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Canadian Superbike Championship

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship
CategorySuperbike racing
CountryCanada
Inaugural season1980
Riders' championCanadaScotland Ben Young
Makes' championGermany BMW
Official websiteCSBK Canadian Superbike Championship

The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK) is the national motorcycle road racing superbike championship in Canada. The series is managed and organized by Professional Motor Sports Productions Inc. (PMP) of Hamilton, Ontario, and owner Ross Millson.

The series features national championships for seven classes, open to professional and amateur motorcycle riders. The headline Pro Superbike category features the best riders from across Canada, with the champion winning the Canada Cup every season.

Bridgestone became the official sponsor and tire supplier of the series in 2023, and will remain in that role through at least the 2026 season.

History

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Early years (1980–1993)

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The Canadian Superbike Championship was established in 1980, the first season to feature a multiple-event schedule. This came on the heels of the inaugural national event at Edmonton in 1979, won by George Morin. The 1980 season saw two events in Edmonton and Shannonville, with Morin earning the first-ever national championship and #1 plate in Canada.

A lone event at Edmonton in 1981 meant no official national championship would take place, but a return in 1982 saw Steve Dick claim the second-ever title following races at Shannonville and Atlantic Motorsport Park. The national series would then take a backseat to regional racing for the next three years, as no official national champions were crowned in 1983, 1984, or 1985.

The demand for a national championship re-emerged in 1986, and the RACE Series (then a regional organization) took over management duties. The first full campaign featured five rounds in five different provinces, as Michel Mercier claimed the national championship with a win at the final round in Shannonville.

The next two seasons saw eight different riders win races across 13 events, with Mercier defending his title in 1987 before Rueben McMurter took the championship in 1988. However, the 1988 season brought the debut of Miguel Duhamel and Steve Crevier, who would become the biggest names in Canadian racing over the next two decades.

Both Crevier and Duhamel would trade wins in 1989 with Crevier winning the championship, leaving to race in the United States the following year. That left Duhamel as the favourite for the 1990 title, but Mercier would win four races to secure his third and final crown. Crevier would return to Canada in 1991 and entered a period of dominance for Kawasaki, winning championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993.

Start of modern era (1994–2005)

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The mid-1990's brought more success for Kawasaki but with multiple riders, as Michael Taylor and Don Munroe traded championships for the Japanese brand. Taylor would win in 1994 and 1996, while Munroe was victorious in 1995 and 1997. The duo was beat in 1998 by fellow Kawasaki rider Jordan Szoke, the first rookie champion in CSBK history and at the time the youngest winner at only 19 years old.

Despite being the overwhelming favourite in 1999, Jordan Szoke switched to Honda and struggled in the opening rounds, eventually losing the championship to Francis Martin. The 2000 season saw the return once again of Crevier to CSBK, who would win his fifth career title despite an improved year from Szoke. Crevier would defend his title in 2001, becoming a six-time national champion.

A switch to Suzuki in 2002 would prove to be a wise decision for Szoke, who won five races and secured his second national title, four years after winning as a teenager. That would lead him to the United States in 2003, with Pascal Picotte returning to Canada to replace him on a lucrative deal for Suzuki. Picotte would dominate the next two years of CSBK, winning championships in 2003 and 2004. Injuries would limit him in 2005, however, while Szoke only raced select events north of the border, leaving Francis Martin to claim his second national crown that season.

Szoke dominance (2006–2018)

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Jordan Szoke would return to Kawasaki in 2006 after winning his first title with the brand in 1998. He would quickly become the feature name of the series, winning the first six races of the season in 2006 to capture the overall title. Crevier's latest return to CSBK nearly resulted in a seventh championship, but Szoke would hang on to defend his crown in 2007 and 2008.

The 2009 season featured the start of one of the most iconic rivalries in series history as teenager Brett McCormick won four races for Suzuki, but a crash at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park was enough to hand Szoke his fourth consecutive championship and tie Crevier with six all-time. Szoke would run a privateer Honda effort in 2010, winning every race to record the perfect season and win his seventh crown.

The 2011 season saw Szoke return to Kawasaki while McCormick piloted an all-new BMW Motorrad program. It proved to be an excellent match for McCormick and the S1000RR, as he won the first six races of the year to end Szoke's run of five consecutive championships. However, McCormick would move to World Superbike the following year, allowing Szoke to move to BMW in his place and repeat as champion in 2012 and 2013.

It appeared as though Szoke would add a tenth championship in 2014, but a mid-season injury handed the title to Jodi Christie and Honda. Szoke would add perfect seasons in 2015 and 2016, and won all but one race in 2017 to become a 12-time national champion. The 2018 season began the same way with five consecutive victories, enough to help secure Szoke a 13th championship, but rival Ben Young would end his win streak at the final round.

