Daigle's day at Shannonville

From Professional Motorsports Productions

SHANNONVILLE, ON -- Second year Pro road racer Karl Daigle of Granby, QC completed his warm-up for the upcoming Parts Canada Superbike National series in style, taking both the featured Pro class victories in the Honda-backed second round of the RACE Super Series at the seven-turn Nelson version of Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday.

In the Pro Six Cycle Superbike Feature event, the Kawasaki Ninja 600cc racer sat in fourth for the early part of the race before taking the lead from the ex-works Kawasaki ZX-10R of Franklyn Dominguez from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Dominguez, making his first start on the tight Nelson track, is expected to challenge for Rookie of the Year honours this season on the upcoming Parts Canada National road race tour.

“A lot of people got in front of me,” explained Daigle, who started from the third row of the grid. “You don’t win the race in the first corner. Once I got the lead, I wanted to push just a little bit, I did a fast two laps and then backed off.”

First regional round Superbike winner Frank Trombino of Kleinberg, ON missed the race on doctor’s orders, having suffered a concussion in a heat race fall during Saturday qualifying action. Trombino visited the track early on Sunday morning to thank safety workers.

In Parts Canada Pro 600 Sport Bike action, Daigle took control from the start on his works-engine equipped Kawasaki ZX-6R, leading the race from lights to chequered flag.

Mount Albert, ON based Honda CBR600RR racer Jason Bachofer had a strong run to second, leading a big pack early in the race.

Triumph 675 triple mounted Alex Welsh of Uxbridge, ON made his second trip to the podium of the young 2008 RACE sanctioned season, netting third and confirming the potential of the seldom raced modern British machine. Welsh also fought his way to a strong third in the Superbike counter.

Fan favourite honours belonged to the Kawasaki 650 Ninja of Laurent Feuiltault, the fourth placed twin showing well against the more powerful three and four-cylinder entries.

The Riders Choice-backed Amateur 600 Sport Bike round featured plenty of action before Sean Huffman of Burrit’s Falls, ON took a solid win for Suzuki. Brampton’s Rahul Dua was second on another GSX-R600, running in the lead dice throughout. The podium was completed by the Suzuki of Plessisville, QC racer Yvan Carrier.

Teenaged sensation Jodi Christie of Kean, ON was expected to feature, and the Yamaha rider moved from third to first mid-race and looked set for the win. But the on-form Christie suffered a minor tip over exiting the low speed turn 5. He jumped to his feet unhurt but was not able to restart his R6. Christie did manage to set the fastest lap of the event, and will be looking for a return to form when the National series opens at Calabogie.