Szoke nips Christie again in Sport Bike

By John Hopkins

CALGARY, AB – It didn't seem possible, but the fight for the lead in Sunday's national Pro Sport Bike event at the Parts Canada Superbike Championship round at Race City Motorsport Park was even more dramatic than Saturday's thrilling encounter.

Jordan Szoke completed a sweep of the class on his Waznie Racing / BMC Ciclo Werks / DeWildt Honda Powerhouse CBR600RR by just 0.128 secs. over Jodi Christie's Jodi Christie Racing / Durham Honda CBR600RR, a slightly narrower margin of victory than in Saturday's race, when Szoke edged Christie by 0.194 secs.

Once again the two pulled clear of the field and traded the lead numerous times, although Szoke led across the start/finish line on every lap but the first in the red flag shortened eight-lap race.

As was the case on Saturday, Christie was able to draft past Szoke on the long front straight, only to have the four-time class champion regain the lead through the infield. Christie did the same to start the final lap on Sunday, but when he tried to keep a tighter line through turn five, Szoke's favourite passing spot, the 17-year-old slid wide on the exit, allowing Szoke through.

That may have broken the spirit of a less resilient rider, but not Christie. He made a lunge down the inside of Szoke into the Bus Stop Chicane, only to be rebuffed, and then even tried a move around the outside in the Carousel, again to no avail.

"After I passed him I didn't want to know what he was doing back there," joked Szoke after his third straight Pro Sport Bike win over Christie. "I felt him coming that last lap.

"My bike was really good through that area [turn five] and I knew he would try to block me there."

Christie was pleased with his effort even though he was again forced to settle for second best.

"We gave it our all and that's all that counts," said the 2009 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year. "I was trying everything and I think we had a bit stronger effort today."

Cody Matechuk grabbed the lead off the line on the Acceleration Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 but had to give best to Szoke and Christie on lap two. He settled for third, 8.343 secs. behind the top two.

"I was still a little timid braking into turn one and they both came by me," said Matechuk, who injured his left hand in a crash in turn one during Superbike prequalifying on Friday. "I tried to up my pace and I felt way better than yesterday. My hand is a little bit more sore than today but it's not too bad on the track."

Dave Estok finished fourth on the Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada / Ruthless Racing Buell 1125R after being forced into an engine change after Saturday's race.

"I was a little nervous going in because my good motor went yesterday," admitted the New Smyrna Beach, FL racer, who also placed fourth in Saturday's race. "On the second start [after the red flag] I think I was trying too hard, bouncing around and I lost some consistency. But RMR Suspension did a great job and Dave Oakley was up until midnight swapping parts between the two bikes. It was a great weekend and we feel a little more confident now."

Calgary's Curtis Lindenbach made a brilliant charge from 13th on the grid to finish fifth on his HardNox Racing / Redline Motorsports Honda CBR600RR and fellow Calgarian Trevor Bernhardt nipped Scott Rupert in a photo finish for sixth aboard the Majik X Suzuki GSX-R600.

The race was scheduled for 16 laps but was red flagged on lap six when Rob Darlington crashed his HardNox Racing / Redline Motorsports Yamaha YZF-R6 in the Chicane. The Calgary rider was briefly unconscious but walked to the ambulance.

Szoke now leads Christie by 32 points in the Pro Sport Bike standings, 164-132, with Matechuk third on 105 points.

Race Results
1. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Honda CBR600RR, 10:25.166
2. Jodi Christie, Keene, ON, Honda CBR600RR, +0.128
3. Cody Matechuk, Cochrane, AB, Suzuki GSX-R600, +8.343
4. Dave Estok, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Buell 1125R, +18.248
5. Curtis Lindenbach, Calgary, AB, Honda CBR600RR, +32.563
6. Trevor Bernhardt, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R600, +33.026
7. Scott Rupert, Gadshill, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600, +33.026
8. Tom Bodrovics, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R600, +33.315
9. James Collins, Kaladar, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 36.502
10. Matthew Elder, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R600, +37.449
11. Greg White, Raleigh, NC, Kawasaki ZX-6R, +46.670
12. John Crump, Bragg Creek, AB, Buell 1125R, +1:00.692
Did Not Start
Sebastien Tremblay, Sherbrooke, QC, Honda CBR600RR
Chad Swain, Calgary, AB, Kawasaki ZX-6R
Rob Darlington, Calgary, AB, Yamaha YZF-R6
Time of Race: 10:25.166
Margin of Victory: 0.128 secs.
Fastest Lap: 1:17.547 by Jordan Szoke on lap 2

Point Standings
1.Jordan Szoke, 164
2. Jodi Christie, 132
3. Cody Matechuk, 105
4. Dave Estok, 89
5. Scott Rupert, 67
6. James Collins, 61
7. Trevor Bernhardt, 54
8. Sebastien Tremblay, 44
8. Tom Bodrovics, 44
8. Curtis Lindenbach, 44
11. Jean-Francois Cyr, 39
12. Matthew Elder, 36
13. Frank Trombino, 32
14. Greg White, 30
15. Kenny Riedmann, 28
16. John Crump, 27
17. Chad Swain, 25
18. Darren James, 23
19. Marie-Josee Boucher, 17
20. Alain Campagna, 13
21. Billy Shields, 12
22. Rob Darlington, 11