Superbikes get Superpole

From Professional Motorsports Productions

TORONTO, ON -- A new single-bike timed qualifying format, sponsored by Pirelli, will be introduced to the Parts Canada Superbike Championship for the 2008 season while Inside Motorcycles will continue as sponsor of the Pole Position Award for a second season.

The Pirelli Superpole run-off will be staged on the Saturday afternoon of each race weekend. The contest will see the fastest 10 competitors from that morning’s qualifying session face-off to determine the starting order for the following day’s feature race.

Each rider will get one flying lap alone on the track to establish their final qualifying time, preceded by a single warm-up lap. Racers will take to the track in the reverse order of their morning qualifying position, meaning the 10th fastest from the morning session will be first out, and the fastest from the morning will be the last to set a qualifying time. Riders will depart from the “Pirelli Arch,” designed specially for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

The fastest qualifier will earn the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award and a cheque for $500.

Pirelli is entering its third year as spec tire supplier to the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, a role it also serves with the World Superbike Championship. The Superpole format has been used successfully in the World series for many years to decide the top 16 starting positions.

“We have enjoyed our relationship with the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and have seen our development work here benefit our tire programs worldwide,” said Kevin Graham of Orion Motorsports, the Canadian distributor for Pirelli. “We look forward to the additional promotional boost the Pirelli Superpole will give us and the opportunity to expand our tire development.”

Pirelli is developing a special tire specification to be used in the Superpole sessions next season.

Points in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship will still be awarded to the top four qualifiers in the Pirelli Superpole session, with four going to the winner of the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award, three for second fastest, two for third and one for fourth.

“We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Pole Position Award and to team up with Pirelli in this exciting program,” said David Weber, managing editor of Inside Motorcycles. “The addition of the Pirelli Superpole will make the qualifying battles that much more exciting.”

Inside Motorcycles also sponsors the Team of the Year Award in the national series.

Starting positions for riders outside the top 10 will be based on their times from the Saturday morning session. A rider who fails to complete their Superpole lap, either due to a crash or mechanical setback, will start no lower than 10th on the grid.

Should rain interfere with the Pirelli Superpole run-off, the session will be scrubbed and Saturday morning times will be used to set the entire starting grid. No qualifying points will be awarded.

In the event of a doubleheader weekend, the Pirelli Superpole session will be held on the Friday afternoon and will set the field for both Superbike feature races.