From a press release:

TV COVERAGE FOR 125 GP

TORONTO, ON – This year’s Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge has been given a boost with the confirmation of television coverage on The Sports Network (TSN).

The fourth event in the five-round series for purebred road racing machines, which will be held at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, NS on August 11 will be shown on TSN in a half-hour program.

The race will be part of the penultimate event of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship national road race series, also televised on TSN.

Series and race promoters expect a field of over 30 competitors from Canada and the United States for the 125GP Challenge race, which will feature a purse of $6000. The event is sponsored by Auto Trader and Pro Cycle of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia along with Canadian Kawasaki Motors, Honda Canada, Suzuki Canada and Yamaha Motor Canada. TSN has also signed on as a presenting sponsor.

The race will be sanctioned by the international governing body, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) through its Canadian arm, the Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA) and the North American Motorcycle Union (NAMU).

The Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge was created by veteran competitor John Bickle as a potential development series for up-and-coming motorcycle racers.

“A lot of talent can come out of the 125 class but we need to promote it,” Bickle said. “I think we have some great racers in the 125 category who don’t get the attention they deserve. I believe this will help the sport.”

The 125 Grand Prix category has been a popular training ground for motorcycle racers around the world. Current MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi is a former World 125 Champion while U.S. Superbike points leader Nicky Hayden also cut his teeth on the 125 machines.

“We want to lure younger racers into genuine race machines and give them another option for starting their race careers,” said Martin Singleton of MJS Productions, which is promoting the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Challenge race at AMP.

Television production of the AMP race will be handled by Toronto’s Professional Motorsports Productions, which organizes and televises the entire Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

“TSN is proud to bring all the action from the Can-Am 125 Grand Prix to motorcycle racing fans nationwide,” said Stewart Johnston, director of programming, TSN. “It’s a uniquely Canadian motorcycle experience and TSN is excited to be in Shubenacadie to capture all the thrills.”

For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com