Modern era (2019–present)

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The end of 2018 forced Jordan Szoke to return to Kawasaki after eight years away from the brand, while Ben Young took over as the lead rider for BMW Motorrad. The switch worked well for both Young and BMW, winning the opening two races and adding a historic comeback victory at Atlantic Motorsport Park to win his first national championship.

The COVID-19 pandemic meant only an abbreviated two-round schedule could take place in 2020, as Young decided not to defend his crown. That left Szoke to another perfect campaign, winning his 14th and most recent championship. Young would return in 2021 but lost to series debutant Alex Dumas, who became the first rookie champion since Szoke while also winning the title at just 19 years old for Suzuki.

Young would steal the championship back in 2022, narrowly defeating Dumas in one of the closest championship battles in series history. In 2023, the series partnered with Bridgestone to become the official sponsor and spec tire of the series through at least 2026. Young would add a third championship in the first year under Bridgestone, completing the title comeback after Dumas led for majority of the season.

Prior to the 2023 season, PMP founder and longtime CSBK president Colin Fraser sold the organization and series to former pro racer Ross Millson.

2024 CSBK Schedule

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Track City Province Length Turns Debut Year
Shannonville Motorsport Park Shannonville Ontario 2.47 km (Pro Track) 9 (Pro) 1980
Grand Bend Motorplex Grand Bend Ontario 2.2 km 11 2017
RAD Torque Raceway Edmonton Alberta 2.7 km 14 2015
Atlantic Motorsport Park Shubenacadie Nova Scotia 2.56 km 11 1982
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Bowmanville Ontario 3.957 km 10 1985
Shannonville Motorsport Park Shannonville Ontario 4.03 km (Long Track) 15 (Long) 1980

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CSBK Former Tracks

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Track City Province Length Turns Years
Alma street circuit Alma Quebec 1993–1995
Autodrome St. Eustache Saint-Eustache Quebec 1.78 km 15 2002–2003, 2011–2019
Calabogie Motorsports Park Greater Madawaska Ontario 5.05 km 20 2008–2009, 2015, 2020–2022
Castrol Raceway Edmonton Alberta 2.7  km 14 2015
Circuit ICAR Mirabel Quebec 2.8  km 10 2009–2011
Circuit Mont-Tremblant Mont-Tremblant Quebec 4.26 km 17 2003–2004, 2006–2007, 2012–2013
Circuit Sanair Saint-Pie Quebec 2.0 km
Edmonton International Speedway Edmonton Alberta 4.067 km 14
Gimli Motorsports Park Gimli Manitoba 2.092 km 9 1985–1988
Namao Airport Edmonton Alberta 2001
Race City Motorsport Park Calgary Alberta 3.2 km 11 1987–2010
Westwood Motorsport Park Coquitlam British Columbia 2.9 km 8 1985–1990

