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28693 INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 MOPAR PRO SUPERBIKE CLASS PREVIEW

10 LIQUI MOLY PRO SPORT BIKE CLASS PREVIEW

14 LIGHTWEIGHT SPORT BIKE CLASS PREVIEW

15 SPONSOR LISTING

18 LOOKING BACK AT CANADA’S FIRST SUPERBIKE RACE

22 TRACK BY TRACK/SCHEDULE ON THE COVER: Mopar CSBK Pro Superbike action at CTMP. ABOVE: John Long, winner of the first Superbike race in Canada, held at CTMP (Mosport) in 1978.

LET’S GO RACING!

elcome to the 2018 Mopar Canadian Superbike Cham- In 1978, when the track was then known as Mosport, it hosted its first pionship! Since 1979, CSBK has been Canada’s national ever Superbike race and special events are planned to celebrate the Wmotorcycle road racing series creating a rich sporting hist- 40th anniversary of Superbike competition in Canada. ory that will continue to grow in 2018. Over five rounds held at some This season also sees the introduction of the new Amateur Light- of Canada’s premier road racing facilities, CSBK is once again poised weight Sport Bike class, which is open to motorcycles from multiple to deliver the intense competition that racers crave and the thrills that OEMs. While this new class is a reflection of this rapidly growing seg- keep fans on the edge of their seats. ment, it also has the potential to act as a feeder system for the CBSK’s With the season underway, old battles will resume and new ones larger displacement classes and offers race fans a chance to watch will emerge, but the question on everyone’s mind will be if anyone can the future stars of the CSBK. derail Jordan Szoke’s pursuit of a 13th Pro Superbike title. Coming If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to stay up to date with the into 2018 the 39-year-old from Lynden, ON is undoubtedly the fa- CSBK website (www.csbk.ca) where you can find race results, points vourite, but a number of racers including Saskatchewan’s Bodhi Edie standings and the latest news. In addition, thanks to the continued and Quebec’s Samuel Trepanier are consistently getting closer to the sponsorship by Dalton Timmis Insurance, road racing fans through- target which has resided on Szoke’s back for several seasons. If 2017 out Canada will once again be able to watch each round of the CSBK was any indication this year could very well see new records written. season on TSN in 2018. See you at the track! A milestone of a different nature will be achieved when the series arrives at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the season’s final round Patrick Lambie, – a doubleheader weekend to wrap up 2018's seven-race schedule. Editor, Inside Motorcycles

PUBLISHED BY: Inside Motorcycles Inside Track Communications, Inc. 95 Trinity St., Suite 101, Toronto, ON, M5A 3C7 TELEPHONE: 416-962-7223 Fax: 416-962-7208 E-MAIL: [email protected] PRESIDENT: John Hopkins, [email protected] VICE PRESIDENT: Greg MacPherson, [email protected] TREASURER: David Weber, [email protected] EDITOR: Patrick Lambie, [email protected] SECRETARY: Rob Morton, [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES: David Weber, [email protected] Rob Morton, [email protected], COPYRIGHT: All rights PROGRAM PRODUCED BY: Derek Rockel, [email protected] reserved. Reproduction in Lindsey Broad, [email protected] whole or in part without prior Brad Hulton, [email protected] written permission of Inside PRODUCTION: Grace Kang, James Neilson Track Communications Inc. WRITERS: Todd Vallee, Colin Fraser, Patrick Lambie is prohibited. PHOTOGRAPHERS: Rob O’Brien, Tim McGill, Bill Murphy, Colin Fraser WWW.INSIDEMOTORCYCLES.COM

MOPAR CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP • 3 PRO SUPERBIKE PREVIEW

4 • CSBK.CA MISSION IMPOSSIBLE WHO WILL STEP UP TO CHALLENGE THE KING OF CANADIAN SUPERBIKE?

ith the beginning of a new CSBK season the question remains the same: Who will wrestle the Mopar Pro Superbike No. 1 plate away from reigning champion Jordan WSzoke? While Szoke was challenged on the track numerous times last season, when the final points were once again tallied, Szoke stood alone at the top for the 12th time in his amazing career. The numbers Szoke has put up over the years are staggering and at this point seem almost impossible to touch. Along with his 12 Superbike championships, Szoke has an astounding 65 career Superbike victories, which puts him almost 40 wins ahead of second place on the win list, which belongs to the long-retired Steve Crevier. As Szoke speeds along in his late 30s, he shows no signs of slowing down and has actually won 20 out of the last 21 Superbike races held on Canadian soil. The only blemish in the past three seasons being a second place at Grand Bend last season after the race was red-flagged with a couple of laps remaining. While Szoke had to settle for second that day, most observers at the track figure he still had an ace up his sleeve to play on the final lap had the race actually been run to completion.

With 12 Mopar CSBK Superbike Championships on his resume, Jordan Szoke is looking to build on his record-breaking accomplishments in 2018.

