Maxime Mercier

By Colin Fraser

TORONTO, ON -- Maxime Mercier died Sunday evening from head injuries sustained during Amateur Superbike race action in round 2 of the RACE Ontario Superseries at Shannonville Motorsport Park's North Fabi track.

Starting lap 2 of the second last event of the day, Mercier collided with another competitor entering turn 1. This collision locked the front brake on his Sport Bike/DOT class Yamaha R6, sending him over the front of his machine. Mercier landed on the track, his bike veering left into the end of the pit lane guardrail. From there, observers believe Mercier got tangled up with his machine, sustaining massive injuries. No other bikes were involved.

Although he was transported to hospital in nearby Belleville with a pulse, he soon succumbed to his injuries without ever regaining consciousness.

Mercier would have turned 18 on June 18, this Saturday.

The funeral is expected to take place in his hometown of Thedford Mines, QC, with a memorial service in Belleville early next week, details to be announced.

Mercier had considerable experience riding at Shannonville. His parents (Michel and Odette) are the owners of the successful FAST Racing School based at the popular southern Ontario venue. Maxime planned to spend the summer in the Belleville area, working at his parents' school.

Maxime Mercier started racing with some Supermoto activity in 2003 before moving to the SV650 Cup Championship last season. This year, Maxime entered the main "rising star" class in Canada, Amateur 600 Production.

A dirt track star in the seventies, Michel Mercier won three Canadian Superbike Championships (1986 and 1987 for Suzuki, 1990 for Yamaha) before concentrating on his FAST School business. Michel Mercier is credited with developing the early career of reigning Canadian Superbike Champ Pascal Picotte, and was deeply involved in his son's racing activities.

The entire Canadian racing community is in mourning for the popular Maxime.