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As the engines roared to life at Shannonville Motorsport Park, the air was thick with anticipation. Fans gathered, eager to witness the return of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK), and they weren’t disappointed. Torin Collins, the rising star of the Pro Supersport class, dominated race two with a performance that left spectators on the edge of their seats. Despite facing intense competition and a nail-biting crash, Collins emerged victorious, solidifying his status as a formidable contender for the 2025 championship.
Race dynamics unfold on the circuit
In stark contrast to his runaway triumph on Saturday, Collins faced a much tougher challenge in race two. Right from the get-go, he found himself in a fierce battle with defending champion Sebastien Tremblay and Trevor Daley, all vying for position in the opening laps. The atmosphere was electric, with the six-rider pack fighting fiercely for the lead. Collins, however, showed remarkable poise. After successfully navigating past Tremblay, he had to fend off an aggressive charge from Daley, but it was Matt Simpson who posed the greatest threat.
Simpson, fighting back from a slow start, was posting lap times that eclipsed everyone on track, including Collins. But motorsport can be unpredictable. An unfortunate collision between Daley and Simpson at the turn five hairpin led to a catastrophic brake failure for Simpson, resulting in a dramatic crash that sent shockwaves through the crowd. Thankfully, Simpson walked away without serious injuries, a relief for fans and competitors alike.
A thrilling restart and Collins’ decisive move
The race was temporarily halted due to the incident, but the excitement only intensified as the competitors lined up for an eight-lap restart. This time, it was Daley who shot off the line, igniting a fierce battle for the lead. Collins wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip away. In a breathtaking display of skill, he executed a daring pass into Allen’s chicane, narrowly managing to stop his Novalda Suzuki just in time. It was a heart-stopping moment, reminiscent of the thrilling overtakes we often see in the top tiers of motorsport.
Once in the lead, Collins maintained a relentless pace, gradually stretching his advantage over Daley. The 19-year-old rider reflected on his performance with a mix of disbelief and excitement: “I didn’t think I was getting the bike stopped on that pass, to be honest. I was all over the place there,” he laughed later, mimicking a broom gesture to signify his clean sweep of the weekend with pole position and two wins. What a weekend it was!
The podium and championship implications
Crossing the finish line first not only marked Collins’ second career victory in the Supersport category but also positioned him as a frontrunner for the 2025 middleweight championship. Daley, who mounted an impressive recovery from a seventh-place start to claim second, expressed his concern for Simpson while celebrating his own success. “First of all, I just want to send my thoughts to Matt Simpson, I hope he’s okay. That looked pretty scary,” he said from the podium.
The podium was completed by Tremblay, who secured third place, ensuring a Suzuki lockout at the top. This was a critical moment for the S.T. Motorsports rider, as his consistent finishes keep his title defense hopes alive, albeit with a 17-point gap as they head into the next round.
Looking ahead to the next race
The excitement doesn’t stop here. With Collins leading the charge, the Supersport category is poised for thrilling developments in the upcoming round at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Nova Scotia—a track that holds fond memories for Tremblay. As many know, the dynamics can shift rapidly in motorsport, and with riders like Collins and Tremblay in contention, fans can expect nothing less than adrenaline-fueled action.
For those who crave the thrill of speed and competition, the CSBK series has undoubtedly delivered. As the teams prepare for the next challenge, one can only wonder what the future holds for these talented riders. What will be the next chapter in this gripping narrative? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the 2025 season is shaping up to be one for the history books.