Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Corona Extra Suzuki Formula Xtreme and Superstock rider Jordan Szoke will not race in the AMA National at Sears Point this weekend due to visa troubles. As usual, Szoke was being driven by his mother from his home in Canada to the airport in Buffalo, New York, a 30-minute drive, when he was stopped at the border crossing by U.S. officials.

Contacted early Friday on his cell phone as he was preparing to go training on his motocross bike, Szoke said that U.S. officials stopped him and “gave us the whole nine yards. There were soldiers carrying M-16s searching cars and the whole deal.

“They found that I didn’t have a visa yet. It’s no-one’s fault. I’ve applied for it and it’s due to come in any time, but they gave me shit for trying to get across without it even though it said on their computer that my visa was being processed. They treated me like a criminal. They held me for four hours and were threatening to take our car and stuff.

“I can understand their concern. I mean, I know I’d feel the same way if someone flew a plane into our building. I was on a plane two planes ahead of the one that flew into the building. I mean, I looked back and saw that plane before I took off that day. Of course, I didn’t know know it at the time. So I know their concern, but I think it’s a little much for people like me.

“I’m just pissed off because I know I can win the Championship. I’m feeling at home on the bike and think I’m riding really well. It’s just unfortunate, but I’m happy to have the ride. It should all be taken care of before Road Atlanta.”

A source inside the Corona team said Friday morning that he understood the reason Szoke was prevented from leaving the country was due to warrants for Szoke’s arrest in Canada. When asked to comment on that report, Szoke laughed very hard before saying, “That’s funny. My friends are always laughing at me because I’m such a straight arrow. They’re laughing at me in my truck right now. The worst thing I’ve ever done was get a speeding ticket for 10 kilometers (6 mph) over the limit. That’s just funny!”