Szoke on Pro Sport Bike pole

By John Hopkins

CALGARY, AB – Brantford, ON's Jordan Szoke qualified on pole position for the Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike division of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Race City Motorsport Park on Saturday. The 30-year-old broke the class record with a time of 1:16.780 on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-6R.

“This bike is so good and every time I get off it I feel like I could have gone quicker,” said the three-time defending class champion. “I think with another session we could go even quicker and the tire wear has been awesome.

"We're running out of gearing. I'm on the limiter coming into the Bus Stop Chicane and then going over the hill."

The previous Pro Sport Bike record was a 1:17.110 set by Francis Martin in 2007.

Current class points leader Brett McCormick of Saskatoon was second fastest on his Team Suzuki / Blackfoot / Picotte Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 with a time of 1:17.291. He now leads Szoke by just one point in the Pro Sport Bike standings, 104-103, heading into Sunday’s race.

“I waited a little too long to go out again at the end of the session,” McCormick said. “I definitely had more in the tank. We have a couple of things to try for tomorrow.”

Kars, ON's Andrew Nelson was third fastest with a 1:17.738 on his Nelson Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 and Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC completes the front row aboard his Deeley Racing Powered By Buell / Buell 1125R with a fastest lap of 1:17.763.

"I wished I could have used the draft," Nelson said. "But I never got the opportunity. The bike is handling pretty good. I think we'll make one or two changes for tomorrow."

Nelson was one of a few racers to be caught trying to squeeze in one more hot lap before the qualifying session was ended about a minute and a half early due to a red fag for an accident heading into the Keyhole section near the end of the lap.

Calgary racer Rupert Collins crashed his Ducati 749 after apparent contact with another bike. Collins was transported to hospital with a broken right wrist.

Qualifying results
1. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, Ont., Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:16.780
2. Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, Sask., Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:17.291
3. Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont., Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:17.738
4. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, B.C., Buell 1125R, 1:17.763
5. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, Que., Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:18.059
6. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, Ont., Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:18.224
7. Royce McLean, Coaldale, Alta., Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:18.908
8. Dave Estok, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Buell 1125R, 1:19.083
9. Tony Kasper, Becker, Minn., Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:19.659
10. Jodi Christie, Keene, Ont., Honda CBR600RR, 1:19.905
11. Darren James, North Vancouver, B.C., Buell 1125R, 1:20.246
12. Matt Schmidt, Calgary, Alta., Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:20.376
13. Rob Darlington, Calgary, Alta., Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:20.443
14. Jesse Sherstan, Stony Plain, Alta., Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:20.675
15. Chad Swain, Airdrie, Alta., Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:20.779
16. Andrew McKeachie, Salt Spring Island, B.C., Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:21.037
17. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, Que., BMW HP2, 1:21.330
18. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, Que., Honda CBR600RR, 1:21.407
19. Matthew Elder, Calgary, Alta., Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:21.998
20. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, Ont., BMW HP2, 1:22.030
21. James Collins, Kaladar, Ont., Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:23.036
22. Rupert Collins, Calgary, Alta., Ducati 749, 1:23.685
23. John Crump, Bragg Creek, Alta., Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:24.047
24. Olivier Spilborghs, White Rock, B.C., Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:24.412
25. David Sushynski, Red Deer, Alta., Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:25.867