MotoAmerica MiniSBK Canada Mini Cup Qualifiers: Roadracing World Magazine Report

MotoAmerica mini Cup Series Announces Canadian Qualifier Rounds

Young racers north of the border get a shot at Road America glory.

March 19, 2025

MotoAmerica Partners with MiniSBK Canada for 2025 Qualifiers

motoamerica, the leading motorcycle road racing series in North America, is expanding its reach by
hosting two Mini Cup qualifying rounds in Canada. The events, a collaboration with MiniSBK Canada,
will take place at Shannonville Motorsports Park in Shannonville, Ontario.

Mark your calendars: the qualifiers are scheduled for June 13-14 and July 4-5,
coinciding with rounds three and four of the MiniSBK series.This provides a unique chance
for young Canadian racers to compete for a coveted spot in the Mission Mini Cup National Final,
held annually at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, from August 8-10.

Shannonville: A Track Steeped in Racing History

Shannonville Motorsports park,proudly known as the “Birthplace of Champions As 1974,” brings
meaningful prestige to the qualifying rounds. The track is a mainstay in Canadian motorsports,
regularly hosting a round of the Canadian Superbike Championship. Its history and reputation make
it an ideal venue for nurturing the next generation of racing talent.

Toni Sharpless: Leading the Charge at MiniSBK canada

MiniSBK Canada is helmed by Toni sharpless, a celebrated figure in the racing world. Inducted into
the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2011, Sharpless is also notable for being one of the few
women to qualify for and finish the prestigious Daytona 200 back in 1987. Her experience and
leadership promise well for the success of the qualifiers.

A Pathway to the National Stage

These qualifying races offer a direct route for young Canadian racers to participate in the Mission
Mini Cup National Final at Road America. The competition will span six classes, ensuring a wide
range of age groups and skill levels are represented:

Class	Age Range
Stock 50	6-8 years
Stock 110	8-12 years
GP 110	8-12 years
GP 160	10-14 years
GP 190	10-14 years
Street GP	14 years and up

Quotes from the Top: Aksland and Sharpless on the Partnership

MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating:

MotoAmerica is thrilled to be working with MiniSBK to bring two of our Mini Cup Qualifiers to
Canada. I guess you could say we’re going international, which is remarkable considering this
is just our second year of the qualifiers and national Final. Canada has always produced
top-level racers, some of whom have won AMA championships, and we’re sure there will be some
fast kids who make it down for our National final at Road America.
Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica COO

Toni Sharpless echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance for Canadian youth:

I was surprised and honored to receive the call from Wayne Rainey and Chuck Aksland, two
individuals I remember from my racing days in the 1980s. When they asked if our MiniSBK
Championship series would be interested in joining the MotoAmerica Mini Cup Qualifier series,
it took me less than a minute to consider and say ‘Yes.’ This connection further expands the
opportunities we provide for Canadian youth in the sport. We are happy and proud to be part of
another big step toward grassroots advancement in road racing.
Toni Sharpless, MiniSBK CEO

Expanding opportunities for Young Racers

This partnership underscores a commitment to fostering young talent in motorcycle racing. By
extending the MotoAmerica Mini Cup series into Canada, more young racers gain access to
high-quality competition and a pathway to national recognition. This move could perhaps mirror
the success of programs like the Red Bull motogp Rookies Cup, which identifies and develops young
talent on a global scale, hoping to discover the next Marc Marquez or Valentino Rossi from the
North American continent.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

While the expansion is undoubtedly positive, logistical challenges may arise for Canadian racers
looking to compete at Road America. Travel costs, equipment transportation, and potential visa
requirements could present obstacles. However,the opportunity to race on a national stage often
outweighs these concerns for aspiring champions and their families.

What’s Next?

As the June qualifiers approach, anticipation is building. This initiative promises to inject fresh
talent into the MotoAmerica Mini Cup series and strengthen the ties between the U.S. and Canadian
racing communities. Keep an eye on Shannonville Motorsports Park this summer for a glimpse of the
future stars of motorcycle racing. The U.S. racing scene is hoping to cultivate talent that can
one day compete with the European dominance in MotoGP, the premier class of motorcycle racing.

