Szoke Challenges North America’s Best at Virginia International Raceway After writing history at Atlantic Motorsports Park with an unprecedented perfect season, and seven Canadian National Superbike titles, Jordan Szoke repacked his championship CBR1000RR’s and pointed the rig south. Once again, challenging North America’s best in the ranks of AMA Pro Racing’s American Superbike class at Virginia International Speedway. Jordan has been to VIR before, in 2003, aboard some very different equipment. With Thursday practice cancelled, Szoke has his work cut out for him with a small 50 min practice window before the first qualifying session begins. The heat and humidity hanging over the 1200 acre site near Alton Virginia, had Szoke and his Waznie Racing crew sweating. Not only due to the high temperatures, but also the pressure on Szoke to get his bike set up just right. “Getting your bike set up perfectly is so important for us.” says Szoke “We don’t have the luxury of electronics to help during the race, so if I don’t get it just right, fatigue can play a major role when the tire starts to go off.” Jordan’s equipment is built around the Canadian National Series rules. With two chances to get it done, Szoke nails down his best performance on his ninth lap in the second qualifying session. Landing him on the third row of the American Superbike grid for both Saturday and Sunday’s grueling 23 lap race around the 2.25 mile, 17 turn roadcourse. Saturday’s Superbike race finds Szoke rocketing right up to the front with a killer start on his Honda CBR1000RR. The first quarter of the race Szoke cranks out fast, consistent lap times. Tire wear and fatigue set in mid way to the checkered, and Jordan finishes in 10th place. “I can get the fast laps out there,” says Szoke, ” What we’re struggling with is consist lap times. After 23 laps without any electronics it’s tough to wrestle a superbike around for that long. Nailing the set up is crucial for us to be successful, luckily we have a ton of help from the guys at K-Tech Suspension to get it just right.” Sunday’s Superbike warm up session brought around another series of major set up changes and propelled Szoke to 7th fastest of the session. Jordan strategizes with Sebastian from Dunlop for his tire compound choice for race #2. “We chose a soft tire to try to take off with the pack at the beginning. I’m not sure what’s going to happen at the end of the race,” laughs Szoke “but we’re going to put the Honda up there for a bit anyways.” As Szoke settles into the starting grid for Sunday’s race #2 under sunny skies and raging temperatures, all that is on his mind are the first few laps. It is paramount that he garners a good start in order to get the first few perfect laps required with his soft tire choice. As the lights go out, Jordan unfortunately finds himself bunched up at the start, while the competitors ahead of him pull away. Szoke battles past the competition, leading one of the many battles that are fought within the race. Jordan concludes his second AMA weekend with another accomplished 10th place finish. “I feel like we are so (so) close.” says Szoke “I am really starting to get used to the Dunlop Tires and finding out how they work. I want to continue to compete in the remainder of the 2010 AMA season, but we will have to see if financially we can make it happen.” With some more support, Szoke is hoping to continue competing in AMA American Superbike during Round 9, taking place at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Directions to New Jersey Motorsports Park: ~http://www.njmotorsportspark.com/directions.html~ For Live Timing visit: ~http://amaproracing.com/rr/~ To watch on SPEED TV: ~http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/filter/program/948061~ Waznie Racing would like to thank: Waznie Racing Inc, Ciclo Werks , BMC Swiss Cycling Technology , Dewildt Honda, Fast Company, Joe Rocket, Monster Energy, Shoei, Pirelli, Akrapovic, Honda Pro Oils, Hot Bodies, Motovan, eatsleepride.com, TCX Boots, EBC Brakes, LighTech, Sunstar, DID, Oakley, Ogio, POW Gloves, BK Designs, PUG, VP Fuels, Samco, Hinson, Stomp Grip, oppracing.com, Chickenhawk, Just Transmissions , Strodes, Bodyline Fitness, Robot Pirate Ninja Productions, u-vu.ca More, from a press release issued by Rockwall Performance: BEACH AND ROCKWALL PERFORMANCE CLINCH SUPERSPORT EAST CROWN WITH DOUBLE WIN Alton, VA — Rockwall Performance Yamaha’s J.D. Beach put an exclamation point on what’s been a truly spectacular season for the emerging star at Virginia International Raceway, registering another perfect weekend to lock up the AMA Pro SuperSport East Region crown a weekend early. Beach has proven to be nearly unstoppable this season and the VIR weekend wasn’t any different. The teenager again put his Yamaha R6 sponsored by Top 1 Oil and Red Bull on the