The big Pro-class winners at RACE’s third event of the season at Shannonville Motorsport Park were Andrew Nelson in Superbike and defending RACE No. 1 rider Karl Daigle in 600, but the best racing of the day happened in the Heavyweight Sportsman class, and a bit behind the leaders in the two premier events.
In the Sportsman class, an absolutely smashing battle among Derek Vammus, Jim Proulx, and Dean Plater was not only the battle of the day but probably of the season.
All three could have been covered with a blanket though most of the race, and all three led at one time or another, and when final victor Vammus’ bike threw its chain on the cool-down lap, Plater not only towed Vammus back to the pits but loaned him his bike to take a victory lap.
Now that really put the "sportsman" into the Sportsman class.
The best racing in the two premier classes was watching second-year Pro Marie-Josée Boucher chasing down the leaders after indifferent starts. In the 600 race she was within seconds of her first Pro podium but crashed on the last corner of the last lap trying to pass fellow Honda rider (and teenage phenom) Jodi Christie; she still showed a great display of determination to recover, get the bike back up, and complete the race. Afterwards she lamented sadly, "I so much wanted to get my first Pro podium!" No problem, kid; she’s doing exceptionally well in her second year as a Pro and no doubt will have that first podium before too long.
In the Superbike contest, MJ again ended up behind Christie and once again nearly caught him, just inches behind at the finish. This was for fourth instead of a podium, but once again it was a great ride after a less-than-great start. The girl’s got heart and talent and is going to be taking premier-class trophies home soon.
