BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – Stacey Nesbitt wrapped up her second consecutive Canadian National road racing title, clinching the 2012 Honda CBR250R National Race Series with a second place finish in the final round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
The St-Lazare, Que. rider ended the year with 448 points to the 425 Ryan Roche, who took fourth in the season finale. “I’m glad I was able to go for this title,” said Nesbitt, who was last season’s CBR125R Challenge national champion. “It would have been nice to finish with a win at CTMP but the strategy since Atlantic Motorsport Park was to try to finish ahead of Ryan and claw back championship points.”
Nesbitt got the holeshot at the start of the final 10-lap race on her Powesports Canada-backed CBR250R and stretched a small lead over Thomas Casas. The race however was red flagged following a three-rider incident on the opening lap including an unlucky Roche who was forced to complete the restart on a back-up bike.
Needing only to finish behind Roche to be assured of the title, Nesbitt again got the holeshot on the restart. Casas took over the lead by lap one while Nesbitt had a good fight with Cameron Walker and eventually crossed the line in second to capture the number 1 plate. Nesbitt was on the podium in all ten rounds of the championship, scoring two wins, six second and two third place finishes.
“It has been good close racing with Thomas and Ryan all season long”, said Nesbitt. The series rules state the champion cannot return to defend the title. “That means we need to move up to another category for next year, hopefully a 600. If there are any interested sponsors out there we are more than happy to talk with you”, added Nesbitt with a laugh.
This season was made possible with support from Powersports Canada, Ottawa. “A big thank you goes to Greg Brule”, said Nesbitt. Stacey would also like to thank Statoni Racing Team, Peter Schmoll, Forensitech Racing (Pat), Arlen Ness, Mike Rixon, Alllan Vallis, Pro 6 Cycle Inc., Franklyn Dominguez Racing, Robert Holt, Russell Dade, Devin and Bodhi Edie, Alix Hayden, Chuck, VnM Sportgear, Lucky Stripe, Agritex Motorsports, Club Ouest Gym, Clarence & Cripps, Groupe DPJL, Depanneur Voisin, Beaconsfield Dental Clinic, Ville St-Lazare, Honda Canada, CSBK, all the medical staff and corner workers at each event and all the fans and spectators that came out to watch the races.