Szoke dominates Sport Bike opener

By John Hopkins

CALABOGIE, ON -- Jordan Szoke opened his defense of the Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike title with a convincing win on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors / Kawasaki ZX-6R at Calabogie Motorsports Park on Sunday. Despite incurring a five-second penalty for jumping the start Szoke was still able to open enough distance to beat Brett McCormick’s Team Suzuki / Blackfoot / Picotte Motorsports / Suzuki GSX-R600 by 3.326 secs. on corrected time.

“I figured out right away that I had to get a big lead,” Szoke said. “I just put my head down and pushed hard. But it was a comfortable pace for me and I didn’t have any moments.”

McCormick took second from the Team Toyota Yamaha / OTSFF / Yamaha YZF-R6 of Kevin Lacombe on the final lap as the pair had a race-long duel. McCormick got in front down the backstraight but Lacombe regained the advantage in turn seven. The Suzuki repassed the Yamaha in the fast sequence of corners near the end of the lap and held on through the tight Carousel.

"I had to slow down a little bit toward the end to save the tires," McCormick said. "But I'm pretty happy. This is a new bike for me and the first time we've gone a race distance with it. I think we'll be closer for the next race."

McCormick had held the runner-up spot for most of the race, only for Lacombe to get ahead on the penultimate tour.

"I should have waited until the ast lap to do it," smiled the third place finisher. "Once he got ahead of me I didn't have anywhere else to pass."

Alex Welsh was fourth on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors / Kawasaki ZX-6R. Like his team-mate Szoke, Welsh also managed to erase a five-second jump start penalty to keep his finishing position on the road. He spent most of the race battling with the A. Perusse Kawasaki / Kawasaki ZX-6R of Karl Daigle, but Daigle crashed two laps from the end after running wide on the exit of turn two.

Andrew Nelson got his Nelson Racing / Yamaha YZF-R6 in front of the Deeley Racing Powered By Buell / Buell 1125R of Steve Crevier on the final lap for fifth.

A very impressive seventh was 14-year-old Coaldale, AB freshman Royce McLean on the Team Toyota Yamaha / OTSFF Yamaha YZF-R6, the top finishing rookie Pro of the weekend.

Dave Estok (Deeley Racing Powered By Buell / Buell 1125R), Jodi Christie (Powerhouse Honda Dealers of Ontario / ProStar Motorsports / Honda CBR600RR) and Matt McBride (Riders Choice Suzuki GSX-R600) finished together and rounded out the top 10.

Race Results
1. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 12 laps
2. Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, SK, Suzuki GSX-R600, 12
3. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6, 12
4. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 12
5. Andrew Nelson, Kars, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 12
6. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Buell 1125R, 12
7. Royce McLean, Coaldale, AB, Yamaha YZF-R6, 12
8. Dave Estok, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Buell 1125R, 12
9. Jodi Christie, Keene, ON, Honda CBR600RR, 12
10. Matt McBride, Mississauga, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600, 12
11. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, QC, Honda CBR600RR, 12
12. Martin Grande, Montreal, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, 12
13. Darren James, North Vancouver, BC, Buell 1125R, 12
14. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, QC, BMW HP2, 12
15. Brian Blaauwendraat, Truro, NS, Honda CBR600RR, 12
16. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, ON, BMW HP2, 12
17. Elie Daccache, Ottawa, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 12
18. Dan Henri, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 12
19. James Collins, Kaladar, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 12
20. Zenon Nelson, Bowmanville, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600, 12
21. Genevieve Lesieur, Quebec City, QC, Suzuki GSX-R600, 12
22. John Savoy, Ottawa, ON, Triumph 675, 11
Did Not Finish
Karl Daigle, Roxton Pond, QC, Kawasaki ZX-6R
Tony Kasper, Becker, MN, Yamaha YZF-R6
Todd Scott, Bedford, NS, Honda CBR600RR
Frank Trombino, Keinburg, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600
Did Not Start
Jean-Francois Cyr, Ste-Adee, QC, Honda CBR600RR
Rob Busby, Brantford, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R
Jean Paquet, Chambly, QC, Honda CBR600RR

Point Standings
1. Jordan Szoke, 56
2. Brett McCormick, 45
3. Kevin Lacombe, 39
4. Alex Welsh, 32
5. Andrew Nelson, 29
6. Steve Crevier, 27
7. Royce McLean, 25
8. Dave Estok, 23
9. Jodi Christie, 21
10. Matt McBride, 19
11. Marie-Josee Boucher, 17
12. Martin Grande, 15
13. Darren James, 13
14. Francis Martin, 12
15. Brian Blaauwendraat, 10
16. Michael Ferreira, 8
17. Elie Daccache, 6
18. Dan Henri, 4
19. James Collins, 2
20. Karl Daigle, 1
20. Zenon Nelson, 1