MOPAR CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP • 5 PRO SUPERBIKE PREVIEW

If Szoke continues to stay healthy and chooses to race for a few while saving the best for last. After a mediocre start for the second- more years he has the chance to put up a record that surely nobody year Pro, Trepanier really started to stretch the legs of his BMW will ever touch. Imagine if you will, Szoke winning the Superbike title S1000RR at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park rounds. After qualify- once again in 2020. If that happens there is a good likelihood that ing second for the Saturday race, Trepanier led the first 18 laps of the Szoke will be well into the 80s for career wins at that point. With final before coming up just 0.251 seconds short at the line to Szoke. his first title coming way back in 1998, what would be even more In race 2 at CTMP, Trepanier started from the pole and was involved astonishing is if he did grab a title in 2020, he would have Superbike in a crazy three-way shootout for second place at the end of the race championships in four different decades. Simply amazing! before finally settling for third. That race, at the fastest track on the cir- Before we award the 2018 championship to Szoke and his Mopar Ex- cuit, also saw the closest finish of the year as Szoke, Kenny Riedmann, press Lane BMW, let's talk about a few of the contenders for his throne. Trepanier and Young all finished within one second of each other. For Ben Young finished third in the points last season while managing to 2018, Trepanier will be riding the momentum of his first two career po- find the third step on the podium three times throughout the year. The diums when the CSBK season opens at Shannonville Motorsport Park. biggest blemish on Young’s 2017 season was being awarded a 15th The only rider to knock Szoke off the top step of the podium last place finish at the Grand Bend round after crashing, which resulted season was Warman, SK speedster Bodhi Edie onboard his Yamaha in a red flag. During that race, Young was involved in a great three- YZF-R1. Edie was in the right place at the right time in Grand Bend way battle for the lead before launching off his bike in a spectacular when the red flag was flown and as a result picked up his second high-side incident. Despite the scary-looking crash, Young escaped career Superbike victory after qualifying third for the race. Edie, who relatively unharmed and bounced back just two weeks later qualifying also grabbed a victory at CTMP in 2013, can take pride in knowing that second at the demanding Autodrome St-Eustache. Young, the 2016 he is the only Superbike rider other than Szoke to carry the checkered Pro Rookie of the Year, is looking to build on his podium finishes from flag in the past three seasons. With two other podiums in 2017, the last season and hopefully take a couple more steps to the top in 2018 key for Edie could be consistency as a DNF and a seventh place finish aboard the Scot Build/BMW Motorrad Canada S1000RR. in the final races of the year dropped him to fifth overall in the final Blysk Racing’s Samuel Trepanier had a breakout season in 2017 point standings.

TOP LEFT:Samuel Trepanier looked ready to challenge for the top podium step in the TOP RIGHT: 2016 Pro Rookie of the Year, Ben Young, will look to add to his record of closing races of the 2017 season. podium finishes in 2018. BOTTOM LEFT: 2017 Amateur Superbike Champion Samuel Desmarais (No. 17) BOTTOM RIGHT: Mike Leon is hoping that his recent MotoAmerica experience will pay makes the move to the Pro class for 2018. CSBK dividends.

6 • CSBK.CA Yamaha XSR700

Yamaha XSR700 PRO SUPERBIKE PREVIEW

Pro Sport Bike star Mitch Card plans to run in both Pro classes in 2018.

Moving up from the Amateur ranks, two riders to keep an eye Recent Canadian Superbike Champions on are Samuel Desmarais and Jean-Francois Aubin. Last season 2017 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON BMW S1000RR Desmarais took the Amateur Superbike title by 19 points over Aubin 2016 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON BMW S1000RR despite not starting the final race of the season. While Desmarais will focus on the Pro Sport Bike class, he will run in the Superbike 2015 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON BMW S1000RR class at some rounds as well. With Desmarais riding the Kawasaki/ 2014 Jodi Christie Keene, ON Honda CBR1000RR Playground Poker Club ZX-6R, tight venues such as Autodrome St-Eu- 2013 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON BMW S1000RR stache could fall right into his wheelhouse. 2012 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON BMW S1000RR Returning to the National series is 2017 SOAR Pro Superbike 2011 Brett McCormick Saskatoon, SK BMW S1000RR Champion Steven Nickerson. The former CBR125 champion does 2010 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON Honda CBR1000RR not plan on running the whole series but is looking to play spoiler 2009 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON Kawasaki ZX-10R at the rounds that he does attend on his Dewildt Honda-sponsored CBR100RR. Nickerson, who opened 2018 with a third and a fourth 2008 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON Kawasaki ZX-10R at the first R.A.C.E. series event of the year, could have home-track 2007 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON Kawasaki ZX-10R advantage when the CSBK series hits Grand Bend for round 2. 2006 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON Kawasaki ZX-10R A couple of other riders looking to be in the mix for 2018 are Mi- 2005 Francis Martin Sherbrooke, QC Suzuki GSX-R1000 chael Leon—on a BMW S1000RR sponsored by Royal Distributing— 2004 Pascal Picotte St-Cecile de Milton, QC Yamaha YZF-R1 and Mitch Card racing the Fast Company/Maclyn Dust Control and 2003 Pascal Picotte St-Cecile de Milton, QC Yamaha YZF-R1 Grading Yamaha R1. Leon finished just 1.069 seconds behind Szoke 2002 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON Suzuki GSX-R1000 at the final event of the year and has earned some valuable seat 2001 Steve Crevier Maple Ridge, BC Honda RC51 time taking part in some MotoAmerica events this year. After con- centrating on the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class last season, Card 2000 Steve Crevier Maple Ridge, BC Honda RC51 will pull double duty as he intends on running all of the Superbike 1999 Francis Martin Sherbrooke, QC Kawasaki ZX-7RR rounds this year as well. Matt McBride will also be a threat whenever 1998 Jordan Szoke Brantford, ON Kawasaki ZX-7RR he shows up and the unretired Jeff Williams is looking to revive the 1997 Don Munroe Halifax, NS Kawasaki ZX-7RR success he had in the 1990s. 1996 Michael Taylor Toronto, ON Kawasaki ZX-7RR While those mentioned and a host of other riders all have the 1995 Don Munroe Halifax, NS Kawasaki ZX-7R same goal in mind, the big question still remains: Who will be the 1994 Michael Taylor Toronto, ON Kawasaki ZX-7R first one to take Szoke’s customary spot at the top of the box in 2018? CSBK 1993 Steve Crevier Port Coquitlam, BC Kawasaki ZX-7R

