Martin confirmed on BMW for CSBK

By John Hopkins

MIRABEL, QC -- Two-time Canadian Superbike Champion Francis Martin will compete in the 2011 national championship on a BMW S1000RR entered by Couturier Racing, starting with this weekend's opening round at Circuit ICAR.

The Sherbrooke, QC ace finished third in last year's National Superbike standings racing with the factory radX / BMW Motorrad Canada squad, with three runner-up finishes to his credit as the German superbike made its Canadian debut. He won his first Canadian title in 1999 with Kawasaki and followed up with a title in 2005 riding a Suzuki. He was also the 2002 National Open Sport Bike champion on a Suzuki.

Technical support for the program will come from noted tuner Jamie Bruines and his Magog, QC-based Propulsion Racing outfit, which assisted with Andrew Nelson's Canadian Superbike Championship BMW program in 2010.

Couturier Racing is owned and operated by Stephane Couturier of Laval, QC. The first year competitor will ride a Ducati 1098R in the K&N Performance Filters Amateur Superbike class, mentored by Francis Martin. Guy Martin of Martin Brickwood Performance will provide technical support for the Ducati.

Further support for the team will come from Importations Thibault of Sherbrooke, QC, TAZ Graphics, BMW Motorrad, Circuit ICAR and OPP Racing.

"Now that Francis has one year experience on the S1000RR from BMW, he intends to use this to his advantage in retaking the crown," said a press release from the team. "With a fresh team and a great atmosphere Francis is confident he can produce great results this season. After spending countless hours on the ICAR track, Stephane wants to make the big step to the national scene. With reasonable expectations for the season he aims to follow the lead and guidance of Francis Martin while they work together to conquer the CSBK championships."