Canadian Superbike Championship

Canadian road racing superbike championship

Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship

Category| Superbike racing
Country| Canada
Inaugural season| 1980
Riders' champion|  Ben Young
Makes' champion|  BMW
Official website| CSBK 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

[edit]

### Early years (1980–1993)

[edit]

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)

[edit]

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)

[edit]

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)

[edit]

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

[1]

## CSBK Former Tracks

[edit]

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

[edit]

Canadian Superbike (CSBK) Riders' Champions

Season  | Class  | Rider  | Bike
1980  | Pro Superbike  |  George Morin[2] |  Kawasaki KZ1000
1981  | Pro Superbike  |  Lang Hindle[3] |  Kawasaki KZ1000
1982  | Pro Superbike  |  Miles Baldwin  |  Yamaha TZ750
1983  | Pro Superbike  |  Art Robbins  |  Suzuki GS1000
1984  | Pro Superbike  |  Paul MacMillan  |  Suzuki Katana 1100
1985  | Pro Superbike  |  Art Robbins  |  Yamaha TZ750
1986  | Pro Superbike  |  Michel Mercier  |  Suzuki GSX-R750
Pro Sport Bike  |  Mario Duhamel  |  Suzuki RG500
1987  | Pro Superbike  |  Michel Mercier  |  Suzuki GSX-R750
Pro Sport Bike  |  Mario Duhamel  |  Honda 600
1988  | Pro Superbike  |  Rueben McMurter  |  Honda VFR750
Pro Sport Bike  |  Gary Goodfellow  |  Honda 600
1989  | Pro Superbike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Yamaha OWO1
Pro Sport Bike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
1990  | Pro Superbike  |  Michel Mercier  |  Yamaha OWO1
Pro Sport Bike  |  Denis Royer  |  Yamaha YZR600
1991  | Pro Superbike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Linnley Clarke  |  Yamaha YZR600
1992  | Pro Superbike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Linnley Clarke  |  Yamaha YZR600
1993  | Pro Superbike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
1994  | Pro Superbike  |  Michael Taylor  |  Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Don Munroe  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
1995  | Pro Superbike  |  Don Munroe  |  Kawasaki ZX-7R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Don Munroe  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
1996  | Pro Superbike  |  Michael Taylor  |  Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Don Munroe  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
1997  | Pro Superbike  |  Don Munroe  |  Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Don Munroe  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
1998  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Rookie  |  Frank Trombino  |
Pro Sport Bike  |  Don Munroe  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
1999  | Pro Superbike  |  Francis Martin  |  Kawasaki ZX-7RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Linnley Clarke  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
2000  | Pro Superbike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Honda RC51
Pro Sport Bike  |  Owen Weichel  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
2001  | Pro Superbike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Honda RC51
Pro Rookie  |  Andrew Nelson  |
Open Sport Bike  |  Frank Trombino  |  Yamaha YZF-R1
Pro Sport Bike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Honda CBR600F4i
2002  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Rookie  |  Chris Peris  |  Honda CBR600F4i
Open Sport Bike  |  Francis Martin  |  Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Sport Bike  |  Clint McBain  |  Suzuki GSX-R600
2003  | Pro Superbike  |  Pascal Picotte  |  Yamaha YZF-R1
Pro Rookie  |  Matt Binns  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
Pro Sport Bike  |  Pascal Picotte  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
AM Sport Bike  |  Jeremy Leduc  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
2004  | Pro Superbike  |  Pascal Picotte  |  Yamaha YZF-R1
Pro Rookie  |  Hugo Brisson  |  Kawasaki ZX-10R

Kawasaki ZX-6R

Pro Sport Bike  |  Pascal Picotte  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
AM Sport Bike  |  Dominic Lavoie  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
2005  | Pro Superbike  |  Francis Martin  |  Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Rookie  |  Erik Beausejour  |  Honda CBR600RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Steve Crevier  |  Honda CBR600RR
AM Sport Bike  |  Mark Douglas  |  Yamaha R6
Thunder  |  Darren James  |  Buell XB9R
Suzuki SV650  |  Karl Daigle  |  Suzuki SV650
2006  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie  |  Stephane Chabot  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
Pro Sport Bike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike  |  Karl Daigle  |  Honda CBR600RR
Thunder  |  Darren James  |  Buell XB9R
Suzuki SV650  |  Dave Bagshaw  |  Suzuki SV650
2007  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke[4] |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie  |  Brett McCormick  |  Kawasaki ZX-10R

Kawasaki ZX-6R

Pro Sport Bike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike  |  Paul Glenn  |  Suzuki GSX-R600
Thunder  |  Michael Taylor  |  BMW R1200S
Suzuki SV650  |  Martin Grande  |  Suzuki SV650
2008  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke[5] |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie  |  Alex Welsh  |  Triumph Daytona 675
Pro Sport Bike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike  |  Jodi Christie  |  Yamaha R6
Thunder  |  Valter Bartolini  |  Ducati 848
Sport Twins  |  Jim Proulx  |  Buell XB12R
Suzuki SV650  |  Cody Matechuk  |  Suzuki SV650
Honda CBR125R  |  Raphael Archambault  |  Honda CBR125R
2009  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke[6] |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Rookie  |  Jodi Christie  |  Honda CBR600RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike  |  Cody Matechuk  |  Suzuki GSX-R600
Suzuki SV650  |  Raphael Archambault  |  Suzuki SV650
Honda CBR125R  |  Steven Nickerson  |  Honda CBR125R
2010  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke[7] |  Honda CBR1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Cody Matechuk  |  Suzuki GSX-R600
Pro Sport Bike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Honda CBR600RR
AM Sport Bike  |  Raphael Archambault  |  Honda CBR600RR
Sport Twins  |  Robert Busby  |  Buell XB12R
Honda CBR125R  |  Ryan Appenrodt  |  Honda CBR125R
2011  | Pro Superbike  |  Brett McCormick[8] |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Bodhi Edie  |  Honda CBR600RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Jodi Christie  |  Honda CBR600RR
AM Superbike  |  Jody Greening  |  Honda CBR1000RR

