Parts Canada Superbike Championship Round #4
St-Eustache, Quebec, July 6-8
Track Length 1.2 miles
Last Years Results
Superbike: Francis Martin (Kawasaki ZX7RR)
600 Sportbike: Jordan Szoke (Honda CBR600F4)
Open Sportbike: Mike Taylor (Kawasaki ZX9R)

TRACK LAYOUT: The Autodrome is the tightest track on this years SuperBike Calendar. It features a short road course combined with a stock car oval. Knowledge of this course gives the local racers a distinct edge, as traction in the final corners comes at a premium when the racers come into the stock car oval. The Road Course is very bumpy and the charge into the dogleg provides one of the better passing zones when coming down from the back straight. But boldness and bravery are required as much as skill. The Quebec track has produced many flamboyant and popular racers over the years, and the local racers always race bravely in front of the large home crowd.

Prediction: Expect Former Canadian Superbike Champion, Francis Martin to put forth his strongest performance on the Suzuki GSXR1000.

SUPERBIKE PREVIEW

Only 13 points separates the #1 Plate holder, Steve Crevier and his factory Honda RC51 from Kawasaki rival Owen Weichel and the Factory ZX7RR Superbike. Crevier has two wins this year and a slight edge over the veteran Weichel, who scored the 1st SuperBike win of his career in Calgary. Both these racers will be a factor in St Eustache, however both racers have struggled at this track in the past because of its bumpy nature.

Francis Martin is still within striking distance of the Championship and the Quebec round couldn't come at a better time for the 1999 Champion. He is 36 points back of the leader Crevier, but with 60 points available this weekend expect the Suzuki Pilot to really put forth a strong ride if he wants to remain in championship contention. He has been improving all year on the new for 2001 GSXR while overcoming early season injuries. Last Year Francis Martin DESTROYED the field in a humbling display of ability, and track knowledge under the most dubious wet track conditions. However Martin also put last years Kawasaki on pole, while the then dominant Factory RC51s to a back seat to Kawasaki for the only time in 2000. The Scott Miller built Suzuki is a weapon, but will it be the proper weapon at this tight bumpy track.

Surprisingly once again, each manufacturer is represented in the top four of the championship. But it is not the talented Frank Trombino leading Yamaha Canada's Championship hopes. It is Benoit Pilon on his Factory Supported Yamaha YZF1000R1. Benoit has been a Yamaha Pilot for many years, and is noted for his consistency if not a trophy room full of Superbike Victories. Benoit collected points on his western swing and everyone knows that Ben goes well at tracks like St Eustache and Mosport. Now at his home track, Ben has a chance to put the spotlight back on the Yamaha effort. Ben is known for putting on inspired rides, that often surprise the SuperBike establishment who are more acclimatized to his consistency then his speed.


YOSHIMURA 600 SPORTBIKE

Steve Crevier might have been more disappointed about not winning the 600 Sportbike championship, then he was overjoyed about winning his 5th Canadian Superbike Championship. 1998 AMA 600 Supersport Champion raced tooth and nail, fairing to wall, against his main rival then a Honda, turned Yamaha and finally Kawasaki mounted Weichel. As Weichel was switching rides, Crevier was often outpointing fellow Honda pilot Jordan Szoke as the lead 600 racer. Crevier's goal this year was not only to retain his Superbike Championship, but to also earn the 600 title, to dispel all
doubters about his abilities, and his age, as he competes with the best in Canada on equal machinery. This year Crevier Heads into Quebec, with a commanding lead in the 600 class. Crevier and the Honda CBR600 have scored two victories in 3 races, whereas rival race winner, Kawasaki ZX600R pilot Weichel, failed to score any points in Edmonton. This puts the #1 600 plate holder back into 4th in the championship some 63 points back of Crevier.

