Alex Dumas wasted zero time in restoring himself to the top of the timesheets on Friday, setting a new outright lap record in FP1 as he makes his Bridgestone CSBK return at RAD Torque Raceway.
The 2021 champion was absent from the first two rounds before joining Economy Lube Ducati, and he appeared to be instantly comfortable aboard the new machine and at a new venue, blitzing the previous best GP Bikes Pro Superbike record with a lap of 1:17.499.
The 40-minute session featured a lead group of four trading places numerous times, as Dumas, championship leader Ben Young, previous Edmonton winner Jordan Szoke, and wildcard star Torin Collins all sat at the front at some point.
The group ran closely in the low 1:18’s for majority of the morning practice, at one point with just 0.157 seconds covering the four of them, but Dumas and Young began to lower the benchmark in the final seven minutes as they inched towards qualifying pace.
Young would be the first to dip into the 1:17’s, moving to within a quarter-second of Szoke’s lap record from 2015, but Dumas would relegate him to second just two minutes later behind a stunning new lap record time.
Dumas’ showing would topple the previous mark by 0.215 seconds, as he looks to retain his top spot when the feature class returns for qualifying on Friday afternoon.
Young would settle for second-best in FP1, but still a strong effort as the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW rider approached lap record territory himself and looked extremely comfortable in his first trip to RAD Torque.
Collins will find himself an impressive third-fastest entering his first ever CSBK qualifying, as the Novalda Kawasaki teenager eyes a front-row spot for his wildcard appearance and overall Superbike debut.
Just behind the 18-year-old was Szoke, who will look to dislodge his fellow Kawasaki in place of his own CKM machine this afternoon. The 14-time champion won both races when CSBK last visited Edmonton in 2015, and will try to continue his success beginning this afternoon.
Completing the top-five was current championship runner-up Sam Guerin, albeit by a comfortable 0.769 second margin to Szoke. The EFC Group BMW rider is still within striking distance of the lead group entering Q1, but will need to break into at least the 1:18 mark if he hopes to find a front row spot in Q2.
Regional EMRA champion Brian Worsdall was a very competitive sixth in FP1, putting his Mot’s Machining Honda into a provisional second-row spot amidst the 23-rider field.
The feature class will now return to the track at roughly 2:10 pm local time (4:10 pm ET) for Q1, before Young looks to capture his third consecutive BS Battery Pole Position award in Q2 at roughly 2:45 pm local time (4:45 pm ET).
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