Motourage

The horsepower limit in the feature class of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship has been raised to 190, as measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno, for the 2010 season.  The move represents an increase of five horsepower over the previous class limit.

The decision was made following evaluation of BMW’s new S1000RR, which will make its debut in the national Superbike championship at the opening round of the season at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Que. May 28-30.

“We would have preferred not to make this decision so close to the start of the season,” said Peter Hoogeveen, technical director of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “But we wanted to be sure to have the most reliable and accurate data on hand. We wanted to test the BMW ourselves in Canada, on our own Dynojet Dyno and with our own staff, before making the ruling.”

Dynojet has been a sponsor and partner of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship since 1997, when horsepower limits were introduced for the national series. The top finishers in all classes are measured on the Dynojet Dyno immediately following qualifying sessions and races to ensure they comply with the series regulations.

The dyno is also available at all rounds of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship in an unofficial capacity for racers to tune their bikes.

Horsepower limits for each of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship classes are assessed on an ongoing basis and increases are made to reflect improved performance in stock equipment.

Prior to the start of the 2003 season, the Superbike division was unrestricted and bikes were not held to a horsepower limit. Now, however, the current, production-oriented feature class machines produce power on a par with their predecessors in the unrestricted era.

“The pace of motorcycle development over the past several years has been quite remarkable,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, which administers the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. Trying to keep up with the performance improvements of the latest equipment while ensuring a fair playing field for our competitors is a tremendous challenge, but we are confident this latest increase in the horsepower limit will be a positive move for our series.”

Four BMW S1000RRs are expected to compete in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship this season. Two-time national champion Francis Martin of Sherbrooke, Que. will team up with Kitchener, Ont.’s Mike Ferreira in the BMW Motorrad Canada factory squad, while entries are also anticipated from Andrew Nelson of Kars, Ont. and Carleton Place, Ont.’s Steve Walker.

The Pro Honda Oil’s Women’s Cup Challenge is ready to kick off the season this weekend at Shannonville Motorsports Park in Shannonville, Ontario, Canada.

The top WCC racers have been gearing up for the 2010 season.  Vanessa Gareau, Marie-Josee Boucher and Kana Matsumoto took part in the Dominican Republic Superbike Championship’s first round in March, while Natalie Catherine Provost and Genevieve Lesieur have been busy testing in Florida over the winter months.

Long-time sponsor and official tire supplier of the WCC, Orion Motorsports/Pirelli, has announced today that it will award the 2010 Women’s Cup Champion with a $2000 gift certificate to assist the Champion in taking on the best of the Pros in the 2011 Parts Canada National Superbike Series.  Pirelli service provider Orion Motorsports’ Kevin Graham commented, “We are very proud of the part that Pirelli has played as the spec tire supplier for the WCC.  We realize how important high quality racing tires are and just how much of a racing budget that tires can take up. We wanted to help the top lady move on to the Pro ranks just as we have assisted the top Amateur champions in the past.”

A new crop of Novice WCC racers are expected to debut this weekend and vie for top novice positions and the chance to be recognized as one of the Experts.  Top Novice finisher for the weekend will be awarded the Pirelli Tires Fast Lady award of $100 towards a set of Pirelli racing tires.

The next round for the 2010 WCC Championship will take place on May 28-30 at ICAR during round 1 of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

Round ONE – 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship
May 26 – 30, 2010
ICAR Mirabel, QC
Schedule of Events

WEDNESDAY, May 26

Noon Line Up for Paddock Move In  (Rigs, Trucks, etc.)

4:00 PM Registration Opens

5:00 PM Gate Open for Paddock Pre-assignment and parking

7:30 PM Registration and Gate Closes

THURSDAY, MAY 27
NATIONAL TEST DAY

7:30 AM Registration and Technical Inspection Opens (closed at 3:30 PM)

11:00 AM Mandatory Rider’s Meeting

TEST SESSIONS

Noon Pro Sport Bike – 45 min.

12:55 PM K&N AM Sport Bike- Odd # s – 25 min.

1:35 PM K&N AM Sport Bike – Even #s – 25 min.

2:15 PM Parts Canada Superbike FEATURE – 1 Hour

3:30 PM Sport Twins – 25 min.

