By John Hopkins / Photo by Bob Szoke
SHUBENACADIE, NS -- Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada / Ruthless Racing team member Dave Murphy is getting a new watch, courtesy of Darren James.
James made it all possible by claiming the Tactical Products Canada Pole Position Award in qualifying for the fifth round of the Harley-Davidson XR1200 Cup at Atlantic Motorsport Park on Saturday. The prize is a Luminox timepiece with an MSRP of over $400.
"Before the end of the season, I wanted one of those watches to give to Dave Murphy," said a beaming James after the qualifying session. "He's been with me a long time. He built my first 600 in 2000 and I went out and wrecked it the same day. He's worked with me on and off for 11 years since then.
"It's been a hard season for the team. I've been hurt and it seems like we've been crashing bikes all year. This is a bit of redemption."
The North Vancouver racer turned a lap at 1:12.804 in the qualifying session to claim his first pole position of the season. Points leader Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC had to settle for second with a 1:13.005 on the MotoSport Plus of Kingston entry, but he still picked up a point on his nearest rival, Cody Matechuk of Cochrane, AB, who will start third for Sunday's race after recording a 1:13.115 on the XR1200 from the Halifax-based Privateers Harley-Davidson shop.
James is still nursing a badly torn tendon in his thumb, suffered at the beginning of July at Shannonville Motorsport Park, and an injured leg from a fall at the previous XR1200 event at Autodrome St-Eustache.
"I wanted to give Steve a run for his money," James added. "At the end of the day yesterday he was about five tenths of a second ahead of me but today I really wanted it badly -- that's all it came down to."
Samuel Proulx of Magog, QC completes the front row for Sunday's race after recording a time of 1:13.790 on his Sherbrooke Harley-Davidson entry.
Crevier now leads Matechuk by 22 points in the XR1200 Cup standings, 211-189. Proulx is third with 142 and James sits fourth with 117 points.
Qualifying Results
1. Darren James, North Vancouver, BC 1:12.804
2. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC 1:13.005
3. Cody Matechuk, Cochrane, AB 1:13.115
4. Samuel Proulx, Magog, QC 1:13.790
5. Chris Harmon, Bracebridge, ON 1:13.903
6. Lee Kuhn Jr., Hamilton, ON 1:14.422
7. John Ross McRae, Calgary, AB 1:14.740
8. Elie Daccache, Ottawa, ON 1:14.782
9. Olivier Spilborghs, White Rock, BC 1:14.946
10. Jim Dickenson, Courtland, ON 1:17.030
11. Steve Hoffarth, Orangeville, ON 1:17.694
12. Dan Thomson, Carleton Place, ON 1:18.699
13. Tim Clarkson, Bowmanville, ON 1:23.252
14. Gump Harrison, Ailsa Craig, ON 1:24.415
