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Bridgestone CSBK confirm Kawasaki ZX-4R Cup class details for 2024 debut
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Another new category will enter the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship in 2024, open to near-stock Kawasaki motorcycles focused on the all-new 399cc, in-line four-cylinder ZX-4R and ZX-4RR models.
The Kawasaki ZX-4R Cup will run in conjunction with the updated Pro and Amateur Twins category on-track this season, but feature separate scoring and results. Pro Twins ran together with Pro Sport Bike during their debut season in 2023, but now they will join the new Amateur Twins class and the spec Kawasaki 400cc-four category to race together in 2024.
Both Twins classes and the Kawasaki Cup category are classified as “Pro-AM”, meaning riders will compete for one podium and one set of trophies per race, but are scored separately in terms of overall series championship points standings. This means each race for Twins/Kawasaki Cup will feature two podiums: one for Twins, and one for the ZX-4R/RR class.
Modifications to Kawasaki ZX-4R and ZX-4RR machinery will be limited, and these adjustments must fall in line with the existing rules for the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike category.
All Kawasaki ZX-4R Cup competitors will be required to use Gulf Classic fuel, the lower-cost version of two fuel options provided by new spec fuel provider Gulf Race Fuels.
Maximum horsepower as measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno, (operated by Brooklin Cycle Racing of Pickering, ON) will be 75 HP, checked immediately post-race. An aftermarket exhaust will be permitted, and a reflash of the stock ECU (Electronic Control Unit) will also be allowed. These figures may be reviewed mid season as development continues.
As with every other category in Bridgestone CSBK, the Kawasaki Cup Competitors will also have to meet a minimum post-race weight limit. In the case of the ZX-4R and ZX-4RR, this weight will be 350 pounds, immediately post-race, as measured on the certified CSBK official scales at Keene Truck Technical Inspection.
Each Kawasaki ZX4R/RR will run on identical spec Bridgestone tires, mounted on stock rims. Competitors are restricted to two sets of tires for use over the course of the typical three-day event, beginning with round one at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Victoria Day weekend, May 17-19.
Otherwise, the new Kawasaki spec machines will be near stock, with other mods only permitted to brakes lines, brake pads, front suspension internals and rear shock absorbers.
Aftermarket handlebars and controls are permitted, and race fairings with the ability to control fluids are required. A front brake lever guard and rear swingarm “shark fin” are also mandated, as with all other CSBK classes.
The most recent spec category hosted by CSBK was the Kawasaki Ninja 300 Series – the precursor to the current Pro-AM Lightweight and Super Sonic School Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike classes – which raced nationally in 2016 and 2017.
CSBK has also hosted national championships for Honda with 125cc and 250cc capacity, the Suzuki SV650 Cup, and the Yamaha RZ350 Challenge. All of these categories were strictly regulated, with the goal of developing young Canadian racing talent.
Many top competitors have come from these various “spec” series, including Hall of Famers Miguel Duhamel and Pascal Picotte, as well as current CSBK stars and national champions Tomas Casas, Stacey Nesbitt, and David McKay.
More information can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.
Bridgestone CSBK partners with Fallen Riders Support Team and Pace Law for all Ontario rounds in 2024
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The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship is thrilled to announce its new partnership with the Fallen Riders Support Team, sponsored by Pace Law, for all four Ontario rounds scheduled in 2024.
This unique collaboration will enhance the paddock experience for motorcycle enthusiasts and racing fans across Ontario, while providing an improved atmosphere for competitors and existing fans within the CSBK series.
The Fallen Riders Support Team is renowned for its unwavering dedication to the motorcycle community, including as a strong advocate for improved safety conditions and rights for riders. Through this partnership, Bridgestone CSBK and the Fallen Riders Support Team will bring new experiences to each weekend event in Ontario, elevating the overall fan experience.
Among the exciting additions planned for the 2024 season include stunt shows, drag racing, and live entertainment, with each of the four rounds offering a new way to captivate audiences and create more unforgettable weekend experience.
