Officials from the Canadian Superbike roadracing series have announced a new set of changes to the 2021 schedule, in light of Ontario’s ongoing pandemic restrictions.
This winter, the planned schedule saw CSBK opening the season with a race weekend at Calabogie on June 4-5. Now, that won’t happen, as Ontario’s provincial government says it won’t ease the current pandemic restrictions until June 2 at the earliest. That means racers and series officials would be left without sufficient time to prepare, and it’s also possible we’ll continue to see restrictions after that.
Canadian Superbike officials say it’s also possible that COVID-19 regs may interfere with the current June 11-13 planned opener, at Grand Bend. CSBK says it won’t run any national-level races until riders from Quebec can attend. If the provincial border is still closed, plans for that weekend will also change. See more details on the 2021 schedule in the press release below.
It’s unfortunate to see the troubles in the schedule, as CSBK seems poised for an exciting season, with maybe the strongest pool of competitors in several years. Jordan Szoke, the 2020 champ, returns, and 2019 champion Ben Young is also back this season, after taking last year off. Michael Leon returns this season, as does Tomas Casas (who also took the 2020 season off). Samuel Guerin moves up to another season in Pro Superbike after impressing in his 2020 rookie debut, and Alex Dumas will race the series for the first time, after years of success in the US.
Press release
CSBK Announce 2021 National Schedule Changes
Toronto, ON – The Canadian National Superbike Championship, CSBK, have announced a variety of updates given the Ontario Provincial Government’s revised Pandemic guidelines from Thursday, May 13. At their most recent briefing yesterday, Ontario’s leadership indicated that the Province would not start to ease current strict restrictions until Wednesday, June 2, at the earliest.
It is unlikely that there will be any spectator events in Ontario this summer, however CSBK and our partners are prepared to operate as we did in 2020.
CSBK will not conduct 2021 National events until the border with Quebec opens and allows Quebec-based competitors to race outside their home province.
CSBK have cancelled the planned opening of the National tour, a Pro Superbike only event originally set for Calabogie Motorsports Park on June 5. The first-ever Pro 6 GP Race Series round, scheduled for the same time at Calabogie, has also been cancelled. Pro 6 is exploring an alternate date later in the season at Calabogie Motorsports park to maintain their 4 race championship series.
The current plan has the full CSBK National tour starting at Grand Bend Motorplex in western Ontario June 11-13. Grand Bend will be the first event to offer 2021 coverage on The Sports Network, TSN, with separate episodes devoted to each of two Pro Superbike Feature races.
However, there is concern that a possible extension of travel restrictions due to COVID-19 might affect this initial Grand Bend National date.
CSBK staff aim to provide further scheduling information as soon as the Ontario Provincial government have updated guidelines for restrictions, likely in late May. In the meantime, the rest of the 2021 Schedule remains to be confirmed, awaiting these updates on Provincial rules and stay-at-home guidelines.
The first round of the new Pro 6 GP regional Race Series is rescheduled to July 10-11, also likely combined with a CSBK National date at Calabogie Motorsports Park, south west of Ottawa, ON.
The Pro 6 TRAC School schedule for Calabogie Motorsports Park, May 22-23, will be rescheduled for the first appropriate later date. Many planned TRAC School participants are aiming to race in the Pro 6 GP and CSBK events in 2021.
