YOUNG CLINCHES FIRST SUPERBIKE WIN IN EPIC FLAG-TO-FLAG BATTLE

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Finally, after a season of close finishes, Ben Young won his first Pro Superbike race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park aboard his #86 Scot-Build/Barrie Trim and Mouldings BMW Motorrad Barrie S1000RR. The final round was a double-header, with the win on Saturday and a 2nd place on Sunday, in what has been called the best Superbike race ever seen.

Qualifying took place on Friday afternoon under the hot sun and perfect racing weather. For the Superpole shoot out, Dunlop tires provide a softer “Qualifying” tire. The first half of the 15-minute session saw all riders get a few laps on a race tire, and Young was flying right off the hop, topping the board with a 1:20:972, a time which would have secured him pole position, without switching to the qualifying tire. After 4 laps, Young came in and the team switch the rear to the qualifying tire. With the additional grip, Young improved his time to a 1:20.523, just 0.003 seconds off the lap record, and half a second quicker than Szoke in P2.

On Saturday, again the sun shone, and the track was packed with excited fans who would not be disappointed. Morning practice would see Young find his rhythm in no time, and again top the time sheets before the race that afternoon. When the lights went out, it was Szoke who got the hole shot into turn one from his 2nd place grid position, however, the lead was short lived as Ben got fantastic drive through turn 2 to take the lead early on. The race came down to Young, Szoke and Kenny Riedmann, who came out of retirement for the final round. Szoke fell back into third position, as both Riedmann and Young fought for the win, both hungry for their first career superbike win. With a few laps to go, Young made the final pass for first, and increased his pace, crossing the finish line one second ahead of Kenny Riedmann and Jordan Szoke. Emotions ran high as the team jumped on track to meet Young before his long awaited victory lap. With Young winning the race, and received points for most laps lead, the championship was not decided on Saturday. On the podium Young said “Winning the championship is a long shot, but we will not give up”.

Of race one, Young said the following “I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to get this win. I wanted to get the hole shot, then see if I could break away from the group, but decided to settle back and battle with Kenny, to ensure I left enough life in the tire for the last few laps. We were having a great time out there, but with two to go it was time to get my head down so that I was out of reach for a pass”.

The excitement was palpable on Sunday, and the racers brought what veteran John Long dubbed “the best Superbike race I’ve ever seen”. This time around, Young led going into turn 1, with Szoke and Riedmann on his tail. The three-way battle lasted for the first half of the race, again with Riedmann getting by Szoke and hungrily chasing down P1. Young and Riedmann chopped and changed positions throughout, though the battle meant for slower lap times, allowing Samuel Trepanier to catch up to the lead group. Young and Riedmann were 2 abreast coming off the Andretti Straight, with Young showing Riedmann his front tire through the final few turns, but it wasn’t quite enough. Riedmann would win, with Young just 0.118 behind and Trepanier rounding off the podium. With a 4th place finished, Szoke would take the national championship, with Young placing 2nd overall.

After race two, Ben said “During the race, Kenny seemed eager to lead, so once I’d lead enough to get the extra points I was content to sit behind and see what he had. During race 1, my strong area was braking into turn 8, but in morning warm-up, I’d hit a false neutral which damaged the gear selector inside the motor, making is difficult to shift down from 6th to 4th. Due of that, I didn’t feel comfortable putting myself up the inside incase I couldn’t make the shift as I didn’t want to run myself and/or Kenny off the track. I tried the outside to inside in 8 to 9 on the last lap and it was close as I tried to square up turn 10, but Kenny defended great and didn’t make it possible.”

“It was great to finish the season so strong, and to have such great forward momentum into 2019. I can’t thank the team enough for such a great year, and I’m looking forward to chasing the #1 place next season.”

This weekend marked the 40th anniversary of Canadian Superbike racing at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (formally Mosport). In 1978, first race was won by John Long aboard his BMW R90S. Ben replicated the win 40 years later on his BMW S1000RR adding himself to the history books, and was able to celebrate with John Long who made a special appearance as Grand Marshall.

The team was rewarded for their hardwork and dedication for the fantastic season. During final podium festivities, they were surprised with winning the “Team Of The Year” award, a trophy which typically goes to the team who wins the championship. It was the cherry on top of a fantastic race weekend.

Ben would like to thank the team – Scott Cartier, Willy Vass, Steve Weir and Scott Young. Also a huge thanks to all the sponsors – Scot-build Developments, Barrie Trim and Mouldings Inc., BMW Motorrad Barrie, BMW Motorrad Canada, AXO Racing, Arai Helmets, Hindle Exhaust, Woodcraft, SBS, Motion Pro, Bickle Racing, Liqui Moly, ACF-50.