8 • CSBK.CA LIQUI MOLY WeWe supportsupport thethe sport!sport!

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MOPAR CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP • 9 PRO SPORT BIKE PREVIEW CHASING THE MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN YOUNG GUNS SET TO BATTLE FOR PRO SPORT BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class showcases some of the best up and coming pro racers in North America.

ased on four-cylinder 600 cc production machines such as the front of the pack on his Yamaha R6. Yamaha YZF-R6, Honda CBR600RR, Kawasaki ZX-6R, and the Sainte-Marthe, QC rider Louie Raffa finished third in points last Blarger Triumph Daytona 675 triple, the Liqui Moly Pro Sport season and although he was close a few times, Raffa never got to Bike class is often the place we see young Pros cutting their teeth as climb the podium at race end. Perhaps Raffa’s best showing of the they move up the ranks. Usually running about 75 less horsepower year was race 2 at CTMP where he was involved in a spectacular battle than a Superbike, the Sport Bike class often produces some very for fourth place. Raffa managed to finish fifth four times last season, tight-knit racing with the bikes being very much on par with each but with renewed backing from Couturier Racing, Raffa expects to be other. Often this class will produce some of the most exciting racing challenging for podium positions this year. of the weekend as a handful of riders battle to the finish line. As we Jake Shaw-O’Leary took a distant fourth in the series last year but head into the 2018 season we’ll focus on a few riders we expect to his point total was hampered by the fact that he did not participate in see involved in those battles. every round. Best rounds for Shaw-O’Leary were at the doubleheaders Tomas Casas was the man to beat last year on his Yamaha Can- that took place at his home track of Atlantic Motorsport Park and the ada/Parts Canada R6. Casas won the opening round at Shannonville final weekend at CTMP. In a highly competitive field, Shaw-O’Leary by almost 10 seconds and never looked back, eventually taking the managed to grab both a third and a fourth on both of these weekends, title by 56 points over second-place rider Mitch Card. Key for Casas and in the process prove to onlookers that he has the speed to run was his consistency, as in the seven race series he had three victor- with the front-runners. For 2018 Shaw-O’Leary has full intentions of ies but never finished lower than third in any round. Casas was lucky attending every round on his Pro Cycle/Kimpex Honda CBR600RR. enough to attend Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Master Camp in Italy before Wild card among competitors in the Sport Bike class could be the the 2017 season opener, and the 2014 Amateur Sport Bike Champion ‘Warlord’ Frank Trombino. The once-retired Trombino was able to show appears to have learned a few tricks from one of the best. Casas has the youngsters the fast way around the track on a couple of occasions already started 2018 strong as he won the R.A.C.E. season opener in on his way to two class victories in 2017. Unfortunately for Trombino, May. Fans should look for Casas to be near the front of the pack all a nasty crash cut into his 2017 season and he was unable to make season long. a serious run in the points. While there were rumours that Trombino Heir to the throne in the Sport Bike class could be second-gener- would once again be taking part in the series this season, it remains ation racer Mitch Card. The 2013 Amateur Sport Bike and Amateur to be seen if a devastating crash at the season opening R.A.C.E. round Superbike Champion, Card had three poles and two victories last year has derailed those plans. If Trombino does make it to the grid, expect on his way to second in the championship. More importantly for Card to see him challenging for the lead at every round. may be the wave he is riding from the season-ending doubleheader After a limited Superbike season in 2017, Sebastien Tremblay of at CTMP where he not only gained the pole position but also won both Laval, QC moves into the Sport Bike class full-time for 2018. Tremblay races. Card will be pulling double duty this season as he competes in took part in the races at CTMP and Autodrome St-Eustache last sea- the Superbike class as well, but he is expected to be in the mix at the son and his best finish came in the Quebec round where he was able

