Last year, Trevor Daley of Mississauga, ON captured the Bazzaz Amateur Superbike Championship in the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship national series. He did so in dramatic style with a third place finish in the last round of the 2012 six race series, exactly what he needed to earn the title.
That finish — and indeed his championship — was influenced by two setbacks that came very close to derailing his charge at the season finale doubleheader weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. First his regular steed, a Suzuki GSX-R1000, succumbed to mechanical gremlins. While in search for the parts to repair the bike, Daley was offered a ride on the Prostar Honda CBR600 of Ben Gardner. Daley chose to also enter the bike in the Inside Motorcycles Amateur Sport Bike final but crashed the Prostar Honda on the last turn of the last lap. He was able to remount and finish the race, the bike only needing minor repairs before the Superbike championship final.
Daley on the borrowed Prostar CBR600RR, just after hitting the air fence on the last lap at CTMP.
Daley had adapted to the new mount very well, placing second in qualifying and then riding to two consecutive third place finishes to lock up his first national championship. For his efforts, Daley was presented with a Jeep off-road trailer by Mopar Marketing Manager Jon Camilleri, a prize valued at over $15,000.
For the 2013 Mopar CSBK series, Daley will move into the Pro ranks. He shared with Inside Motorcycles some thoughts about his upcoming first season with the fast folks. “I’m definitely doing the full Mopar CSBK series in Pro Superbike,” Daley stated in a conversation at his Mississauga shop, One Speed Chop Shop. “I’ll probably run the RACE regional before the first national, and I definitely want to get down to do some SOAR events. As to how I expect to do, I want to be in the top ten. I kept an eye on the Pro times last year, and comparing my times, I would have placed between eighth and twelfth depending on the track, so top ten is not an unreasonable target — top five by the end of the season.”
Daley’s championship gains more credibility when one considers that he had never ridden on four of the five racetracks of the circuit. “People didn’t believe me at Shubie (Atlantic Motorsports Park),” he says with a laugh. “I guess they figured a first timer shouldn’t go that fast. I’d never seen the place. I’d never been to St Eustache or Mt. Tremblant, and although I’d been on Mosport (CTMP) in a car, I’d never ridden a bike there, so I was pleased with how well I did.”
Daley confirmed for IM his continuation with the Suzuki brand for 2013. His previous year’s bike has had a complete rebuild, with motor work by RK Engine Work, a firm with much experience with the GSX-R1000 motor. There has also been an addition to the stable as Daley has purchased an ex-Clint McBain GSX-R built by famed tuner Patrice Goyette, as well as an extensive collection of spare parts from the same source.
To support his Pro rookie assault, Daley has sponsors in place now as well as some “irons in the fire.”
“I’m waiting to hear back from a potential big sponsor, but I don’t want to say anything until I have confirmation,” he explained. “As soon as I know, IM will be the first to hear. Right now I have my shop One Speed Chop Shop as sponsor, and I’m getting some help from Motovan; I carry Motovan products at the shop as well as Dua Motorsports equipment.” Daley is quick to remind us that he was the inaugaral winner of the Dua Motorsports $1000 contingency prize when he won the opening round of the 2012 series at Shannonville. Nexo Sports will also support Daley’s efforts with racing suits, gloves and boots.
Daley has set some realistic goals for himself as the 2013 Mopar CSBK season nears and states simply, “I just need to stay focused and maintain momentum.”
— By Frank Wood, exclusive to Inside Motorcycles
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