CSBK - Preview – Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year

Preview – Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year

Details: Category: CSBK News; Published on Friday, May 27, 2016 14:43 EDT; Written by Administrator

As Pro racers practice at Shannonville Motorsport Park in preparation for the opening round of the 2016 Mopar CSBK National Superbike Series, a “race within a race” Championship chase is about to commence.

Each season, the top Amateur racers from the previous year move to the Pro level, and undergo the toughest test most riders will ever face in their career. Formerly the star racers in Amateur National divisions Magneti Marelli Superbike and Shoei Premium Helmets Sport Bike, these aces join the top classes, forced to face off with Canada’s fastest and most experienced motorcycle road racers.

This year, an unprecedented crop of rookie Pro competitors will be looking to the featured Mopar CSBK class and their chance to earn the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year Award, or RotY. Last year, frequent sparring partners Tommy Casas and Stacey Nesbitt tied for the Award after a solid season; this year Casas returns on a Yamaha to focus on the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike division, while Nesbitt is racing in Europe for the Women’s FIM Cup but will follow select CSBK rounds on her Honda.

Last year’s Magneti Marelli Amateur Superbike title went to Derrick Whyte of Oshawa, ON., and Whyte is back gunning for RotY Honors with a Snow City supported Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja. The toughest competition for Whyte in 2015 came from BMW mounted Samuel Trepanier of St-Isadore-de-Lapraire, QC, and he will be aiming to best Whyte in RotY action.

In opening practice at Shannonville Motorsport Park this morning, Trepanier made an excellent Pro National debut in ninth while Whyte was a strong 11th overall.

Perhaps the most likely eventual winner of the 2016 Brooklin Cycle Racing RotY Award is Ben Young, a racing veteran at 22 years of age. A strong runner on the British and American tours, Young has never contested a full Canadian series or ridden a Superbike.

Collingwood, ON. based Young was a solid fourth in his Superbike debut session this morning aboard a brand new BMW, lapping at 1:06.2 on the ten turn “Pro” layout at S.M.P. The best time belonged to Kenny Riedmann of Belfountain, ON., who set a lap at 1:04.8 aboard his brand new Sturgess Cycle Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja.

Pedro Sousa of Mississauga, ON, earned the Magneti Marelli Amateur Superbike title in 2014, then opted to sit out last season. So the Kawasaki pilot is eligible for RotY Honors, and was 14th quickest this morning. His brother Marco, based in Schomberg, ON., was 18th best on a new BMW after missing last season due to injury.

The 21st fastest racer in Superbike practice was Phil Leckie of London, ON., aboard a Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Leckie one of last season’s Amateur front runners. 23rd best belonged to Alex Coelho of Brossard, QC., the 2015 Shoei Helmets Amateur Sport Bike Champion getting to terms with his new Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Superbike.