Parts Canada Superbike Championship

Caribbean Report by Frank Wood, for cdnsuperbike.com

Honda Pro Oils Womens Cup Challenge Riders in the Dominican Republic
 
Santo Domingo, D.R.

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Last night in Santo Domingo the stars of the Canadian Honda Pro Oils Womens Cup Challenge were involved in pre race-weekend promotional activities. Following up on major write-ups in the three major newspapers, the promoters had arranged for our ten fast-girls to appear live on television, along with Franklyn Dominguez (D-R 2007 Superbike champ and 2nd in 2008 RACE regional series) on a very popular talk show called Piedra, Papeles y Tijera, or Rock, Paper and Scissors. The newspaper articles were printed along with pictures in the following publications, Listin Diario, Diario Libre and Hoy.

It quickly became apparent to us that the promoters were putting in an extra effort to ensure the success of their event and the ladies were more than happy to help. After the Colour Vision 9 interviews, conducted by the track manager and announcer, Hugo Beras, the entourage were hosted at the Hotel El Senorial by the race promoter George Butler.

Butler arrived at the hotel equipped with a stack of posters that featured all ten of the WCC riders in colour photos. He also had on hand a bevy of hats supporting logos of race sponsor Mobil 1 as well as track towels for all the girls. George gave a speech welcoming the riders and wishing them well for the weekend ahead and he in turn was acknowledged and thanked  by WCC director Ken Pieshke. The enthusiastic round of applause and cheers brought a broad smile to the face of a man who had obviously worked very hard in promoting this event. This will be the final round of this nation's four race Superbike Championship and is presented by Autodromo Mobil 1, Seamont Brokerage and Shipping, and Moto Butler.

George Butler is the owner of a successful motorcycle shop in Santa Domingo (Moto Butler), the President of the FDM (Federation Dominicana De Motociclismo) the countries one and only FIM representative as well as the exclusive distributor for Motorex lubricants in the Domincan Republic.

Today our riders will gather at the racetrack to unload the container that carried their motorcycles here but due to a tardy arrival it is unlikely that the girls will get any track time today so it gives opportunity for us to get to know our "Terrific Ten" and the sponsors who have helped them.

Marie-Josee Boucher (Honda) Excel Moto Honda, Quebec Linge Media, RBC Inc., Alain Larouche, JE Pistons/Carillo, ABC Tech, Via Trailers, Passion Moto, Pro Honda Oils and Honda Canada. Marie-Josee is the 2008 Honda Pro Oils WCC Expert champ.

Natalie Catherine Provost (Honda) Les Soeurs en Vrac, Importations Thibault, Suomy Helmets, Lettrage Vision Plus, Hamel Honda and Ultra Sport.

Genevieve Lesieur (Suzuki) Chaine Performance, Laval Moto, Sport Patoine and Suzuki Canada.

Anissa Burachynsky (Kawasaki) Canadian Kawasaki Motors, Pro 6 Cycle, Accelerated Technologies, Commotion Racing and Z1 Cycle. Anissa is the WCC 2008 Novice champion.

Josée Bouchard (Yamaha) Yamaha Canada, Importations Thibault and Pirelli Tires.

Maude Labrosse-Legris (Honda)

Roxanne Gravelle (Yamaha) Team Gym Max, Hybrid Racing, Auto-Trim and Signs, Vortex.

Vanessa Gareau/Dominguez (Suzuki) Seamont Brokerage, Wheelsport, Roy Performance, Moto Butler, Nubra Canada, Lucky Stripe, and Dymax Lubricants.

Manon Lemire (Suzuki) Velomania, Relais Pneu Mechanique, Bell Helmets and MPG.

Kana Matsumoto (Suzuki) Suzuki of Newmarket and Motovan.
 
As of this submission the aforementioned container that houses the racing motorcycles had not arrived by the end of the day. We will therefore have a very busy morning before the official practice begins and will forward a complete report at day’s end tomorrow.