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MOPAR CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP • 11 PRO SPORT BIKE PREVIEW to grab sixth. While Tremblay has competed in both Superbike and than those two races Desmarais had a great season, winning three Sport Bike throughout his Pro career, this will be his first full season races and adding three pole positions to his resume. Aubin meanwhile dedicated strictly to the Pro Sport Bike class. With a riding style that had a great season as well as he only finished off the podium once suits the middleweight machines, Tremblay is expected to be among and had one race win and one pole to his credit. Look for both riders to the lead group on his D.B. Moto/S.T. Motosport Kawasaki ZX-6R. make a successful step into the Pro ranks and both should take a run The top two riders in Amateur Superbike in 2017 were also the at Pro Rookie of the Year. Another rider worth mentioning is Cameron top two in Amateur Sport Bike but this time the roles were reversed. Walker. Last year in the Amateur ranks Walker finished fifth in points Jean-Francois Aubin came out 45 points ahead of Samuel Desmarais despite only starting three races. Walker was the star of the show at in the battle for the Amateur Sport Bike Championship last season. CTMP where he won both races and could be a contender as well if he Desmarais actually won more races than Aubin but a couple of bad moves into the Pro ranks. races hurt his championship run. There are other riders that could be in the mix as well, and fans will In Grand Bend, Desmarais did not start the final after setting the be thrilled by the gaggle of bikes circulating the track in tight groups. pace early and qualifying on the pole. The final race at CTMP saw In a class known for its slicing and dicing, the rider who makes the Desmarais relegated to 22nd after causing a red-flag incident. Other bravest move will likely be the one with the ingredients to win. CSBK

2017 Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas.

RECENT CANADIAN PRO SPORT BIKE CHAMPIONS Mitch Card finished the 2017 season with back-to-back wins. 2017 Tomas Casas Peterborough, ON Yamaha YZF-R6 2016 Kenny Riedmann Belfountain, ON Kawasaki ZX-6R 2015 Kenny Riedmann Belfountain, ON Triumph Daytona 675R 2014 Kenny Riedmann Belfountain, ON Triumph Daytona 675R 2013 Jodi Christie Keene, ON Honda CBR600RR 2012 Jodi Christie Keene, ON Honda CBR600RR 2011 Jodi Christie Keene, ON Honda CBR600RR 2010 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON Honda CBR600RR 2009 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON Kawasaki ZX-6R 2008 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON Kawasaki ZX-6R 2007 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON Kawasaki ZX-6R 2006 Jordan Szoke Lynden, ON Kawasaki ZX-6RR 2005 Steve Crevier Maple Ridge, BC Honda CBR600RR 2004 Pascal Picotte St-Cecile de Milton, QC Yamaha YZF-R6 Will 2018 be the season that Louie Raffa returns to the top of the podium? 2003 Pascal Picotte St-Cecile de Milton, QC Yamaha YZF-R6 2002 Clint McBain Calgary, AB Suzuki GSX-R600 2001 Steve Crevier Maple Ridge, BC Honda CBR600F4i 2000 Owen Weichel Toronto, ON Kawasaki ZX-6R 1999 Linnley Clarke Barrie, ON Yamaha YZF-R6 1998 Don Munroe Halifax, NS Kawasaki ZX-6R 1997 Don Munroe Halifax, NS Kawasaki ZX-6R 1996 Don Munroe Halifax, NS Kawasaki ZX-6R 1995 Don Munroe Halifax, NS Kawasaki ZX-6R 1994 Don Munroe Halifax, NS Kawasaki ZX-6 1993 Steve Crevier Port Coquitlam, BC Kawasaki ZX-6 1992 Linnley Clarke Barrie, ON Yamaha FZR600

12 • CSBK.CA Canada’s Biggest Superbike Event

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MOPAR CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP • 13 LIGHTWEIGHT SPORT BIKE AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHT SPORT BIKE CSBK’S NEWEST CLASS FOCUSES ON BUILDING TALENT

Seventeen-year-old Jake LeClair is among the next generation of CSBK stars that will be competing in the 2018 Lightweight Sport Bike class.

he most significant change to the Mopar CSBK series for 2018 they head to the opening round of the CSBK series. will be the addition of the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike Among the bikes fans can expect to see on the grid are the KTM Tclass. After offering the Kawasaki Ninja 300 Series for the past RC 390 single, Kawasaki Ninja 250 and 300, Yamaha 300 R3 twin, two seasons, the new Lightweight Sport Bike class will be open to Honda 250 and 300 CBR singles, and the Honda 500 twin. The horse- motorcycles from multiple OEMs. While this category represents a power range will be between 42 and 45, while the minimum weight substantial portion of the current market in the world of two wheels, will fall between 320 and 370 pounds, with both of these numbers this new class will most likely prove to be a valuable feeder system dependent on what machine you are riding. In a couple of cost-cutting to other classes in the CSBK series. Perhaps following the model measures, competitors will only be allowed four new tires per week- that MotoAmerica created by replacing the KTM RC 390 Cup with end and a price cap has been placed on suspension modifications. the Junior Cup series, the CSBK series will now be able to showcase At the season opening R.A.C.E. round, it was the LeClair brothers many different brands when the series’ rising stars hit the track. from Blackstock, ON finishing first and second, while Matthew Simp- Although this incarnation is new to the CSBK series, providing a son took third on the podium in the tune-up race before the group feeder system to the larger displacement classes certainly is not. heads to the CSBK series. Seventeen-year-old Jake LeClair stomped Along with the Kawasaki Ninja 300 Series in 2016 and 2017, CSBK the field and sent a message with an 18-second victory after starting has also featured the Honda CBR125R Challenge as well as the in row three. Fifteen-year-old Ben LeClair took second after being Honda CBR250R National Series. Among the notable riders who have involved in a three-way fist fight for that position for most of the race. graduated from these classes are 2014 Honda 250R Champion Jake When the winning bike went through post-race tech, Jake LeClair’s Shaw-O’Leary, 2013 Honda 250R Champion Tomas Casas, 2012 Yamaha R3 weighed 324 pounds (four over the minimum), and spun Honda 250R Champion Stacey Nesbitt, 2009 125R Champion Steven 39.12 horsepower on the official Dynojet dynamometer. This was Nickerson, and 2009 125R runner-up Bodhi Edie. safely under the maximum of 42 horsepower that is set for LeClair’s While there could be as many as 10 different brands on the grid R3 model. at any given round, specs for bike weight and maximum horsepower As the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike class heads into the CSBK have been put in place to make all the bikes competitive and ensure season, it is apparent that Jake LeClair has established himself as the a level playing field. By utilizing this structure CSBK will limit modifi- one to watch. His dominant ride at the R.A.C.E. event has labelled him cations as well as expenses, and the focus will be on rider talent and as an early favourite to grab that history-making first checkered flag in development. Like the other CSBK classes, the Amateur Lightweight the class. Other riders to watch are Richard Lee, Connor Campbell, and Sport Bike class will be using Dunlop race tires supplied by Dunlop’s Alex Berthiaume. Canadian distributor Pro 6 Cycle. With the class also making its debut Ben LeClair played second fiddle to his older brother at the tune- at the season opening R.A.C.E. round in early May, CSBK technical up race in May but you know he won’t be satisfied stuck behind his staff were on hand to assist the riders in understanding the rules for brother all season. It could get interesting around the dinner table in the class and ensure they met all the technical requirements before Blackstock this summer. CSBK

