Major Canadian Buell program

By John Hopkins

CONCORD, ON -- Two of Canada's most famous motorcycle road racers have teamed up to campaign a new Buell XBRR in the U.S. this summer.

Two-time Parts Canada Superbike champion Pascal Picotte, through his Picotte Racing squad will run six-time national champ Steve Crevier on the XBRR in the AMA Formula Extreme Series, according to a press release from Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada.

Additionally, defending Canadian Thunder champion and longtime Buell rider Darren James will compete in this summer's Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship on a Yamaha YZF-R6 with preparation help from Picotte.

"Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, in conjunction with Picotte Racing, will bring championship team experience to the XBRR Team Canada introductory season," the release said. "Picotte Racing, under the guidance of Pascal Picotte, will be providing the at-track support and management that will provide the competitive advantage for Team Canada. In addition to his racing experience, he [Picotte] brings research and development experience dating back to his involvement with the Harley-Davidson VR project in the early 1990s."

After a long and distinguished career in the United States, Granby, QC's Picotte returned to Canada in 2003 and proceeded to sweep both the Parts Canada Superbike crown and national 600 title for Yamaha in '03 and '04.

Crevier, meanwhile, won his fourth Canadian Pro 600 crown in 2005 and his record-extending 23rd career national Superbike victory. Like Picotte, the Maple Ridge, BC rider enjoyed a stellar U.S. career that included the AMA 600 Supersport title in 1998.

The association with Picotte is a tremendous boon for North Vancouver's James, one of Canada's rising road race talents. After narrowly missing the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike national title in 2004, James had a tough go as a rookie Pro privateer in 2005, although he did pick up the Canadian Thunder national title.

James will defend his Thunder crown with Buell in 2006.