Shannonville, Ontaraio –The 2022 Super Series season kicked off this May 14-15 on the Long Track configuration of Shannonville Motorsport Park. On a warm and beautiful mostly sun-soaked weekend, a total of 13 different riders found their way to victory with both rookies and vets taking the top step. With this marking the first of five race weekends on the calendar, a total of 86 entries competed in 16 different events with the most diverse crop of winners seen in recent years.

With the 4-km-long Long Track layout providing the riders with a tough challenge, the first day saw lots of adjustments and shaking down the winter rust. The largest race on day one, was the PRO-AM Sportbike race which saw over 20 riders take to the track. In the PRO division, Louie Raffa managed to hold off Drew Weber for his first win of the campaign, while Eric Quintin took advantage of his pole start to hold off a hard charge from Martin Richard to claim the AM Sportbike win.

Alex Radecki claimed the Lightweight Production win in dominating fashion. While sparks flew in the Novice race, poleman Ryan Dunwoodie stalled on the start allowing Adrian Mitchell to take the lead with Dunwoodie falling back to last. However, Dunwoodie fought back and battled from 12th to third by race end. When the checkered flag fell, Mitchell stood on the top step of the podium for his first Novice victory and allowing him to keep the checkered flag, commemorating his first-ever win.

Drew Weber picked up his first win as a PRO rider, following a flag to flag win the Hvwt Sportsman race. Istvan Hidvegi claimed his first win of 2022, by a staggering margin of 1 lap over second place Dylan Leclair in Ltwt Superbike. Following an intense battle with Steven Fletcher, Michael Vinten claimed the sidecar victory.

In typical Elie Daccache fashion, the PRO Superbike win was another dominating performance for the Ottawa rider. Beating newcomer Jake Leclair by nearly 20 seconds, Daccache’s fastest lap time was nearly four seconds a lap faster than Leclair in second place. Marc Labossière beat out Matt Vanderhorst to claim not just his first victory in the Super Series, but his first victory at Shannonville. To close out the first day of festivities, Hidvegi and Daccache claimed their second wins of the day in Lightweight Production and Sprint Cup respectively.

On day two, a brief rain shower at lunchtime didn’t stop the riders from putting on a good show to close out the weekend. Barrie’s Jordan Decarie scored his first win as an amateur rider in the PRO-AM Sportbike rice, fending off a late charge from Richard. Meanwhile in the PRO division, Alex Coelho got passed on the start by Raffa. However, Coelho charged after Raffa and with two laps to go was right on his rear. Coelho out braked Raffa going down the back straight and held on for his first win of 2022 by a margin of .627 seconds.

Redecki claimed another Ltwt Sportsman win, while in the Novice race Dunwoodie was out for redemption. Nabbing another pole, Dunwoodie failed the start again but used his Ducati power to overtake Mitchell for the lead by the end of lap one. Dunwoodie and Mitchell raced in a league of their own, running times 1-2 seconds faster than third place Alexis Beaudoin. This time, Dunwoodie closed the deal, scoring his first Novice class victory. Weber went 2 for 2 in Hvwt Sportsman, while Redecki claimed the Ltwt Superbike win. Michael Vinten held off another charge from Fletcher for another sidecar win, while Elie Daccache won the PRO Superbike race by over 27 seconds.

In the AM Sportbike division, Vanderhorst didn’t want to leave Shannonville without a winner’s trophy. To get one, he had to get through Marc Labossière. They battled hard with each other following Labossière’s slow start. Then, the Quebec racer ran out of time to catch Vanderhorst who held on for the win by only 3 tenths.

Quite fittingly to close out round one, Hidvegi and Daccache mirrored what they did yesterday by going back-to-back in Lightweight Production and Sprint Cup respectively.

After a successful Round One, the Super Series will be back June 10-11 on the Pro track layout for its second round. Last used during the 2021 season finale, Shannonville’s Pro track offers higher speeds, faster lap times and no room for mistakes.

For more information on the Super Series, please visit www.super-series.ca. Fans can follow us on Facebook @SuperSeriesMotorcycle.