14 • CSBK.CA SPONSORS

MOPAR After starting its involvement with Canada’s national road racing series in 2011, FCA US LLC’s Mopar brand expanded its involvement to become title sponsor for the 2012 Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship and continues in that role for 2018. Mopar is FCA US LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles. www.mopar.ca DALTON TIMMIS INSURANCE Returning TSN presenting sponsor the Dalton Timmis Group is focused on unique insurance solutions, and prides itself on thinking “outside the box.” As Canada’s largest motorcycle insurance broker, Dalton Timmis is proud of its long history of sup- port for the sport of motorcycling in Canada. DTI also offers specific insurance packages for race participants, race teams and their sponsors and well as off-track and storage programs. Dalton Timmis has a solution for you! www.daltontimmis.com DUNLOP For the fifth year in a row, Dunlop is the official tire of the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship and will supply tires for all classes of Canada’s national road racing series. The Dunlop brand has a long and proud history with motorcycle racing around the world, and particularly in Canada. Pro 6 Cycle Inc. of Etobicoke, ON, the Canadian Dunlop motorcycle race tire distributor, will handle supply and service for racers on the national tour and at all rounds of the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship. www.dunloptires.com MAGNETI MARELLI Famed Italian aftermarket manufacturer Magneti Marelli continues its sponsorship support of the Mopar Canadian Super- bike Championship in 2018. The versatile and innovative company remains the title sponsor for the Magneti Marelli Amateur Superbike National Championship Series, as well as the presenting sponsor for the Magneti Marelli Pro Superbike SuperPole Award. Founded in Italy in 1919, Magneti Marelli is a leader in component manufacturing, in electronics and in the produc- tion of other technologically advanced products for today’s automakers, and for the aftermarket. www.magnetimarelli.com TSN Launched in 1984 and based in Toronto, owned by Bell Media and ESPN, The Sports Network is a Canadian Eng- lish-langauge sports specialty service. TSN is the largest specialty channel in Canada in term of gross revenue, and now includes five separate networks. Among the properties currently handled by TSN are the Formula 1 auto racing series and the American-based NASCAR tour as well as the NASCAR Pinty’s series. www.tsn.ca INSIDE MOTORCYCLES Inside Motorcycles magazine returns as the official media partner of the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship for 2018 and producer of the official series program. Since 1998,Inside Motorcycles has been “Canada’s source for motorcycle news.” With its in-depth coverage of Canadian racing, new model reviews, adventure touring stories and tech articles, Inside Motor- cycles has become an indispensable resource for riders and racing enthusiasts across the country. www.insidemotorcycles.com PRO CYCLE Pro Cycle of Dartmouth, NS continues its association with the East Coast motorcycle road racing scene and the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship in 2018. Pro Cycle is a partner in the national series’ website and online entities, as well as putting support behind the Society of the Atlantic Roadracing League and the national round at Atlantic Motor- sport Park. Pro Cycle was formed in 1983, and has since grown to over 30 employees. They take competition seriously, and do their very best to provide the most competitive pricing and service in the industry. www.procycleonline.com PARTS CANADA Parts Canada’s 2018 sponsorship of the Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship includes support of the Amateur Sport Bike National Championship as well as the broadcast of the Pro Superbike SuperPole sessions on TSN. Parts Canada is a na- tional distributor of aftermarket parts and accessories including HJC, Z1R, Icon, Alpinestars, Thor, Hot Bodies Racing, Drag Specialties, Rinehart Racing, Yoshimura, Moose and DP Brakes. www.partscanada.com LIQUI MOLY Liqui Moly is the official lubricant of the 2018 Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship. Liqui Moly’s product line includes more than 4,000 items encompassing premium quality lubricants, motor oils, additives, vehicle care products, chemical repair tools, service products, glues and sealants. Liqui Moly products are available at leading automotive retailers. www.liqui-moly.com BROOKLIN CYCLE RACING Brooklin Cycle Racing is the official Dynojet and logistics partner of the 2018 Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship. Located in Pickering ON, Brooklin Cycle Racing provides a wide range of services to motorcycle owners including motor- cycle repairs, custom bike parts and transportation of motorcycles for races, conferences, tours and events. www.brooklincycle.com DRIFT INNOVATIONS Drift Innovations is the official supplier of on-board action cams for the 2018 Mopar Canadian Superbike Championship. Drift Innovations manufactures and distributes sport cameras and accessories. Their lineup of sport cameras includes the 4K capable Ghost as well as the wearable Compass model. Waterproof cases and a variety of camera mounts are available as part of Drift Innovations’ extensive accessory lineup as are long-life batteries and lens kits.www.driftinnovation.com

