TORONTO, ON The Parts Canada Superbike Championship has confirmed a round for the Canadian Thunder series at Race City Motorsport Park in 2006. Additionally, Canadian Thunder competitors will run with spec Pirelli DOT tires beginning next season, meaning all five national classes will be equipped with Pirelli spec rubber. In August, series organizer Professional Motorsports Productions completed a three-year deal with the Italian manufacturer to supply tires for the Parts Canada Superbike, Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike and International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike categories. The Suzuki SV650 National Cup division ran on Pirellis in 2005 and will continue to use Pirelli tires in 2006 through distributor Orion Motorsports. Adding the Calgary venue to the schedule was part of the initial two-year agreement when the Thunder class became a part of the national road racing tour for the 2005 season. “Bringing the Canadian Thunder series to Race City was always part of our plan for the growth of the series,” said PMP president Colin Fraser. “This will open new doors for western Canadian racers to join the national tour, and we think western Canadian motorcycle enthusiasts will get a thrill from seeing these BMW, Buell and Ducati twins racing at a great motorsports venue.” The Canadian Thunder class is designed for air-cooled twin-cylinder production-based sport motorcycles and is administered by PMP in partnership with BMW Motorrad Canada, Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada and Ducati North America. “The Buell brand is gaining popularity across the country and having a western venue to showcase our product is very important to us,” said Ric Marrero, marketing and communications director for Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, which represents Buell. There are plans for all three sponsoring manufacturers to provide trailer space for riders planning to compete at the Race City round in an effort to reduce individual expenses and encourage a strong entry for the Calgary race. The Parts Canada Superbike Championship conducted its first formal Pirelli tire test at Shannonville Motorsport Park last month and the Canadian Thunder class was represented by 2005 champion Darren James on a Buell and Derek Vammus riding a Ducati. Running together and despite cool temperatures, the pair approached the ‘Long Track’ course record. “Going to the Pirelli spec tire is significant because it further raises the level of the Canadian Thunder series in relation to the other national classes,” said Chris Duff, events/promotions co-ordinator for BMW Motorrad Canada. “It will be very interesting to see how the different brands of motorcycle handle running the same tires.” Ducati Canada is stepping up its efforts to unseat Buell in the Thunder series in 2006. Vammus, who placed third in points last season, will ride a Paul Smart 1000 Replica next year. The bike is based on the legendary motorcycle Smart rode to victory in the world renowned Imola 200 Formula 750 race in 1972. That model was the first Desmo-equipped v-twin Ducati.