Pirelli pumps up Canadian participation

By John Hopkins

TORONTO, ON -- Pirelli will make a major increase in its participation in Canadian road racing this season as part of an expanded contingency program across North America.

The company will be involved in nine provincial series, as opposed to just two in 2004, and continue its involvement with the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, according to a press release from Pirelli Racing issued today.

Pirelli's total road racing contingency postings in North America will exceed $2.5 million (U.S.), an increase of almost $300,000 from 2004, the release said. This is the second year Pirelli has posted over $2.3 million (U.S.) in road racing contingency.

Pirelli will pay finishes as deep as 10th place, depending on race organization and class, and it has lifted the restriction that limited contingency payments to a racer's best four finishes over the course of a race weekend.

All details of the program are available by going to the "Pirelli Racing Contingency" link on the company's U.S. website, www.us.pirellimoto.com, or by contacting its Canadian race vendor, Orion Motorsports at 416-414-9911.