While World Superbike racers took to the Tooele, Utah track at the United States round of the 2009 Pirelli Spec-tire championship at Miller Motorsports Park, three women competed in support classes from World Supersport, to the Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge GTU, and each of them are doing it on Pirelli tires.
Melissa Paris….
Famous for being half of the only married couple to compete in the Daytona 200, and for finishing in front of her husband, Josh Hayes — is competing as a wildcard in World Supersport, riding for Markbilt Racing on a 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6, outfitted with Leo Vince Exhaust and a some hot Yamaha GYTR components. Following Friday’s practice Paris said, "My plan at Miller is to take my riding to a higher level. It’s a great track and I’m riding against the world’s greatest riders and so I’m being pushed to push myself. I know I can be faster and I will find it."
Marie-Josee Boucher…
Also competing as a wildcard in World Supersport is French Canadian Marie-Josée Boucher, undeterred by the weight of a name that includes both a hyphen and an acute accent. Boucher is riding a Honda CBR600RR for her self-named Boucher Racing Team. Boucher said, "This track is fast. I like that. I am learning to look up and look far. I am used to the tight, slow tracks of the Canada Superbike series so here I have to remind myself to look far into the turns. I am looking to go much faster tomorrow with the changes we’ve made to the bike."
Elena Myers…Â
Racing in the Larry H. Miller Superbike GTU Challenge is California sensation Elena Myers, riding a Kawasaki ZX-6R. At 16-years-old, Myers is already an accomplished racer and winner of multiple Expert races. Myers said, "This track really fits my riding style. I like fast tracks. I like fast sweepers. The turners are long and fast and you can get into a rhythm that allows you to build speed. I am having fun here."
While the World Superbike and World Supersport classes are Pirelli spec-tire classes, The Larry H. Miller classes allow racers to run any brand of tire, but Myers has chosen to compete on Pirellis, just as she does every race weekend. Likewise, Ms. Paris uses Pirelli tires in her regular racing schedule, as does Ms. Boucher who competes in the Pirelli control-tire series, Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
