Szoke clinches Pro 600 title

From Professional Motorsports Productions

SHUBENACADIE, NS -- Jordan Szoke locked up the Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike title at Atlantic Motorsport Park with a third place finish in Sunday’s race on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Chris Peris claimed the win on a Team Suzuki / Blackfoot / Picotte Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 after Saturday’s race winner Andrew Nelson (Nelson Racing Yamaha YZF-R6) crashed out of the lead on lap 12 of the 18-lap race.

“To defend any championship is pretty cool,” said Szoke after clinching his third straight Pro 600 crown. “This takes a lot of pressure off us and we can go to the last round and hang it out a little.”

Brett McCormick was second in the race on another Canadian Kawasaki Motoros Kawasaki ZX-6R, 7.482 secs. behind Peris.

Nelson rebounded to win the Canadian Thunder race on his NCR-Ducati 848 and keep the championship alive heading to the final round at Shannonville Motorsport Park Aug. 29-31.

The Kars, Ont. rider finished 5.472 secs. ahead of teammate Valter Bartolini, with Erick Beausejour of Val D’Or, Que. third on a KTM Canada KTM Super Duke R 990.

Bartolini, from Bologna, Italy, now has 256 points to the 209 of Nelson.

Jim Proulx of Ottawa wrapped up the Canadian Sport Twins title after a second place finish in the race on his Buell XB12R. Surrey, BC’s Olivier Spilborghs won on Sunday aboard a Buell XB9R.

Keene, ON’s Jodi Christie won his third Armour Bodies Amateur 600 Sport Bike race of the year on his Yamaha YZF-R6 but a second place finish by Calgary’s Patrick Marques on his Suzuki GSX-R600 kept the title race alive. Christie takes a 43-point lead over Marques, 250-207, heading to the Shannonville finale.

Martin Grande placed third on a Suzuki GSX-R600. The Montreal rider actually crossed the line in second but was penalized five seconds for a jump start.

Cody Matechuk of Cochrane, AB closed to within two points of the lead in the Suzuki SV650 National Cup with his second win of the weekend. The 15-year-old finished 14.282 secs. ahead of series leader John Jarvie of Burlington, ON.

Jarvie heads to Shannonville with 281 points to the 279 of Matechuk.

Raphael Archambault of St-Colomban, QC clinched the Honda CBR125R Challenge title with his fourth win in four races this season.

Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike Race Results
1. Chris Peris, Calgary, Alta., Suzuki GSX-R600, 18 laps;
2. Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, Sask., Kawasaki ZX-6R, 18;
3. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, Ont., Kawasaki ZX-6R, 18;
4. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, Que., Yamaha YZF-R6, 18;
5. Matt McBride, Mississauga, Ont., Suzuki GSX-R600, 18;
6. Brian Blaauwendraat, Truro, N.S., Honda CBR600RR, 18;
7. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, Ont., Triumph 675, 18;
8. Karl Daigle, Granby, Que., Kawasaki ZX-6R, 18;
9. Todd Scott, Bedford, N.S., Honda CBR600RR, 18;
10. Andrew Dunlap, Truro, N.S., Kawasaki ZX-6R, 18;
11. Gene McKay, Halifax, N.S., Honda CBR600RR, 17;
12. Zenon Nelson, Bowmanville, Ont., Suzuki GSX-R600, 17;
13. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, Que., Honda CBR600RR, 17;
Did Not Finish
Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont., Yamaha YZF-R6, 11;
Cory Canfield, Oakfield, N.S., Suzuki GSX-R600, 9
Time of Race: 20:38.309
Margin of Victory: 7.482 secs.
Fastest Lap: 1:07.746 by Andrew Nelson lap 6

Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike Point Standings
1. Jordan Szoke, 273*; 2. Kevin Lacombe, 202; 3. Chris Peris, 195; 4. Andrew Nelson, 170; 5. Karl Daigle, 161; 6. Brett McCormick, 160; 7. Matt McBride, 154; 8. Brian Blaauwendraat, 128; 9. Alex Welsh, 125; 10. Marie-Josee Boucher, 94;
11. Zenon Nelson, 76; 12. Andrew Dunlap, 70; 13. Todd Scott, 46; 14. John-Ross MacRae, 44; 15 tie. Elie Daccache, 40; Louie Raffa, 40; Gene McKay, 40; 18. Sean Heydorn, 37; 19. Rob Darlington, 27; 20. Pat Barnes, 25;
21. Stephan Chabot, 23; 22. Dan Henri, 22; 23. Steve Bourdeau, 15; 24. Richard Maurice, 13; 25. Eric Mofette, 10; 26 tie. Jesse Sherstan, 8; Jean Paquet, 8; 28. Mark MacDonald, 6; 29 tie. Cory Canfield, 4; Jason Bachhofer, 4; 31. Rick Langille, 2
* -- Clinched Championship