Picotte back on top

From Professional Motorsports Productions

MOSPORT, ON -- Two-time defending Parts Canada Superbike champion Pascal Picotte regained his form in qualifying for this weekend’s series doubleheader at Mosport International Raceway Friday.

After struggling with injuries suffered at the season opener in May, Picotte put his Picotte Performance Yamaha YZF-R1 on pole for both Superbike races at Mosport, breaking his own track record with a lap of one minute, 21.215 seconds around the 3.9km (2.459-mile) Mosport track.

Current series points leader Clint McBain of Calgary qualified second with a time of 1:21.403 on the Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC was third with a time of 1:21.840 riding the Diablo Performance Honda CBR1000RR.

Chardon, OH’s Tom Kipp will complete the front row for both Superbike races after recording a 1:21.944 on the Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-10R.

“My condition is definitely better,” said Picotte, who broke some ribs and his wrist when he crashed at Shannonville Motorsport Park. “My ribs are still bothering me a little. I’ve just got to be patient and smooth.”

The Parts Canada Superbike competitors will run a 16-lap feature on Saturday afternoon and a second race, also 16 laps, on Sunday. This weekend’s races are the fourth and fifth rounds of the eight-race series.

“We did really well here last year so we’re using a similar set-up,” Picotte said. “We did some work on the engine. The mid range is definitely better.”

Calgary’s Chris Peris grabbed the pole for both Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike races at Mosport with a time of 1:23.978 on his Topline Yamaha YZF-R6. Kipp placed second on his Kawasaki ZX-6RR at 1:24.176. Points leader Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC qualified third at 1:24.221 riding his Honda CBR600RR.