Racing Against All Odds

Super Sonic Roadrace School Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike competitors brave the tricky track conditions heading downhill into the daunting turn 2 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2020.

Fight for first in Pro Superbike national CSBK action at Grand Bend in 2019: Ben Young’s BMW leads the Kawasaki of Jordan Szoke and Suzuki’s Trevor Daley.

2020 CSBK National Champion and Canada Cup winner Jordan Szoke took all four 2020 feature race wins aboard the All Canada Warranty Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Superbike, shown at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in August, 2020. George Morin made history in 1980 when he was crowned as Canada’s first national Superbike champion. More than four decades later, this title remains one of the most sought after in Canadian motorsports and continues to attract and inspire the best motorcycle road racers in the country.

Following an abbreviated 2020 season, which saw reduced numbers on the starting line and only one of the five class championships awarded, the CSBK Pro Superbike Championship is scheduled to return to action on June 11 at the Grand Bend Motorplex in southwestern Ontario. With a full grid of racers signed up for the 2021 season, including the returning 2019 champion Ben Young who will be looking to play spoiler to reigning champion Jordan Szoke’s quest for a 15th Superbike title, race fans should be prepared for epic battles that will be talked about for decades to come.

Like so many other things today, the 2021 CSBK schedule remains in flux with the recent announcements of cancellation of the round scheduled for Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, NS as well as the planned June 4 season-opening Pro Superbike race at Calabogie Motorsports Park. With the ongoing pandemic-related challenges and CSBK’s stated intention of adding a replacement round for the Shubenacadie event, further changes are likely to come and Inside Motorcycles will continue to bring the latest schedule news both in print as well as online at www.insidemotorcycles.com.

While current health restrictions in the province of Ontario may continue to limit the ability of spectators to take in the racing action at the track, complete CSBK races will continue to be available on TSN as well as the series’ YouTube channel. Whether you take in the races on TV, online or with a little bit of luck maybe even in person, we hope this 2021 CSBK primer proves to be a valuable resource as we take a look at the racers who will compete for CSBK gold, the bikes they will ride and the tracks that will play host to today’s stars of Canadian motorcycle road racing.

June 11 to 13...........Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, ON July 10 to 11............Calabogie Motorsports Park, Calabogie, ON August 14 to 15.......Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON

*As at press time. Schedule is subject to change, with CSBK operators hoping to add another weekend event. Visit www.csbk.ca and www.insidemotorcycles.com for updates.

THE TRACKS Grand Bend Motorplex

While Grand Bend may be best known as one of Ontario’s most popular vacation destinations, this beach town on the shores of Lake Huron is also home to Grand Bend Motorplex, where the CSBK 2021 season will get underway on June 11. A relatively new track to the CSBK series, who held their first race on the facility’s 2.2-kilometre road course in 2017, the Grand Bend track is known for its technical layout and spectator friendly views. Location: 70292 Grand Bend Line, Grand Bend, ON Website: www.grandbendmotorplex.com

National Lap Records:

• Pro Superbike: 1:03.045 (Ben Young, BMW S 1000 RR, 2019) • Pro Sport Bike: 1:04.351 (Dylan Bauer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2019) • Amateur Superbike: 1:05.909 (Jordan Royds, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2019) • Amateur Sport Bike: 1:05.960 (Jake LeClair, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2019) • Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike: Avery Hart, Yamaha

YZF-R3, 1:11.616)

Late in CSBK Pro Superbike feature race 2 at Calabogie, 2021, Jordan Szoke’s Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja holds off the new BMW S1000RR of “Jammin’ Jeff” Williams – they finished in this order, first and second.

Calabogie Motorsports Park

At over five kilometres in length, the Calabogie circuit is the longest on the CSBK tour. Featuring 20 corners, dramatic elevation changes and a 2,000-foot straight, the Alan Wilson designed track opened in 2006 and hosted the CSBK tour in 2008, 2009 and 2015. Located 100 kilometres west of Ottawa on the outskirts of Calabogie, the circuit played host to a special round of the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike class in 2019 before returning to the CSBK calendar in 2020 and remains on the schedule for 2021. Location: 462 Wilson Farm Road, Calabogie, ON Website: www.calabogiemotorsports.com

National Lap Records:

• Pro Superbike: 2:00.584 (Jodi Christie, Honda CBR1000RR, 2015) • Pro Sport Bike: 2:02.603 (Jordan Szoke, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2009) • Amateur Superbike: 2:06.805 (Stephane Chibot, Honda

CBR1000RR, 2015) • Amateur Sport Bike: 2:07.239 (Cody Matechuk, Suzuki

GSX-R600, 2009) • Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike: 2:23.405 (Avery Hart,

Yamaha YZF-R3, 2019)