CSBK Superbike Champions

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Canadian Superbike (CSBK) Riders' Champions
Season Class Rider Bike
1980 Pro Superbike Canada George Morin[2] Japan Kawasaki KZ1000
1981 Pro Superbike Canada Lang Hindle[3] Japan Kawasaki KZ1000
1982 Pro Superbike Canada Miles Baldwin Japan Yamaha TZ750
1983 Pro Superbike Canada Art Robbins Japan Suzuki GS1000
1984 Pro Superbike Canada Paul MacMillan Japan Suzuki Katana 1100
1985 Pro Superbike Canada Art Robbins Japan Yamaha TZ750
1986 Pro Superbike Canada Michel Mercier Japan Suzuki GSX-R750
Pro Sport Bike Canada Mario Duhamel Japan Suzuki RG500
1987 Pro Superbike Canada Michel Mercier Japan Suzuki GSX-R750
Pro Sport Bike Canada Mario Duhamel Japan Honda 600
1988 Pro Superbike Canada Rueben McMurter Japan Honda VFR750
Pro Sport Bike Canada Gary Goodfellow Japan Honda 600
1989 Pro Superbike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Yamaha OWO1
Pro Sport Bike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
1990 Pro Superbike Canada Michel Mercier Japan Yamaha OWO1
Pro Sport Bike Canada Denis Royer Japan Yamaha YZR600
1991 Pro Superbike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Linnley Clarke Japan Yamaha YZR600
1992 Pro Superbike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Linnley Clarke Japan Yamaha YZR600
1993 Pro Superbike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
1994 Pro Superbike Canada Michael Taylor Japan Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Don Munroe Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
1995 Pro Superbike Canada Don Munroe Japan Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Don Munroe Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
1996 Pro Superbike Canada Michael Taylor Japan Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Don Munroe Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
1997 Pro Superbike Canada Don Munroe Japan Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Don Munroe Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
1998 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Rookie Canada Frank Trombino
Pro Sport Bike Canada Don Munroe Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
1999 Pro Superbike Canada Francis Martin Japan Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Linnley Clarke Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
2000 Pro Superbike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Honda RC51
Pro Sport Bike Canada Owen Weichel Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
2001 Pro Superbike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Honda RC51
Pro Rookie Canada Andrew Nelson
Open Sport Bike Canada Frank Trombino Japan Yamaha YZF-R1
Pro Sport Bike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Honda CBR600F4i
2002 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Rookie Canada Chris Peris Japan Honda CBR600F4i
Open Sport Bike Canada Francis Martin Japan Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Sport Bike Canada Clint McBain Japan Suzuki GSX-R600
2003 Pro Superbike Canada Pascal Picotte Japan Yamaha YZF-R1
Pro Rookie Canada Matt Binns Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
Pro Sport Bike Canada Pascal Picotte Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
AM Sport Bike Canada Jeremy Leduc Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
2004 Pro Superbike Canada Pascal Picotte Japan Yamaha YZF-R1
Pro Rookie Canada Hugo Brisson Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R/ ZX-6R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Pascal Picotte Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
AM Sport Bike Canada Dominic Lavoie Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
2005 Pro Superbike Canada Francis Martin Japan Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Rookie Canada Erik Beausejour Japan Honda CBR600RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Steve Crevier Japan Honda CBR600RR
AM Sport Bike Canada Mark Douglas Japan Yamaha R6
Thunder Canada Darren James United States Buell XB9R
Suzuki SV650 Canada Karl Daigle Japan Suzuki SV650
2006 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie Canada Stephane Chabot Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike Canada Karl Daigle Japan Honda CBR600RR
Thunder Canada Darren James United States Buell XB9R
Suzuki SV650 Canada Dave Bagshaw Japan Suzuki SV650
2007 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke[4] Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie Canada Brett McCormick Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R/ ZX-6R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike Canada Paul Glenn Japan Suzuki GSX-R600
Thunder Canada Michael Taylor Germany BMW R1200S
Suzuki SV650 Canada Martin Grande Japan Suzuki SV650
2008 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke[5] Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie Canada Alex Welsh United Kingdom Triumph Daytona 675
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike Canada Jodi Christie Japan Yamaha R6
Thunder Canada Valter Bartolini Italy Ducati 848
Sport Twins Canada Jim Proulx United States Buell XB12R
Suzuki SV650 Canada Cody Matechuk Japan Suzuki SV650
Honda CBR125R Canada Raphael Archambault Japan Honda CBR125R
2009 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke[6] Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie Canada Jodi Christie Japan Honda CBR600RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike Canada Cody Matechuk Japan Suzuki GSX-R600
Suzuki SV650 Canada Raphael Archambault Japan Suzuki SV650
Honda CBR125R Canada Steven Nickerson Japan Honda CBR125R
2010 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke[7] Japan Honda CBR1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Cody Matechuk Japan Suzuki GSX-R600
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Honda CBR600RR
AM Sport Bike Canada Raphael Archambault Japan Honda CBR600RR
Sport Twins Canada Robert Busby United States Buell XB12R
Honda CBR125R Canada Ryan Appenrodt Japan Honda CBR125R
2011 Pro Superbike Canada Brett McCormick[8] Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Bodhi Edie Japan Honda CBR600RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jodi Christie Japan Honda CBR600RR
AM Superbike Canada Jody Greening Japan Honda CBR1000RR / Yamaha YZF-R1
AM Sport Bike Canada Kristopher Garvie Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
H-D XR1200 Canada Steve Crevier United States Harley-Davidson XR1200
Honda CBR125R Canada United Kingdom Republic of Ireland Stacey Nesbitt Japan Honda CBR125R
2012 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke[9] Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Sebastien Tremblay Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jodi Christie Japan Honda CBR600RR
AM Superbike Canada Trevor Daley Japan Suzuki GSX-R1000 / Honda CBR600RR
AM Sport Bike Canada Philippe Masse Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
H-D XR1200 Canada Steve Crevier United States Harley-Davidson XR1200
Honda CBR250R Canada United Kingdom Republic of Ireland Stacey Nesbitt Japan Honda CBR250R
2013 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke[10] Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Kristopher Garvie Japan Honda CBR1000RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Jodi Christie Japan Honda CBR600RR
AM Superbike Canada Mitch Card Japan Honda CBR600RR/Honda CBR1000RR
AM Sport Bike Canada Mitch Card Japan Honda CBR600RR
H-D XR1200 Canada Steve Crevier United States Harley-Davidson XR1200
Honda CBR250R Canada Tomas Casas Japan Honda CBR250R
2014 Pro Superbike Canada Jodi Christie[11] Japan Honda CBR1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Marco Sousa Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Kenny Riedmann United Kingdom Triumph Daytona 675
AM Superbike Canada Pedro Sousa Japan Honda CBR1000RR
AM Sport Bike Canada Tomas Casas Japan Yamaha R6
Honda CBR250R Canada Jacob Shaw-O'Leary Japan Honda CBR250R
2015 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie (tied) Canada United Kingdom Republic of Ireland Stacey Nesbitt / Canada Tomas Casas Japan Honda CBR600RR / Yamaha R6
Pro Sport Bike Canada Kenny Riedmann United Kingdom Triumph Daytona 675
AM Superbike Canada Derrick Whyte Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
AM Sport Bike Canada Alex Coelho Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
2016 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Scotland Ben Young Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Kenny Riedmann Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Superbike Canada Jean-Marc Bilger Germany BMW S1000RR
AM Sport Bike Canada Chris Brent Japan Honda CBR600RR
Kawasaki Ninja 300 Canada Brandon Pemberton Japan Kawasaki Ninja 300
2017 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Jean-Marc Bilger Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Tomas Casas Japan Yamaha R6
AM Superbike Canada Samuel Desmarais Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike Canada Jean-Francois Aubin Japan Suzuki GSX-R600
Kawasaki Ninja 300 Canada Xavier Paradis Japan Kawasaki Ninja 300
2018 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Samuel Desmarais Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Tomas Casas Japan Yamaha R6
AM Superbike Canada Luc Labranche Germany BMW S1000RR
AM Sport Bike Canada Luc Labranche Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike Canada Cameron Walker Japan Kawasaki Ninja 400
2019 Pro Superbike Canada Scotland Ben Young Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Nicolas Meunier Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
Pro Sport Bike Canada Will Hornblower Japan Yamaha R6
AM Superbike Canada Guillaume Fortin Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
AM Sport Bike Canada Christian Allard Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike Canada Ben LeClair Japan Yamaha YZF-R3
2020 Pro Superbike Canada Jordan Szoke Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
2021 Pro Superbike Canada Alex Dumas Japan Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Rookie Canada Alex Dumas Japan Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Sport Bike Canada Sebastien Tremblay Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Superbike Canada Anthony Bergeron Germany BMW S1000RR
Amateur Sport Bike Canada Brad MacRae Japan Yamaha YZF-R6
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike Canada Harvey Renaud Japan Kawasaki Ninja 400
2022 Pro Superbike Canada Scotland Ben Young Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Anthony Bergeron Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike Canada Trevor Dion Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Superbike Canada Julien Lafortune Japan Kawasaki ZX-10R
Amateur Sport Bike Canada Paul-Etienne Courtois Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike Canada Bryce DeBoer Japan Kawasaki Ninja 400
Pro-Am Lightweight Canada Jared Walker (Pro)

