Daigle impresses at Calabogie

By John Hopkins

CALABOGIE, ON -- Roxton Pond, QC's Karl Daigle was the sensation of the opening day of practice for round one of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Calabogie Motorsports Park on Friday.

Riding his Perusse Kawasaki ZX-6R the 19-year-old set the sixth fastest time in Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike practice with a time of 2:05.497 around the 5.05km circuit. But later in the day in the Superbike session he managed a 2:03.614.

"I'm having fun, no pressure," Daigle said. "The team's been improving the suspension. The front suspension is so much better. Tomorrow I want to improve a little more, do a 2:03 flat."

The former Suzuki SV650 Cup champ and HJC Pro Rookie of the Year was one of the most impressive riders through the long turn five and admitted to getting a tow down the backstraight from Kawasaki factory rider Alex Welsh during the Superbike session.