Race City: Series Thursday test day notes

SZOKE FASTEST IN RACE CITY TESTING

CALGARY, Alta. (June 24) - Jordan Szoke overcame engine issues to set fastest time in testing for this weekend's second and third rounds of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, presented by Rocky Mountain Honda Powerhouse, at Race City Motorsport Park on Thursday.

After struggling in the morning session with engine management problems on his Waznie Racing / Ciclo Werks BMC / DeWildt Honda-backed Honda CBR1000RR the Brantford, Ont. racer rebounded to set the day's fastest time in the afternoon at one minute, 16.943 seconds around the 3.2km (2.0-mile), 11-turn Race City track.

"It wasn't a very enjoyable day but I'm pretty happy to do the times we did," said Szoke, who has won eight Superbike events in Calgary and currently leads the Parts Canada Superbike standings. "We did get down to some fast times in the afternoon and there are some changes we want to make for the rest of the weekend."

St-Cesaire, Que.'s Kevin Lacombe was second fastest with a time of 1:17.069 on his Lacombe Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Andrew Nelson placed third with a time of 1:17.125 riding the Orion Motorsports / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR.

Cochrane, Alta.'s Cody Matechuk actually recorded the third fastest time at 1:17.090, but the Acceleration Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 rider was penalized one position for improperly entering the track at the start of the second test session.

Francis Martin of Sherbrooke, Que. completed the top five in Superbike testing with a time of 1:17.420 riding the radX / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR.

Six-time Canadian Superbike champion Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, B.C. made his return to action on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 and turned the 11th fastest time of the day, a 1:21.792.

In other action at Race City, Szoke was also fastest in testing for the Pro Sport Bike class with a time of 1:18.285 on his Honda CBR600RR. Keene, Ont.'s Jodi Christie placed second aboard the Jodi Christie Racing / Durham Honda-backed CBR600RR at 1:18.569 and Matechuk was third with a time of 1:19.303 riding his Suzuki GSX-R600.

Calgary's Ryan Middleton led Amateur Sport Bike testing with a fastest lap of 1:22.433 on a YZF-R6, Ryan Appenrodt of Quesnel, B.C. paced the Honda CBR125R Challenge with a time of 1:51.300 and Martensville, Sask.'s Geoff Gerbrandt was fastest of the K&N Filters Sport Twins competitors at 1:25.767 riding a Suzuki SV650.

Action at Race City resumes Friday with practice and qualifying for all classes, including Pirelli Superpole qualifying for the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award in the Superbike class. Feature races go Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $50 for a weekend pass and $30 for a single day. For ticket information call (403) 975-2849 or go to www.amra.ca.

-source: www.cdnsuperbike.com