Brett McCormick began his 2011 Canadian Superbike Championship bid with a convincing victory during the season opener at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec on Sunday.
The radX HD / BMW Motorrad Canada rider started from pole, led all 20 laps around the 2.8km (1.68-mile) track and met the checkered flag 10.8 seconds ahead of fellow BMW S1000RR rider Andrew Nelson. McCormick also set the race’s fastest lap at 1:22.855. Defending national champion Jordan Szoke, riding the Competition Systems Kawasaki ZX-10R, placed third. The seven-time champion claimed handling problems after the race and was actually out of podium contention until Francis Martin (Couturier Racing) fell out of second place on the final lap. Martin was able to remount and finish sixth.
“I really don’t think it could have gone any better,” said McCormick of his win. “I got a good start and wanted to put my head down and try and pull away as quickly as I could. We came here with a pretty solid base set up so we didn’t have a lot of work to do to get the bike working around here.”
McCormick also won his last superbike race at ICAR in 2009 and finished second overall that year. He spent last season competing in AMA Superbike, but was lured back to Canada this year by the radX HD / BMW Motorrad Canada team for another shot at the national title.
“It’s great to be back and I’m happy to be here,” said McCormick. “This is a great way to return to Canada, with a big win.”
Rounds two and three of the 2011 Canadian Superbike Championship take place July 3 at Shannonville Motorsports Park in Ontario.
2011 Canadian Superbike Championship Round 1 Race Results
1.Brett McCormick, Saskatoon, Sask. (BMW S1000RR)
2. Andrew Nelson, Kars, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +10.800
3. Jordan Szoke, Brantford, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R) +13.837
4. Alex Welsh, Uxbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600) + 14.636
5. Michael Ferreira, Mississauga, Ont. (BMW S1000RR) +15.125
6. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, Que. (BMW S1000RR)
7. Jean-Francois Cyr, Mascouche, Que. (Suzuki GSX-R1000)
8. Jodi Christie, Keene, Ont. (Honda CBR600RR)
9. Sylvain Dery, St-Colomban, Que. (Yamaha YZF-R6)
10. Sebastien Tremblay, Sherbrooke, Que. (Honda CBR1000RR)
11. Franklyn Dominguez, Hudson, Que. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
12. Marie-Josee Boucher, Montreal, Que. (Honda CBR600RR)
13. Steve Walker, Carleton Place, Ont. (BMW S1000RR)
14. Rob Busby, Brantford, Ont. (BMW S1000RR)
15. Ross Millson, Hamilton, Ont. (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
16. Sean Huffman, Kemptville, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R1000)
17. Billy Shields, Unionville, Ont. (Yamaha YZF-R1)
Did Not Finish
Frank Trombino, Woodbridge, Ont. (Suzuki GSX-R600) 17
Time of Race: 27:58.357
Average Speed: 120.117 km/h
Fastest Lap: 1:22.855 by Brett McCormick on lap 3
2011 Canadian Superbike Standings
1.Brett McCormick, 56
2. Andrew Nelson, 44
3. Jordan Szoke, 40
4. Alex Welsh, 32
5. Michael Ferreira, 30
6. Francis Martin, 27
7. Jean-Francois Cyr, 25
8. Jodi Christie, 23
9. Sylvain Dery, 21
10. Sebastien Tremblay, 19
11. Franklyn Dominguez, 17
12. Marie Josee-Boucher, 15
13. Steve Walker, 13
14. Rob Busby, 12
15. Ross Millson, 10
16. Sean Huffman, 8
17. Billy Shields, 6
