TORONTO, Ont. (February 20) The Parts Canada Superbike Championship has announced major changes to the rules for its Sport Bike support divisions, opening the door for a range of new machinery to participate in the two classes. Starting with the 2009 season, twin cylinder motorcycles from Buell and BMW will be allowed to compete in the Sport Bike classes, running to separate weight and horsepower limitations than their 600cc four cylinder opposition. “Buell and BMW have both been great supporters of the national series and we think their presence in the Sport Bike classes will add excitement to two of the most competitive divisions on the tour,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, which organizes the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. In the Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike division, the twins must weigh at least 400 pounds and may deliver no more than 140 horsepower on the official series Dynojet Dyno. Minimum weight for 600cc fours is 350 pounds and maximum horsepower is 125. In the Armour Bodies Amateur Sport Bike category minimum weight is also 400 pounds for the twins while maximum horsepower is 135 hp, as opposed to limits of 350 pounds and 118 hp. Twins of 750cc and under and Triumph’s 675 triple were already eligible for the Sport Bike classes. The word “600” has been dropped from both class names to reflect these changes. The Sport Bike rule changes have been made in conjunction with the termination of the Canadian Thunder and Sport Twins classes. A division specifically for twin cylinder motorcycles was launched in 2005 and its champions included Darren James for Buell/Harley-Davidson, who won the title twice, former Canadian Superbike champion Michael Taylor with BMW and Italian Valter Bartolini, who won last year for Ducati. There are no plans to restart the class in the future. “We were happy with the division’s competition and the variety of machinery and riders it introduced to the national tour,” Fraser said. “But sponsors have refocused their resources and we thought it would be prudent to make some changes to our Sport Bike classes to keep Buell and BMW involved in the series.” Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada launched a national Superbike program last year with its Buell 1125R twin cylinder Superbike, anchored by six-time Canadian Superbike champion Steve Crevier. The Maple Ridge, B.C. rider placed third in the bike’s debut. BMW Motorrad Canada has signed two-time Canadian Superbike champ Francis Martin to its 2009 line-up and hopes to join the Superbike ranks in 2010 with its S 1000 RR, which makes its World Superbike Championship debut in 2009. Additionally, Buell is now a full partner in the Parts Canada Superbike feature class and its TV coverage along with Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda.