Parts Canada Superbike Championship

Cody Conrad Rocky Mountain Powerhouse Race Report Mosport
Honda CBR125R Challenge

I was really looking forward to riding my Rocky Mountain Powerhouse CBR 125 race bike at Mosport this year because I was there last year and it is a fun track. Turn two was a little steeper than I had remembered it, the Moss's and the elevation really do make this a fun place to ride.

Turn two was interesting a couple times, as I almost went off once in practice, then in the Friday session they said it was wet there, so it made my times slower. That was disappointing as Friday morning it rained really hard but a few of us AMRA folks went out anyway and it was really great, I finished that session second fastest!

Saturday morning practice was really good as I was with the first group and could watch and learn their lines, the bad part is they seemed to copy mine shift points in through Moss corner and I didn't seem to catch people there as easily anymore...

I didn't have a great grid position as they took the times from Thursday's practice session which meant I started in 13th spot, add in a poor start and the race did not get underway very well. Into Moss corner we all seemed to get there at the same time and there was lots of bumping and swerving to not hit people. Someone bumped Milan who pushed me and then subsequently my uncle off the track, as there's a wall right there re-entering the track I in turn collided with Leah, the race was just not meant to be as two laps later it was red flagged. After a lengthy wait we started again and this time I got a nice start and was instantly with the first group. Only to be very disappointed that this race too was red flagged before we made it to turn 5. The third and potential last restart awaited along with a sprint of a four lap race. I knew I needed another good start and this time around the outside in turn one I passed I think nearly everyone. We all made it through turn 5 and I was with Ryan and Loic, three and a half laps to hang with these guys and I'd get a good result. I was a little surprised when I say my good friends Milan and Sam McManus closing in, but I put my head down and was first coming down the back straight away and surprised to be in first heading into the last few turns... Ryan and Loic had drafted me and passed on the final straight away to the finish line, ecstatic to finish third. My first podium, well, I get to Stand on the podium this time, I thought, I was so happy when I came onto pit lane, Jay Fox, the AMRA was the first to congratulate me, followed by my mom who was able to come to Ontario this time around to watch.  As our race was so delayed I had to wait for my "first" podium, I wasn't really nervous as I hoped I would be asked the typical questions in my first interview. Much to my shock and horror Pat Gonzalez first question was, 'have I ever had a podium before'. Now how am I going to explain that in Calgary I finished fourth but then got a  third after a dq, so it's not really a podium, but I finished third, which is technically a podium... ahhhhh Then this TV Camera guy walks up the stairs and shoves a camera two inches from my nose... doesn't he have zoom?? Finally it was over and I got to wait for the next fun-nest part, that big bottle of stuff. Well that went about as well as the interviews, that thing is slippery and it flew outta my hands after I shook it, oh well, my first podium will be something I remember forever.

Sunday Round 7
At least there were no red flags, but not for lack of trying. People were just not working together and our first group could not break away. Everyone was cutting each other off and slowing each other down. After the second group caught up to us we then had an awful lot of bikes in one big group. While I was trying to pass Milan I saw him get taken out by another rider, then on the drag to the finish with about 9 bikes someone really cut off Sam and I had to slow down as I was trying to draft her too. She had to slow down, I had to slow down which I think let Will pass me at the finish so I was a little disappointed.

Sunday Small Track Round 8
I liked the small track as it too had lots of interesting elevation and a fun infield hairpin I seemed to be able to catch a lot of people. I tried using my rear brake into it and it seemed to work really well. I qualified 6th which wouldn't be too bad on a big track, but a small track only has 3 across, so 6th put me on the third row.  I wasn't able to stay with the first group off the start and soon Austin and Will both passed me, I put my head down and stayed with Will and I was able to repass Austin, but finished just behind Will for 6th place.

I came to Mosport in fourth position overall and my goal was to try and close the gap on third, but maybe more important not to be overtaken for 4th.
I now know I've accomplished that and I'm really looking forward to Shubby as I'm only 10pts shy of 3rd overall.

Long list of thanks this trip as we were able to go to Niagara Falls on Monday, thanks Uncle, and then get shown around 'the Beaches' in TO on Tuesday, thanks Scott.
Upon my return I went to Rocky Mountain Powerhouse to show Mitch and all the staff my first real third place podium trophy and now a big thanks to them for all their friendship support and well wishes, it has been a great summer so far.