Toronto dealer comes to aid of B.C. teen Honda rider

Norris McDonald

MOTORSPORT WRITER

When 16-year-old Ryan Appenrodt of Quesnel, B.C., came east to Mosport in July for Rounds 4 and 5 of the 2009 Parts Canada Superbike Championship, he turned heads with a couple of strong performances in the Honda CBR 125R Challenge.

He finished third in the first race and second in Round 5. Seasoned observers felt that if it hadn't been raining so hard in the second race, he could very well have won it – and they marked him as one to watch.

The seventh and final round of the championship is scheduled for Shannonville Motorsport Park this weekend but young Appenrodt wasn't going to be able to make it because the family of six – father Robert, mother Melissa and their four kids, including Ryan – couldn't afford to make the trip.

But Durham Honda Powerhouse of Whitby (they sell motorcycles and ATVs) heard about the situation and contacted Honda Canada with an offer of sponsorship.

So Ryan and his mom and dad flew to Toronto earlier this week and the youngster – who's going into Grade 11 at Correlieu Secondary School in Quesnel next week and whose ambition is to eventually win the 1000 cc Parts Canada Superbike National Championship – will be in action this weekend.

"It would be a dream come true for me to win the 1000 cc Canadian title," he said. "But first, I want to do well in Shannonville and then we'll go from there. I really appreciate what the sponsor has done for me."

Robert Bates, sales and marketing manager of Durham Honda Powerhouse, said the dealership was delighted to support Appenrodt.

"Our interest in the 125 class, of course, stems from our interest in attracting new riders," he said.

Bates said the dealership had done this sort of thing before.

"We were at Mosport and sponsored a young fellow from Alberta, Cody Conrad. We were delighted to offer assistance then, as we are now with Ryan."

Appenrodt was late entering this year's championship. He eventually got going at Calgary in June (he missed Rounds 1 and 2 at Calabogie and Mirabel) and then had his success at Mosport. He's keen to run the full Honda Challenge series next year.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship is the final round of the national series, with five pro and amateur classes of racing. Tickets: weekend passes $50, Sunday-only $30. At Shannonville Motorsports Park, Hwy. 2, east of Belleville. cdnsuperbike.com

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