Boucher heading to Miller World round

By John Hopkins

CALABOGIE, ON -- Montreal's Marie-Josee Boucher looks to have secured a spot in the World Supersport round at Miller Motorsport Park next weekend.

The defending Pro Honda Oils Womens Cup champ was putting the finishing touches on the deal as she prepared for the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Calabogie Motorsports Park on Friday.

The Excel Moto Honda rider was motivated to apply for a spot after hearing that another Canadian, Andrew Nelson of Kars, ON, had been accepted for the World Supersport event at Miller. Kevin Graham of Orion Motorsports, who handles the Pirelli Tire program for the Parts Canada Superbike series, helped arrange the spot for her through his European connections.

"I didn't think it would work," said Boucher on Friday evening at Calabogie. "Kevin was awesome. He worked very hard not only to get me down there but to get me some support at the race."

Boucher will ride her Honda CBR600RR although she is expecting to get some set-up help from US sources at Miller.

The 28-year-old Boucher has set modest goals for her World Championship debut.

"I just want to qualify. That will be my win," she admitted. "I'll take in as much experience as I can and hopefully be able to use it up here. I'm going to go down there, ride with these guys and hopefully learn a lot."

Boucher will not be the only female in the World Supersport field at Miller. American Melissa Paris has also been accepted into the event.

"Maybe the two of us can do some good for women's racing," Boucher said.