pole with a blistering lap of 1:29.143 and went on to score two more dominating triumphs as he left the rest of the field in his wake. With teammate Cameron Beaubier out this weekend after suffering an injury in a motocross-related training accident, Beach was in position to lock up the title prior to the East finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Focused and fast, J.D. did just that with yet another weekend sweep. Saturday’s contest saw him run away with a lopsided 13.810-second margin of victory. Sunday’s affair was a bit closer, as Beach scrapped with his rivals for a handful of laps before surging into the lead and building up a healthy advantage, ultimately cruising home with 5.131 seconds to spare. Beach’s stunning form has seen him collect seven East Region SuperSport victories in his last eight attempts. “On Saturday, my plan was the same as Mid-Ohio — just get a good start, put my head down and put in some good laps,” the newly-crowned champ explained. “I did some good lap times and saw on my pit board that the gap just kept going up. I just kept on trying to put in some good laps. Once I knew I had a pretty good lead, I just did what I do and ripped some big skids and just had fun. This is what I love to do so it wasn’t hard to focus at all. “It was a little bit tougher on Sunday. Everyone was riding a little harder and everyone was going for it more. I just tried to stay consistent because I knew what I had to do to wrap up the championship. I stayed safe, picked off some people, got in front, and then put in some good laps to get a cushion.” Reflecting on his successful championship campaign, J.D. admitted, “I really didn’t think I was going to win the championship when the season started. I was riding well at the end of the season last year but I knew the rest of the guys would be stepping it up this season. And I was excited for Cameron because I helped get him his ride with the team. But after I got him the ride I realized that he was probably going to be fast, so I kind of made a mistake there,” laughed Beach. “But I did what I knew how to do and rode consistent and rode to the best of my ability. Not too crazy, but crazy enough to win, and it just ended up this way. I can’t say enough about the team, our sponsors and partners, and everyone that’s helped this year. It’s been fantastic.” More, from a press release issued by Richie Morris Racing: ESLICK AND GEICO POWERSPORTS RMR SUZUKI EARN CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD IN VIRGINIA GEICO Powersports RMR Suzuki’s Danny Eslick continued his relentless march towards a successful AMA Pro Daytona SportBike title defense this weekend at Virginia International Raceway. The reigning class champion again registered the type of convincing weekend performance that has defined his season, as he collected pole position and two podiums to reclaim control of the SportBike championship hunt. Eslick tied things up on Saturday morning when he claimed his third pole position of the season, the most of any rider in the class this year. His 1:27.344 erased his one-point championship deficit and set the stage for a pair of thrilling races for the team sponsored by GEICO Powersports and Lucas Oil. Both went down in typical Daytona SportBike fashion, with numerous lead changes and multiple riders fighting for the checkered flag. Danny was right in the mix on both days, displaying remarkable skill and courage with his repeated dive-bombing maneuvers into Turn 1 on his Suzuki GSX-R600. The Oklahoman came away with a pair of third-place finishes, his seventh and eighth podium results of the 2010 season. While his primary competitors had up-and-down weekends, Eslick continued his steady pace, upping his spectacular mark to 13 top fives in 14 attempts this season, while building up a 12-point championship advantage with just two rounds remaining on the schedule. Danny, who finished a combined six-tenths of a second off of two victories, said, “There was so much passing going on that I don’t remember who or in what order. In Saturday’s race, I felt good and definitely felt like I had something for them. And I think we did, it’s just getting it at the right time. I had to stuff it through there to get on the podium and it wasn’t the cleanest move I’ve ever done, but I need every point I can get. “Today I got a good start and got off to a decent lead. I figured it would be the same deal as yesterday. It was a lot of fun out there and at the end it got pretty wild. I couldn’t do anything with these guys in the draft on the last lap, unfortunately. I definitely had a big spin that last lap all the way through the last corner going for it, that’s for sure.” In the AMA Pro XR1200 class, Eslick once again won for RMR Bruce Rossmeyer Daytona Racing. Danny and teammate Jake Holden had a fantastic battle