Replacing the highly popular CBR125R Challenge, the Honda CBR250R Race Series presented by Honda Canada aims to showcase talented young riders in hotly contested races.


Participants in this new championship as well as motorcycle journalists who'd like to enter a couple of races during the season were recently invited to the official licensing day. Since Honda Canada and its hard-working rep Kimberly Moore like to go big, they called upon multi-time American Motorcycle Association (AMA) champion Miguel Duhamel to serve as guest instructor.

Born in Lasalle, Quebec, Duhamel is the most decorated Canadian rider in history. In addition to his AMA success, both in Superbike and Supersport classes, he won the prestigious Daytona 200 not once, not twice, but five times.

Replacing the highly popular CBR125R Challenge, the Honda CBR250R Race Series presented by Honda Canada aims to showcase talented young riders in hotly contested races. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

High calibre
Riding alongside my idol was a dream come true, and I had to pinch myself to make sure it was real. According to Duhamel, the new race series is a brilliant idea.

''This CBR250R is very well balanced. It’s a great, great bike for learning how to ride,'' he said.

Also on hand was the 2011 Honda CBR125R Challenge champion, Stacey Nesbitt, from St. Lazare. While only 15, she became the first woman to win a mixed national championship.

''[The CBR250R] is pretty comparable to the 125, but it’s a little bigger, faster and more powerful. I haven’t needed to change my style too much riding it,'' she explained.

Low cost
The 2012 Honda CBR250R Race Series will field amateur and semi-professional riders from 15 to 25 years of age. There's also an opportunity for 13- and 14-year-olds who have previously competed in a minimum of three officially sanctioned CBR125R races to make the move up.

All bikes will use Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires, a DOT-approved model designed for the road and track days. Participants must change their tires for every race weekend. They are allowed only one set, except in the event of damage.

The 2012 Honda CBR250R Race Series will field amateur and semi-professional riders from 15 to 25 years of age. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

Modifications are regulated and limited. For a little over $2,000, contestants can get the official CBR250R Race Series Kit from an authorized Honda dealer. It includes a Hot Bodies fairing, Akropovic muffler, Dynojet fuel injection controller, adjustable footpegs, Elka fork valves and rear shock as well as frame sliders.

Here's the 2012 calendar:

Shannonville Motorsports Park, Shannonville, ON, June 24th
Autodrome St. Eustache, St. Eustache, QC, July 8th
Atlantic Motorsport Park, Enfield, NS, July 22nd
Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, QC, August 12th
Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, ON, August 26th