was fighting for his third victory of the week but unfortunately crashed on the second lap, suffering a broken femur. We wish “Hutchy” a speedy recovery. The race was red-flagged and re-started over the distance of four laps. Hickman once more claimed second place on the podium – after the Superbike race, the Superstock race and his two 600 cc races, it was his fifth podium of the week earning him the coveted “Joey Dunlop Championship Trophy” for the best overall performance of the race week. Smiths Racing won the trophy awarded to the best team. Rutter finished the Senior TT in fifth place, while Martin Jessopp (GBR / Riders Motorcycles) was ninth.
Peter Hickman: “What can I say, it’s been an absolutely unbelievable week and five podiums from five races is mega. The first part of the Senior TT was shaping up to be a cracker and Hutchy and I were neck and neck. It was a shame what happened to Hutchy and I wish him well for a speedy recovery. The re-start went perfectly for me, there wasn’t as much grip out there due to all the rain we’ve had but apart from that, the race was mint. The boys did a great job at the pit stop and although Michael Dunlop was that bit stronger than me, we did what we needed to do and got another second place. I came here with no podiums and to leave with five is amazing.”
Dan Kneen: “All in all it was just a mega TT 2017. We had some issues, but above all we got our first podium. It was not just my first TT podium, it was also the first one for the Penz13.com BMW Motorrad Motorsport team and that made us all smile more than ever before. We had worked hard to get that success but it takes some time to sink in. I simply held the momentum going after the fifth place in Superbike TT, which was my best result on the big bikes till then, and then, in Superstock, we upped the game. The Senior TT was a bit of a mixture of fortunes with having to start twice and not every day is the same. Still I am happy with 12th as it is a more than strong result here at home at my island.”
Unfortunately, this year’s Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was overshadowed by three fatal accidents. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and teams of Alan Bonner, a member of the BMW racing community, of Jochem van den Hoek and of Davey Lambert.
Canadian Superbike Championship in Grand Bend, Canada.
The second round of the 2017 Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK) was held in Grand Bend (CAN) at the weekend. Reigning champion Jordan Szoke (CAN) once again secured pole position and the fastest race lap on his Mopar Express Lane BMW Superbike Team BMW S 1000 RR– but his streak of 15 wins in a row since early 2015 ended in an eventful and red-flagged race. Szoke was second, 0.4 seconds behind winner Bodhi Edie (CAN).
Over most of the race distance, there was a three-way battle at the top between Szoke, his fellow BMW rider Ben Young (GBR / Ben Young Racing) and Edie. With three laps to go, Young high-sided and the race was red-flagged with no restart. Edie was classified as the winner and Szoke in second place. Samuel Trépanier (CAN) was fourth and Michael Leon (CAN / Royal Distribution Racing Team) sixth.
Jordan Szoke: “Of course it is disappointing to have and end to the winning streak but I was the quickest rider this weekend, and we’re still here and we got second place. We were on pole, we led the most laps, and it’s about the championship for us. I want to congratulate Bodhi who ran extremely well. Now we look forward to the next race.”
South African Motorcycle Road Racing Championship at the Red Star Raceway, South Africa.
The fifth round of the 2017 South African Motorcycle Road Racing Championship (RSA SBK) was held at the Red Star Raceway (RSA) at the weekend. Lance Isaacs (RSA / Supabets Sandton BMW Motorrad) was the highest placed BMW rider in the two races, crossing the line in seventh and eight respectively. David McFadden (RSA / RPM Centre Sandton Auto/BMW Motorrad) finished ninth on both occasions.
MFJ Superbike All Japan Road Race Championship in Sugo, Japan.
The BMW S 1000 RR racers in the MFJ Superbike All Japan Road Race Championship (MFJ) were in action in Motegi (JPN) at the weekend. Yuta Kodama (JPN / Tone RT Syncedge 4113) crossed the line in 22nd, while Daisaku Sakai (JPN / BMW Motorrad 39) failed to finish.