SpECiAL FEATurE: mEmOrABLE mOmENTS
they overcome challenges. To a large part this list reflects that. Here then, in chronological order, are my favourite races.
mosPort international raceway, 1995 a three-way Fight
I was still primarily a car racing fan who also watched motorcycle
racing when I ventured to Mosport International Raceway (now offi- cially Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) in the summer of 1995 to see the third round of the national Superbike series. This was the height of the Don Munroe/Michael Taylor rivalry, with both riding Kawasakis. I was playing the role of fan a little bit more
than journalist that day, so rather than stay close to the pits and the press room for the race, I decided to watch from the top of Turn 2, always one of the most exciting places on the track. I was treated to a sensational three-way
battle for the lead between Munroe, Taylor and young up-and-comer Jeff Sneyd on a Ducati. For the entire race the three of them swapped positions in a breathtaking display, with Sneyd snatching the victory. It would be the only national Superbike win of Sneyd’s career, although he would be a fixture on the national scene for a few more years. It was also the only race that year in which someone other than Munroe or Taylor took the win. Munroe would end up with two victories and his first number one plate.
autodrome st-eustache, 1997 merci benoit!
In my first year covering the Superbike na-
tionals on a regular basis, one of my favourite racers was Benoit Pilon. The St-Jerome, Que. rider was always one of the friendliest racers in the paddock and always a pleasure to deal with. He was the sort of guy you always wanted to see do well. In 1997 we were still in the years of
Kawasaki domination and Yamaha did not have a high profile on the scene. Benoit was one of their stalwarts, however, and could al- ways be counted on to race near the front of the pack. Coming from nearby St-Jerome, the St-Eu-
stache round was something of a home race for Pilon, and the tight little track was just the sort of place that could throw out an upset. This summer afternoon was Pilon’s day and he scored a hugely popular victory. Although Benoit would go on to win an Open Sport Bike national title with the YZF-R1, this would turn out to be his only Superbike national vic- tory. But it was a memorable one and came against a Kawasaki team that was at the height of its power.
race city motorsPort Park, 1998
szoke’s First There was a changing of the guard under-
way at Kawasaki in 1998. While Don Munroe and Michael Taylor, who had won the previous
Firsts and lasts: (Top) Jordan Szoke takes a triumphant victory lap after claiming his first career Su- perbike win in Calgary in 1998. Who knew how many more times we would see a similar picture? (Above) In his final race, Don Munroe (c) shares the podium with Michael Taylor (l) and new champion Jordan Szoke (r). It was a fitting end to a tremendous career for Munroe.
PHOTOS BY COLIN FRASER 7
four titles between them, remained the standard bearers for the green team, new blood had been added in the form of Martin Gau- dreault and Jordan Szoke. Gaudreault had scored an upset win in the season opener at Mo-
sport International Raceway, but the fourth round of the season at Race City Motorsport Park would really upset the formbook. On a wet track Munroe suffered an uncharacteristic fall and Szoke, riding a ZX-6R on Michelin rain tires in the tricky conditions, went on to claim his first career win. The race was shown on Speedvision (now just called SPEED)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40