Canadian SuperBike 2001 - Round 7 - Shannonville Motorsport Park

Francis Martin made a terrific start in the Superbike Final from the front row, ahead of pole sitter Steve Crevier, Mike Taylor and Owen Weichel. Using the Horsepower advantage of the Scott Miller Tuned, Factory Suzuki GSXR 1000, the 1999 former Canadian Superbike Champion was able to use the quarter mile long back straight to hold off Steve Crevier and the Honda RC51 from flag to finish. Martin was never to be passed throughout the race crossing the finish line some 4 seconds ahead of Steve Crevier.

Steve Crevier, however, clinched the Superbike championship on Saturday with the points from his Pole Position Qualifying effort. Steve Crevier is now an amazing 6 time National Superbike Champion and with 4 Superbike Victories this year, the most dominant racer of 2001. Crevier's
championship adds to his resume of being the most dominant racer in Canadian Superbike History. He has won a championship with Yamaha in 1989, then 3 on Kawasaki 1991-2-3, and now two more back to back Championships on the Honda RC51s.

When the light went green, Francis Martin jumped to the front. Steve Crevier was in tow, with Owen Weichel 3rd on the Kawasaki. Soon Mike Taylor cornered past Weichel's Kawasaki. Taylor now went on to riding the Honda CBR 929 like a demon in the infield Carousel turn #4 through to turn #5 and #6 all over the rear end of Crevier's RC51. Crevier was clearly holding back a determined Taylor. Then heading into the hairpin (Turn #10), Crevier closed up on Francis Martins GSXR1000. Crevier had fantastic Drive and started to reel in Martin at the beginning of the straight, when Millers Magic took over. The GSXR Powered Effortlessly away from the RC51. This was the story of a year long work in progress for the Suzuki camp. Being 2nd in the championship, off the top of the podium all year, the bike appeared to be the bridesmaid, as Crevier Dominated on the RC51 while factory Kawasaki and Yamaha efforts each scored wins earlier in the year on their more developed machinery. As Martins machine pulled away, the grins in the stands and amongst the Suzuki team was quite apparent. The question was, could Martin control the Monster for the entire race or would this horsepower come back to bite him, on this technical 15 turn track. Would the tires make it through the race as he continued to light up the rear. On the 2nd Lap, Crevier and Taylor could close up on Martin in the technical areas of the track. Crevier was still holding up Taylor on a very underpowered CBR929.

But Taylor was just rocking in the infield. A very hungry Mike Taylor crashed in turn #6 to end his day early. Behind Taylor was Owen Weichel. The Kawasaki had qualified well and was going at a very brisk pace pulling away from the Yamaha YZFR1 of Frank Trombino. Trombino had not qualified on the front row, and was not happy with gearing or handling. Behind Trombino also on the Yamaha YZFR1 was Ben Pilon putting in one of his better performances at Shannonville. As the race progressed, it became very processional, with Crevier simply keeping pressure on Francis in hopes of a mistake. Weichel on the ZX7RR continued to lose contact with the two front runners, but stretched his lead over the Yamahas to have all but be assured the final podium spot for Kawasaki. Further back, Cyr on his YZF600 had encountered some difficulties, while the Diablo Racing Honda CBR 600 of Mike Leon battled through traffic to find himself closing in on 6th position in the Superbike Field. Jeff Williams riding a CBR 929 was able to run close in and then pass Ben Pilon's Yamaha YZF1000. Pilon then fell back but kept both Williams and Trombino in sight. Williams then started to run down Trombino.

