Part 2:Amateur Sportbike Race, Podium, and rider interviews
Marcel placed his #74 Irnieracing.com AMSOIL zx-6rr in second place at the third round of the Parts Canada Championship Series at Race City, Calgary. Irnie was involved in a race-long battle with Quebec’s Sebastian Tremblay until Irnie finally passed Tremblay two corners from the finish for second. Alberta’s Cody Matechuk led all fourteen laps for first place.
Marcel experienced significant problems with both his bikes at Calgary. His 'A bike' was significantly down on horsepower and his 'B bike' hesitated at lower revs with the rear shock seemingly out of nitrogen. “All of these mechanical problems tested my limited technical skills, but I am learning quickly the many aspects of racing," said Irnie. “I think I have my 'A bike' sorted out, and I am really looking forward to racing the Atlantic Motorsport Park at Shubenacadie. The track, the fans, the ambiance of the province are all great. Shannonville also brings many great memories and is a great place to race.” Irnie will be driving over 72 hours from Kelowna, British Columbia to Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. He plans to camp in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario for approximately six weeks.
"Marcel Irnie desperatly wants to find success as a Canadian road racer-so much so that he's willing to live in a tent to do it." Mel Gantly, Cycle Canada Magazine, July 2009 issue. All of this could change as Marcel is currently on an Evacuation Alert, with three forest fires burning out of control in West Kelowna. "This is nuts... I had to evacuate my bikes and equipment from Magna-Tech Services property at midnight lastnight. I only had enough room for two bikes. My 'B bike' was sitting on jack stands, waiting on Ohlins Parts backordered from Sweden, so the choice was simple. I loaded my A bike, and my 450 dirtbike." The Rosevalley fire is 170 hectares, and growing rapidly with lots of fuel in the forest, and steep terrain enabling only air assaults on the fire. "Then I had to prepare for evacuating my home, due to the Glenrosa Fire now 500 hectares in size, only 1.3km east from where I live. I should be preparing for my six week across Canada adventure. Instead I'm packing everything into my trailer, and running from the fires." The third fire, the Terrace Mountain fire is growing even faster at 1300 hectares in under two days. All three fires are rated from Rank 4 to the low end of Rank 5. Rank 4 is a highly vigorous surface fire with a rate of spread at about six meters a minute. "You do it all. The Camera work, riding the bike..." Says Colin Purcell in Irnie's High Definition 2009 Calgary Superbike National Documentary. When not Rally racing, or running from forest fires, Marcel loves to film. For behind the scenes HD video from the Calgary Superbike National, visit www.irnieracing.com Marcel Irnie is very thankful to his supporters and sponsors. Pick up the July issue of Cycle Canada Magazine, for the Irnieracing feature on page 74. Marcel Irnie is sponsored by AMSOIL Synthetics, Magna-Tech Services Ltd, Munro-Cylinder Heads, ARROW Truck Caps, Kreater Customs, TyrSox Tire Warmers, and Valley Moto Sport.
