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The championship titles will be up for grabs as racing in Mosport’s final major event shifts to the two-wheel variety when Canada’s top motorcycle riders compete in the Mosport Superbike Doubleheader Weekend by Parts Canada, August 19-21.
Headlining the weekend is the Parts Canada Pro Superbike class, as 19-year-old sensation Brett McCormick of Saskatoon, looks to put the finishing touches on his perfect season, having won all five rounds to date on his Rad X/BMW Motorrad S1000RR. Standing in his way will be five-time defending Series champion Jordan Szoke of Brantford, who has returned to Kawasaki for 2011. Last season, the 32-year-old won every race on his way to a record setting seventh Superbike crown.
The Brantford star and his Kawasaki ZX-10R will need to win both rounds at his home track to overcome the 55-point deficit the young McCormick has posted thus far in 2011. A win is worth 50 points. Other riders who will be looking to halt Szoke’s title run are McCormick BMW teammate and Mississauga native Mike Ferreira, Andrew Nelson of Kars, ON who also rides a BMW S1000RR, 18-year-old Jodi Christie of Keene, ON, on his Honda CBR600RR and Uxbridge native Alex Welsh, now riding a Suzuki GSX-R1000. Currently sitting fifth in the standings, the local product will have extra motivation as it will be a home-race for the 23-year-old.
Christie will also compete in the Pirelli Pro Sport Bike class as he looks to claim his first Series title. He was able to hold his own in 2010 as his then Honda teammate Szoke eventually claimed the title after years of dominating the class. With Szoke only competing in the Parts Canada Pro Superbike class this year, a new champion is guaranteed. Coming off his second win of the season at the latest round at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Nova Scotia, Christie now holds a 24-point lead over Welsh. Frank Trombino of Woodbridge sits in third, 72 points off the pace.
New to the Series in 2011 is the Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada XR1200 Cup. Former six-time Superbike champion and fan favourite Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge BC, sits atop the points standings, holding a commanding 61-point lead over Cochrane, AB native Cody Matechuk.
The Honda CBR125R Challenge supplies riders with an excellent venue for development, teaching riding technique and racing skill. All participants use the same type Honda CBR125R single-cylinder motorcycles. Many of the young racers go on to the higher levels of competition such as the Amateur Sport Bike and eventually the pro classes. Coming off back-to-back victories, Stacey Nesbitt of St. Lazare, QC holds a slim three-point lead over Fairmouth, NS native Austin Shaw-O’Leary.
Also on the schedule for the Doubleheader Weekend will be K&N Filters Amateur Superbike and the Inside Motorcycles Amateur Sport Bike.
Off track, BMW Motorrad Summerfest returns to Mosport for its fifth year. Designed to cater to the motorcycle enthusiast, Summerfest is a motorcycle lifestyle experience that features the BMW Marketplace, on and off-road test rides and an off-road skills course. Once you’ve had the chance to try your skills, sit back and enjoy performances by stunt ride Chris ‘Teach’ McNeil. Music is a big attraction at Summerfest, and the area will be rocking on Saturday evening with a live concert showcasing Canadian music talent featuring Crash Karma.
The 3rd Annual Road Racers Reunion featuring the “Masters of Mosport” will be held on Saturday (August 20). The “Masters of Mosport” will feature 11 prominent riders who will participate in parade laps and hold an autograph session where fans will be able to get a signed copy of a special full colour poster that is being produced for the event. This year’s list of Masters of Mosport participants at the Motorcycle Road Racers Reunion includes Brian Henderson, Jim Allen, Duane McDaniels, Ed Turjanica, Derek Mitchell, Richard Jagoe, Chris Manley, Tara Mackenzie and Jim Gill with the sidecar team of Tommy Murphy and Ian McCallum. In addition there will be a special display of classic racing motorcycles from over the past fifty years at Mosport.
Along with BMW Motorrad, Honda, Ducati and Suzuki will also be offering demo rides on their latest models around the neighbouring roads near Mosport throughout the weekend. Registration is in the paddock and participants must have a valid motorcycle license, riding gear and helmet. Be sure to sign-up early because all of the time slots go quickly. Honda will also return their Junior Red Riders program which teaches children ages 6-12 the fundamentals of off-road riding.
The three-day weekend SuperTicket is just $50 until August 17 ($60 at the Gate). Single-day tickets are also available. Each ticket includes parking, access to the race team paddock, Mosport Expo and Marketplace, the BMW Motorrad Summerfest and admission to Mosport Speedway’s Saturday Night Stock Car racing at the half-mile paved oval located on the grounds. As with all Mosport events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission.
Camping is available, with advanced general camping passes just $35 for the weekend when purchased before August 17 (tents or pop-up trailers). Advance RV passes are only $55.
The Grand Prix Club is a hospitality package for just $100. It includes three-day admission, Sunday access to the trackside VIP Chalet in corner one, premium BBQ lunch and bar service (beer and wine). It opens at 10 am on race Sunday and closes at 4:30 pm.
For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com
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