The Parts Canada National Super Bike series was kicked off this past weekend with a return to Montréal’s ICAR circuit at Mirabel. ProStar was in attendance with both Rookie Of the Year candidate Sebastien Tremblay and veteran rider Frank Trombino to contest the Pro Sport Bike and Super Bike classes. With the Sturgess Cycle, Sport Center Café, Acme Slate CBR1000RR now getting some new parts and development time both the team and Frank were hoping for a good result in Sunday’s Super Bike final. “This super pole thing, it’s my first time doing a one lap qualifier and I’m struggling getting my head around it.” stated Trombino “I’m more a rhythm rider and get stronger as the race goes on, to let it all hang out in one lap …….. I’m going to have to practice this one”. Showing extremely well in Saturday’s morning Super Pole qualifier, Frank had the pace to be on the front row, posting the third fastest time of the morning session and placing himself solidly in the upper half of the “one and done” qualifiers, but a disappointing seventh place time in Super Pole started Frank on the inside of the second row for Sunday’s final.

With both Sebastien Tremblay and Frank Trombino racing in the Sports Bike class the team was busy getting all the CBR600RR Hondas ready to go for Saturday’s qualifying sessions, “Sebastien is not 100% fit and I was concerned about getting him through this weekend ……… but he did great, he is still hurt and not all that familiar with the bikes or the team but he still turned some very quick laps. I believe a healthy Sebastien Tremblay could have been right up there with Matechuk and Riedmann” stated Ben Gartner of ProStar, although Frank’s qualifying performance was decent it was less than what the team was hoping for. “We were looking for the right set up on all the bikes but with the two riders needing different things…….. it was tough, we were very fortunate to have Gianni Aceto from MotoGP Canada, helping us out with set up, he ended up making some very good suggestions that helped the bikes and riders a lot, handling and tire wear immediately got better and rider comfort was greatly improved, it was good to have him there helping us out”.
Sunday started off a bit overcast with the sun peaking out on and off all day. The Sports Bike race went off after lunch with both Frank and Sebastien on their Sturgess Cycle CBR600RR Hondas “the first red flag was a blessing in disguise” commented Joel Nodell “they called Frank for a jump start and to be honest I just didn’t see it……. anyways, the red flag kind of saved us, mind you he was in a very tight three bike fight for third place at the time and you never know what could have happened. Ironically they got Sebastien on a jump start in the restart, what is it they say that’s racing” Trombino’s fourth place and Sebastien’s twelfth was a good days work for the team and riders.

With Tremblay sitting out the Superbike race the team focused on Frank and the CBR1000RR for the feature race on Sunday “we are in a bit of a hole starting on the second row after Super Pole, it could have been a completely different race if we were on the front row” commented Gartner “Frank will get stronger as the race goes on but each rider he has to pass will slow him down just a bit and as the leaders are riding away its tough to hunt them down. His ride was great, he just didn’t give up, he never gives up, that was a fantastic ride I can’t wait to see it on TV” said Nodell “Frank and the team worked hard to get this result and it feels good, a podium would feel better for sure but forth is fantastic, I’m really happy for Frank and the guys our sponsors and friends it was great to be this competitive at the Nationals again” stated Gartner.

ProStar Motorsports would like to thank: Sturgess Cycle, SPYKE leathers, Hindle Exhaust, Sport Center Café, Orion Motorsports/Pirelli, Honda Canada, Honda Pro Oils, Mimic Industries, Blue Streak Racing, Woodcraft CFM, Absolute Adventures, Wizo EDM Tool, Fast.Co, Orient Express and Dan Kyle Racing.