MOPAR CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP • 15 ENTER R WORLD /// CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY. YZF-R1M | YZF-R1 | YZF-R6 | YZF-R3 CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING PERFORMANCE. IT’S IN OUR DNA. ENTER R WORLD /// CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY. YZF-R1M | YZF-R1 | YZF-R6 | YZF-R3 CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING PERFORMANCE. IT’S IN OUR DNA. MOSPORT SUPERBIKE PREVIEW

Lang Hindle aboard his street Kawasaki Z1, leading the first-ever Canadian Superbike race. Non-stock brakes and front forks, bevelled engine cover, Z1-R nose fairing, sculped seat and Lester Wheels Endurance Team American Bates leathers.

CANADA’S FIRST SUPERBIKE RACE JOHN LONG AND BMW MADE HISTORY AT CTMP IN 1978

“As far as that Mosport race goes, the main thing I remember is how “That Z1 wasn’t really sophisticated, but it was balanced, it worked much I hated the BMW that weekend,” laughed John Long when asked really good. Later on, we figured out how to get more from the chassis, about his victory in the first-ever Canadian Superbike race at Mosport 40 and you could slide it around. At Mosport, you spend a lot of time in years ago, aboard the now-legendary G.S. Tuning BMW R90S flat twin. the corners, it isn’t just about going fast up the straight, and even that “No matter what we did, we couldn’t get down a straight without a big isn’t really straight.” weave,” explained the Florida native, who is still active in racing with his Second overall belonged to Paul “Sparky” Stokes of Toronto, a son. “I decided I couldn’t win that race, because I couldn’t go the back well-travelled production class star famous for his exploits on Honda’s straight wide open. I thought I had the corners covered pretty well, I had original single cam CB750. In this case, Stokes was aboard a bor- raced there a number of times, but that weave was a real problem.” rowed, near-stock Suzuki GS1000. Third went to Montreal’s Marco Lang Hindle ran away with the race on his Kawasaki Z1, a parts bike Mancini on his well-developed Ducati 900SS Desmo. built for the race at Action Kawasaki, where Hindle worked as service George Morin, the first racer to earn a No. 1 plate in Canada with manager. Unfortunately, a coil failure stopped the Kawasaki rider with the Superbike title in 1980, aimed to win at Mosport aboard his a lap to go: “Most of that bike was from 1973, and the parts were old!” Production class No-Pa Sales Kawasaki Z1-R, with slight, last-minute “The race was appealing to me,” confirms Hindle from his exhaust modifications. But Morin’s throttle cable broke on the first lap. and race part manufacturing business in Port Perry. “There was decent In 1978, the end of the season was busy for the top North American money up for grabs, and I had the stuff I needed to do it. I knew I could racers. The penultimate AMA National road race of the season was get in the top five, and get some money for my family towards the at Bryar Motorsports Park, better known as Laconia, or Loudon, on mortgage and groceries. September 3. It was the second National of the season at the New “Nobody could forecast that a guy from Scarborough could domin- England venue, now reimagined as a NASCAR oval. ate that Superbike race – no one was more surprised than I was! It From there top racers headed straight across the country to the was a street bike I had, but it was very lightweight, it had a good en- sixth and final National of the season at Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA, gine and a close-ratio tranny, and it was what I knew how to build from in support of the World Championship Formula 750 round, September the setup we used down in the States, when I raced there. 10. If you still had equipment and your health, another cross contin-

18 • CSBK.CA Lang Hindle at the AMA National Daytona Superbike opener, March, 1979.

