Riders who have passed away will be honoured this Sunday as the 'Race of Champions' launches the 2009 Bermuda Motor Racing Club (BMRC) season at the Southside track.

The event – which will pay tribute to riders such as Toriano (Animal) Wilson, Marvin (Skinny) Robinson, who were both killed in race accidents, and Kyle Pimental who suffered cancer – will be the first race day of the season, with organisers hoping for a large turnout by spectators.

One of the riders set to defend their title this year will be BMRC spokesman Paul DeCouto who won the Super Bike Class after holding off Shannon Caisey by a meagre 13 points. He's urging all bike enthusiasts to come out and enjoy the festivities.

"This weekend is our first official race day." said DeCouto. "It is called the Race of Champions, which will basically be celebrating the lives of past racers, such as Toriano Wilson, Marvin Robinson and Kyle Pimental.

"Kyle died from cancer but the other two were killed doing the thing they loved most.

"The day will be about honouring them and to launch the season, so we expect a big attendance.

"A lot of people have asked us when we are starting and are excited so we are preparing to put on a season to remember."

A new twist in the set-up this year will be a new tyre rule that will look to make races more competitive.

Gone are the days of racing on new tyres every race with the new rule clearly stating that tyres on the bike at the beginning of the first race have to remain on for the second race as well.

Also in line to get the sport more public attention is an attempt to have pilot clips on local cable channels on a weekly basis.

"We are trying to get together a small cable pilot for television courtesy of the BSN, so we can have some weekly air time on cable for the fans and those who don't know much about the sport or who have never come down to see the racing.

"A new tyre rule across the whole club has been put in place to cut the costs of racing down during the recessionary period.

"What was happening last year was that between myself and Shannon Caisey, who was my main competition, after the first race we would put new tyres on and they cost $600 for a set.

"So now the rule states that the tyres you start the first race on have to be used for both races.

"The newer bikes have more horsepower which will tear up the back tyre, making it less drivable on the straightaways."

Other champion riders set to defend their titles from last season include Andrew DeCosta (GP125), Billy Dunn (Formula), Jonathan Cabral (Scooter 70), Zain Philpott (Stock Modified), Wytiko Showers (Mini GP 70), Shae Darrell (Mini Bike Open Class), and Taznae Fubler (Mini Bike Junior Class).

Gates open at 12 noon this Sunday with racing scheduled to start at 2 p.m.