As scooped in CMG last week the Parts Canada Superbike series has now officially confirmed that the popular Canadian Thunder class has been axed, with the remaining factory entrants folded into the existing Superbike and Sport Bike classes. Colin Fraser, owner and organizer of the series, said, "Buell and BMW have both been great supporters of the national series and we think their presence in the Sport Bike classes will add excitement to two of the most competitive divisions on the tour."
That would be PR-speak for "Since Ducati and KTM quit we really can’t afford to take up the TV time for two brands."
And if you detect some similarity to the new AMA "Daytona Superbike" and Moto ST classes rules south of the border it’s not all that coincidental, as Fraser is heavily involved with both series in addition to his Canadian responsibilities.
In the Superbike class, Buell had already decided to enter a three-rider team on the 1125R, headed up by six-time Canadian superbike champ Steve Crevier and double national Thunder champion Darren James. For this year, it looks like BMW is going to stay with the Sport Bike category with its HP-2 Sport (including new signing, past Canadian superbike titlist Francis Martin), and will enter the Superbike ranks in 2010 with the S1000RR, which will be blooded in World Superbike competition this season.
In the Sport Bike categories (both Pro and Amateur), like the 600 fours (and occasional Triumph 675) the twins will have horsepower and weight limits, albeit the numbers will be different (higher in both cases).
Also as reported in CMG last week the RACE group at Shannonville will continue to run a Canadian Thunder class, and is considering further rules changes in addition to those announced last week in order to open the field up to even more potential entrants.
