Series announces Yamaha return

YAMAHA BACK IN THE CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Toronto, ON (March 18, 2011) – Frontline CSBK Inc., organizer of Canada’s National motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce the official return of Yamaha Motor Canada to the Canadian Superbike Championship by Parts Canada.

Yamaha will join the CSBK field with homologation of the YZF R6 and YZF R1 models. These sport machines will be among the top models in the Superbike (1000cc for the R1) and the Sport Bike (600cc for the R6) classes of the Championship Series, in both the Amateur and Pro divisions.

“We are very pleased to make this announcement and looking forward to welcoming Yamaha back into our ranks,” explained Kevin Graham of Frontline CSBK. “Competitors want to race these motorcycles and the loyal blue fans want to see them on the grid. This is a win-win situation, and we are looking forward to a great season of competitive racing in all classes on a national level.”

“Yamaha are thrilled to be back road racing in Canada,” confirmed Tim Kennedy, Marketing Manager of Yamaha Motor Canada. “We felt that after a short absence, it was time to come back and be part of a series that we strongly believe in. We know that the CSBK series is headed for great things, and we want to not only support, but be an active part of it.”

Yamaha has a strong history on the Canadian national road racing scene, dating back to the 1970’s with riders including Yvon Duhamel, Steve Baker and Jim Allen. The advent of the 1000cc category-defining YZF R1 model in the late 1990’s, lead to dominant performances by star racers including Pascal Picotte, Steve Crevier and Kevin Lacombe. Granby, QC based Picotte returned from the U.S. racing tour to win back to back overall Canadian crowns for Yamaha in 2003-2004. Picotte rose to fame as a Yamaha protégé in the late 1980s, riding iconic Yamaha sports models including the RZ350, FZR400, FZR600 and the Superbike platform OW01.

The 2011 Canadian Superbike Championship presented by Parts Canada opens on May 20th with the official Pirelli tire test at Calabogie Motorsports Park, hosted by the Turn 2 Sportbike School. Round One of the Championship is set for the ICAR Circuit at Mirabel, Quebec on May 27-29.

-source: csbk.ca