4:05 PM Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup – 25 minutes

4:35 PM Honda CBR125R Challenge – 25 minutes

FRIDAY, MAY 28

7:00 AM Registration and Technical Inspection Opens (closed at 2 PM)

8:15 AM Mandatory Rider’s Meeting

NOTE: All sessions have time/duration listed, and will run as per the Digital Clock in the Pit lane;
Sessions will be shortened and revised as necessary and announced

MORNING PRACTICE SESSIONS

9:00 AM Pro Sport Bike – 35 min.

9:45 AM K&N AM Sport Bike – ODD Numbers # – 20 min.

10:15 AM K&N AM Sport Bike – EVEN Numbers # – 20 min.

10:45 AM Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 40 minutes

11:35 AM Sport Twins – 20 minutes

Noon Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup – 20 minutes

12:25 PM Honda CBR125R Challenge – 20 minutes

12:45 PM LUNCH Break and Bike Pick-Up

PM PRACTICE SESSIONS:

1:30 PM Pro Sport Bike – 35 min.

2:15 PM K&N AM Sport Bike – ODD Numbers # – 20 min.

2:45 PM K&N AM Sport Bike – EVEN Numbers # – 20 min.

3:15 PM Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 40 minutes

4:05 PM Sport Twins 20 min.

4:35 PM Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup – 20 minutes

5:00 PM Honda CBR125R Challenge – 20 minute Qualifying Session

SATURDAY, MAY 29

7:00 AM Registration and Technical Inspection Opens (Closes at Noon)

8:15 AM Mandatory Rider’s Meeting

NOTE: All sessions have time/duration listed, and will run as per the Digital Clock in the Pit
lane; sessions will be shortened and revised as necessary and announced

MORNING PRACTICE/QUALIFYING SESSIONS

9:00 AM Pro Sport Bike – 35 min.

9:45 AM K&N AM Sport Bike – Group One or ODD Numbers # – 20 min.

10:15 AM K&N AM Sport Bike – Group Two or EVEN Numbers # – 20 min.

10:45 AM Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 40 minutes
Official Pre-Qualifying – lock in top ten for Afternoon SUPERPOLE

11:35 AM Sport Twins -  20 min.

NOON Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup – 20 minutes

12:25 PM Honda CBR125R Challenge – 20 minutes

12:45 PM LUNCH Break and Bike Pick-Up – Autograph Sessions & Rider’s Meeting – Top Ten Q for Superbike Pre-SUPERPOLE

TIMED QUALIFYING SESSIONS by MCC-RR Timing System

1:30 PM Pro Sport Bike – 30 min.

2:10 PM Honda CBR125R Challenge – National Round One – 10 Laps – Podium after event

2:40 PM Parts Canada Superbike Feature – Top Ten – 10 minute Warm-Up

2:55 PM Parts Canada Superbike Pirelli SUPERPOLE – Top Ten Lock In -
Inside Motorcycles Magazine Award for Fastest Qualifier

3:30 PM K&N AM Sport Bike – Group One or ODD Numbers # – 20 min.

4:00 PM K&N AM Sport Bike – Group Two or EVEN Numbers # – 20 min.

4:30 PM Sport Twins – 20 minutes

4:55 PM Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup – 20 minutes

SUNDAY, MAY 30

7:30 AM to Noon:  Crew Registration and Pass Pick Up

8:15 AM Mandatory Rider’s meeting Behind Tower

NOTE: All sessions have time/duration listed, and will run as per the Digital Countdown Clock
in the Pit lane; shortened and revised as necessary and announced

PRACTICE SESSIONS

9:00 AM Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup – 15 minutes

9:25 AM Pro Sport Bike – 20 minutes

9:55 AM K&N AM Sport Bike – QUALIFIED RIDERS ONLY – 15 min.

10:20 AM Parts Canada Superbike Feature – 25 minutes

10:55 AM Sport Twins – 15 minutes

11:20 AM Pro Honda CBR125R Challenge – 15 minutes

11:45 AM Pro Honda Oils Women’s Cup National Race – 12 laps (Trophy Presentation Following Event)

NOON LUNCH Break and Bike Pick-Up

FEATURE PROGRAM

12:45 PM Opening Ceremonies, National Anthems & Pro Sport Bike National Roll-Out

1:00 PM – NATIONAL FINAL EVENTS
1.   Pro Sport Bike – 14 Laps
Trophy Presentation Following Event
2.   Honda CBR125R Challenge Round Two – 10 Laps
Trophy Presentation Following Event
3.   K&N AM Sport Bike – 14 Laps
Trophy Presentation Following Event

2:50 PM (approx.):
4.   Roll Out for 18 Lap
Parts Canada Superbike NATIONAL Feature – Race # 1 of 7
Trophy Presentation Following Event
5.   Sport Twins – 12 Laps

* Schedule subject to change without notice

2010 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Steeves Motorsports team. New for the 2010 season is the team’s switch to Suzuki GSX-R equipment. For 2010 rider Terry Steeves will be campaigning a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 superbike in Atlantic Roadracing League Atlantic Championship events and select Parts Canada Superbike Championship rounds. The team is very excited for this new challenge and is looking forward to the coming season.

