CONCORD, Ontario (August 12, 2013) – The Canadian Harley Davidson® XR1200® Cup Series opened the double-header weekend races in front of its largest crowd this year under perfect racing conditions. The 3.95 km ten-turn track was in fine shape with some slight repaving and greatly improved safety modifications. Racers were eager to ride the improved conditions, but although lap times were fast, the improved conditions did not appear to improve lap times from previous years, based on results from the practice and qualifying events that took place on Friday.
Saturday’s race was considered the tightest battle over the 14 laps this year. There were several lead changes and rider order swaps – many within the same lap.
The race was won by the existing #1 plate holder, Steve Crevier, on his MotorSport Plus Harley-Davidson® XR1200® bike, trying to make up for his last round tumble at Atlantic Motorsport Park. “These guys made me work for it today,” said the sweating but happy Crevier.
Michael Taylor came across in second place, only 0.133 seconds adrift of Crevier. Michael was obviously disappointed with his finish, but commented, “that was all I had, but I came up a little short.” Taylor now trails Crevier by 21 points with 148.
Invited rider Jon Cornwell used the opportunity to move from suspension tuner to rider for the Ruthless Racing team. “I was just trying to stay out of the way, let the boys go for points, 8-9-10 was my strong area. Everybody gave room. There was some bumping, but it was a fun ride,” were the words from Jon at the podium. Coming out of retirement for the race, he also posted the fastest lap of 1:31.025 – a new lap record!
Unfortunately, Darren James, who was part of the four-rider battle, was leading on lap 11, but failed to come around for lap 12, coming off hard at the exit of the high speed turn 1. “I had a good lap, got into 1, and the front went out. The bike bucked up and threw me off. I was going to win or crash, but I didn’t really expect to crash!” commented the bruised but smiling Ruthless Racing rider.
Action continued Sunday for Round 5 of the Canadian Harley-Davidson® XR1200® Cup Series
The second race this past weekend for the Canadian Harley-Davidson® XR1200® Cup Series at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s double-header was another outstanding battle between five riders for the first half, which was then narrowed down to a four-rider break as the 14 laps wound down.
With four laps left to go, the new leader – and third place finisher a day earlier – was a surprise with Jon Cornwell aboard his Ruthless Racing XR1200® model. Cornwell was celebrating his birthday by changing his role with Ruthless Racing from suspension tuner to un-retired rider. Things went wrong when amongst the frequent and multiple lead changes, Jon was relegated back to fourth after he went wide on the last turn ten and developed into a tank slapper that pitched him to the ground going into turn 1 and caused a red flag. The race was considered final and went back to the last full lap where Cornwell was the leader, but due to his cause of the red flag he was forced to start in last place.
The win went to 24-year-old John-Ross MacRae from the Ruthless Racing team sponsored by Deeley Harley‑Davidson® Canada, giving him his first step on the top podium spot. Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, British Columbia finished second, and the MotoSport Plus backed rider extended his points lead to 28 points over Toronto’s Michael Taylor heading into the Mont-Tremblant season finale. Taylor finished third in the race for the Mackie Harley-Davidson® team.
Cornwell was transported to the local hospital with a broken leg. Darren James who fell hard on Saturday showed true racer spirit riding, by managing to finish fifth – in a great deal of pain – behind Elie Daccache.
Action continues with the final Round 6 in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec on August 23-25, 2013.
