From a press release issued by the Parts Canada Superbike Championship Series:

PAUL FOURNIER NAMED TUNER OF THE YEAR

TORONTO, ON – Picotte Racing Yamaha’s Paul Fournier was selected Inside Motorcycles Tuner of the Year at the final round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Shannonville Motorsport Park Aug. 31.

Fournier was recognized for his work on Pascal Picotte’s Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 equipment, which carried Picotte to both the Parts Canada Superbike and Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike titles.

Picotte became the first racer since Steve Crevier in 2001 to claim two national Pro titles.

“I consider this an award for the team,” said the 57-year-old Fournier, who lives near Granby, QC. “A lot of people expected us to win everything but we had a lot of work. This was a brand new team and we didn’t know the bikes at all.”

The Inside Motorcycles Tuner of the Year award is designed to recognize the individuals who toil behind the scenes for teams participating in the Pro classes of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. The winner is chosen by a panel of Parts Canada Superbike series officials following the completion of the final round.

“The Picotte Racing Yamahas were impeccably prepared throughout the season,” explained Inside Motorcycles editor John Hopkins, who presented Fournier with the Tuner of the Year trophy and a melton leather jacket as his prize.

“They never suffered from mechanical problems or other technical issues. Picotte went into every race with very solid motorcycles underneath him and that no doubt contributed to his success.”

In addition to his two national class championships, Picotte won two rounds of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and three pole positions. He enjoyed an incredible run of success in the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike series. In seven races he never finished lower than second and won three times.

Inside Motorcycles is published by Toronto-based Inside Track Communications, Inc. Inside Track also produces Inside Track Motorsport News, Inside Karting, Sport Compact National and IMX magazines.