New sponsors for 2010 include Suzuki and Pro Cycle. Suzuki has a rich and storied history of success in motorcycle racing, as does Pro Cycle. Both have long been supporters of racing in Atlantic Canada and we are very pleased to be working with them in 2010.

For 2010 Suomy has renewed their support of the team. Terry’s excellent Suomy suit and Helmet worked perfectly during his unfortunate accident last July and saved him from what could have been far worse injury. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Suomy back on board.

We would also like to welcome back Importations Thibault and Vicious Cycle who have renewed their support for 2010. Both are big players in our team and we are very happy to have them back on for this year. Also returning for 2010 are Atlantic Roadracing League, Accelerated Technologies, Slim Gyms, Pirelli Tires, Parts Canada Superbike Championship, Dionne Signs, Repsol lubricants, AFAM, D.I.D Racing Chains, and Brad Boutilier Photo & Press.

Rider Terry Steeves has completely recovered from his injuries sustained last July and has been training very hard during the off season. Terry is in the best shape of his life, in large part thanks to sponsors Slim-Gyms Fitness for Men. They have been coaching him through his injury and pushing him to build up his endurance and fitness. Terry is very much looking forward to the season.

As always we would like to thank all our sponsors, fans, and supporters. Without them none of this would be possible and we are very thankful for your support. Terry would also like to thank his fiancée Nicole for her support, understanding, and encouragement.

You can follow Steeves Motorsports on Twitter at twitter.com/StMotorsports.

Parts Canada Superbike Championship rider, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan based 18 year old Brett McCormick, will join the AMA Pro American Superbike series, riding for the Jordan Suzuki team in the AMA Pro American Superbike class. McCormick will make his debut at the upcoming third event of the season at Road Atlanta, near Braselton, Georgia, April 17-18.

McCormick tested for the team, owned by legendary basketball Superstar Michael Jordan, at Infineon Raceway at Sears Point, near San Francisco, CA, for the past two days.  With long time Jordan racer Aaron Yates injured during the previous round of the tour at Auto Club Speedway outside Los Angles, CA., last weekend, the opportunity opened up for McCormick to join the squad as a substitute for Yates.

Jordan team leader Yates was injured on Sunday morning, March 28, during the warm-up session for race four of the American Superbike series. Yates crashed in the infield of the road course, and was run over by a competitor who he had just passed.  The incident broke both bones in Yates’ lower leg, the tibia in two places.  Yates is expected to be out of action for around two months after surgery that lasted six hours.

For McCormick, the opportunity to ride for the Jordan team was a much needed positive career swing.  The Jordan squad fields two Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes, and the other team entry, ridden by Jake Zemke and sponsored by the National Guard, is currently leading the series points standings.

McCormick was runner up in both the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike division in 2009, his third year as a Pro road race competitor on the Canadian National tour.  However the Blackfoot Suzuki squad folded during the past off season, leaving top prospect McCormick looking for work.  A potential job on the Superbike World Championship trail aboard a privateer Ducati looked promising, but a more experienced European racer got the job at the last minute.
Read more…

Parts Canada has announced its support of Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Teams’ Alex Welsh and Kawasaki-sponsored rider Vicki Schouten for the upcoming 2010 season of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

Welsh, a promising talent in Canadian road racing, is not unfamiliar with taking the podium after receiving the 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year award and having several top-three finishes in 2009 in the Superbike and Pro Sport Bike classes.

Riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Welsh will be a tough competition in Canadian Superbike racing in 2010, and Parts Canada is proud to be involved with such a talented force.  CEO of Parts Canada, James Danyluk, offered, “Alex has shown great talent and exemplary sportsmanship in previous years, and we’re happy to be supporting his efforts this season.”