ent charge put you at Mosport Park, near Toronto, for the last round of the FIM F750 tour on September 17. Veteran Long, at the time a columnist for the long-defunct Cycle Guide magazine, was in the middle of everything during that September forty years ago. He raced his own Lon- gevity Racing Yamaha TZ750 in the feature class, a Yamaha TZ250 in the typical support class, and then piloted the BMW in the Superbike races. For Mosport, now known as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Long also brought along his air-cooled Honda MT125 road racer. This meant that Long was entered in every class at the season-ender except the North American sidecar final! No one knew about a Superbike race at Mosport until the pre-entry forms arrived in the mail. The class was growing fast in the US, but there were hardly any actual modified Superbikes north of the border. Grand Prix bikes were the dominant form at the time, and privateer production Yama- has were the machines of choice. Top racers typically developed their talents on the TZ250 two-stroke twins, and then moved up to the fearsome four-cylinder TZ750. The famed and feared biggest TZ was slightly updated every season, and cost around $17,000 in current Canadian dollars. From there top racers would likely add cast wheels, bigger brakes, new carbs and exhausts, and maybe even widen the frame. You would then have a bike that could win at the National level, although it wasn’t equal to the rare 0W works machines. Meanwhile, the Superbike class was finally established in the US after developing from a modified production invitational category earlier in the decade. 1978 was the third season for Superbike as a full blown manufacturers’ National class, neatly fitting in with the major manufacturers moving toward four-strokes for their street-bike lineups. You might say cheating was rampant, but at the time “excessive mods” were generally accepted – that would soon change as the manufacturer support became more direct. Superbike had developed from the Production class to allow for the major “improve- ments” that attracted a lot of attention. Brit Reg Pridmore was the first official Superbike champion in 1976, riding one of three very trick factory-backed “Daytona Orange” BMWs, sometimes featuring interesting updates including a switch from twin shock to mono-shock rear end! Then BMW distributor Butler & Smith pulled out of racing, having spent in excess of US $150,000 in 1976 dollars on the project. The chief architect of that famous 1976 BMW triumph was Udo Gietl, who along with friend and famed fabricator Todd Schuster, formed G.S. Tuning. Gietl worked during the day at BMW, although he no longer ran the race program. The pair built a privateer BMW for Long, the chassis coming from the dumpster at BMW, using all the data gained during the championship season. MOSPORT SUPERBIKE PREVIEW

There was almost nothing stock on the white-with-motorsport- striped R90S that Long brought straight from Laguna to Mosport. The frame was modified and braced, the shaft drive-containing swingarm was heavily reworked, and shocks were specifically built at Koni. The engine was a wonder, with reworked inlet ports for the Dell’Orto carbs and huge efforts to keep the powerplant narrow for ground clearance. Heads held two plugs per cylinder, with Bosch total-loss CDI (rare) and four coils. Pistons were by Venolia, cams by Crane, and the intake valves sourced from a Chrysler Hemi. The main talking point of the big, bad BMW was the front forks, complete with alloy Lockheed brakes, a standard racer modification for the era. These calipers mount to an anti-dive linkage, a big plus for a bike that struggled not to drag chassis parts and cylinder heads when raced by a Pro like Long – remember, hardly anyone “hung off” back in the day! A pair of custom rocker arms pivoted from the outside the axle of the stock, long travel BMW forks, linked to the lower crown by a ball joint and pushrod originally used in a Cummins Diesel truck. The result was level braking at all angles of lean, a goal BMW would even- tually chase with their production flat twins. In the very competitive 1978 AMA Superbike campaign, Long didn’t win a race, but ran at the front except when transmission issues inter- rupted progress. Third at the Daytona opener, second at the first Loud- on event, Long then netted fifth at Sears Point but retired at Pocono. He was penalized in controversial fashion at the second Loudon event, and then netted fourth at Laguna. In the final standings, Long wound up tied for the title with now-Kawasaki mounted Pridmore. In the specified tie-breaker, Prid- more nabbed the championship due to the fact he had two second place results compared to Long’s solo runner-up result. Neither class star won a race, although BMW did score a success with Californian Harry Klinzmann on the San Jose R90S at Loudon II. The winningest 1978 rider was Wes Cooley with two victories aboard the Suzuki GS750-based Yoshimura entry. The famed Japanese-based firm had regrouped in the US and were in the midst of switching from Kawasaki to Suzuki, a relationship that persists through 2018. So Long headed to Mosport, a busy drive in just four days, with his National SBK Championship loss fresh in his mind. Once he got to Mosport, however, he was much too busy tuning four separate bikes to worry about what might have been. “I had ridden against Hindle and his Lester Wheels Kawasaki Endurance team at a race in Florida, I think we were second behind them,” remembers Long. “He was one of those ‘Iron man of super- bike’ type guys. I think he sometimes had three steering dampers on his Kawasaki!” When the Superbike race lined up on Saturday afternoon at the Molson Diamond Motorcycle Grand Prix of Canada, it certainly didn’t attract as much attention as most of the other categories, including the Kawasaki Cup for 250 cc GP bikes and Honda 125 Challenge. Long rode a cautious race, mostly by himself just behind Hindle. “It turned out the frame had a big crack in one of the gussets under the tank, it must have happened at Laguna,” explains Long. “During the race, I experimented – I tried sitting up on the gas cap, sitting as far back as I could get on the seat, locking my elbows, all these things to try and get up that straight wide open without a tank slap. TOP: Edmonton National Superbike victor George Morin leaves the podium in June, “I didn’t really know any of the other people in the race, we just got 1980 – by the fall at Shannonville Morin would become the first racer to earn the Can- the thing running and went out. It’s funny, it was so traumatic, it was adian No. 1 plate aboard a Superbike. the worst ride. I couldn’t wait to get off that BMW at Mosport. Before MIDDLE: BMW R90S racer John Long hangs out with friends prior to the start at the that, most of our year, it had really surprised people. After that, I rode March Daytona AMA Superbike race, 1978. it for some new owners, we won the first Battle of the Twins Cham- BOTTOM: Miami, Florida’s Superbike star John Long with the unique nose fairing from pionship. But it never ran as well as in 1978.” CSBK his BMW R90S at Mosport, forty years ago.

