Brett McCormick celebrated his 20th birthday in style on Saturday at Mosport International Speedway. The Saskatoon native narrowly edged out defending champion Jordan Szoke by 0.053 seconds, in an exciting finish, to win round six of the Parts Canada Pro Superbike championship and clinch his first ever Superbike title.
McCormick captured his third pole of the season on Friday, but it was Szoke who led most of Saturday’s 20-lap feature. The factory BMW rider only got in front of Szoke for two laps mid-race, but was then able to sneak by his arch rival on the final turn of the event (see video below) and cross the finish line just ahead of the seven-time champion. An upset Szoke told the audience afterward that his Kawasaki ZX-10R had run out of fuel and hiccupped during the dash to the line.
McCormick on the other hand was naturally overjoyed about his title win, saying, “I’m a bit speechless right now. It’s been an amazing season with an amazing team. I’m shaking; it’s a bizarre feeling.”
“It was a super-fun race and it’s great to battle for the championship like that,” McCormick continued. “His [Szoke] bike had a little bit more motor than mine but I was a bit quicker through the corners and that made for a great race.”
Third place went to Nelson Racing / GymMax / Monette Sports BMW S1000RR rider Andrew Nelson, while McCormick’s the radX / BMW Motorrad Canada team-mate Michael Ferreira was fourth, and sportbike title leader Jodie Christie was fifth aboard his Jodi Christie Racing / Cameron Cycle / Blue Streak Racing Honda CBR600RR.
McCormick’s quest for a perfect season — to match Szoke’s achievement last year — fell short though. Run under wet conditions, Sunday’s season finale once again saw Szoke out in front for most of the contest and McCormick again on his rear wheel. But this time the Competition Systems Kawasaki rider was able to prevail for his first win of the season, as McCormick crashed shortly after attempting a daring pass on turn one of the final lap.
“I didn’t think he would try going into turn one,” Szoke admitted after his 10th career Mosport Superbike win. “After that I looked back and didn’t see anybody else and told myself to just take things easy and not make any mistakes.”
McCormick, who had won all six races this season heading into Sunday’s finale, felt it was his only chance to make a move.
“It was my first moment the whole race,” explained McCormick, “I got to the apex and the back end came around on me.”
Riders Choice / BMW Toronto Motorrad BMW S1000RR rider Matt McBride finished a surprising second, 15.587 secs. behind Szoke, and Francis Martin, aboard the Couturier Racing / ProPulsion BMW S1000RR, placed third.
Martin’s podium finish was a fitting way to end to his national Superbike racing career. The two-time Canadian champion had announced his retirement on Sunday morning.
“This is a good way to finish; I’m very happy to finish on the box,” said Martin, who was national champion in 1999 and 2005. “Lap after lap I was more comfortable, but when Matt passed me I tried to follow and almost crashed.”
Andrew Nelson finished fourth and wrapped up third overall in the championship standings.
Michael Ferreira was able to salvage fifth place, after falling on the final lap but remounting, and his radX / BMW Motorrad Canada squad was named Team of the Year for its championship season.
In the Pirelli Pro Sport Bike Championship, Z1 CycleTech / Kenwood Suzuki’s Alex Welsh swept the weekend’s races, but Jodi Christie won the title by finishing second in the season’s final two contests aboard his Jodi Christie Racing / Cameron Cycle / Blue Streak Racing Honda CBR600RR. Frank Trombino placed third overall on the Suzuki Canada / Hindle / Sturgess Cycle Suzuki GSX-R600.
Meanwhile, veteran road racer Steve Crevier won the inaugural Harley-Davidson XR1200 Cup. The former Canadian Superbike champion, riding the MotoSport Plus of Kingston entry, wrapped up the title on Saturday and won season finale on Sunday, edging out American Michael Barnes by 0.202 seconds, while Barnes’ Ruthless Racing / Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada team-mate Darren James finished third.
Check out Superbike race videos, results and final standings below.
2011 Parts Canada Pro Superbike Round Six Race Results
1. Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, Sask. (BMW S1000RR) 20 laps
2. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) +.053
3. Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +24.304
4. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +24.684
5. Jodi Christie, Keene, Ont. (Honda CBR600RR) +25.905
6. Matt McBride, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +27.211
7. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) +41.583
8. Sebastien Tremblay, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) +48.947
9. Matt Cooper, Guelph, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1) +51.826
10. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, Que. (Honda CBR1000RR) +53.721
11. Francois Dumas, St-Raymond, Que. (BMW S1000RR)
12. Frank Trombino, Woodbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600)
13. Rob Busby, Brantford, Ont. (BMW S1000RR)
14. Franklyn Dominguez, Hudson, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
15. Billy Shields, Unionville, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1)
16. Ross Millson, Hamilton, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
17. Steve Walker, Carleton Place, Ont. (BMW S1000RR)
18. Martin Ricard, Montreal, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
19. Dean Plater, Cumberland, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Did Not Finish
Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 8
Did Not Start
Bodhi Edie, Warman, Sask. (Honda CBR600RR)
Raphael Archambault, Terrebonne, Que. (Suzuki GSX-R600)
Kenny Reidman, Belfountain, Ont. (Triumph 675)
Darren James, North Vancouver, BC (Buell 1125R)
2011 Parts Canada Pro Superbike Round Seven Race Results
1. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 14 laps
2. Matt McBride, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +15.587
3. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) +18.286
4. Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +24.284
5. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +59.003
6. Ross Millson, Hamilton, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) +1’14.949
7. Jodi Christie, Keene, Ont. (Honda CBR600RR) +1’23.171
8. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600) +1’23.724
9. Billy Shields, Unionville, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1) +1’39.266
10. Franklyn Dominguez, Hudson, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1 lap
11. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, Que. (Honda CBR1000RR) 2 laps
12. Rob Busby, Brantford, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) 3 laps
Did Not Finish
Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, Sask. (BMW S1000RR) 13
Francois Dumas, St-Raymond, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 9
Frank Trombino, Woodbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600) 8
Sebastien Tremblay, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR) 2
Did Not Start
Matt Cooper, Guelph, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1)
Bodhi Edie, Warman, Sask. (Honda CBR600RR)
Raphael Archambault, Terrebonne, Que. (Suzuki GSX-R600)
Kenny Reidman, Belfountain, Ont. (Triumph 675)
Martin Ricard, Montreal, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Steve Walker, Carleton Place, Ont. (BMW S1000RR)
Darren James, North Vancouver, BC (Buell 1125R)
Dean Plater, Cumberland, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
2011 Parts Canada Pro Superbike Championship Final Standings
1. Brett McCormick, 328
2. Jordan Szoke, 318
3. Andrew Nelson, 226
4. Michael Ferreira, 216
5. Jodi Christie, 195
6. Alex Welsh, 164
7. Francis Martin, 133
8. Marie Josee-Boucher, 123
9. Matt McBride, 120
10. Rob Busby, 120
11. Franklyn Dominguez, 118
12. Frank Trombino, 97
13. Steve Walker, 87
14. Sebastien Tremblay, 63
15. Ross Millson, 45
16. Sylvain Dery, 38
17. Billy Shields, 37
18. Jean-Francois Cyr, 25
18. Bodhi Edie, 25
20. Ron Munroe, 21
21. Matt Cooper, 21
22. Francois Dumas, 17
23. Sean Huffman, 8
24. Martin Ricard, 4
25. Dean Plater, 2