With 2 laps to go, the running order was Martin, Crevier, Weichel, Trombino, Williams, Pilon and Leon, with the latter four bikes some 6 seconds back of Weichel. But then something happened with Trombino. He found his MOJO. The Egan Tuned motorcycle is no slouch when it comes to horsepower, and dominating wins at Mosport back this up. But getting the power to the ground is another thing at a technical track like Shannonville. Some 6 seconds back, with two laps to go, Trombino put forth the charge of charges. It was a determined effort of guts and glory, but the Yamaha, started spinning and lofting the front wheel at the exit of nearly every corner, carrying the power down each straight not matter how long or short. He then closed in on Weichel, bringing
Weichel back within sighting range, and although Weichel still had a HUGE lead over Trombino, Trombino went forth and consistently out braked Weichel at every turn. Seeing blood Trombino tried harder, and perhaps the Kawasaki was ailing, or Weichel was in cruise mode, but Trombino appeared determined to ride as hard possible to get within striking distance of third. On the final lap heading from turn 10 to turn 11, along the long back straight, Weichel, looked back to see Trombino coming but still a great distance back, and only 4 corners to go and 2 of these
corners being a chicane, the only passing spot was in Allen's Corner turn #14, and Trombino appeared to be too far back to be able to create a passing opportunity here. But then it happened, lofting the wheel in the short chute heading toward the chicane, Trombino carried enormous momentum into Allenes corner, coming in extremely hot. Weichel had barely protected the inside lane, and Trombino rode up inside of Weichel for a clean, yet very hot pass. Weichel, wicked it up for a counter-attack in turn 15 but Trombino held track advantage and the two bikes powered to the finish line with Trombino stealing the last podium spot.

Final Results Parts Canada Superbike
1) Francis Martin, Suzuki GSXR1000
2) Steve Crevier, Honda RC 51
3) Frank Trombino, Yamaha YZF1000R1
4) Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX7RR
5) Jeff Williams, Honda CBR929
6) Benoit Pilon, Yamaha YZF1000R1
7) Mike Leon, Honda CBR600F4i
8) Ugo Levert, Honda CBR600F4i
9) Martin Hamel, Kawasaki ZX9R
10) Bruce McDonald, Yamaha YZF1000R1

Final Points Superbike
1) Steve Crevier, Honda RC 51, 354 points (2001 Superbike Champion) 4 wins
2) Francis Martin, Suzuki GSXR 1000, 300 points, 1 Win
3) Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX7RR, 274 points, 1 Win
4) Frank Trombino, Yamaha YZF1000R1, 213 points, 1 Win
5) Ben Pilon, Yamaha YZF1000R1, 185 points

YOSHIMURA 600 SPORTBIKE (110 Horsepower)
Steve Crevier on the Honda CBRF4i held off a determined effort from Clint McBain and the Blackfoot GSXR 600. Jean-Francois Cyr (Yamaha YZF-R6), jumped to a quick start but soon crashed out. Crevier then lead the way as McBain kept the pressure on, in hopes of a mistake by Crevier, but none happened, and the Two racers crossed the finish line a bike length apart. Kevin Lacomb (Yamaha YZF-R6), completed the podium.

INTERNATIONAL OPEN SPORTBIKE (150 Horsepower)
Francis Martin held the pole, and did a repeat of his Superbike Win on his Open Class Suzuki GSXR1000 tuned by Jamie Bruins. Frank Trombino retained his Open Sportbike Title with a fifth place finish. When the flag dropped, Martin took the lead with Taylor in pursuit, and Mike Taylor, once again rode like a demon, reeling in Martin throughout the tighter technical pieces of the track, only to have Martin once again hold a horsepower advantage. A good battle was brewing between Kevin Lacomb and Jean Francios Cyr. Cyr appeared to be riding on the edge all
weekend, and the final open sportbike race was no different. Cyr would charge forward make a mistake, and then charge forward once again. Cyr made an error coming off of Turn #14 a little hot, and rode off the track, only to let Lacomb through. Cyr got back on the track in Turn #15
and charged forward again, this time his luck ran out as he crashed a lap later. Meanwhile Mike Taylor and the CBR929 did everything possible and it was clear that the 929 was out handling the GSXR1000, and Francis was often riding out of shape in order to keep an aggressive Taylor at bay. Frank Trombino was clearly riding for the crown. He had to finish 7th or higher, and he fell back as each lap progressed, riding amongst a 5th to 7th place battle. With 2 laps to go Trombino charged forward for the 5th place finish and secured his 2nd consecutive Open Class Title on the Yamaha YZF1000R1.

WEEKEND RACE NOTES
A good Weekend for Suzuki was capped off with Scott Miller winning the "Tuner of the year" award. The Suzukis ridden by Francis Martin did not suffer a Mechanical failure throughout the year and were always competitive and always fast. Francis Martins Superbike win on the Suzuki GSXR1000 was Suzukis 1st Superbike Win in 10 years, the last winner being Jeff Gaynor in July of 1991. Suzukis win in Superbike also demonstrated the parity and competitiveness in Canadian Superbike factory efforts with each factory team scoring a win in 2001.