Vicki Schouten, in addition to receiving the #1 plate on the Women’s Cup Challenge in 2009, raced to a respectful third place finish in the Armour Bodies Amateur Sport Bike Championship.  Although she has only four seasons of road racing behind her, Schoutten has proven herself to be a serious competitor on the bike and an excellent role model off the track. She brings tremendous spirit and professionalism to the sport and Parts Canada is excited to be part of her 2010 season of the Pro Sport Bike and Superbike National Championships.

Suzuki Canada has agreed to a reduced role in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship that will see its motorcycles remain eligible for the national road racing series. This will be the 30th year of national Superbike racing in Canada and the 10th season of Parts Canada’s title sponsorship of the series.

Under the terms of the new deal, Suzuki Canada will pay a small homologation fee to allow its GSX-R1000 and GSX-R600 equipment to run in the feature Parts Canada Superbike and Yoshimura Pro SportBike divisions in 2010.

The arrangement precludes the manufacturer from providing direct support for ‘A’ teams in either class, however it leaves the door open for privateers and dealer supported competitors to ride Suzukis in the national series. Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 is particularly popular among smaller racing teams.

“Everyone understands the current financial challenges in the motorcycle industry, and it was important to provide some flexibility to Suzuki Canada so that it could continue to play a role in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, which administers the series.

“Our four partner manufacturers agreed that keeping the GSX-R out of the series would have a detrimental effect on the national championship, and we think we have found a good compromise that can work for all parties. We appreciate Suzuki’s willingness to find a way to make this happen.”

The move is also based on Suzuki Canada making an early commitment to the 2011 Parts Canada Superbike Championship. The company will continue to pay contingency to riders on board its motorcycles.

“This is going to be a challenging summer and we’ve had to make concessions in a number of areas,” Fraser added. “But we are confident that by taking these steps for 2010 we can ensure a strong and prosperous national championship for the 2011 season and beyond.”

Yamaha Motor Canada will not officially participate in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship. The company made its decision to withdraw last November. As a result, the YZF-R1 Superbike has been excluded from the national series, along with any 2010 Yamaha models. Yamaha YZF-R6 motorcycles from the 2009 model year and earlier are still permitted in the Sport Bike class.

“We all hope, however, that Yamaha will return to the Parts Canada Superbike Championship in the near future,” Fraser added.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship is overseen by Professional Motorsports Productions along with partner manufacturers Canadian Kawasaki Motors, Honda Canada, BMW Motorrad Canada and Deeley Racing.

The 2010 season opens May 28-30 at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Que.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship will adopt a new class for two-cylinder machines for the 2010 national motorcycle road racing season.  This new category will replace the long-running and popular SV650 Cup class, and – according to series organizers Professional Motorsports Productions – Twin Sports will use the Suzuki SV model as the benchmark for performance in the new division.

Drawing on recent Canadian,  American Thunder and Suzuki SV650 Cup class rules, the following overall guidelines will be in place for the new Twin Sports division, slated to debut at the opening 2010 Parts Canada Superbike National round at ICAR, Mirabel, Quebec on May 30.  The overall standard of preparation and modification permitted for Twin Sports will match the current Sport Bike class standards.  Twin Sports class entries will be production-based, sports-oriented twin-cylinder machines.

Two basic categories of twin cylinder, four-stroke powered street-based bikes will be allowed:

1.  Liquid-cooled, maximum 800cc displacement, with a maximum power output of 80 as measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno.  Minimum wet weight post race is 360 pounds.

2.  Air-cooled, open displacement, with a maximum power output of 95 as measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno.  Minimum weight post race is 385 pounds.

The liquid-cooled machinery expected to compete includes Suzuki’s SV650, several Kawasaki models including the 650cc Ninja, BMW’s F800 vertical twin, Korean manufacturer Hyosung’s GT650 model line and the new Hyosung powered Fischer MRX650. Anticipated air-cooled entries include Ducati’s Sports 1000 and Monster models, Harley-Davidson’s new XR1200, BMW R models and a variety of Buell XB model push-rod equipped twins.

Liquid-cooled, open class twin cylinder racers from the 2008 Canadian Thunder Feature class will not be allowed to compete.  This rules out the 749/848 and large Ducati models, BMW’s HP2 Sport and the Buell 1125R.

PMP’s Technical Director, Peter Hoogeveen, confirmed that the SV Cup’s level of performance is the target for the new division.  “We will keep a close eye on the results both on track and in Tech.,” explains Hoogeveen. “At mid-season we will review the data, to see if any tweaks need to be made to the class standards in our 2010 Rule Book, and make those adjustments.  We want to be sure that costs are well controlled in the new twins division.”

