ARL announces 2009 schedule

By John Hopkins

TORONTO, ON -- The Atlantic Roadracing League has unveiled a five-round series at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, NS for 2009. The season will open May 16-17 and conclude Sept. 12-13.

The series will also provide a track day on the Friday prior to each race weekend and sell performance packages that will allow riders to purchase multiple track days at the AMP circuit.

Following the May 16-17 season opener races will be held June 20-21, July 11-12 and Aug. 1-2 before the season finale. ARL will also host the sixth round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at AMP Aug. 6-9.

Additional events include preseason testing May 9-10 and a High Performance Riding School May 30-31.

"ARL has secured its schedule for the 2009 season and is pleased with how it fits with the Parts Canada National Superbike Series as well as other race series in Canada and North America," the ARL said in a press release. "ARL acknowledges the need to provide a closed circuit facility for motorcycle riders who wish to experience the thrill of riding on a nationally recognized race track in Atlantic Canada."

The ARL, in co-operation with Tourism Nova Scotia, will be promoting a Maritime Race Getaway beginning with the ARL track day on July 31 and regional race weekend Aug. 1-2 and concluding with the Parts Canada Superbike national on Aug. 6-9. In addition to the race weekends a variety of activities will be planned for Aug. 3-5 to allow visitors to, "experience the beauty of the Atlantic landscape, and maritime hospitality," the ARL said.

The series has also announced it will add three new classes in 2009 -- Sportsman 2, CBR 125 and Thunder. The latter two categories correspond to divisions in the Parts Canada Superbike national road racing series.

"ARL recognizes the number of potential racers who own late model sportbikes and have made a decision to create a race class for these machines," the organization said in reference to the Sportsman 2 class. "Also, in an effort to introduce young riders to racing ARL has secured the CBR 125 class in association with Honda Canada. The Thunder class will bring a new class designed specficially for twin-cylinder motorcycles where all two cyclinder machines will qualify.

"ARL is making every effort to address the needs of true club racing fans by offering a place for virtually any kind of equipment and tons of track time on a regional race weekend. With the addition of these new classes and improved weekend scheduling, ARL is confident to offer even more tracktime per weekend. The average racer competing in just two classes can enjoy over four hours of available track time from Friday to Sunday."