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What are the different age groups and class categories for the MotoAmerica Mini cup qualifiers hosted by MiniSBK Canada?

Archyde Interviews Toni Sharpless on MotoAmerica Mini Cup Canada

Published: March 19, 2025

Archyde News recently sat down with Toni Sharpless, CEO of MiniSBK Canada, to discuss the exciting new partnership with MotoAmerica for the Mini Cup series.

Interview with Toni sharpless

Archyde: Toni, thank you for joining us. We’re thrilled about the MotoAmerica Mini Cup qualifiers coming to Canada. Can you tell us how this collaboration with MiniSBK Canada came about?

toni Sharpless: Thank you for having me. It was quite a surprise and an honor to receive a call from Wayne Rainey and Chuck Aksland. These are names I remember from my racing days! When they proposed the partnership, it was an instant ‘yes.’ We knew this would create incredible opportunities for young Canadian racers.

Expanding Opportunities for Young Riders

Archyde: absolutely. This really opens doors for young Canadian racers. These qualifiers lead to the final at Road America,that must be incredibly exciting for the kids. Can you elaborate on the impact this will have on the growth of young racing talent, that is a primary focus of the MiniSBK series, correct?

Toni Sharpless: Precisely! This is the core of what we do. This partnership provides a clear pathway to a national level of competition. These qualifying races will give youth from the North American continent the chance to be showcased on the world racing stage. To actually compete with the best young racers in the U.S. is a huge step forward. Seeing our young riders compete against their peers on a national stage is a fantastic opportunity for them to see their racing abilities in relation to global competition.”

Shannonville as the Perfect Venue

Archyde: Shannonville Motorsports park is slated to host the qualifiers. It’s reputation speaks for itself. Why was Shannonville chosen as the host track?

Toni Sharpless: Shannonville is fantastic! It’s a track steeped in Canadian racing history, known as the “Birthplace of Champions.” also, it regularly hosts a round of the Canadian Superbike Championship, so it’s perfect for young aspiring racers. The historical recognition of the race track helps to provide a positive racing feel.

Series Classes and Competition

Archyde: The Mini Cup series has various classes. Can you outline the different classes and age ranges participating in the qualifiers?

Toni Sharpless: Certainly! The classes are designed to ensure a diverse range of ages and skill levels,as you know.We will have the Stock 50 class for ages 6-8, Stock 110 for 8-12, GP 110 for 8-12, GP 160 and GP 190 for 10-14 year olds, and the Street GP for those 14 and up. We anticipate a great turnout!

Addressing challenges and Looking Ahead

Archyde: I was just thinking about the logistics surrounding the races, transportation, and the travel from Canada, especially concerning travel and transporting of race vehicles. Do you anticipate any challenges for Canadian racers competing that will be addressed?

Toni Sharpless: While travel costs and customs can be hurdles,the opportunity to race at Road america often outweighs them. We are working closely with MotoAmerica to provide as much support as possible to help families navigate these challenges. It will be a big step for all racers.

A Potential for Global Competition

Archyde: This collaboration could inspire the next generation of Canadian motorcycle racing talent. Looking forward, how do you see this impacting Canadian motorsports?

toni Sharpless: We believe it will have a notable impact. This kind of exposure and opportunity for talented young racers could lead to Canadian riders competing in global series, similar to the success of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies cup. That would be a fantastic legacy to leave for the next generations. We are just getting started!

Exciting Prospects for Racers

Archyde: That is the hope.The qualifiers are in June and July, and it seems the wait is just beginning. Thank you, Toni, for sharing your insights; we are very excited about what this collaboration can bring. Let’s end on this: What is the one thing that you want young racers to know about this opportunity?

Toni Sharpless: Never give up! This is an incredible chance to showcase your skills and passion for racing. Embrace the challenge, work hard, and believe in yourselves. The dream of competing on a national stage is within reach!

Archyde: Fantastic words of wisdom from the MiniSBK CEO. Thank you again, Toni. Keep up the great work!

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