"We are incredibly excited to partner with the Fallen Riders Support Team, sponsored by Pace Law, for our 2024 Ontario CSBK events," said CSBK owner Ross Millson. "We are thrilled to collaborate with them to bring even more excitement and entertainment to our events."
The slate of Ontario rounds in 2024 includes the season opener at Shannonville Motorsport Park (May 17-19), round two at the Grand Bend Motorplex (June 7-9), the penultimate round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (August 9-11), and a return to Shannonville for the season finale (August 30-September 1).
The first event in Shannonville will provide an excellent debut as the feature sponsor of the Fallen Riders Support Team presented by Pace Law Bridgestone CSBK National Opener, where a Flat Track Canada national event is set to take place right next door at Trail Blazer’s Park on Saturday night (weather permitting).
Round two in Grand Bend will be followed by trips out west to RAD Torque Raceway in Edmonton, AB, and to the east coast at Atlantic Motorsport Park near Halifax, NS, before the season returns to Ontario for round five. CSBK remains committed to providing the best fan experience possible at both non-Ontario events as well, with an improved fan experience at all six events a top priority.
The Fallen Riders Support Team, founded by Ray Bonner and built by riders of all powersports, is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for injured motorcyclists and assisting everyone on the road to create a safer community for all. Pace Law Firm, founded in 1981 by Al Pace, has helped represent the Fallen Riders program and is determined to provide the best representation in all areas of law.
The Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship is pleased to welcome the Fallen Riders Support Team and Pace Law to the 2024 campaign, which promises to be one of the most exciting years yet for both fans and competitors.
Record eleven Canadians set for Daytona 200
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The 82nd running of the annual Daytona 200 event will feature a record number of Canadians when it gets underway in the Florida sun in two weeks, March 7-9, with a full display of Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship talent set to make the trip to the historic Daytona International Speedway.
While some will be returning for another 57-lap battle around the famed 3.51-mile (5.65 km) circuit, others will be making their first appearance at the “World Center of Racing,” a unique test of both rider and machine durability.
Below is a quick look at each of the eleven names that will represent Canada when the lights go out in Daytona, listed in order of last year’s pro championship standings.
Ben Young – Team BATTLAX Suzuki
The two-time defending Canada Cup champion is back for another try at Daytona, and it’s hard not to think of him as Canada’s best chance at victory since Miguel Duhamel’s last triumph in 2005. Young put together a strong showing one year ago despite riding a problem-filled Yamaha, dragging the underpowered machine into the top-ten before crashing out in the final laps.
Now aboard a much more capable Suzuki GSX-R750 and with full Bridgestone support, the 30-year-old Young will look to follow up his sensational 2023 championship run by adding a new piece of hardware to his trophy case, in what is his fourth (and potentially last) appearance at the historic 200-mile event.
Sam Guerin – Original Garage Premont HD Kawasaki
The fan-favourite will be making his first appearance at the Daytona 200, but Guerin’s career has demonstrated that he can ride anything – and anywhere – at a high level, taking away most of the uncertainty around his switch to the ZX-6R Ninja at an unfamiliar venue.
Guerin has all the tools to be a surprise contender at this year’s event, bringing an elite blend of physical endurance and tire management to pair with strong outright pace. The Quebec City native will be at a slight disadvantage amongst a group of frontrunners with more Daytona experience, but he won’t need long to get up to speed and match the big names at the top.
Trevor Dion – Warhorse HSBK Ducati
Dion will also be a Daytona 200 rookie, but if his end to 2023 was any indication, he may be a threat to win it all. The soon-to-be 22-year-old switched from Kawasaki to Ducati and found instant chemistry with the V4R, scoring three consecutive podiums to end the year and matching the pace of champions Young and Alex Dumas.
