Fourth generation motorcyclist and top Canadian road racer Matt McBride of Mississauga, Ontario will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the McBride name in motorcycling by racing in the Daytona 200 on Friday March 6, 2009 at Daytona International Speedway. It was Matt’s great grandfather Percy A. McBride who opened the first motorcycle store in Toronto back in 1909. Today Matt’s father John runs Riders Choice a modern retail store specializing in racers’ safety equipment and riding gear including their flagship brand Dainese. Matt, who is just 24, says “I have always felt part of the motorcycle business with my family being involved for four generations.” The former Canadian Kawasaki and Suzuki Canada factory rider ran in the highly competitive Parts Canada Superbike Championship in 2008 and says “I am pleased on this historic 100th anniversary of the McBride name being involved in motorcycling to be entered in the Daytona 200.” McBride goes on to say “I thank my dad and Tom from Vallely Racing for this opportunity”. McBride will ride a Suzuki GSXR-600 prepared by Ryan Gill of Riders Choice in the Daytona 200. Matt McBride is no stranger to the high banks of Daytona at night having won the first MOTO-ST race in the Grand Sport Twins class on a Ducati back in October of 2006. John McBride is the “Canadian” in this Can-Am racing effort while Tom Vallely, based in Daytona Beach, Florida, is the “American” who Matt has raced for on several occasions including this past October in the MOTO-ST race at the Speedway. John McBride, who will be part of the crew for the inaugural Daytona 200 “under the lights” says, “I think this will be a great way to celebrate our family’s 100 years in this great business” Arai, Dainese, Armour Bodies and Laurel Consulting Group also sponsor the Vallely Racing Riders Choice Suzuki GSX-R600.