[Editor's note: Contrary to some internet reports, Canadian champ Brett McCormick has not signed on with Team Effenbert Liberty to race WSBK next year...]
Reigning Canadian Superbike Championship by Parts Canada overall number one Brett McCormick of Saskatoon, SK, has certainly been on the move of late. Following three weeks in Europe competing in SuperStock rounds in France and Spain and visiting the BMW works SBK team in Germany, McCormick has finally returned to Canada.
Now McCormick is on a road trip, relaxing and exercising while visiting race and school friends at various points in western Canada. Slated to spend Halloween on the west coast with Harley-Davidson XR1200 Cup Pro aces Darren James and Steve Crevier, IM caught up with McCormick on Sunday night, October 23, following a full day of mountain biking west of Calgary, AB.
When asked about rumours that he was slated to ride for a works supported Ducati effort on the World Superbike tour in 2012, McCormick explained that “everyone acts really interested, and it seems like there are opportunities with both BMW and maybe Ducati in Europe. It could be World Superbike, or it could be a full season on the FIM SuperStock 1000 Cup bikes.”
McCormick, age 20, competed in the final two rounds of the Superstock tour in Europe, riding for the Garnier Alpha Racing Team aboard a BMW S1000RR in a “sorta try out” arranged by BMW Motorrad Canada. After a rough start at Magny-Cours October 2 where he worked his way up to 13th overall, McCormick was happier at the series finale at Portimao October 16 where he edged his teammate to net 10th out of 29 entrants.
Superstock is considered a stepping stone for the feature Superbike class, and the rules are similar to those used in the Canadian SBK class, where McCormick won six out of a possible seven 2011 races aboard his works-supported BMW.
Following the race in Portugal, McCormick represented Inside Motorcycles at the same venue in an exclusive works machinery track test – check an upcoming issue for the Champ’s review. A strong effort during the Monday Media Day led to series tire supplier Pirelli recommending McCormick for a Ducati Superbike tire test the next day.
So on Tuesday, October 18, McCormick spent the afternoon turning 30 laps aboard the Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R, turning the ninth best lap time of the day. His best lap at 1:44.2 compared well with that posted by regular rider veteran Jacob Smrz in the actual second race, quickest of the day at 1:44.08.
“I’m not counting my chickens,” continued McCormick, referring to his aim of moving to the European tour next season. “I think I showed that I belong there. I feel capable of doing well in Europe, and my trip overall bodes well.”
“We should know more in a couple of weeks. My goal, I think my best chance for seasoning, is Superstock. I’d be happy to move straight to Superbike, I don’t think I’m far off the pace at all, but I think Superstock would be my first choice, to learn the tracks and get used to everything.”