He will need to ride the lesser-powered V2 Panigale this time around but will do so with the help of MotoAmerica heavyweights Warhorse HSBK, who just so happen to be the defending champions with 2023 winner Josh Herrin. And while Dion has yet to contest the Daytona 200, it won’t be his first time at the venue, having won the ASRA finale there last season – a result that can’t be overlooked by any of the frontrunners.
Trevor Daley – Team BATTLAX Suzuki
Partnering Young in the BATTLAX Suzuki tent will be his good friend and on-track rival Daley, who stays with Suzuki but aboard a new GSX-R750 machine. Daley will make his Daytona 200 debut after finishing eighth in last year’s Superbike championship, a spot that would have been higher if not for a mid-season femur injury.
The Mississauga, Ontario native shouldn’t be dismissed as just Young’s rear gunner, either, as he has proven throughout his career that he is capable of getting up to speed quickly at any track and on any machine. Watch for both BATTLAX riders to turn heads early and often throughout the weekend in Daytona.
Sebastien Tremblay – Turcotte Performance Kawasaki
After one of the most dominant two-year runs in Sport Bike history, Tremblay shifted his focus to Superbike in 2022 before entering a semi-retirement. That hiatus lasted just one round before he returned to the Sport Bike mix, and he quickly reminded the world just how competitive he is on middleweight machinery, winning three times and scoring five podiums in seven races.
He will now get a chance to showcase that expertise in Daytona, reuniting with the ZX-6R Ninja that brought him his 2021 championship. Tremblay gave Dion a spectacular fight to finish second at the ASRA finale last year, and his trademark consistency and tire management will be a valuable asset to have across the 57-lap event.
Matt Simpson – Evans Racing Yamaha
The Sport Bike championship runner-up from a year ago will be making his debut appearance south of the border, and it may be a fairy-tale scenario for the man without a ride for 2024. The 22-year-old Simpson is unsure of his plans post-Daytona, but his presence at the Florida venue will definitely be felt.
Simpson won his first career Pro race in 2022 by being patient and opportunistic behind the lead group – a core ingredient of the Daytona 200 – and he backed that up with further consistency in 2023. His unfamiliarity with the circuit will be a tough challenge, but Simpson may be one of the biggest dark horses in the field if he can get up to speed quickly.
Elliot Vieira – EV 33Racing Ducati
After partnering Young on miscast Yamaha’s a year ago, Vieira will also return in 2024 aboard a new machine, this time his own Ducati V2 Panigale. The Guyanese rider and fan-favourite managed a very respectable 15th in his debut last season, and a second go-around on a more familiar machine will make him tough to beat.
The only challenge for Vieira will be reliability, after numerous mechanical issues plagued him throughout 2023 – something that will be put to the most extreme test in Daytona. However, the 26-year-old is unbelievably fast when he can finish, evidenced by his runaway win and four consecutive podiums to close out last season.
Alex Michel – SpeedFactory67 Kawasaki
One of the most underappreciated riders of 2023, Michel delivered a quietly spectacular rookie season with a podium in CTMP and six top-eight finishes. The 20-year-old is a fast learner and very smart rider, two things that come in handy across a 57-lap race with plenty of uncertainty.
Michel is poised to turn plenty of heads in 2024 regardless, but a strong showing at Daytona would go a long way in boosting the confidence of the Kawasaki rider as he enters his sophomore pro CSBK season.
Brad Macrae – Mac Racing Yamaha
The second Yamaha rider in the group will also be making his debut at Daytona, as Brad Macrae heads south to join his paddock pals Young and Daley. The former Amateur champion scored a sensational victory early in 2023 and nearly did so again in the final round, but injuries limited him to seventh in the year-end Sport Bike table.
Now fully healthy and reenergized from the offseason, Macrae will hope to learn from his BATTLAX Suzuki counterparts and make an immediate impact aboard his R6 machine, while also besting some of his other Canadian rivals in attendance.
Alex Coelho – MTRS Coelho Racing Kawasaki
A frequent visitor to Daytona in recent years, Coelho made his return to CSBK in 2023 and made an immediate impact in doing so. The former championship runner-up led for majority of the opening race in the rain at Shannonville, and while he won’t get the chance to flash that wet-weather expertise in Daytona, he will return with a bit more confidence under his belt.