Canada Bryce DeBoer (Amateur)

Japan Kawasaki Ninja 400
2023 Pro Superbike Canada Scotland Ben Young Germany BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie Canada Trevor Dion Japan Kawasaki ZX-10 Italy Ducati V4
Pro Sport Bike Canada David McKay Japan Kawasaki ZX-6R
Pro Twins Canada Andrew Van Winkle Japan Suzuki SV650
Amateur Superbike Canada Maverick Cyr United Kingdom Triumph Daytona 675 Japan Kawasaki ZX-10
Amateur Sport Bike Canada Maverick Cyr United Kingdom Triumph Daytona 675
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike Canada Vincent Lalande Japan Kawasaki Ninja 400
Pro-Am Lightweight Canada United Kingdom Republic of Ireland Stacey Nesbitt (Pro)

Canada Vincent Wilson (Amateur)

Japan Kawasaki Ninja 400

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "CSBK - 2024 Schedule". www.csbk.ca. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  2. ^ "Mopar Secures Title Sponsor of CSBK". Sport Rider Magazine. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  3. ^ "Hindle posts over $23,000 in Canadian Contingency". CSBK.ca. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  4. ^ "Superbike: Szoke clinches season title". TSN. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  5. ^ "Superbike: McCormick Wins; Szoke Takes Title". TSN. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  6. ^ "Jordan Szoke Takes Fourth Straight Superbike Title". Demotix.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  7. ^ "CSBK: Szoke Wins 7th Title with Perfect Season". Cycle Canada Web. Archived from the original on 2015-04-18. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  8. ^ "Canadian Superbike: Szoke wins - McCormick takes title". moto123.com. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  9. ^ "Szoke locks up eighth Superbike title". Inside Motorcycles. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  10. ^ "Szoke clinches Superbike title with win at Mont-Tremblant". Flagworld.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-18. Retrieved 2013-08-26.
  11. ^ "Christie clinches Superbike title with win". Inside Motorcycles. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  12. ^ "World and domestic Superbike Champions". Motorcycle Racing Online. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  13. ^ "Canada Superbike Championship". Motorrad Autogrammkarten. Retrieved 2013-08-12.