From a press release issued by series organizers:

SZOKE CLINCHES SUPERBIKE TITLE

SHUBENACADIE, NS – Jordan Szoke wrapped up the 2002 Parts Canada Superbike Championship in dramatic fashion Sunday, winning his fifth race in a row.

After running off the track on the opening lap and dropping down to 11th place the Brantford, ON rider charged through the field, taking the lead from Coors Light Racing/Fast Company Suzuki teammate Francis Martin on lap 10 of a scheduled 24.

Szoke was holding a narrow lead over Martin when the race was red flagged on the 18th lap due to a crash by Philip Onisto. Owen Weichel placed third on the Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki.

“I like a challenge and coming through the pack was a lot of fun,” said Szoke, who also won the Canadian crown in 1998. “We’ve got a very talented bunch of riders out there and charging through the pack was very satisfying.”

Szoke earned 52 points for the win and for leading the most laps in the race, giving him 316 points in the Parts Canada Superbike standings.

Weichel was the only rider with a mathematical chance of catching him coming into the weekend, but is 102 points behind at 214 with one round remaining. A maximum of 56 points is available at each event.

Szoke almost saw his bid to clinch the title hit trouble just two turns into the race when Orion Motorsports Honda rider Frank Trombino fell and pushed Szoke off the track. While Martin moved into the lead Szoke recovered and started his charge. He was fifth after only three laps and took second place on lap 7. He grabbed the lead entering turn 1 at the start of lap 10.

The win was Szoke’s fifth in a row and fifth of the year, equalling the marks set by Steve Crevier in 1992.

In other action at AMP, Crevier made a brilliant return to racing by edging Orion Motorsports Honda teammate Kevin Lacombe for victory in a thrilling Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike feature at AMP. Class points leader Clint McBain was fifth for Blackfoot Suzuki and now leads Lacombe by only six points, 219-213, heading to the season finale at Shannonville Motorsport Park Sept. 1.

Jeff Williams led all the way to claim the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike win on his Diablo Suzuki. Points leader Martin retired the Coors Light Racing/Fast Company Suzuki halfway through the race and saw his advantage in the standings drop to just 11 points on McBain. McBain was fourth on the Blackfoot Suzuki.


Results of Sunday’s sixth round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, NS, showing finishing position, rider name, hometown and type of motorcycle:

1.Jordan Szoke, Brantford, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 2. Francis Martin, Sherbrooke, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 3. Owen Weichel, Huntington Beach, CA, Kawasaki ZX-7RR; 4. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Honda RC51; 5. Ugo Levert, Lorraine, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 6. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1; 7. Jean-Francois Cyr, Joliette, QC, Yamaha YZF-R6; 8. Bruce McDonald, Mt. Albert, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6; 9. Gaston Labrie, Montreal, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000; 10. Philip Onisto, Bolton, ON, Suzuki GSX-R750; NF. Michael Taylor, Toronto, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; NF. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Honda RC51; NF. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1; NF. Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Honda RC51

Time of Race: 21:24.000
Margin of Victory: 0.291 secs.
Fastest Lap: Jordan Szoke, 1:08.270 on lap 4

Parts Canada Superbike Championship point standings following the sixth round at Atlantic Motorsport Park Sunday, showing position, rider name and point total:

1.Jordan Szoke, 316; 2. Owen Weichel, 214; 3. Francis Martin, 191; 4. Kevin Lacombe, 145; 5. Frank Trombino 144; 6. Michael Taylor, 138; 7. Jean-Francois Cyr, 132; 8. Benoit Pilon, 127; 9. Philip Onisto, 103; 10. Ugo Levert, 102; 11. Darryn Wilbur, 88; 12. Bruce McDonald 87; 13. Tim Easton, 49; 14. Jeff Williams, 48; 15. Steve Crevier, 36; 16. Gaston Labrie, 35; 17. John Brundl, 29; 18. Geoff May, 29; 19. Dave Young, 27; 20. David Klassen 27; 21. Nick Ienatsch, 21; 22. Michael Leon 21; 23. Matthew McBride 19; 24. Jerome Plourde, 18; 25. Greg Boki, 15; 26. Clint Hines 15; 27. Tony Bouffard, 12; 28. Dave Hodge 12; 29. Mike Desmarais 10; 30. Joel McDonald, 4; 31. Jim Proulx 4; 32. Pauly Sherer, 1