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 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:

Jordan Szoke secured his 13th National Canadian Superbike title this past Sunday during the thrilling season finale of the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship held at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park a stone throw away from the Province’s capital of Toronto ON.

Although, it wasn’t easy. Szoke was plagued with extreme equipment failures and electrical issues happening on his top notch equipment.

“For us to have equipment problems, with both of our machines is extremely rare.” says Szoke “ We have the strictest racing program out there, I suppose it was to test how badly we really wanted to bring home the Canada Cup. And we did.”

Fans were treated to the season’s best display of Canada’s best road racing talent to date during all the weekends action as the top of the podium was graced with a few more of Canada’s best.

Szoke started Saturdays race just shy of pole position, missing out on the Dalton Timmis superpole on Friday.

“I’m happy to be up here, because we really haven’t had the best of weekends,” Szoke lamented. “The new bike that we had this weekend isn’t running, and the engine let go in the other bike which was really scary.”

However, he was quick to point out that his mechanical difficulties are not the reason behind Young’s stellar performance. “I’m not trying to take anything away from Ben. He put in a heck of a lap,” Szoke continued. “I still feel comfortable, so now we’re just going to concentrate on the championship.”

Szoke collected some important points in Race 1 of 2 on Saturday finishing third behind fellow competitors Ben Young and Kenny Reidmann, unable to secure the championship, Szoke concentrated on clinching the title with a conservative result on Sunday. Szoke hasn’t finished on the third tier since the season opener in 2011.

“They were really fast out there today, and they have been all season, but I was sort of just along for the ride,” said Szoke, who had been battling rare mechanical issues earlier in the weekend. “Ben actually helped me with a motor, which is crazy coming from a competitor, and the bike setup was perfect. But congrats to Ben, he’s been working hard all year and he’s earned it.”

Sunday’s race was a thriller finding Szoke celebrating it beside the podium with his fellow competitors in fourth position. Clinching his record breaking 13th National Canadian Superbike Title.

“Definitely one of the tougher championships I’ve won, that’s for sure,” he laughed. “But we battled through, and it was a tough race and a tough season. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster year, so this one means a lot.”

“We partnered with BMW in 2012, and we’ve now won six championships and probably could have won all seven,” he said. “I’ve had a really great run here with the team and the bike, and it’s been awesome. Thank you BMW Motorrad, I hope we have done your brand proud.”

With the CSBK season over, Szoke will now have to sit sidelines during the BMW Motorrad World Race Trophy Challenge as he will nave no more opportunities to collect valuable points. Szoke has won the overall title once for Canada in 2016. Szoke currently sits 1st in the World Rankings.

Make sure you catch Round #5’s thrilling double header action held this past weekend on Canada’s Sports Network TSN.

Szoke’s wife Amy also competed in the Magneti Marelli Amateur Superbike Action amongst a solid field of national regulars. Lucky #13 appeared to be the tone of the weekend as Amy improved her qualifying result from 16th to 13th by finishing race #1 on Saturday respectively in that spot.

“I had a hard time lining up for that one.” says Amy. “With all the problems happening on the other side of the tent, it was really challenging for me to focus on really wanting to push hard, but in the back of my mind I couldn’t shake the thought of bringing in a crashed motorcycle. Which would have been very (very) bad!” laughs Amy. “Although I’m really pumped I was able to improve my personal best lap times by over 2 seconds, and throw down a consistent lap on every 12 laps of the race. This super bike is a beast to hang onto around here but the payback for all that effort is the most fun I’ve ever had on a motorcycle.”

Amy rounded out her weekend by also finishing #13th during the final race held on the schedule during Sunday’s Magneti Marelli Amateur Superbike Action.

“While the rest of the team was celebrating Jordan’s 13th National Title, I was sitting in hot pits waiting for my 5 min horn.” smiles Amy. “I was able to catch Jordan on his way to the podium for a quick hug before having to toss my helmet on. I’m pretty proud of that guy, and our team for making it happen for all of us this weekend. The crew worked so hard on his stuff, all the while making sure I was still taken care of. Jordan also borrowed a motor from a competitor so he wouldn’t have to use mine. I’m pretty lucky to have them all in my corner.”

Amy finished up her season sitting 8th in the National Amateur Superbike Standings.

“The top 5 Amateur Superbike competitors earn the right to move up to Pro status for next season. I really wanted to show that I could run fast enough to step up to the big guys. Although I fell a little short so I am a bit bummed about that. Lofty goals I know! What an opportunity this season and I am so glad that I took it.”