From a press release issued by series organizers:

PICOTTE LEADS THE WAY

SHANNONVILLE, ON – Parts Canada Superbike Championship points leader Pascal Picotte set the pace in practice for this weekend’s final round at Shannonville Motorsport Park Friday.

The St-Cecile de Milton, QC racer recorded a time of 1:46.958 on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 in the day’s final practice session. Calgary rider Clint McBain was second Friday aboard his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 with a 1:47.506 he set in the morning practice. His teammate Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC was third at 1:47.521, also from the morning.

Picotte is trying to win his first national Superbike title at Shannonville this weekend. He comes into the event with a 17-point lead over Steve Crevier in the standings, 277-260. Martin is third in points with 245.

“In a situation like this it’s good to be fastest,” Picotte said. “I’ve got to get the job done and I’m feeling the pressure. I’m a little nervous.”

Crevier was seventh fastest Friday on his Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000. The Maple Ridge, BC rider, who has six Canadian Superbike titles to his credit set a best time of 1:48.232.

Joliette, QC’s Jean-Francois Cyr is fourth in the Parts Canada Superbike standings with 229 points and also has a shot at the title. He was sixth fastest Friday on his CyRacing/Michelin Yamaha YZF-R1 with a top lap of 1:48.143.

This weekend’s race lost one of its favorites when Orion Motorsport Honda rider Michael Taylor suffered a heavy fall in the final turn late in the morning practice session. The Toronto racer was originally transported to hospital in nearby Belleville with a broken pelvis, but was scheduled to be airlifted to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto Friday evening to undergo surgery.

In other action at Shannonville, Harrowsmith, ON’s Jeff Williams led the way in practice for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike national support class. Williams set a time of 1:49.263 on his Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R600.

Picotte, who has already clinched the series title was second on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:49.458 and Crevier placed third at 1:49.769 on the Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R600.

Wellesley, ON racer Bill Card set the fastest time in practice for the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class on his McBride Cycle Riders’ Club Honda CBR600RR with a time of 1:53.340.

Kitchener rider Craig Dixon placed second riding the Pro Action Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:53.433 and Ottawa’s Dan Henri was third with a time of 1:54.112 on the Barkman Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.

Class points leader Jeremy Leduc was eighth in practice on his Kelowna Yamaha-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:55.485.

Qualifying for all three national classes will take place Saturday afternoon with feature races set to go on Sunday.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m. and on the Outdoor Life Network on Sunday, Oct. 26, also at 1:00 p.m. Action from Shannonville will also be shown later this year on Quebec’s RDS.