Reigning Mopar CSBK Canadian Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke moved up to 13th overall in sodden Superpole action for the MotoAmerica Feasture events at New Jersey Motorsport Park, Saturday, September 12. Aboard his Mopar Express Lane/Shoei/BMW Motorrad S1000RR, Szoke was fastest for much of the opening, rainy session, but was shuffled down to third overall in the final minute of the first SuperPole.
With the top two riders moving on to the second session and the overall battle for Pole Position in both of tomorrow’s 25 lap combined Superbike/Superstock 1000, Szoke was held back to 13th overall. The sessions combine both the full blown Superbike and lesser-spec Superstock classes, with Szoke’s regular Canadian, CSBK rules machines (two BMWs) eligible for the Superstock category.
Szoke’s best lap was a 1:42.222, while the quickest in the same session was Sheridan Morais on an Aprilia at 1:40.8. The second best lap belonged to the Yamaha of Shane Narbonne at 1:42.164.
“I gave it a real try, and then I lost out by a tenth of second to one of the Aprilias,” smiled Szoke, drying off in his team tent. “I ended up giving Morais a tow, he faked me into the pits and then tucked in behind. I didn’t know I was fastest at that point, but it is a bit frustrating to miss the final session like that.”
“I really needed to make a change at the rear,” continued Szoke, who rode his 2014 machine, last used to win in the rain at Autodrome St-Eustache in round two of the 2015 Mopar CSBK National tour. “I was nervous with the back end, and I was learning the track in the wet for the first time – there are these little seam/patches, and they can be slick.”
“The throttle control is a little more to my liking with the 2014 bike, and that only really gets noticeable when it is slippery. I also would have liked a little change in the electronics, and with the rear end too. It caused a little delay getting it back up onto the wide part of the tire exiting the corners.”
“So I’m 13th, I moved up a little,” finished Szoke. “Things went well, and they could have been even better. It’s been really good seeing everyone, hanging out a little with the guys – I’ve missed it.”
Meanwhile, in the second, less wet portion of SuperPole, reigning Superbike Champ Josh Hayes put his Monster Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 on pole for both of tomorrow’s races, the final events of the 2015 American National Championship. Hayes lapped at 1:39.4, four tenths of a second clear of the second placed Yoshimura Suzuki of Roger Lee Hayden.
Top Superstock bike was the Yamaha YZF-R1 of Jake Gagne, third best for a spot on the front row of tomorrow’s grids.
Hayes is currently chasing team-mate Cameron Beaubier in the points, setting up a pair of Sunday races that will likely yield plenty of drama.
“There are a lot of fast Superstock guys running that class here, and Cam is back on row two, and his starts haven’t been that good this year,” started pole man Hayes. “There are so many things to consider, and I know what it can be like with the pressure of a title lead. I am just going to concentrate on my issues, get the most from my Yamaha. There is still a lot of racing to go.” `
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