The Kawasaki rider finished one spot behind Vieira in 16th last season and could find himself in a similar spot even despite a stiffer field, as he demonstrated once again last season that he can hang with the best of the best in national racing.
Mavrick Cyr – R2R Canada/Rizzin Racing Triumph
The lone rookie pro to enter Daytona, Cyr will be making just his second career professional start when the lights go out in Daytona. While that inexperience can’t be ignored, neither can his raw talent, as the 19-year-old made a name for himself last season as one of the best young riders in North America.
A near-perfect amateur season was followed up with a spectacular debut in the final Pro Sport Bike race of the year, as Cyr didn’t need long to acclimate himself against a stronger field. He will have to do that again in Daytona, but aboard a proven Triumph machine that won with Brandon Paasch just two years ago.
CSBK riders complete Jennings, Roebling tests ahead of Daytona 200
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The preparations for the 82nd running of the Daytona 200 officially wrapped up on Tuesday in north Florida, as a quiet Bridgestone Test concluded in rainy conditions ahead of the first session on Thursday.
The test got underway with nine of the ten CSBK competitors in attendance, after a potentially record-breaking entry was reduced from eleven following the cancellation of Elliot Vieira’s plans (who finished 15th a year ago).
However, none of the nine riders were able to get any representative times in with persistent rain throughout the day, something that won’t be an issue at a Daytona event that can only run in dry conditions.
The lone rider not in attendance was Warhorse HSBK Ducati’s Trevor Dion, who enjoyed a strong effort in a private test Monday at Roebling Road near Savannah, Georgia.
Dion was believed to be within the top-four in terms of pace at Roebling, having switched to the Daytona-spec Warhorse machine after three previous days of testing on his own Economy Lube & Tire Ducati Panigale V2.
The 22-year-old is slated to join defending winner Josh Herrin in the HSBK garage this weekend, and was almost immediately comfortable aboard the V2 after joining Ducati for the first time at the Bridgestone CSBK finale aboard a V4 last season.
As for the rest of the ten-rider entry, the group traveled further south to Jennings GP near Valdosta, Florida, for a Bridgestone Test that also featured other Bridgestone riders – most notably the Truelove brothers from the United Kingdom.
While some managed to get two sessions of dry running in on Monday, the official test on Tuesday was all but wiped out by rain, with only Mavrick Cyr taking to the circuit for a handful of wet laps.
Cyr – piloting his Rizzin Racing Triumph – will be making his Daytona 200 debut along with Team BATTLAX frontrunner Trevor Daley, Original Garage Premont HD’s Sam Guerin, Turcotte Performance’s Sebastien Tremblay, Evans Racing’s Matt Simpson, Mac Racing’s Brad Macrae, and SpeedFactory67’s Alex Michel.
The only returning riders of the bunch will be Daley’s Team BATTLAX teammate Ben Young – the two-time defending CSBK champion – and MTRS Coelho Racing’s Alex Coelho, the latter of which finished 16th a year ago after Young crashed out.
Young is poised for a better result after switching to much more capable Suzuki GSX-R750 machines, as he and Daley have been pleased with the limited running thus far aboard the matching machines.
The absence of Vieira – who finished 15th in his debut one year ago – will drop the CSBK entry to ten, which would tie the record number of Canadians set in 1989, but the potential addition of former CSBK rider Darren James to the list could still raise the list to a record-breaking total when the event gets underway on Thursday.
The riders will now await the decision on grouping, with part of the provisional 67-rider entry joining Group A for practice and qualifying (considered the main, faster group by MotoAmerica officials) while the other list will join Group B, beginning with Thursday’s morning practice session.
More updates can be found on the CSBK channels throughout the weekend, while the action can be watched live through MotoAmerica’s streaming service, MotoAmerica+.
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