Nickerson Invited to MotoGP Rookies Cup tryout

From STN Racing

HAMILTON, ON -- Top-ranked Canadian amateur road racer Steven Nickerson has been selected to attend a two-day trial for the 2011 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup series at the Monteblanco circuit near Sevilla, in the south of Spain - Sept. 13-15.
           
Prior to learning that he was selected to attend the tryout the 15-year-old Hamilton-based racer had just wrapped up his first season in the Amateur Sport Bike class of the national Parts Canada Superbike Championship series. Nickerson finished the season with a solid third overall in the final 2010 Championship standings.
           
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is a unique program designed to help develop up-and-coming young motorcycle talent from around the globe. This prestigious series provides riders a chance to compete on world-class racing circuits across Europe on identical KTM RC125 race bikes and under identical conditions. Riders are selected to tryout through a thorough application process.
           
Nickerson will be one of numerous riders ages 13 to 17 years old invited from around the world to vie for a handful of spots open to new applicants. The final selectees will have the opportunity to develop their skills and prove themselves in front of Grand Prix fans, teams and the media.
           
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime. My main goals are to have fun and improve each time I’m on the track,” said Nickerson. “I know whatever the outcome I will have learned so much and have had a very memorable experience.”
           
A panel of five racing experts will evaluate the Rookies Cup applicants in Spain. The selection committee includes noted engineer Harold Bartol, former MotoGP team owner Peter Clifford and 1993 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kevin Schwantz.
           
About 10-15 racers from the two-day trial are expected to be invited to participate in the 2011 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

American Jake Gagne clinched the 2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup at the Misano World Circuit in Italy last weekend. The 17-year-old from California edged Great Britain’s Danny Kent for the title.