Yamaha YZF-R1

AM Sport Bike  |  Kristopher Garvie  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
H-D XR1200  |  Steve Crevier  |  Harley-Davidson XR1200
Honda CBR125R  |  Stacey Nesbitt |  Honda CBR125R
2012  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke[9] |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Sebastien Tremblay  |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Jodi Christie  |  Honda CBR600RR
AM Superbike  |  Trevor Daley  |  Suzuki GSX-R1000

Honda CBR600RR

AM Sport Bike  |  Philippe Masse  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
H-D XR1200  |  Steve Crevier  |  Harley-Davidson XR1200
Honda CBR250R  |  Stacey Nesbitt |  Honda CBR250R
2013  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke[10] |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Kristopher Garvie  |  Honda CBR1000RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Jodi Christie  |  Honda CBR600RR
AM Superbike  |  Mitch Card  |  Honda CBR600RR

Honda CBR1000RR

AM Sport Bike  |  Mitch Card  |  Honda CBR600RR
H-D XR1200  |  Steve Crevier  |  Harley-Davidson XR1200
Honda CBR250R  |  Tomas Casas  |  Honda CBR250R
2014  | Pro Superbike  |  Jodi Christie[11] |  Honda CBR1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Marco Sousa  |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Kenny Riedmann  |  Triumph Daytona 675
AM Superbike  |  Pedro Sousa  |  Honda CBR1000RR
AM Sport Bike  |  Tomas Casas  |  Yamaha R6
Honda CBR250R  |  Jacob Shaw-O'Leary  |  Honda CBR250R
2015  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie (tied)  |  Stacey Nesbitt /  Tomas Casas  |  Honda CBR600RR

Yamaha R6

Pro Sport Bike  |  Kenny Riedmann  |  Triumph Daytona 675
AM Superbike  |  Derrick Whyte  |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
AM Sport Bike  |  Alex Coelho  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
2016  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Ben Young |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Kenny Riedmann  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Superbike  |  Jean-Marc Bilger  |  BMW S1000RR
AM Sport Bike  |  Chris Brent  |  Honda CBR600RR
Kawasaki Ninja 300  |  Brandon Pemberton  |  Kawasaki Ninja 300
2017  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Jean-Marc Bilger  |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Tomas Casas  |  Yamaha R6
AM Superbike  |  Samuel Desmarais  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
AM Sport Bike  |  Jean-Francois Aubin  |  Suzuki GSX-R600
Kawasaki Ninja 300  |  Xavier Paradis  |  Kawasaki Ninja 300
2018  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Samuel Desmarais  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Tomas Casas  |  Yamaha R6
AM Superbike  |  Luc Labranche  |  BMW S1000RR
AM Sport Bike  |  Luc Labranche  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike  |  Cameron Walker  |  Kawasaki Ninja 400
2019  | Pro Superbike  |  Ben Young |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Nicolas Meunier  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
Pro Sport Bike  |  Will Hornblower  |  Yamaha R6
AM Superbike  |  Guillaume Fortin  |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
AM Sport Bike  |  Christian Allard  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike  |  Ben LeClair  |  Yamaha YZF-R3
2020  | Pro Superbike  |  Jordan Szoke |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
2021  | Pro Superbike  |  Alex Dumas  |  Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Rookie  |  Alex Dumas  |  Suzuki GSX-R1000
Pro Sport Bike  |  Sebastien Tremblay  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Superbike  |  Anthony Bergeron  |  BMW S1000RR
Amateur Sport Bike  |  Brad MacRae  |  Yamaha YZF-R6
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike  |  Harvey Renaud  |  Kawasaki Ninja 400
2022  | Pro Superbike  |  Ben Young |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Anthony Bergeron  |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Sport Bike  |  Trevor Dion  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Superbike  |  Julien Lafortune  |  Kawasaki ZX-10R
Amateur Sport Bike  |  Paul-Etienne Courtois  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike  |  Bryce DeBoer  |  Kawasaki Ninja 400
Pro-Am Lightweight  |  Jared Walker (Pro)

Bryce DeBoer (Amateur)

|  Kawasaki Ninja 400
2023  | Pro Superbike  |  Ben Young |  BMW S1000RR
Pro Rookie  |  Trevor Dion  |  Kawasaki ZX-10

Ducati Panigale V4

Pro Sport Bike  |  David McKay  |  Kawasaki ZX-6R
Pro Twins  |  Andrew Van Winkle  |  Suzuki SV650
Amateur Superbike  |  Maverick Cyr  |  Triumph Daytona 675

Kawasaki ZX-10

Amateur Sport Bike  |  Maverick Cyr  |  Triumph Daytona 675
Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike  |  Vincent Lalande  |  Kawasaki Ninja 400
Pro-Am Lightweight  |  Stacey Nesbitt (Pro)

Vincent Wilson (Amateur)

|  Kawasaki Ninja 400

[12][13]

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

## See also

[edit]

* Superbike World Championship
* AMA Superbike Championship
* British Superbike Championship
* All Japan Road Race Championship

## References

[edit]

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.