As reported by Harley-Davidson

Winds of change have hit the Canadian motorcycle racing world. Two brand new classes, namely the Amateur Superbike class and the much anticipated Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Cup, will have their debut in the upcoming 2011 racing season, which marks the 32nd anniversary of the National Superbike series.

After a very well-received season opener in 2010 at the Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec, next year’s schedule re-proposes a kick-off to the five-round 2011 Parts Canada Superbike Championship in Mirabel with a double-header wrap-up of the season at the popular Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario from August 19 to 21. For the first time in eight years, the newly repaved Autodrome Saint-Eustache in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, will also host some spectacular racing in 2011.

Photo: Harley-Davidson

Headlined by the Pro Superbike division, the national series will be comprised of six classes: Pro Sport Bike, Amateur Sport Bike, CBR125R Challenge and the brand new Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Cup spec class and Amateur Superbike class.

Backed by Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada, the Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Cup is based on a similar series already running in the United States and Britain. The series uses identical, near stock versions of the sport twin engine motorcycles to ensure a high level of competition without the necessity of major upgrades over the course of a season.

True to its racing heritage, Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada returns for the 2011 series with the experienced racer #29, Darren James, heading up a team consisting of his Floridian racing partner, #123 racer, Dave Estok and the ever-committed technician, Thomas Morin, who accompanied James on all of his British racing efforts in 2010.

Competing in the inaugural Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Trophy race series at the 2010 British Superbike Championship alongside the former MotoGP star, Jeremy McWilliams (who dominated the series with his first place on the podium), Darren James was hyped yet humbled by an exhilarating fourth place overall finish and the incredible experience gained alongside a racer of the calibre of McWilliams. The passion of the followership and the versatility of the Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM bike has motivated the former Canadian Thunder Champion, Darren James, to do everything possible to bring this exciting new class back to Canada.

When asked to comment, Darren James enthuses, “I’ve been riding twins all my life, but never have I been as excited as I am about starting this new class in Canada. I think this a great opportunity for our Retailers across Canada to get involved in racing and to showcase the high performance of the XR 1200TM [motorcycle], the street version of which is known as the XR 1200TM [motorcycle]. I truly look forward to working with individual racers across the country to see this class grow.” Darren James’ new #29 XR 1200TM motorcycle will be on display at the Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC) Canadian Motorcycle shows across the country and information for racers wanting to participate in the new Harley-Davidson® XR 1200TM Cup will be available on site.

Sponsors include: Ruthless Racing Inc.; Dragon Eyewear; Ogio; Flexi-Glass; RMR Suspensions and Twist Conditioning.

Round One: May 27-29, Circuit ICAR – Mirabel, Quebec.
Round Two: July 1-3, Shannonville Motorsport Park – Shannonville, Ontario
Round Three: July 8-10, Autodrome Saint-Eustache – Saint-Eustache, Quebec
Round Four: August 5-7, Atlantic Motorsport Park – Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia
Round Five: August 19-21, Mosport International Raceway – Bowmanville, Ontario
Round Six: August 19-21, Mosport International Raceway – Bowmanville, Ontario

For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com.