From a press release issued by Honda Canada:

Honda Canada Inc. /Orion Motorsports announce Superbike plans for 2003

Orion Motorsports is pleased to announce, in conjunction with Honda Canada Inc., Parts Canada, Hindle Exhausts, Alpinestars and HJC plans for the 2003 racing season.

Honda Canada and Orion Motorsports have re-signed teenage sensation Kevin Lacombe of Granby, Quebec to ride for the team in 2003. 600 Sportbike champion runner-up in 2002, Lacombe will be back to compete on a new spec Honda RC 51 as well as the all new CBR 600RR. Lacombe has been spending the off-season racing his CR 250 and CRF 450 in the Quebec Ice Racing Championships.

Lacombe’s teammate for 2003 will be Queensland, Australia native Robbie Baird. Thirty-one year old Baird has also signed on to ride the new spec RC 51 and the all new CBR 600RR in 2003. Robbie is the reigning Australian Formula Xtreme champion (Australia’s version of Superbike) and blazed to an amazing seven wins and 4 pole positions during 2002. While he did not compete regularly in the 600 class, he still managed to show his 600 style by winning the Phillip Island Grand Prix round of the 600 Australian supersport championships.

Team manager Kevin Graham is very excited about the 2003 season. “I’m very happy with our line-up so far. Both, Kevin and Robbie were easy decisions for a team manager to make. Both riders are friendly, outgoing and very fast riders. Each is capable of displaying just how spectacular our Honda Sportbike line-up is for 2003. With the new spec RC 51 and all new CBR 600RR coming, we knew that we would have the bikes to beat and now we have the riders to do the job.”

Testing for the team will begin in late January at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where Robbie and Kevin will test the new-spec RC 51 and all-new CBR 600RR.

The Honda Canada/Orion Motorsports team is very happy to announce the extension of its relationship with distributor Parts Canada. Both Kevin Lacombe and Robbie Baird will be sporting the new line of Alpinestar leathers, boots and gloves and will also be wearing HJC helmets in 2003.

Crew chief for Kevin Lacombe and team fuel injection specialist, Scott Petrie is back with the team for a second season. Honda 600 guru, Bill Rising will be spinning wrenches on Lacombe’s CBR 600RR in hopes of gaining another 600 championship for Honda Canada.

Andrew Cuttler will be head man for new recruit Robbie Baird. Andy is excited about working with the all-powerful RC 51’s and is elated to have the chance to work with the Aussie ace. Robbie’s 600 mechanic will be announced shortly. Tina Lewis will also be continuing with the team in 2003 assisting with logistics and maintaining the team’s web page.

Negotiations are currently underway to add a third rider to the team. A corporate partner will be named as title sponsor of the team and will be announced in the coming weeks. Please click on to www.orionmotorsports.ca and www.cdnsuperbike.ca for regular updates, photos and progress with the team.