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

One of the oldest race tracks in North America, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2021. The track’s storied history includes Formula 1 and IndyCar races as well as World Superbike events and of course the 1967 Canadian GP. As the home to the CSBK’s season ending doubleheader race since 2003, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has seen the crowning of many of the modern-day stars of Canadian road racing. The 3.9 kilometre CTMP track, which was repaved in 2020, is located near Bowmanville, ON, an easy 60 kilometre drive from downtown Toronto. Location: 3233 Concession Road 10, Bowmanville, ON Website: www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com

National Lap Records:

• Pro Superbike: 1:20.520 (Jordan Szoke, BMW S 1000 RR, 2017) • Pro Sport Bike: 1:22.653 (Jordan Szoke, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 2009) • Amateur Superbike: 1:22.822 (Christian Allard, Kawasaki ZX10R, 2019) • Amateur Sport Bike: 1:25.166 (Cody Matechuk, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2009) • Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike: 1:39.942 (Jacob Black, Kawasaki Ninja 400, 2019)

THE CLASSES OF 2021 – A CLOSER LOOK Superbike

Any discussion about CSBK classes naturally gravitates to the Superbikes. Not only are they the namesake of the series itself, but they are quite simply the fastest and most advanced motorcycles in the both Pro and Amateur ranks.

While they are created from stock motorcycles that can be bought off showroom floors around the country, these are highly modified machines built with the simple goal of crossing the finish line first on race day. In addition to the visibly obvious changes that see items like lighting, mirrors and stands replaced with race bodywork, rear-set footpegs and aftermarket exhausts, upgraded suspension components, electronics, brakes and even adjustments to the bike’s overall geometry are all key to a winning Superbike.

Grand Bend CSBK Amateur Superbike action in 2019, with the No. 140 BMW S 1000 RR of Andrew Haick fighting with the No. 337 Yamaha YZF-R1 of Jordan Royds.

With the bikes ready to roll, attention turns to the racers who will pilot them in the 2021 CSBK season and for race fans the stage is set for a showdown for the ages with 2019 Pro Superbike Champion Ben Young looking to reclaim his title after sitting out the 2020 season. Standing in Young’s way is 14-time and reigning champion, Jordan Szoke who continues to compete at a level that defies his increasing age as he focuses on adding even more hardware to his world-class trophy case. Of course, the grid will have more than Young and Szoke on race day. Trevor Daley and two-time CSBK Pro Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas are both capable of breakout seasons and either one could end up playing spoiler to Young and Szoke’s plans. Add in the return of SOAR Regional Champion Steve Nickerson and the presence of MotoAmerica ace Alex Dumas, and nothing is a given until the final checkered flag drops.

While the Amateur Superbike class has more race-to-race fluctuation, making it harder to predict the racers to watch for, it is an equally exciting class and a chance to see some of the racers who will eventually be making the jump to the Pro ranks.

Top Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class competitor in 2020 was Sebastien Tremblay on the Turcotte Performance Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, winner in the heat of Calabogie and the rain at “old Mosport.”

Recent CSBK Pro Superbike Champions:

2020 Jordan Szoke (Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja) 2019 Ben Young (BMW S 1000 RR) 2018 Jordan Szoke (BMW S 1000 RR) 2017 Jordan Szoke (BMW S 1000 RR) 2016 Jordan Szoke (BMW S 1000 RR) Recent CSBK Amateur Superbike Champions: 2020 championship not awarded 2019 Guillaume Fortin (Kawasaki ZX-10R) 2018 Luke Labranche (Yamaha YZF-R1) 2017 Samuel Desmarais (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 2016 Jean-Marc Bilger (BMW S 1000 RR)

Sport Bike

The road to the Superbike ranks is paved with multiple options, including the Sport Bike class, which has served as the launching pad for racers like 2014 CSBK Pro Superbike Champion Jodi Christie and current Superbike contender Tomas Casas, both of whom include Pro Sport Bike championships on their resumes. Despite having more restrictions on upgrades and modifications as well as substantially lower horsepower limits (125 hp Pro Sport Bike vs 200 hp Pro Superbike), a look at CSBK nation-

2019 Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike podium at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: (from far left) 2019 title winner Will Hornblower, 2020 class top gun Sebastien Tremblay and two time Pro Sport Bike No. 1 Tomas Casas.

al lap records confirms that trade-off between the straight line speed of the litre bikes and the handling and agility of a Sport Bike is not as dramatic as one may anticipate, and definitely adds a must-watch element to the Sport Bike classes.

With no Sport Bike championships awarded last season, 2019 champion and fan favourite Will Hornblower is coming into the 2021 season with a target on his back that will have him firmly in the sights of Sebastien Tremblay, who won both Pro Sport Bike races in 2020. Also expecting to make their presence known on the podium are Quebec speedsters Nicolas Meunier and Vincent Levallian as well other top contenders like David McKay,

Connor Campbell and Dylan Bauer.

