AMA SUPERBIKE TO MAKE UTAH DEBUT PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 12, 2006) — The AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited is set to visit Utah for the first time when the series rolls into the newly completed Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, on June 16-18 for the Honda Summit of Speed. The action-packed weekend will feature an AMA Superbike doubleheader, a full complement of road racing support classes as well as a round of the AMA Supermoto Championship. The AMA Superbike Championship is in mid-season. Miller Motorsports Parks hosts rounds 10 and 11 of the 19-race series. Ben Spies, the 21-year-old Texan second year Superbike rider, leads the series by 21 points over Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Mat Mladin. Mladin closed the gap with his recent doubleheader sweep in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and the race for the championship is now in full swing. Spies, who won six races in a row, tying an AMA Superbike record, says he still has self-assurance that he’ll be able to win his share of races in spite of Mladin’s dominating performance in Wisconsin. “My confidence isn’t hurt at all,” Spies said. “It’s just going to make me go home and try harder, and train harder and do everything I can. We’re still leading the points. It’ll be good getting to Miller and just see what we can do. At Miller in testing we were a little bit off. We’ve got a good setup for those types of tracks, and it’ll be good to get back to there, and it’s going to be a fight, that’s for sure.” Prior to his recent sweep, it appeared to some that Mladin had lost a bit of the fire that earned him a record six AMA Superbike championships, but coming into Miller it now looks as if Mladin is back in top form and is ready to make a run at Spies in the points chase. “Anybody that thought the championship was over obviously hasn’t been watching what’s been going on for the last seven or eight years out there,” Mladin said. “So if anyone thought that we were just going to roll over, it certainly wasn’t the case.” Mladin admitted that Spies’ early speed may have caught him a little off guard and adjustments were needed. “You need to learn and adapt,” he said. “That’s life, not just racing. You adapt and try and move on and make yourself better, and that’s what we’ve done so far, and we’re looking forward to the challenge the rest of the season. I’m looking forward to getting to the hot races in the middle of summer. I enjoy that part of the year a lot.” Miguel Duhamel, the 1995 AMA Superbike champ, is third in the standings. The veteran has been losing ground in the standings every race weekend to the Suzuki pair, but he’s hoping the new venue will suit the strengths of his Honda. Britain’s Neil Hodgson is soldiering on bravely, upholding the honor of Ducati. The former British and World Superbike champion is fourth in the standings on the strength of his riding ability. Like Duhamel, Hodgson is counting on his Parts Unlimited Ducati performing well on the new circuit. The all-new Miller Motorsports Park sits about a half-hour from Salt Lake City. It has gone from planning to near completion in record time. The track was built with motorcycle racing in mind and the AMA Superbike community has had the opportunity to be involved with its design from the onset. The track has drawn good reviews from the riders in testing and is continuing to receive safety enhancements as the event draws near. The Honda Summit of Speed from Miller Motorsports Park will be televised nationally on SPEED. Saturday’s race will be shown next day at 4:00 pm eastern and Sunday’s race will air same-day tape delayed at 6:00 pm eastern. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Visit the website www.millermotorsportspark.com for additional information. WHAT: The Honda Summit of Speed from Miller Motorsports Park, rounds 10 and 11 of the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited. WHERE: From SLC International Airport: Drive WEST on I-80, take exit 99-Tooele/Stansbury Park. Continue SOUTH on HWY 36. Turn RIGHT and go WEST on HWY 138. Turn LEFT and go SOUTH on Sheep Lane WHEN: June 16-18, 2006. COURSE: Miller Motorsports Park’s 3.06-mile, 15-turn Perimeter Course. SCHEDULE: Thursday, June 1 Test day.; Friday, June 2 Practice begins 8:30 am, qualifying at 2:00 pm.; Saturday, June 3 Practice begin at 8:30 am, Superbike race one at 3:50 pm, Formula Xtreme final at 5:00 pm.; Sunday, June 4 – Practice begins at 9:00 am, Superstock final at 11:30 am, Supersport final at 1:45 pm, Superbike race two at 3:00 pm. TICKETS: Weekend pass: $80 tickets available in Grandstands, $60 tickets available in General Admission. Children ages 2-12 are FREE, and don’t need a ticket, as long as accompanied by an adult. Single day: $50 tickets available in the Grandstands, $35 tickets available in General Admission Areas