As with all Canadian National classes, the Twin Sports category will race with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa DOT race tires.  2010 Twin Sports competitors will be allowed six tires per race, and eight for double header weekends.  These totals do not include rain tires.

Both Pro and Amateur licensed competitors are allowed to compete in Twin Sports.  Pro licensed Twin Sports riders are not allowed compete in the Superbike Feature during a National weekend.

The Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team has announced that Alex Welsh of Uxbridge, Ontario will pilot its Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

Primary sponsors of the team will be Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Parts Canada.

“Kawasaki has a long and successful history of racing in Canada and the team is thrilled that they have entrusted us to carry on that tradition,” said team owner Mike Crompton. “We are also very pleased to have Parts Canada on board. They have put so much into this series and sport that we all enjoy. Their support will be a great asset to our team.”

The 21-year-old Welsh is one of the hottest new talents in Canadian motorcycle road racing. He was the 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and last summer joined the Canadian Kawasaki Motors factory team.

Despite missing one race due to injury, he finished seventh in the Superbike class on a Ninja ZX-10R with a top finish of third at Mosport International Raceway. He placed fourth in the Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike standings with four podium results to his credit, including a runner-up finish at Mosport, riding Kawasaki’s ZX-6R Ninja.

“Alex showed great promise and team spirit in 2009,” Crompton added. “All the crew is looking forward to concentrating its efforts with him and look forward to a successful 2010 season.”

The crew will consist of Harald Surian, a multi-time championship-winning tuner, who will look after trackside set-up and suspension. Richard Winter, whose immaculate Ninja ZX-6R Sport Bikes have won the past four Canadian national titles, will be the in-house builder and tuner. Crompton will handle engines and logistics. He has some 40 years of experience in the Canadian motorcycle industry, supplying engines and race equipment to some of the country’s leading competitors.

For the past several years, Canadian Kawasaki Motors has run its national road race program in-house. Last summer the squad claimed its fourth straight titles in the Parts Canada Superbike and Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike divisions. Crompton had been the crew chief for the Kawasaki program through its run of success.

“Work has begun in preparation for the new season and we will be ready for testing soon,” he added.

The 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens May 28-30 at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec

Canadian Kawasaki Motors has secured the services of Toronto-based Competition Systems to handle Kawasaki’s assault in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship. The team will consist of one rider and focus exclusively on the Superbike feature class with Kawasaki’s potent Ninja ZX-10R.

The new entity will be called Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team.

For the past several years, Canadian Kawasaki Motors has run its national road race program in-house. Last summer the squad claimed its fourth straight titles in the Parts Canada Superbike and Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike divisions.

Mike Crompton of Competition Systems has been the crew chief for the Kawasaki program through its run of success and will now take over as team owner of the new race program. Some of the existing crew will continue with the team and a rider and sponsors will be announced within a few days.

“Due to a number of circumstances we have decided to suspend activities with our factory program for 2010,” said Jeff Comello of Canadian Kawasaki Motors. “But despite this state of change we have tried to keep as much continuity as possible and Mike Crompton and Competition Systems are the perfect fit. We have been together now for four-plus years and have enjoyed a great deal of success.”

Crompton has some 40 years of experience in the Canadian motorcycle industry, supplying engines and race equipment to some of the country’s leading competitors.

“Canadian Kawasaki Motors is a great company and I’m looking forward to this,” Crompton said. “We already have a good team structure and equipment. We’ve spent a number of years building this program and all we have to do is just continue what we’ve started.”

The agreement between Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Competition Systems is for one year and will be re-evaluated at the end of the 2010 racing season.

“Kawasaki is committed to showcasing the Ninja brand in competition and we feel strongly that we need to be behind the Parts Canada Superbike Championship,” Comello said. “This is the perfect venue for us to display our products.”

“We all have to dig deep and support the series,” Crompton added. “It is important to do what we can to have a successful 2010 and build on that for 2011 and beyond.”

In addition to claiming the past four Parts Canada Superbike titles Canadian Kawasaki Motors enjoyed a string of nine straight national championships from 1991 to 1999, and also claimed the first two Canadian crowns in 1980 and ’81 with riders George Morin and Lang Hindle, respectively.

The 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens May 28-30 at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Que. For more information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com.