Trombino tops Pro Sport Bike class

By John Hopkins

SHANNONVILLE, Ont. — Frank Trombino surprised even himself by setting the fastest practice time Friday for the K&N Performance Filters Pro Sport Bike class at Shannonville Motorsport Park.

The Kleinburg, Ont. veteran lapped the 2.45km (1.53-mile) 11-turn Pro track in 1:06.053 on his 725 Sports / Acme Slate Suzuki GSX-R600 to finish almost half a second clear of defending class champion Jodi Christie of Keene, Ont., who turned a 1:06.474 aboard the Jodi Christie Racing / Accelerated Technologies Honda CBR600RR.

Third quickest was Raphael Archambault of Terrebonne, Que., who turned a 1:06.712 riding his Team Archambault Racing / Picotte Motorsports / G Suspension Suzuki GSX-R600.

“It feels great,” said Trombino, who placed third in last year’s Pro Sport Bike standings. “We have a fresh motor and we’re trying some things. We knew our gearing was good from last year. I think there’s still some more time to find.”

Rookie Pros Aubrey Bailey and Amzy Nawaz were fourth and fifth quickest, respectively, Bailey aboard his ProStar Motorsports Honda CBR600RR and Nawaz riding a Kawasaki ZX-6R.

In other action at Shannonville, Darren James led a Ruthless Racing 1-2 in practice for the Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada XR1200 Cup. The North Vancouver rider turned a best lap of 1:12.535 while Calgary teammate John Ross MacRae recorded a 1:12.636. Close behind was defending champ Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, B.C. with a 1:12.646 on the MotoSport Plus entry. Next up was Michael Taylor with a 1:13.385 aboard the Mackie Harley-Davidson XR1200.

Austin Shaw-O’Leary’s 1:10.604 on his Dua Motorsports Honda CBR600RR in the morning practice held up as the top time of the day in Inside Motorcycles Amateur Sport Bike on Friday. Tim Robinson of Gatineau, Que. led Bazzaz Amateur Superbike with a 1:08.955 in the afternoon on his Robinson Racing / Gym-Max BMW S1000RR.

Tomas Casas of Peterborough, Ont. led both sessions of Honda CBR250R National Race Series practice, his afternoon time of 1:23.708 being his best of the day.

Qualifying in all classes takes place Saturday, as well as the first of two races this weekend for the Honda CBR250R racers.