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June 15, 2009
McCormick claims his first double-win on the Canadian circuit.
 
After three days of pooling their resources and giving a commendable effort in practice, Team Suzuki Blackfoot Picotte Racing reaped the rewards by taking their first two wins in both Pro classes of the 2009 Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
 
In Saturday's qualifying, Brett McCormick, the team's 17-year-old rider from Saskatoon, SK, secured Pole Position for Sunday's main event. McCormick began the race third off the start, close behind Kevin Lacombe and Jordan Szoke. Lacombe went down in lap 2 and McCormick was able to sneak past his two competitors by taking the inside line. Once in the lead, McCormick was able to put his head down and ride. "Because it was still early on in the race, my focus was to relax and get some laps in. Szoke was pretty close behind so I had to be steady and consistent."
 
In the Pro Sport Bike class, McCormick snagged another win with his fastest lap time of 1:25.336 in lap 4. "In this race I got a way better start," states McCormick. "I got the lead right away. After that, I just had to keep the same mentality as in the Superbike race - focus and put in some good laps. Everything worked out and I finished seconds ahead of Szoke."
 
Picotte explains that, "in the shop and at home we work so hard to improve the bikes and develop our team. It is so nice to be out here and see the accomplishments we have made. I am very pleased with the team results - the mechanics, everyone worked flawlessly. Also, it was great to have Mike Fitzgerald from Ohlins here to help us. He has an incredible amount of expertise from working with teams in the States and it was fantastic to have some of his knowledge trickle down into our racing."
 
Pat Chambers, Team Owner from Blackfoot Racing expresses his feelings about the weekend: "I'm very proud of what we've done. I'm so proud of the kid and how the team worked together. It was an incredible weekend - this is what racing is about. We were all there, including Brett's family, to share in his success. After eight years of racing, this was our first dominant weekend taking first in both classes. Brett has certainly proved that he is capable of winning races."
 
"We couldn't ask for anything better," states Mark Jeffery, Suzuki Canada's Racing Coordinator. "To be leading the championship in both classes after only the 2nd Round is outstanding - mission accomplished. At this point, we are glad that Brett has found his edge at a fast, smooth pace and he is still in his comfort zone. As a one-rider team, our priority is to ensure that Brett arrives safely back to the pits."
 
In conjunction with his success, McCormick fully appreciates the support of the team: "when I come off the track, I explain to Pascal and Mike Fitzgerald what is happening with the bike and they take the information and use it to improve the bike. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am."
 
McCormick now leads the Superbike series with 104 points, just ahead of Szoke at 98 points.
The team is looking forward to Round 3 in Calgary, AB. To prepare himself, McCormick is heading home to get some rest and train for the next round. "This week I have a bunch of exams to finish up Grade 12 so I will be busy with that," he explains, "but I will definitely spend some quality time cross-training on my motocross bike and hitting the gym. I like the Calgary track a lot and I'm sure we will be able to do well."
 
Round 3 will be held at Race City in Calgary, AB June 26-28. Be sure to check out Round 2 at Circuit ICAR on TSN and TSN HD on Tuesday, July 7 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm and Friday July 10 from 4:00am to 5:00am.

Photo Gallery: Pro Sport Bike Race Photos From ICAR

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Miguel Duhamel et Brett McCormick en piste à Daytona
 
Les deux pilotes du Team Suzuki Blackfoot Picotte Motorsports ont tourné sur le fameux circuit floridien lors de deux session de pratique aujourd'hui. Miguel vise une sixième victoire dans la course moto la plus importante en Amérique, le Daytona 200, courue vendredi en soirée. Pour sa part, McCormick prépare son baptème de feu en Superbike AMA, une course courue jeudi après-midi.
 
La première sortie de Miguel sur sa Suzuki GSX-R600 fut l'occasion de travailler sur les suspensions et de déterminer les bons rapports à utiliser sur cette piste à bord d'une machine bien différente des Suzuki. Selon Miguel, le moteur pousse fort, alors que l'équipe doit revoir les réglages de suspensions à la suite des nouveaux pneus fournis par Dunlop, et le fait que les pneus ne monteront pas autant en température que si la course avait lieu en plein jour.
 
La seconde pratique de Miguel, tenue en soirée afin de rouler avec l'éclairage de la piste et de s'habituer aux conditions de piste plus froides. Miguel a approché les meneurs, ne cédant qu'une grosse seconde au chrono et se retrouvant ainsi 9ième . Selon Pascal Picotte, le chef d'équipe, « Miguel a appris la machine et l'équipe aujourd'hui. Demain ira mieux, et il devrait rouler avec le peloton de tête, puis joer sa meilleure carte, le jeu d'aspiration en fin de course. »
 
Cinq fois gagnant des 200 Miles, Miguel se dit confiant d'un bon résultat. « La course dure deux heures, et tout peut m'arriver, mais aussi aux meneurs. Je le sais, car tout m'est arrivé depuis que je cours ici. J'ai bien hate à vendredi soir."
 
Brett McCormick attaquait Daytona sur une Superbike pour la première fois. « La piste impressionne aux vitesse d'une 1000. Je dois m'acclimater un peu plus avant de maintenir les gaz ouvert sur le bol, mais ca ira. Je me suis entraîné fort cet hiver, et piloter la GSX-R1000 me semble facile au niveau physique, Il me reste à apprendre comment aller vite aux bons endroits afin de réduire mes chronos. On vise un top 15, et un top 10 avec un peu de chance. Mais quelle belle expérience ! »
 
À demain pour la suite.