Nickerson takes 3rd at Shubenacadie

HAMILTON, ON. - August 17, 2009 – RMP Racing’s Steven Nickerson took third place on the podium after a thrilling three-way battle in Round 8 of the Honda CBR125R Challenge race at Atlantic Motorsport Park Shubenacadie, N.S.

Thursday evening, after a few days of reconnecting with family and some sight seeing, Steven Nickerson and RMP Racing’s team owner Ross Millson enjoyed some pre-race weekend festivities at the well attended annual Pro Cycle “Meet the Riders” autograph session in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

On Friday welcoming sunshine and seasonal temperatures greeted all the competitors for the first official day of on-track activities. In his first year competing at the National level, Hamilton, ON’s Nickerson continued to show his knack for adapting to the various tracks visited by the Honda CBR125R Challenge series competitors.

Nickerson, aboard his #661 Inside Motorcycles / RMP Racing / Turn 2 Sportbike School supported Honda CBR125R, posted the second fastest time during Friday morning practice with a 1:29.881. Later in the afternoon he improved his lap time posting a 1:29.253.

Nickerson took to the Atlantic Motorsports Park’s 2.56KM track for Saturday morning’s prequalifying practice session and once again achieved the second fastest time with a 1:28.408. During the afternoon Honda CBR125R qualifying session Nickerson, Warman, SK's Bodhi Edie, Ste-Julie, QC's Karl Robitaille utilized the draft to improve each of their qualifying times. Over half way through the session Nickerson came into the pits for a minor adjustment. Nickerson returned to the track however was unable to better his time and would start from third on the grid for Sunday’s race. Edie would take pole position for the eighth round of the Honda CBR125R Challenge.

Nickerson bolted off the line in Sundays’ race and battled for the lead going into the first corner. Nickerson lead for the majority of the first half of the race which earned him two additional points for the Championship. Nickerson, Bodhi and Robitaille swapped back and forth for the lead and thrilled the crowds with one of the most entertaining and heart stopping races of the weekend.

On the second last lap the lead trio ran three abreast on the backstraight. Edie would then take the lead going into to turn 2 after Nickerson missed a down shift and locked up the rear tire. Nickerson would regain the lead and looked like he might break away from Robitaille and Edie, but the pair reeled him in once again. Warman, SK's Edie took the win with a bold double-draft maneuver on the back straight and held off Robitaille and Nickerson at the line. Nickerson would cross the line in third preceded by Robitaille. The three were covered by 0.168 seconds.

Hamilton, ON’s Nickerson now leads Edie by 26 points in the class standings, 359-333, heading to the final round to be held at Shannonville Motorsports Park.

“We needed to come out of Nova Scotia with a podium finish to keep the points lead …and we did it!” said Nickerson “We’re very happy with what we achieved this weekend.”

In additional news, Steven Nickerson was featured on Motovan's website in their Rider Profile section: www.motovan.com

Up next for Nickerson is Ninth and final round of the Honda CBR125R Challenge being held at Shannonville Motorsport Park, Shannonville, ON - September 3 - 6

The entire RMP Racing team would like to thank their friends and family members for their continued support and their dedicated sponsors; Inside Motorcycles, Zox Helmets, Motovan, 2010 Canadian Motorsports Expo, Infinet Designs, Turn 2 Sportbike School, Essential Image, MotoConcepts and CRC Racewear.

For additional information about RMP Racing's Ross Millson and Steven Nickerson or to learn more about marketing opportunities with the team please visit www.rmpracing.ca.