Michael Leon

Rain and cold temperatures invaded Round 2 of the RACE Superseries, this past weekend, at Shannonville’s Pro Track.  Despite qualifying well on Saturday, the difficult conditions got the better of both Royal Distributing / MBP riders, Michael Leon and Tony Stufko, during Sunday’s final events.

Michael’s best performance of the weekend was during the rainy Saturday Pro Superbike heat race.  He qualified on the front row with a 4^th place finish riding the team’s Ducati 1198S on Dunlop rain tires.  Pole was won by Canadian BMW factory rider Mike Ferreira, with Triumph mounted Kenny Riedmann second and Alex Welsh riding his new Suzuki to third.

Tony stole the show during the Saturday Amateur Superbike timed qualifying session.  He qualified on pole riding his Ducati in the wet conditions, also on Dunlop rain tires. His best lap was 2.2 seconds quicker than his closest competitor. 

Sunday morning conditions were very harsh with more rain and the temperature in the single digits.  The track temperature measured at cold 11 deg C.  Track officials had to pump the standing water from Allen’s corner.  Many riders, including the BMW factory team decided to pack it up and head home.

Unfortunately, Michael crashed the team’s Ducati 1198S out of 4^th place on the opening lap of the Pro Superbike race while braking at the end of Shannonville’s long straight.  Kenny Riedmann also crashed out at the same corner, losing the front.  The incidents were not related.

“There was very little traction and a lot of standing water.  I had decided to just circulate for points.  I had a hard time spotting the puddles during the first lap because of the spray from the bikes in front and locked up the front on the brakes.  Luckily my Nexo suit did its job during the long slide from 160 km/hr!” commented Michael.

Tony’s weekend ended with a spectacular highside while chasing Honda mounted Aubrey Bailey who was running in third during the wet Amateur Superbike final.  The crash occurred at the exit of the notoriously slick turn 2 with 2 laps to go.  Miraculously, Tony was able to remount and finish the race collecting valuable points.

“It was disappointing to give points away this weekend, especially after capturing my first pole position. Visibility during the race was so poor that I literally was following the outline of the racer in front of me. It will be more difficult but I’m still in the hunt for the Amateur Superbike Championship.”  Said Tony

Fortunately, neither rider was seriously injured.  The damage to both machines was only cosmetic.

The last races of the day were canceled, including Heavyweight Sportsman.  In the Liquid Cooled Thunder class only one rider choose to ride.  No points will be awarded for those classes and Michael and Tony’s standings will remain unchanged.

This year’s quirky schedule puts the next round of the RACE Superseries on July 22 at Shannonville.  The team looks forward to better results.

The Royal Distributing / MBP Superbike Team is supported by Royal Distributing, Martin Brickwood Performance, Dunlop, Pro 6 Cycle, Elka Suspension, Accelerated Technologies, Double Dog Moto, Nexo Sports, Rev-Amp Electrical Equipment, EBC Brakes, Woodcraft, Armour Bodies, Eurocorsa, MRA Windscreeens, Speedymoto, J Precision, AV&V, LG Restorations, CVR Motors, Ottawa Dodge, KS on the Keys, Acceptable Storage, A Acceptable, T_SBK Club, George Seeger, Dave Cody and Quebec Coating.

Tony Stufko also is supported by Windmill Motorsports, Valley Sales and Equipment, Monette Sports / Montreal Ducati and Ottawa Yamaha.

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