From a press release issued by series organizers:

AMATEURS GET NATIONAL SHOT

TORONTO, ON – The development of Canada’s future motorcycle road racing stars enters a new era when the Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens at Shannonville Motorsport Park May 15-18.

That event will see the debut of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class, a category designed specifically to breed the next generation of top racers. The new class will be featured at all seven stops on the Canadian national tour and run alongside the feature Parts Canada Superbike class and the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike Pro national support category.

SUPERSHOW Racing has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the class and supplied a year-end purse of $12,500 for 2003, with the champion getting $2,500.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship’s “Big Kahuna” style doubleheader weekend at Mosport International Raceway July 18-20 is also promoted by SUPERSHOW Racing.

Additionally, Parts Canada racing manager Todd Shyiak has announced the company has augmented the winner’s payout with a $1,000 top prize. That will increase to $2,500 if the class champion wears an HJC helmet. Parts Canada is the Canadian distributor for HJC products.

The Amateur 600 champion will also receive the loan of a 2004 version of the make of motorcycle they won the 2003 crown on for use in the national series in 2004.

Equipment rules for the new class will be identical to those in the Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike division. Only production based street motorcycles with a maximum of 620cc displacement are eligible and machines are subject to a maximum horsepower of 110 hp and minimum weight of 360 lbs.

Both horsepower and weight will be checked after official qualifying sessions and races. Horsepower will be measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno and weight will be verified with the series’ official scales. Only tires that meet DOT standards may be used.

The new class will be fully administered and promoted by the Parts Canada Superbike Championship staff and be included in television coverage of the series shown on The Sports Network, Le Reseau des Sports and the Outdoor Life Network.

“We have an obligation to encourage the development of up-and-coming racers for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsport Productions, the company that organizes the national tour. “The creation of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Championship gives amateur racers the opportunity to race in front of the major motorcycle industry representatives at every national round. They also benefit from the national television and on-site exposure that comes from being part of the Parts Canada Superbike tour.

“Additionally, these racers will get a taste of the commitment required to race at the national level, and hopefully enter the Pro ranks well prepared to make an impact.”

First year Pros are eligible for the HJC Pro Rookie of the Year award, which was won in 2002 by Diablo Performance Suzuki rider Ugo Levert.

Full details of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class will be available to racers at a seminar being hosted by PMP at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4 in conjunction with the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW at Toronto’s International Centre.