2016 Season Finale for EMRA

The 2016 season for the Edmonton Motorcycle Roadracing Association came to an end September 18 at Castrol Raceway. This was the third and so far largest season of racing for the EMRA at Castrol Raceway. Rider turnout has increased steadily as the EMRA and ownership group at Castrol Raceway have continued to promote motorcycle road racing in western Canada.

A chilly September Saturday morning greeted riders, and shortly after the riders meeting a small amount of rain began to fall. With the forecast calling for sunshine in the afternoon, most riders waited for a dry track to put in fast qualifying times. The rain didn’t stop a moose from checking things out; the animal sighting caused a small delay shortly before lunch. Corner workers made sure the moose made its way off the track facilities, something riders joked as the sort of thing that would only happen in Canada. After lunch the track had dried and riders began to make their way out to turn some fast laps. Mike Zottmann, riding his ZBM Racing Bow Cycle/Kawasaki Canada ZX-10R, improved his pace as the afternoon went on and managed to drop his time to an impressive season best 1.:8.9 seconds. In 600 Superbike qualifying, Trevor Bernhardt did just enough on his ZBM Racing Kawasaki ZX6R to beat Ryan Boddy on his Pet Auto Body Yamaha R6 by 0.2 seconds.

Sunday’s 600 Superbike race went exactly as planned for Trevor Bernhardt. Despite a less than stellar start to the race, Trevor would fight through a number of riders and take the race win with a comfortable victory. The 600 Superbike grid was depleted for the final round, the highly competitive class had taken a toll on a number of riders throughout the year. Trevor Bernhardt would persevere and complete a perfect 600 Superbike season, taking seven wins. After the race an always gracious Trevor Bernhardt would thank his team and sponsors, commenting, “For 600 Superbike, with pole position, I had a poor start which meant I had to work my way through the field, still managing to hit the front by the end of lap one, and hold on for a perfect season of seven starts and seven first positions. Now for a well earned rest, some family time, and then getting bikes prepared for 2017 and hopefully Canadian Superbike Nationals returning to Castrol Raceway.”

Another stand out performer during the 2016 EMRA race season was Glen Gregoire. In his second season of racing in the Intermediate classes, having won rookie of the year honors the year before, Glen would step up to a 1000cc ride aboard his Echo Cycle/Vortex Racing ZX10R. Hard work and dedication would see Glen learn his new bike quickly and walk away from his competition all season long. After a seventh consecutive Intermediate Superbike victory, Glen summed up his season, “Going into the final round of the EMRA race season I was lucky enough to have some weight off my shoulders. I was able to secure my Intermediate Superbike Championship the round prior, so I luckily didn’t have the pressure of needing a win in order to bring home the #1 plate. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try though. If I won, it would complete a perfect season for me by going undefeated for all seven rounds. After a couple hard laps to open up a gap, I settled into my pace and crossed the line to take the win. This has been a fairytale season for me. Coming into the 2016 race season aboard a new bike I didn’t think for a second that a championship was possible. The start of the year was full of battles and tight races, but as the season wore on I was able to pick up my pace and find the speed that I needed to win. I’m excited as I look ahead to the 2017 season. There is an opportunity to move up to the expert class where I would be battling with the fastest racers in Western Canada. I would like to take this opportunity to show appreciation and thank my friends, family, and sponsors. My success this season would have been impossible without them. Echo Cycle, Vortex Racing Components, Spy Optics, and G.NYUS Action Cameras. I would also like say thank you to the volunteers that are there rain or shine and allow us to race every round, as well as the EMRA for providing me with a safe and well run facility to race at.”

The final race of the 2016 EMRA race season would be the Expert Superbike race. Mike Zottmann would grab the hole shot and never look back. The incredible pace he displayed in Saturday’s qualifying continued and he pulled away from the field. Second place finisher Justin Knapik riding his Echo Cycle/Kawasaki Canada ZX10R was unable to close the gap. Justin would ride through the pain of a badly swollen left elbow, an injury he suffered in a motocross accident a week earlier. Despite this, Justin turned his fastest lap times of the season. On the final podium spot was Senior Open Champion Ian Wall, riding his Argyll Motorsports GSX-R1000. After taking another Superbike victory and championship, Mike Zottmann would celebrate with a checkered flag parade lap then collect his 2016 #1 plate on the podium. During his thank you speech Mike would say, “It is exactly 10 years since my first Pro Superbike championship, it’s amazing to be able to have six Pro Superbike titles in every year I raced. Being able to keep up and still win against much younger competition shows that old dogs still have it. I can’t say enough about my K-tech suspension this year! It is by far the best gear I have ever used. Special thanks to Todd and Reegan at Bow Cycle in Calgary for all the support and Pirelli, Hotbodies Racing, Allison at Hindle Exhausts, Tech-Spec, DNA Race Filters, and my whole Team ZBM Racing, all our families and friends for the support! ZBM Racing also won the team championship. We would like to thank all the EMRA executive, volunteers, and ambulance staff for allowing us to do what we love!”

In 2017 the EMRA and Castrol Raceway will look to continue to grow and promote motorcycle road racing. Stay tuned for what is sure to be another incredible race season in 2017. For more information check out www.emra.ca.