Collingwood, ON CANADA – June 28, 2017 - Collingwood ON’s Ben Young had hoped to improve upon the third-place finish he earned last year during his Autodrome St-Eustache debut in the MOPAR Canadian Superbike Championship. An exciting last lap dash to the finish line fell just shy of the desired result.
Still nursing nagging aches and pains from a wild crash during the CSBK series’ debut at Grand Bend Motorplex the Scot-Build Developments BMW team knew that a solid set up was going to be key to allow Young to make the most of the weekend.
Friday’s limited practice sessions were affected by poor weather only allowing for marginal improvements. The amount of traffic on the track made it a struggle for Young to get consistent clear laps while trying help his team find the setup they knew he’d need to battle hard for the win.
Things quickly heated up during Saturday’s thrilling Dalton Timmis Insurance SuperPole qualifying. Young was second fastest in Pro MOPAR Superbike, piloting his BMW S1000RR to a 0:46.051 ahead of seven other racers within the 46-second zone.
Starting from the middle of the front row Young has been able to constantly put his Scott Cartier and Willie Vass prepared machine in prime position for an early attack.
Young’s launch off the line wasn’t as spectacular as his first ever pro CSBK Superbike holeshot that he managed to execute last season. Young would have his work cut out for him as the current champion and fellow BMW rider Jordan Szoke seemed to have found a comfort level and set up that left the field of very competent racers and their team’s scratching their heads.
The ever-threatening skies had the potential to change the outcome for the two-wheeled combatants by the end of the race. Only time would tell if the forecasted threat of thunderstorms would even out the playing field.
Throughout the opening laps Young would periodically be close enough to show a wheel to notify Kenny Riedmann and Bodhi Edie that he was ready to take advantage of any small error the two might make dueling for position.
The Autodrome St-Eustache track is known for not being too forgiving. Young's smooth riding style and patience would surly present an opportunity to pass Riedmann and Edie.
Time was running out for the Scottish-born 24-year-old so he began looking for any way to surgical separate the riders battling back and forth for second spot on the podium on the tough-to-pass Autodrome St-Eustache circuit.
Throughout the race Young tried to take advantage of the battle ahead of him but the high probability for carnage from second back to fourth would obliterate points he now desperately needed. Young saw his opening to secure third place on the last lap coming out of the final corner. Drafting Riedmann, Young slipped alongside him just before the finish line and narrowly missed the podium by 0.065 of a second earning a fourth-place finish.
Young currently sits fourth overall in the national Mopar Pro Superbike point standings
“During the race, we encountered grip issues and I struggled to get a good drive out of the corners.” Said Young. “My only option near the end of the race was trying to put myself into a passing position by being late on the brakes. Being so close to the podium is very frustrating as it doesn’t reflect how hard this team works.”
Young’s partners for his 2017 CSBK Championship season include; Scot-build Developments, BMW Motorrad Canada, AXO Racing, Arai Helmets, ACF-50, Hindle Exhaust, Woodcraft, Bickle Racing, SBS Brakes, Motion Pro, Human 2.0, K-Tech Suspension & Epic Racewear.
The 24 year old pilot of the #86 BMW S1000RR is also a proud "Laps for Muscular Dystrophy" (Laps4MD) rider who’s pledged to donate $1 for every lap he lead this season. These donations go to Muscular Dystrophy Canada to help make a difference in the lives of over 50,000 Canadians affected by a neuromuscular disorder.
To keep up-to-date on Ben Young throughout the year visit; www.BenYoungRacing.com, www.facebook.com/BenYoungRacing and on Twitter and Instagram: @benyoung_86.