In the 600 class Trombino was again on the podium, but relegated to third by teenager Kenny Riedmann. Riedmann, riding a Triumph 675, pushed Christie hard through the race, riding with noticeable poise and speed, perhaps helped by the presence in his pit of Canadian racing legend Jon Cornwell.
‘Corndog’ is taking a break from his usual job with Ohlins on the World Superbike series after the birth of his first daughter, and having a suspension expert like him setting up the Triumph will be good news for Riedmann’s planned forays to several U.S. AMA nationals this season.
Dan Willard, a new graduate to the Pro ranks, impressed with top 10 finishes in his first Pro races, carding 10th in 600 and a terrific seventh in Superbike. Amzy Nawaz, another new face, but this time in the Amateur ranks, also impressed with strong wins in both Amateur 600 and Superbike races in his first racing appearance at Shannonville. The teenager made his mark on the SOAR group last season and looks to have the speed and ability for a quick rise to the top.
Over the winter RACE tweaked the class structure slightly in an attempt to better match classes to current bike choices. It’s too early to tell how well it’ll work out, but reaction seemed positive.
Racer attendance was a bit light, but considering the financial times, probably not bad for the first race of the season in cool weather on the Fabi course, the track configuration that’s the least popular of Shannonville’s four possible circuits. There was considerable grumbling about some of the owner’s cost-saving measures for the season (such as giving out laser-printed certificates “suitable for framing” rather than trophies) but the mood seemed generally upbeat.
The next race (second of six scheduled) is in two weeks, which should give a better feeling for how the series will go over the year.
