Szoke, Honda team up

Jordan Szoke has a lot to look forward to as the racing season quickly approaches.

After an off-season of uncertainty, the local superbike champion has landed on his feet with a new ride.

After four years with Kawasaki, Szoke is back with the Honda family.

"They're one of the big powerhouses in racing," Szoke said. "They have a strong company and that's a good reason to go with them."

Szoke said he spoke with a number of manufacturers about the upcoming season. But Honda came to the table with what he thought was the best deal for him and the team.

"I'm excited for the switch," Szoke said. "I've won with Kawasaki and they've been very good to me. This will be a great challenge and we're really looking forward to seeing what we can do."

Szoke expects his return to Honda will be a different experience because he is also managing the team.

"Basically it's my team," Szoke said. "There are some pros and cons with it, just like anything else. But it's going to be fun.

"It's a road you take usually late in your career," Szoke said. "I'm nowhere near the end of my racing career but, for this year, this is the way we're going. It's a different role but I think we'll do well with it."

So, not only will he be riding, Szoke will be leading the team he's put together.

The first order of business was to pull together his crew.

"I hired the Fast Company crew I had in '02, '03, '04 and '05," Szoke said. "When I rode for Kawasaki, they had their crew in place for me. I've been good friends with these guys and I've known them my whole career.

"Even before signing with Honda I wanted them," he said. "You have to be able to trust a team with your life out there and I trust them."

With his team, consisting of six crew members and two riders, in place, Szoke and Fast Company are working on a bike they hope will propel the rider to his seventh Superbike title and fifth in a row.

As team manager, Szoke said the biggest concern is taking care of the many small things that need to be done.

"You have to put a lot of time into the team instead of focusing just on riding," Szoke said. "I have to be in the office a whole lot more."

He said he is getting used to handling bookings and making sure the crew has everything it needs.

Szoke said the transition has been made easier because of help from his wife Amy, who is also a rider. She taking care of some of the many tasks that need to be done.

For Szoke, the biggest plus of his new role is being in full control.

"The pressure is off for us," Szoke said. "Of course there's pressure to succeed but it's something we put on ourselves."

Source: Brantford Expositor