Michael Leon

Sandy, Michael and Carlos.

The Royal Distributing Racing Team opted for the second round of the RACE Superseries at Shannonville this past weekend, instead of the conflicting CSBK event in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. The deciding factor was the long 14 hour drive necessary to get to Shubie. Rider Michael Leon finished on the podium in each of his three final races.

The most dramatic race of the weekend was Pro 600. Leon and Sean Huffman went at it, wheel to wheel, for the entire race, both riding equally matched CBR600RRs. Michael was leading the race until the final lap when Huffman attempted a last minute inside pass at the end of the Shannonville straight. Huffman braked so late that he blew the corner and had to use the escape road, forcing Michael to go with him. Both riders were able to rejoin the race. Huffman won, Bailey was second and Michael finished third. Read more…

Photo by Bob Szoke

4th place is often considered a disappointing result. Winning is the obvious goal, finishing 2nd comes up just short of the win but at least you were close and when finishing 3rd , you are happy to grab that last spot on the podium. For 4th place, there is no trophy or champagne. Regardless, the Royal Distributing Racing Team left Autodrome St. Eustache, QC satisfied with Michael Leon’s 4th place finish in Pro 600 Sportbike, at the CSBK Rd2 this past weekend, because the team is continuing to show progress. Read more…

In the CSBK RD1 Pro Sportbike 600cc Race, held June 24 at Shannonville, Royal Distributing rider Michael Leon and his CBR600RR narrowly escaped an on-track incident with a crashing motorcycle.  He continued to finish in 6th place. 

Leon was running in 5th place on the 3rd lap, following closely behind Aubrey Bailey in 4th and Raphael Archambault in 3rd , when Archambault crashed out of the corner 3 right hander.  Michael’s CBR was struck by the sliding Suzuki.  Although he didn’t crash, Leon’s chain was knocked off in the process.  Archambault was unhurt and was able to remount and continue. Read more…

Here is the concept drawing.

And here is the suit that just arrived!

I can’t wait to try it out at Shannonville on Friday at CSBK Round 1!!

The 2012 season will bring some big changes under the Royal Distributing Racing Team canopy. Instead of the familiar Ducati that Michael Leon has raced for the past three seasons, he will ride a freshly prepared Honda CBR600RR. Michael will compete in the majority of the CSBK events as well as the RACE Superseries. He will be the sole rider on the team as former teammate Tony Stufko moves to an independently run effort, riding a Kawasaki ZX10.

Guy Martin and Janet Brickwood of MBP, who owned the Ducati, will take a break from racing for the season.

Read more…

Royal Distributing / MBP Team riders Michael Leon and Tony Stufko received their RACE Championship awards at the end of season banquet in Belleville last Saturday evening, Nov 5th.

Michael and Tony were joined by their wives, Jennifer and Diane, team mechanic Carlos Carrascosa and his girlfriend, Sonia Matte.  Head Tuner Guy Martin and wife, Janet Brickwood, were unable to attend due to a prior commitment. 

Michael received the 1st place trophy for winning the Heavyweight Sportsman Championship and the 3rd place overall trophy for the Feature Pro Superbike Championship. 
Tony was awarded the 2nd place overall trophy for the Amateur Superbike Championship.  He also finished 2nd overall in the Heavyweight Sportsman Championship. Read more…

Leon Racing would like to extend condolences to the family and friends of MotoGP racer Marco Simoncelli who lost his life while competing in the Malaysian Grand Prix, October 23, 2011.  Godspeed Marco.

Photo by Domenic Ferlisi

Riders were spoiled with mid-July like weather conditions for the final round of the 2011 RACE Superseries, at Shannonville Motorsports Park’s Pro Track, on Sunday September 25th. Royal Distributing / MPB rider Michael Leon finished the season with a 3rd place finish, a win, and a lap record while teammate, Tony Stufko came home with 2nd and 3rd place finishes.

During the opening laps of the Pro Superbike race, Michael was able to hang on to eventual race winner Alex Welsh and 2nd place finisher Jodi Christie but by the midway point, he wasn’t able to maintain the pace of the leaders and finished in third place, seven seconds behind. On lap 2, all three riders set their fastest lap of the race. Read more…