Photo: Colin Fraser
Bodhi Edie is returning to the Canadian Superbike championship this year, aboard a Yamaha.
Edie raced three weekends last summer; his best finish was a sixth at Mosport Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, where he won a round in 2013. This year, he’s on board the new Yamaha R1, put together by Toronto’s Z1 Tuning. Along with help from Zaid Saleemi from Z1 Tuning, Edie will also be assisted by chassis and suspension guru Mike Fitzgerald (of Thermosman Suspensions), who played a major part on the Picotte Performance Yamaha team years ago.
Edie and his team have already been working on this year’s set-up, with a three-day session in Florida last month. They’re aiming to get another test in before the CSBK season officially opens next month.
See CSBK’s official press release below:
Press Release
Canadian National Pro Superbike Feature race winner Bodhi Edie of Warman, SK, will return full time to the Mopar CSBK tour in 2017. The 21-year-old, the victor at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park back in 2013, will have a pair of Yamaha YZF-R1Ms to use this season, built by Zaid Saleemi of Z1 Tuning in Toronto, ON.
Joining the squad at the track in 2017 will be famous chassis and suspension set-up specialist Mike Fitzgerald aka “Thermosman” of Thermosman Suspensions. Fitzgerald has a renowned reputation of working with riders, and was a central figure in the dominant Picotte Performance Yamaha squad on the CSBK tour more than a decade ago.
Last year, Edie and Saleemi ran a part-time effort with a Yamaha R1, taking in three weekends of the CSBK Series, with a best finish of sixth at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. However these results do not show the true potential of the Edie-Z1-Yamaha effort, and lap times suggest the squad can contend for podium results with their R1M in the Feature class.
In late March Z1 Tuning team manager Paul Bastarache arranged a test where Edie joined Fitzgerald and Saleemi and at the JenningsGP track in northern Florida for three days. Working through a selection of spec Dunlop slick tires, the team had much-needed significant running time, and turned competitive lap times at the popular, motorcycle-only winter test venue.
“We were working on testing various components, trying tires, tire pressures, making changes, seeing what works,” explained Edie. “Then we were able to work towards ultimate pace, and set some lap times that showed we were making solid progress.”
The team intends to test at least once more, closer to home, prior to the opening round of the seven race 2017 Mopar CSBK National Championship, at Shannonville Motorsport Park’s Pro track layout, May 25-28.
Sponsorship for the 2017 Edie Z1 Tuning effort includes support from Yamaha-Motor Canada; Don Butt Auto Body; Gord, Leslie Anne, Lauren and Andrew Hodson; Jensen Trailers in Oshawa; Brian Jenson, Hardco Construction Whitby; Larry and Barry Harding; London Property Corp; Ray Stanton and Dunlop Tires.
Supporters for Edie include long-time backers Parts Canada with HJC Helmets and Alpinestars gear. Special thanks to Paul Bastarache aka “Sarge” and Gloria Duern for dedicating their season to the Edie family.
Both of the 1000cc Yamaha YZF-R1Ms at each CSBK National event will be fitted with YEC electronics and long time supporter Trevor Beckman with Flexi-Glass bodywork.