While Kawasaki Mounted Weichel, has his work cut out for him, it is not impossible to get back into the championship. However, consistency, has also been a factor, as both Clint McBain, on the GSXR600 Suzuki, and Yamaha support rider Jean-Francois Cyr on his R6 are both in a potential
championship hunt. While neither has won a race this year, Clint McBain has improved each round. J.F. Cyr is at his home track and both these former factory Honda racers from last year, are going to put forth their strongest efforts to defeat their Kawasaki and Honda rivals. Clint McBain, although a Westerner, now has lots of experience at the eastern tracks, and has gone
well at St. Eustache in the past. J.F. Cyr is fast anywhere, and at St. Eustache he could take the win. Mix up these four manufacturers motorcycles, and possibly Crevier protecting a large points lead at a difficult track, and the 110 horsepower 600 class is wide open. Add in the
local Quebec contingent, of Kevin Lacomb, Greg Boki, Mike Leon, Martin Hamel, each racing a different manufacturers motorcycle, and the riders will provide the fireworks that draws the large crowd to this humbling and somewhat unappealing circuit.


INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SUPERSHOW OPEN SPORTBIKE

All bets are off in this 150 horsepower, DOT streetbike, class. Current Points leader and #1 Plate holder Frank Trombino, crashed out in Edmonton on his Yamaha YZFR1. This past weekend while attending a Regional Race at Shannonville Motorsport Park, he was involved in another major crash, and may not be in Quebec this weekend. However, Frank is a trooper, so don't write him off just yet as a competitor, but , the bumpy, tight Autodrome circuit is not the best of circumstances for the injured champion.

Meanwhile, Francis Martin has clawed his way back into 3rd place in the Open championship, after some weaker performances earlier in the year, attributed to a broken pelvis. His victory at Edmonton's Namao airport, on the new Suzuki GSXR1000, demonstrates to everyone that the high
expectations held during the preseason are coming to fruition. He heads to his home track 23 points out of 1st place, but riding a high after being the 1st rider to put a GSXR1000 on the top of the box, defeating the class dominant Yamaha 1000R1.

Sitting 2nd in the Open Championship, yet always being overshadowed is Jammin Jeff Williams. He is only 7 points out of 1st place and has been riding the wheels off his underpowered CBR929. With more horsepower, always seemingly on the horizon, each time the Hondas hit the track, one can easily see the horsepower advantage of the larger displacement Yamahas and Suzukis. Jeff Williams is a goer, and tight bumpy circuits like St Eustache and Shubenacadie, give Jeff more opportunity to hang it all out, as well as compensate for the Hondas Horse Power deficiency. Jeff is a pleasant surprise to be holding 2nd in the championship. St Eustache may just give him a chance to steal one and bump him to the top of the championship.

Clint McBain, is also challenging for podiums and "championship top 3 points" on his Suzuki. While a competent racer at St Eustache, expect, locals such as former Sportbike Champion, Benoit Pilon and his Yamaha R1, or R6 mounted racers J.F. Cyr and Greg Boki, to make Open Sportbike more
interesting for the spectators.

Finally the man who has done it all, might be the rider to pull off a great upset after struggling all year on the Honda 929. Mike Taylor, seems unable to get away from the injury bug. But no one is tougher then Mike Taylor. Mike won here last year, and if he is able to overcome his injuries, he may be just be the rider to pull it off. No racers needs a win more, and Taylor
is a racers racer. He goes as fast as possible and never fails to entertain the crowd.


SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1) Steve Crevier, Honda RC51, 156
2) Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX7RR, 143
3) Francis Martin, Suzuki GSXR1000, 120
4) Ben Pilon, Yamaha YZF1000R1, 81
5) J.F. Cyr, Yamaha YZF600R6, 71
6) Mike Taylor, Honda RC51, 67
7) Andrew Nelson, Honda600F4,55
8) Brian Nielson, YamahaYZFR1, 53
9) Jeff Williams, Honda929, 52
10) Greg Boki, Yamaha YZFR1, 50