on the track, but after running wide a second time, Holden lost ground to his high-flying teammate. Holden took third in the race, while Joseph Rozynski piloted another team machine to fourth place. “Whenever Jake and I are out there, there’s a little bit of playing around when we’re sliding and stuff. We give each other some room,” said Eslick, sponsored by Revolution Performance in the XR1200 series. “We flogged the XR1200s as hard as they’ll go, and they’re taking it. I enjoyed the ride.” Danny and RMR Bruce Rossmeyer Daytona Racing have won all three AMA Pro XR1200 races this year. Eslick will look to further his Daytona SportBike championship advantage on September 3-5 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, the same venue where he claimed the #1 plate last fall. GEICO Powersports RMR Suzuki is sponsored by GEICO Powersports, Lucas Oil, Suzuki, Millennium Technologies, Vortex Sprockets, EBC Brakes, and Pilot. RMR Bruce Rossmeyer Daytona Racing Harley Davidson is sponsored by GEICO Powersports, Lucas Oil, Bruce Rossmeyer Destination Daytona, Revolution Performance, Pilot, EBC Brakes, Race Tech, Orient Express, and Pit Bull. More, from a press release issued by Celtic Racing: JACOBSEN AND CELTIC RACING RUN UP FRONT IN VIRGINIA Alton, VA (Aug 18, 2010) — Celtic Racing/Orient Express Suzuki’s P.J. Jacobsen thrilled the crowd at Virginia International Raceway as the teenager demonstrated his incredible natural ability and walked away with his best AMA Pro Daytona SportBike finish yet. Having only just turned 17 a week prior to the event, the rising star qualified on the second row for the highly competitive class’ twin races, registering the seventh-best time at 1:28.005. From there the New Yorker immediately put himself in the mix, storming into the lead of Saturday’s race early and then continuing to dice with the five-rider group that broke free of the field. Unfortunately, Jacobsen’s run ended early as he got caught out and crashed on lap 11 of 23 after clipping his footpeg on a curb. Jacobsen came back on Sunday determined to make up for his mistake, but his rollercoaster fortunes continued when he suffered a fall on the opening lap of the second race. He quickly remounted and continued to charge despite falling to the back of the pack in 26th position. His determination paid off when the race was red flagged as a brief drizzle hit the area. Starting from the sixth row on the restart, P.J. made a stirring run up through the field, ultimately climbing to fourth position at the checkered flag, finishing just over two seconds off the victory despite the dramas. “The weekend was pretty crazy,” Jacobsen said after scoring his career-best AMA Pro Road Racing result. “On Saturday it was just a simple mistake. I was running with the leaders and had the pace no problem. I felt really good and comfortable but I hit my footpeg on the curb so we shaved them down for today. My tires were cold at the beginning of the race and I got a highside and ran off the track. We started on Row 6 at the restart and I just put my head down. I fought up to fourth, and it was awesome. I’m so happy for the team, Celtic Racing and Orient Express.” With his confidence soaring, Jacobsen expects to make himself a regular at the front of the pack in Daytona SportBike action. “New Jersey is one of my favorite tracks so hopefully it will treat me good and we’ll put it on the podium. We’ve got the bike together and it’s working so well, these last two weekends, we’re looking to keep improving and put up some even better results.” AMA Pro SuperSport East Region Top Gun Antoine Richards suffered through a trying weekend. The Bermudan had no luck but bad luck at Virginia International Raceway as illness, arm pump issues, and bike struggles prevented him from performing at his best. Richards qualified 20th at 1:33.353, but was forced to sit out of Saturday’s race after falling ill in he heat. He came back out on Sunday to soldier on to a 20th-place result despite additional drama. “The team worked really hard getting the bike together for me,” Richards said. “I’ve been having really bad arm pump issues this weekend and I’ve never had it before. I had to sit out Race 1 because I was sick. I was dehydrated. “I got a really good start in today’s race. I started working up through the pack and then I went through the grass and got a really bad headshake. The guys said I must have shaken the brake pads off the disc and I went down; I had no brakes whatsoever. I brought the bike in the pits and we worked it out. It was good to go again, but on my out lap I was a lap down when the leaders came by and they came across on the opposite side that I was expecting them to. One actually bumped me and took off my brake lever. “It was a just hard luck weekend. I’ve really got to thank the Celtic Racing and Orient