Chris Peris shows his skill at not being distracted.

Chris Peris, the 21-year-old racer from Calgary who’s had more international than Canadian racing experience, has landed a plum ride for the 2008 season.

Suzuki Canada and Blackfoot Suzuki have just announced that Peris will be riding with Francis Martin and Matt McBride on their superbike and Pro 600 teams in the 2008 Parts Canada Superbike series, taking the seat of team principal Pascal Picotte.

Picotte says that he’s taking the year off from racing, although he’ll still manage the team as Picotte Performance completes the second of a two-year contract with Suzuki and Blackfoot. Picotte said his decision was based on the result of injuries suffered over the past two seasons.

“It was a hard decision to not race,” he said, “but my doctor said I needed to take at least a year off. Actually, I think its going to be very good for the team and for Suzuki. Because I don’t have to worry about racing myself, I will be better able to help Chris and Matt perform at a higher level. Not just the technical aspect, but the mental aspect as well.”

Peris has already started his season off well with a win in the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) Pro Series Superstock final at Daytona International Speedway, plus a fifth in the AMA Superstock race and a 13th in the Superbike contest.