New classes, new venues for Nationals

From Professional Motorsports Productions

TORONTO, ON – Big changes are in store for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship in 2011.
       
Canada’s national motorcycle road racing series will see two former regular venues return to the fold and the addition of two new classes. The coming season will mark the 32nd anniversary of national Superbike racing in Canada and Parts Canada returns as title sponsor for a 12th year. There will be a year-end prize fund in 2011.
       
The series will consist of five rounds, opening once again at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Que. May 27-29 and wrapping up for the first time with the doubleheader at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ont. Aug. 19-21.
       
Rounds will also be held at Shannonville Motorsport Park in Shannonville, Ont. July 1-3, Autodrome St-Eustache in St-Eustache, Que. July 8-10 and Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, N.S. Aug. 5-7. A second doubleheader weekend is also under discussion, bringing the total number of races to seven.
       
“These are challenging times for the Canadian motorcycle industry but the Parts Canada Superbike Championship has a long tradition of showcasing the best in the sport in this country,” said Colin Fraser of series organizer Professional Motorsports Productions. “Keeping the nationals thriving and moving forward for the future is of paramount importance.”
       
One of Canada’s most storied motorcycle facilities, Shannonville returns to the tour after a one-year absence. The venue staged its first national in 1980 and has run 44 Canadian Superbike races, the most of any track in Canada. St-Eustache last hosted a national in 2003, but has since been repaved and is now owned by former racer Alan Labrosse and his family.
       
The national series will consist of six classes, headlined by the Pro Superbike division. Returning categories will include Pro Sport Bike, Amateur Sport Bike and the CBR125R Challenge. New to the championship will be the Harley-Davidson XR1200 Cup spec class and Amateur Superbike.
       
The Harley-Davidson XR1200 Cup is based on similar series already running in the United States and Britain. Backed by Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, the series uses identical, near stock versions of the sport twins to ensure a high level of competition without the necessity of major upgrades over the course of a season.
       
“We are very excited to bring the XR1200 class to Canada,” said Darren James of Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada. “We think it provides an excellent opportunity for dealers to get involved in a racing program; the bikes sound great and they will provide a dramatic spectacle.”
     
The Amateur Superbike class will mirror the Pro category, showcasing the latest in sports bike technology and offering a potential second entry for Amateur Sport Bike competitors.
       
“The Amateur Superbike class gives our up-and-coming racers another opportunity to get seat time and build up their racing experience at a high level,” Fraser added.
       
Pirelli returns for its sixth year as the spec tire supplier to the Parts Canada Superbike Championship through its distributor Orion Motorsports. For 2011 there will be more restrictive limits in the Pro divisions.

2011 Parts Canada Superbike Championship Schedule
Round One, May 27-29, Circuit ICAR, Mirabel, Que.
Round Two, July 1-3, Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, Ont.
Round Three, July 8-10, Autodrome St-Eustache, St-Eustache, Que.
Round Four, Aug. 5-7, Atlantic Motorsport Park, Shubenacadie, N.S.
Round Five, Aug. 19-21, Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ont.
Round Six, Aug. 19-21, Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ont.