Express guys for being there for me and working hard.” Celtic Racing/Orient Express Suzuki will head to New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ for the penultimate round of the 2010 AMA Pro Road Racing season on September 3-5. Celtic Racing is sponsored by Orient Express, Suzuki, Alpinestars, Shoei, Armour Bodies, Zero Gravity, Galfer, Leo Vince, Sonoco, ESJ Graphics.com, Irish Bike, Rowley Racing, Precision Professional Detailing, Vortex, K-Tech. More, from a press release issued by Ducati 848 Challenge organizers: Darren Fry returned to winning ways in the Ducati 848 Challenge at Mallory Park at the weekend, again doing the double over his rivals. With home advantage at the EMRA meeting, the Daventry-based rider put on a masterclass in getting the best out of the Ducati 848 on the short circuit, topping the time-sheets from early morning free practice through to both mid-afternoon races. Leon Morris, his Buildbase/JHP Racing team-mate who so impressed at the last round at Snetterton, continued his fine form with a pair of seconds, but wasn’t able to match Fry for his local knowledge of the tight track. Race one delivered a new face on the podium this year, with Barry Poll at last rewarded for his progress throughout the season with a third place, denying Mark Cheetham a place on podium for the first time all year. The race had earlier started with Peter Hasler and Al Fagan jumping the lights, Hasler dropping way down the field as he over-corrected, but it was their good fortune that the race was red flagged due to a faller at Gerrards on lap 3. At the restart, Morris got away first making up places on Poll and Fry ahead of him, but as the field came into Edwina’s Fry passed his team-mate on the brakes as Ben Garner on the Ducati Manchester/Green Thumb bike took to the access road having not made the turn. Arriving back on the track well down the pack, Garner then put in a storming performance to work his way back through the field to finally finish fifth having survived several unseating moments on the drive down the Devil’s Elbow during the shortened 9-lap race. Poll meanwhile was piling the pressure on Cheetham who was by now third, and on lap 5 finally got his man with a move through Edwina’s. The two were side-by-side as they pulled away towards the Esses, but Poll firmly shut the door on an immediate reply relegating Cheetham down to fourth. With former EMRA regular Rob Wilson joining the series for the first time this season on the Handtrans/PalletForce 848, the mid-pack was jostling for places; Red Dog Ducati rider Al Fagan crossing the line only two tenths ahead of Peter Hasler on the Boast Plumbing bike. Stuart Poyser, on a mission to finish both races at this round following two bruising DNFs at Snetterton was now halfway there as he brought home the field to close out the race. But as so often this season, while all the action was going on behind them, the two JHP Racing riders effortlessly went about their business to deliver another 1-2 finish for the team. And the result was much the same for race two, with Fry and Morris finishing well ahead of Cheetham on the Shorrock Motorycles machine and the rest of the chasing pack. Having reverted to suspension settings that he had used earlier in free practice, Fry bettered his fastest lap by over a second to 54.53, and finish five seconds ahead of Morris. Poll and Cheetham resumed their rivalry from the first race with a race-long battle that Cheetham would finally win with a carbon copy move through Edwina’s on the penultimate lap, while Garner and Hasler, having both made brilliant starts to move up to third and fourth on the first lap, dropped back behind the battling pair. Fagan, who hadn’t raced an 848 since the first round back in April, again put in an assured performance to finish seventh in ahead of Wilson and Poyser, who put a tick in the ‘mission accomplished’ box. Interviewed after the race, Morris conceded he couldn’t keep with his team-mate, but laid down the gauntlet for the next round, “Trying to keep up with Darren around here is near-on impossible, he is so fast. But that will all change at Castle Combe, it’s my local circuit…and a real man’s track!” Reflecting on his third place, Cheetham said, “I always do it my own way. I had such a bad start it made real hard work of it, but I had a right good battle through the field with Ben and Barry there at the end. I really had to work hard.” Buoyed by the confirmation that the final round of this season’s Ducati 848 Challenge is to be run with British Superbikes at Oulton Park in October, and the imminent return of Sean Hourigan and Alan Walker from injury, the series travels south for the next round at Castle Combe on 4th September, where Stockbridge-based Morris will be aiming to keep his Championship hopes alive at his home circuit.