YOUNG FINISHES SOLID SECOND WITH EYES ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP
St-Eustache, QC
June 21-23, 2019
After a battle right to the bitter end, Ben Young finished 2nd place at Autodrome St-Eustache this weekend, aboard his Scot-Build BMW S1000RR. This was a great result for his campaign to win the MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship, as he maintains the lead in the championship with an 18-point advantage going into round 4.
The practice and qualifying sessions hinted at the close race to come, as Young sat either 1stor 2ndon time sheets in all but one of the sessions. The team of Steve Weir, Willie Vass, Scott Cartier and Scott Young worked hard to nail the set-up of the BMW and it showed, as Young better his times every session. Qualifying on Saturday brought sunny weather, with a slight breeze – good for fans, but not for lap records. Never the less, Young put in a quick time which secured him 2ndon the grid, with just half a second covering the top four riders.
This would be a final race for CSBK fans at Autodrome St-Eustache, and so the stakes were high. For Sunday morning practice, Young topped the time sheet, and set another personal best lap time for the weekend, giving him confidence going into the race. As the lights went out, Young didn’t get the start he hoped for, but managed to maintain his 2nd position going into turn 1. He wasn’t giving up the fight though, continually posting quick times and putting pressure on Szoke. Young would take the lead multiple times throughout the race, getting great drive and braking late off the back straight. Back markers would play their role, as Young dipped and dived between them, they unfortunately didn’t help his cause. Young entered the last lap right on the tail of Szoke, and continued to push him hard. As Young crossed the line, he would post the fastest lap of the race (45.991), though ultimately, he passed the chequered in 2nd position, just 0.150 behind first place.
Of the weekend, Young said, “We are obviously a little disappointed, after such a close race, but second place is a fantastic finish that team and I are proud of. It’s about the championship at the end of the day, and we are still up front so it’s all good.”
Round 4 of the MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship is a double-header at Atlantic Motorsports Park, NS on July 18th-21st2019, which Ben enters with an 18-point lead in the championship.
Young’s partners for his 2019 CSBK Championship season include; Scot-build Developments, BMW Motorrad Canada, Van Dolders Home Team, Barrie Trim & Mouldings, ACF-50, Joe Rocket, Arai Helmets, Hindle Exhaust, Woodcraft, Bickle Racing, DP Brakes, Motion Pro, K-Tech Suspension, Liqui-Moly, Weir Everywhere Racing, Willy Vass Performance Cycle.
The 26-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 Waznie Racing:
Szoke Wins Final Ever Superbike Race at Autodrome St Eustache
I was going to get that win, or build a new motorcycle.
During the final laps of the featured Superbike class Jordan “The People’s Champion” Szoke and rival Ben “Braveheart” Young split the single lapped traffic headed into the left hand corner off the back straight.
Ben chose the inside line as Jordan went around the outside setting himself up for a perfect pass into the dog leg. Earning Szoke the final ever victory at Autodrome St Eustache before it eminent closure at the end of the season.
This is Szoke’s first win since returning to the Mopar Express Lane Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja team.
“It took longer than expected.” said an emotional Szoke at the victory podium. “But it just makes it that much sweeter. Recovering from surgery in November to building new bikes and picking up the pieces after a nasty crash in Shannonville. We earned this one and I’m going to enjoy it.”
Szoke picked up maximum points during the weekend by also securing pole position on Saturday. He trails the championship by a mere 18 point lead with four races to go left in the 2019 campaign.
The series now travels east to Atlantic Motorsport Park next month, a circuit Szoke has won the last seven contests.
Amy Szoke prepared for her lightweight return in Quebec after a rough weekend preciously at Round #2 in Grand Bend. Szoke crashed twice in Friday’s free practice and out of Race 2 during the “Battle at the Beach.” “My goals for the weekend here in Quebec was to relearn the tire, regain some trust in my equipment and focus on getting up to speed quicker during the race.”
Amy finished sixth place in Saturday afternoon after qualifying 5th earlier in the morning. “I felt much better after knowing how much I can push the front now particularly early in the race.” Sundays event also found Szoke running a lonely 6th place after losing touch with the lead pack.
“I’m not finishing exactly where I want to be.” said Amy. “Although I had a few goals which I feel we crushed this weekend. Mad thanks to my crew who continue to remind me we are on the right track.”
Amy sits in 7th spot in the Lightweight sport bike official standings with 6 races left in the calendar.
Catch the Szoke’s in Mopar Canadian Superbike action for Round #4 held at Atlantic Motorsports Park July 19-21.