Canada Top Road Racer wins again on EBC Brakes

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September 1, 2010

After writing history at Atlantic Motorsports Park with an unprecedented perfect season, and seven Canadian National Superbike titles, Jordan Szoke repacked his championship CBR1000RR’s and pointed the rig south. Once again, challenging North America’s best in the ranks of AMA Pro Racing’s American Superbike class at Virginia International Speedway. Jordan has been to VIR before, in 2003, aboard some very different equipment.

With Thursday practice cancelled, Szoke has his work cut out for him with a small 50 min practice window before the first qualifying session begins. The heat and humidity hanging over the 1200 acre site near Alton Virginia, had Szoke and his Waznie Racing crew sweating. Not only due to the high temperatures, but also the pressure on Szoke to get his bike set up just right. “Getting your bike set up perfectly is so important for us.” says Szoke “We don’t have the luxury of electronics to help during the race, so if I don’t get it just right, fatigue can play a major role when the tire starts to go off.” Jordan’s equipment is built around the Canadian National Series rules.

With two chances to get it done, Szoke nails down his best performance on his ninth lap in the second qualifying session. Landing him on the third row of the American Superbike grid for both Saturday and Sunday’s grueling 23 lap race around the 2.25 mile, 17 turn roadcourse.

Saturday’s Superbike race finds Szoke rocketing right up to the front with a killer start on his Honda CBR1000RR. The first quarter of the race Szoke cranks out fast, consistent lap times. Tire wear and fatigue set in mid way to the checkered, and Jordan finishes in 10th place. “I can get the fast laps out there,” says Szoke, “ What we’re struggling with is consist lap times. After 23 laps without any electronics it’s tough to wrestle a superbike around for that long. Nailing the set up is crucial for us to be successful, luckily we have a ton of help from the guys at K-Tech Suspension to get it just right.”

Sunday’s Superbike warm up session brought around another series of major set up changes and propelled Szoke to 7th fastest of the session. Jordan strategies with Sebastian from Dunlop for his tire compound choice for race #2. “We chose a soft tire to try to take off with the pack at the beginning. I’m not sure what’s going to happen at the end of the race,” laughs Szoke “but we’re going to put the Honda up there for a bit anyways.”

As Szoke settles into the starting grid for Sunday’s race #2 under sunny skies and raging temperatures, all that is on his mind are the first few laps. It is paramount that he garners a good start in order to get the first few perfect laps required with his soft tire choice. As the lights go out, Jordan unfortunately finds himself bunched up at the start, while the competitors ahead of him pull away. Szoke battles past the competition, leading one of the many battles that are fought within the race. Jordan concludes his second AMA weekend with another accomplished 10th place finish.

“I feel like we are so (so) close.” says Szoke “I am really starting to get used to the Dunlop Tires and finding out how they work. I want to continue to compete in the remainder of the 2010 AMA season, but we will have to see if financially we can make it happen.”