IBEW confirmed as title sponsor of CSBK season opener
Toronto, ON – February 21, 2019 – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers will be the title sponsor for the opening round of the 2019 Mopar CSBK Canadian National motorcycle road racing championships, May 17-19, at Shannonville Motorsport Park’s Pro layout.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is the oldest and largest Electrical Workers union in the world, founded November 28, 1891 in St. Louis, Missouri. The first IBEW Local union in Canada was chartered in 1899 in Ottawa, Ontario. The IBEW represents over 775,000 members in North America and just under 70,000 here in Canada.
IBEW Canada is a diverse union that represents workers in Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Utilities, Construction, Maintenance, Motor Shops, Sign Shops, CATV, Radio and Television Broadcasting, Railroads, Shipyards, Pulp and Paper Mills, Mining, Tree Trimming, Health Care, and Government employees.
Shannonville Motorsport Park, initially Nelson International Raceway, opened with a motorcycle race on Thanksgiving weekend, 1976. The second-ever National Superbike race in Canada was held at Shannonville in September, 1980. S.M.P. has hosted more Superbike Nationals than any other circuit. The multi-purpose venue is located 15 kms east of Belleville, ON, in the Bay of Quinte tourist region.
“The IBEW has been a proud part of the Canadian labour movement for over 100 years,” explains Tom Reid, International Vice President, First District, Canada. “We have built our union on our commitment to organize and represent workers; our membership and longevity is proof of that commitment.
“Our members work, build, volunteer and play in communities all across Canada and we are proud of what they do,” continued motorcycle enthusiast Reid. “It’s not just power lines that keep the lights on, it’s not just cables that keep the communications flowing, it is people, hard-working people, our Sisters and Brothers in the IBEW.”
Jordan Szoke of Lynden, ON, will carry the number one plate into competition at the IBEW Shannonville National opener, making his debut with the Mopar Express Lane Kawasaki ZX-10RR Ninja after seven successful seasons with BMW. Szoke has been Canadian Superbike Champ 13 times, and has won the opening event of the tour the last seven years in a row.
Collingwood, ON based Ben Young, second overall in 2018, will now lead the BMW Motorrad effort with the Scot-Build S1000RR; other front-running BMW entries are expected from Michael Leon, Samuel Trepanier and Jammin’ Jeff Williams.
Two time and reigning Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike middleweight class National Champ “T.V. Tommy” Casas from Peterborough, ON will join the feature class with 1000cc R1 backed by Yamaha Canada. One of the major moves of the off-season sees Trevor Daley of Mississauga, ON, fourth overall last season, lead the Parts Canada-backed Suzuki Canada entry, with bikes built by Fast Company.
The official National season kicks off with a Pro 6 Cycles Test Day at Shannonville on Thursday, May 16, hosted by the National series spec tire Dunlop supplier. Practice takes place Friday, with Qualifying Saturday and the opening National events for five classes of races on Sunday, May 19.
This article is accredited to Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. From a press release issued by CSBK/Professional Motorsports Productions (PMP)
