SHUBENACADIE, NS (July 14, 2017) – Jordan Szoke (Lynden, ON) will start from the pole in tomorrow’s Pro Superbike race, the first of two SBK Feature events during this weekend’s round 4 of the Mopar CSBK Canadian Superbike Championship presented by Honda Canada at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, NS.
Szoke’s top qualifying time of 1:07.281 in the Dalton Timmis SuperPole session was the quickest he’s gone at AMP since Dunlop became the spec series tire supplier for the 2014 season.
“We had a decent setup to start with from last year,” noted Szoke about the tune on his Mopar Express Lane/BMW/Motovan S1000RR. “Yesterday (during the Pro Cycle test day) it was cold, and yet we still went out and ran a great time in the first session. The track was super-hot today, the wind picked up at the end of the session, and it’s a little green.
“I say this every year, but I really believe the bumps are worse this year on the line—it’s a lot tougher than normal, so I wasn’t expecting to see such a fast time,” Szoke said about his top lap, which was more than a full second quicker than the next-closest qualifier. “It can be challenging here; you’re just looking to be smooth over the rough stuff, to try to get the power down and drive it between corners. Overall it was really good, and it should be a good battle tomorrow.”
Qualifying second was Bodhi Edie (Warman, SK), who posted a lap at 1:08.307 on his Z1 Tuning/Parts Canada Yamaha YZF-R1. “I’m really excited,” noted the 21-year-old. “I’m not sure what the weather’s going to be like, but either way I’m stoked to be on the front row in P2.
“Obviously we’re getting closer to P1 in qualifying every weekend,” added Edie. “It’s the first time I’ve been here on this bike, and the team and I are working overtime to find the right setup. I was able to put in a pretty hot lap today, so I was really happy about that.”
Kenny Riedmann (Belfountain, ON) put his Sturgess Cycle/Liqui Moly Kawasaki ZX-10RR in third place going into the double header race weekend. “I’m feeling good and starting to get my groove back,” stated Riedmann, hinting at recent struggles, “and the team and I know what direction to go in to bridge the gap to the lead.
“I’m not going to play it safe,” added Riedmann. “I’ve finished second in this championship twice, and I’m currently third in points. It’s going to get a little gnarly out there; I’m going be really aggressive. It’s hard to pass here, so the start’s going to be really important.”
In Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike qualifying, Mitch Card (Ripley, ON) put his Goderich Toyota/Shoei Helmets Yamaha YZF-R6 on the pole in a last-ditch effort just seconds before running off track. It was Card’s second straight pole after also qualifying tops at round 3 in St-Eustache, QC.
“It felt really strong on the last lap,” said Card of his 1:09.700-second top qualifying effort. “I was getting off the right-hand corners really hard and it was spinning up the rear tire all over the place, but I saw my dad giving me the big ‘windmill’ arm on pit wall and I knew I had to go harder.”
According to Card, he crested the hill going onto the front straightaway and hit a false neutral. “I grabbed as much front brake as I could, but I couldn’t save it,” admitted the former Amateur-class National champion, who managed to remain in control of his Yamaha during a wild off-track trip. “I’m surprised I was able to keep it upright.”
Card’s last-minute effort pushed series stalwart Frank Trombino (Etobicoke, ON) off the top of the ladder, who finished just over two tenths back in second with a 1:09.917 from his ProStar/White Gold Financial Services Honda CBR600RR. In third was Pro Sport Bike points leader Tomas Casas (Peterborough, ON), who posted a best 1:10.032 on his Peterborough Cycle/Parts Canada-backed R6.
In Magneti Marelli Amateur Superbike practice, Dave Natale (Markham, ON) earned the top spot for the first time on his Aprilia RSV4. Quickest in Shoei Helmets Amateur Sport Bike was local sportsman Joseph Pulsifer (Cambridge, NS) on his Kawasaki ZX-6R.
In Kawasaki Ninja 300 Race Series practice, Jared Walker (Oakville, ON) was quickest in the strong 14-bike field with a 1:20.783, just 0.033 seconds ahead of local Patrick Pelletier (Dartmouth, NS). Current points leader Xavier Paradis (Shannon, QC) sits third ahead of Saturday morning’s qualifying session.
Saturday’s packed schedule includes qualifying in the Amateur and support classes plus complete races in Pro Superbike, Pro Sport Bike and Ninja 300 classes.
For tickets, schedule and results, visit www.csbk.ca
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