Szoke edges McCormick for Sport Bike pole

By John Hopkins

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Brantford, ON's Jordan Szoke set a new class record on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-6R to take pole for the fourth and fifth rounds of the Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike Championship at Mosport International Raceway this weekend.

Szoke’s 1:22.653 around the 3.9km (2.459-mile) track eclipsed the previous mark of 1:23.130 set by Chris Peris last year.

“I felt really good and I could push harder each lap,” said Szoke, who now leads his closest challenger, Brett McCormick by 10 points, 159-149 in the class standings. “I was cautious early because it was spitting a little bit of rain.”

McCormick also topped the previous lap record on his Team Suzuki / Blackfoot / Picotte Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 with a time of 1:22.719 to qualify second. Kevin Lacombe was third with a 1:23.727 on his Team Toyota Yamaha / OTSFF Yamaha YZF-R6 and Alex Welsh completes the front row with a 1:24.175 on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-6R.

With rain threatening the times tumbled quickly as riders tried to lock up a good grid spot early in the 25-minute session. Szoke got down to a 1:23.087 just six minutes in, and that held up as the pole position time until McCormick cranked out a 1:22.998 with just over five minutes to go. He then lowered that to a 1:22.719 on his next lap.

Szoke went out for one more shot and turned his best lap with just under two minutes left in the session.

"Each session we've been getting more comfortable and we've been making little changes," Szoke said. "It's hard to be disappointed when you get the pole."

McCormick said he was confident he could run his pace over a race distance.

"I think I can do a high 22 comfortably," said the Saskatoon racer. "It was sprinkling with rain a bit on the back section but I'd rather hang it out and get a good time than find out I missed an opportunity to set a good time.

"We're still figuring stuff out. We got something on the front end figured out but we might hack away at it a bit more tonight."

Karl Daigle of Roxton Pond, Que. was fifth fastest on his A. Perusse Kawasaki / Kawasaki ZX-6R. He will be joined on the second row by Steve Crevier (Deeley Racing Powered By Buell / Buell 1125R) and Andrew Nelson (Nelson Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.

The first of this weekend's 14-lap Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike races goes green at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday with the second set to start at 12:45 p.m. Sunday.

A weekend SuperTicket is $60 at the gate and each ticket includes parking, paddock admission, and entrance to Saturday Night Stock Car racing at Mosport Speedway. Call 1-800-866-1072 or visit online at www.mosport.com.

Pro Sport Bike Qualifying Results
1. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, 1:22.653 Kawasaki ZX-6R
2. Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, SK, 1:22.719 Suzuki GSX-R600
3. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, 1:23.727 Yamaha YZF-R6
4. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, ON, 1:24.175 Kawasaki ZX-6R
5. Karl Daigle, Roxton Pond, QC, 1:24.294 Kawasaki ZX-6R
6. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, 1:24.500 Buell 1125R
7. Andrew Nelson, Kars, ON, 1:24.514 Yamaha YZF-R6
8. Jodi Christie, Keene, ON, 1:24.515 Honda CBR600RR
9. Dave Estok, New Smyrna Beach, FL, 1:24.807 Buell 1125R
10. Royce McLean, Coaldale, AB, 1:25.325 Yamaha YZF-R6
11. Tony Kasper, Becker, MN, 1:25.366 Yamaha YZF-R6
12. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, QC, 1:25.433 BMW HP2
13. Matt McBride, Mississauga, ON, 1:25.788 Suzuki GSX-R600
14. Brian Blaauwendraat, Truro, NS, 1:25.833 Honda CBR600RR
15. Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, 1:25.920 Suzuki GSX-R600
16. Darren James, North Vancouver, BC, 1:26.126 Buell 1125R
17. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, ON, 1:26.767 BMW HP2
18. Andrew Dunlap, Truro, NS, 1:26.872 Kawasaki ZX-6R
19. James Collins, Kaladar, ON, 1:26.947 Yamaha YZF-R6
20. Scott Rupert, Gads Hill, ON, 1:27.091 Suzuki GSX-R600
21. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, QC, 1:27.293 Honda CBR600RR
22. Elie Daccache, Ottawa, ON, 1:27.319 Kawasaki ZX-6R
23. Sean Heydorn, Stouffville, ON, 1:28.275 Honda CBR600RR
24. Alain Campagna, Mascouche, QC, 1:28.550 Yamaha YZF-R6
25. Martin Grande, Montreal, QC, 1:29.054 Suzuki GSX-R600
26. Dan Henri, Ottawa, ON, 1:29.156 Yamaha YZF-R6
27. Marco Alessandrini, Bradford, ON, 1:29.519 Yamaha YZF-R6
28. Louie Raffa, St. Marthe, QC, 1:29.748 Yamaha YZF-R6
29. Zenon Nelson, Bowmanville, ON, 1:29.911 Suzuki GSX-R600
30. Jean Paquet, Chambly, QC, 1:30.827 Honda CBR600RR
31. Genevieve Lesieur, Quebec, QC, 1:31.657 Suzuki GSX-R600
32. John Savoy, Ottawa, ON, 1:32.167 Triumph 675