Recent CSBK Pro Sport Bike Champions:

2020 championship not awarded 2019 Will Hornblower (Yamaha YZF-R6) 2018 Tomas Casas (Yamaha YZF-R6) 2017 Tomas Casas (Yamaha YZF-R6) 2016 Kenny Riedmann (Kawasaki ZX-6R)

Recent CSBK Amateur Sport Bike Champions:

2020 championship not awarded 2019 Christian Allard (Kawasaki ZX-6R) 2018 Luc Labranche (Yamaha YZF-R6) 2017 Jean-Francois Aubin (Suzuki GSX-R600) 2016 Chris Brent (Honda CBR600RR)

Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike

Introduced in 2018 as an alternative to previous brand-specific series, the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike class is open to multiple brands and models (Kawasaki Ninja 250, Ninja 300, and Ninja 400, Honda CBR250R, CBR300R, CBR500R and the Yamaha YZF-R3) subject to meeting the CSBK’s 10 unit Can-

In the most recent Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike round on a wet Sunday at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park last August, Matt Simpson celebrates victory on his Honda CBR500R twin. Simpson moves up to Amateur Sport Bike for 2021.

adian import homologation requirement (see our sidebar to learn more about homologation). While a number of improvements and modifications are allowed, dollar limits on the amount that can be spent on key areas such as suspension help keep focus on the riders and their abilities. New for 2021, the class will move from the previous Dunlop Q3+ spec tires to Dunlop racing slicks, which promises to deliver reduced lap times and intensify competition.

In addition to generating future CSBK stars, the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike class has had the added bonus of inspiring many long-time racers, including Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Toni Sharpless, to return to the track. A true win-win for Canadian motorcycle road racing.

Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike Champions:

2020 championship not awarded 2019 Ben LeClair (Yamaha YZF-R3) 2018 Jake LeClair (Yamaha YZF-R3)

SPONSORS:

However you follow the CSBK action in 2021, whether it be in print, online, on television or hopefully even in person, it is important to remember that this series is made possible by the generous sponsors who dedicate their time and money. Please take the time to acknowledge their contribution and if the opportunity should arise, thank them by supporting their businesses: • TSN • Dunlop Tires • Liqui Moly • Joe Rocket • Yuasa Batteries • Mopar • Super Sonic Road Race

School • Brooklin Cycle Racing • Dynojet • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers • Pro 6 GP Regional Series • AIM Insurance • Pro Cycle • BMW Motorrad • Kawasaki • Suzuki • Yamaha • Honda • Revs for RETT – Official Charity • MotorcycleCourse.com • Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada • Inside Motorcycles Magazine

WHAT EXACTLY IS HOMOLOGATION?

Homologation is the process utilized by production-model-based racing series to create a level playing field and avoid situations where purpose-built race machines are masqueraded as production models.

In order to ensure that all of the motorcycles in each CSBK class are based on actual street legal production models, the series stipulates there must be a minimum of 40 units imported into Canada each year of any Japanese manufactured motorcycle competing in either Superbike or Sport Bike. For nonJapanese manufactured motorcycles in the Superbike of Sport Bike classes the annual import requirement is 10 units, as it is for all motorcycles in the Lightweight Sport Bike classes.

In some cases, manufacturers might opt not to homologate every version of each model they import to Canada, such as BMW Motorrad and the M version of their successful S 1000 RR line.

WHAT’S WITH ALL THE FLAGS?

Unlike many other disciplines of motorsport competition, motorcycle racers typically do not have any type of radio contact with their support team during a race. While crew members utilize pit boards to provide information on each lap, track officials need to be able to communicate information about changing track conditions and safety issues in real time. This is accomplished through the use of flags displayed by the corner workers and track officials positioned around the track.

While the use of flags is standard practice in motorcycle racing (and track days), there are often slight variations in their use and associated rules. Here is a list of the flags you will see at CSBK races. Green flag: indicates start of race or clear track conditions during practice sessions and warm-up laps. Races are started by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Start Lights Checkered flag: indicates the end of the race or practice session Red flag: indicates that the race or practice session has been stopped. All riders to reduce speed and proceed with caution to the next marshal’s station where they will receive further instructions Yellow flag with Red Stripes: Change of Adhesion - identifies that there is possible debris or fluid on the track. Where possible the track official holding the flag will point it at the specific area of concern. Riders should exercise caution. Stationary Yellow flag: advises riders that there is a potentially hazardous situation on or near the track. Riders should exercise caution, but passing is allowed. Waving Yellow flag: advises riders that there is a hazardous situation on or near the track. Passing is prohibited until the rider is safely clear of the incident including any safety equipment and workers. White flag: indicates that there is a safety or emergency vehicle on track. Riders must exercise caution. Black flag: communicates to a specific rider (pit board with plate number) that they must exit the track into the pit area at the end of the current lap. Black flag with Orange Circle (the “Meatball” flag): communicates to a specific rider that there is serious mechanical issue with their bike and that they must immediately exit the track. White and Blue flag (starter position): advises racers of final lap. Flags crossed (starter position): indicates that the race has reached the midway point of the announced distance. Blue Flag: racer is about to be lapped by leader(s).