20 • CSBK.CA MOPAR CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP • 21 TRACK LAYOUTS AND SCHEDULE

SHANNONVILLE MOTORSPORT PARK - SHANNONVILLE, ON Round 1: MAY 25-27 Tickets: 1-800-959-8955, 613-969-1906 or [email protected] September 5, 2009) Website: www.shannonville.com AM Superbike: 1:07.384 (Aubrey Bailey, Honda CBR600RR, Jul 3, 2011) Location: 7047 Old Hwy 2, Shannonville, ON K0K 3A0 AM Sport Bike: 1:07.050 (Cody Matechuk, (20 km east of Belleville) Suzuki GSX-R600, Sep 5, 2009)

Track Length (Pro Track): 1.53 miles/2.45 km (11 turns) Why You Should Go: The track was National Superbike Events: 50 designed in 1976 with motorcycle racing in mind and features a wide variety of National Lap Records: challenges for racers. For spectators it offers Pro Superbike: 1:03.795 (Brett McCormick, Suzuki GSX-R1000, excellent viewing opportunities; almost the September 5, 2009) entire layout is visible from the main grandstand. Pro Sport Bike: 1:04.590 (Brett McCormick, Suzuki GSX-R600,

GRAND BEND MOTORPLEX - GRAND BEND, ON Round 2: Tickets: grandbend.lweb.net or 419-238-7223 National Lap Records: JUNE 8-10 Website: www.grandbendmotorplex.ca Pro Superbike: 1:03.200 (Jordan Szoke, BMW S1000RR, June 10, 2017) Location: 70292 Grand Bend Line, Grand Bend, ON (65 km south- Pro Sport Bike: 1:04.989 (Frank Trombino, west of London) Honda CBR600RR, June 10, 2011) Why You Should Go: Technical track Track Length: 1.37 miles/2.20 km layout with unobstructed views makes this National Superbike Events: 1 (inaugral event in 2017) event a spectator favourite.

AUTODROME ST-EUSTACHE - ST-EUSTACHE, QC Round 3: Tickets: 450-472-6222 or 514-591-4388 Pro Sport Bike: 45.872 (Jodi Christie, Hon- JUNE 29-JULY 1 Website: www.autodrome.ca da CBR600RR, July 11, 2011) AM Superbike: 46.989 (Eric Gagnon, BMW Location: 1016 Boulevard Arthur-Sauvé, St-Eustache, QC J7R 4K3 S1000RR, July 7, 2013) (45 km northwest of Montreal) AM Sport Bike: 47.386 (Philippe Masse, Kawasaki ZX-6R, July 7, 2012) Track Length: 1.2 miles/1.93 km (10 turns) National Superbike Events: 20 Why You Should Go: Its tight and tech- National Lap Records: nical nature has traditionally guaranteed Pro Superbike: 44.812 (Jordan Szoke, BMW S1000RR, June 27, extremely close racing at Autodrome 2015) St-Eustache.

ATLANTIC MOTORSPORT PARK - SHUBENACADIE, NS Round 4: Tickets: 902468-2518 Pro Sport Bike: 1:06.905 (Brett McCormick, JULY 19-22 Website: www.procycleonline.com Suzuki GSX-R600, August 8, 2009) AM Superbike: 1:09.878 (Austin Shaw- Location: 266 Race Track Rd, Mill Village, NS B0N 2H0 O’Leary, Honda CBR600RR, July 21, 2012) (70 km northeast of Halifax) AM Sport Bike: 1:09.292 (Austin Shaw- O’Leary, Honda CBR600RR, July 21, 2012) Track Length: 1.6 miles/2.56 km (11 turns) National Superbike Events: 32 Why You Should Go: With tight corners, National Lap Records: sweepers and a backstraight dubbed “The Pro Superbike: 1:06.031 (Brett McCormick, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Rollercoaster,” AMP is a great venue for August 8, 2009) spectators.

CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK - BOWMANVILLE, ON Round 5: Tickets: 1-800-866-1072 or 905-983-9141 / [email protected] Pro Sport Bike: 1:22.653 (Jordan Szoke, AUGUST 10-12 Website: www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com Kawasaki ZX-6R, July 17, 2009) AM Superbike: 1:24.240 (Tim Robinson, Location: 3233 Concession Rd 10, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3K6 (30 BMW S1000RR, August 20, 2011) km northeast of Oshawa) AM Sport Bike: 1:25.166 (Cody Matechuk, Suzuki GSX-R600, July 19, 2009) Track Length: 2.459 miles/3.9 km (10 turns) National Superbike Events: 35 Why You Should Go: This doubleheader National Lap Records: season finale is held on a legendary Canadi- Pro Superbike: 1:20.778 (Jordan Szoke, BMW S1000RR, August 19, an racetrack and features lots of off-track ac- 2016) tivities including demo rides and live music.

22 • CSBK.CA Yamaha XSR700

Yamaha XSR700 At Mopar®, we like things fast. Including the racers we sponsor. That’s why Andrew Ranger and Jordan Szoke are the ideal partners for our brand. They are champions with proven track records and a shared passion for performance. Jordan Szoke Andrew Ranger

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