Mosport II: Series Thursday test day notes

SZOKE SCORCHING AT MOSPORT

BOWMANVILLE, Ont. (July 8) - Parts Canada Superbike Championship leader Jordan Szoke set a red hot pace in testing for this weekend's fourth and fifth rounds of the series at Mosport International Raceway on Thursday.

Despite air temperatures in the low to mid-30s Celsius (around 90 Fahrenheit), the Brantford, Ont. racer took his Waznie Racing / BMC Ciclo Werks / DeWildt Honda Powerhouse Honda CBR1000RR around the 3.957km (2.459- mile) road course in one minute, 20.829 seconds for an average speed of 176.239 km/h (109.520 mph).

His closest challenger in the Superbike standings, Francis Martin of Sherbrooke, Que. was second quickest at 1:22.209 aboard the radX HD / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR and Kleinburg, Ont.'s Frank Trombino placed third with a time of 1:22.327 on the ProStar Motorsports / Sturgess Cycle Honda CBR1000RR.

"I am surprised with the time because of the heat," admitted Szoke, who was under the lap record of 1:21.061 set by Brett McCormick last year. "Usually it takes a few days to get the times down here, but the track is in good shape. I'd like to make another step tomorrow. There's lots left in it for sure."

Szoke comes into the weekend with a 54-point lead over Martin in the Superbike standings, 164-110, with 50 points available for a race win.

Points leader Szoke also set the quickest time in testing for the Pro Sport Bike class with a time of 1:23.664 on his Honda CBR600RR. Keene, Ont.'s Jodi Christie, Szoke's closest challenger in the points race placed second at 1:24.119 aboard the Jodi Christie Racing / Durham Honda Powerhouse Honda CBR600RR and Trombino completed a Honda 1-2-3 with a time of 1:26.752.

Raphael Archambault of St-Colomban, Que. was quickest in testing for the Amateur Sport Bike class with a time of 1:27.215 on his Archambault Racing / Centre Hamel Honda-backed CBR600RR.

Brantford, Ont.'s Rob Busby led the K&N Filters Sport Twins class with a time of 1:31.515 on his Buell XB12R and St-Lazare, Que.'s Ryan McCormick was fastest in the Honda CBR125R Challenge at 2:07.820.

The electric motorcycles of the TTXGP eGRAND PRIX Series made their Canadian debut at Mosport on Friday. Michael Hannas of Santarose, Calif. turned a lap at 1:58.599 for an average speed of 120.112 km/h (74.641 mph).

Action resumes at Mosport on Friday with qualifying for all classes, including the Pirelli SuperPole for the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award in the Parts Canada Superbike class. Races in all national classes will go Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $60 at the gate for a weekend Super Ticket. Single day passes are also available. For ticket information call 1-800-866-1072 or go to www.mosport.com.

-source: www.cdnsuperbike.com