AMA Weekend Offers Plenty of Entertainment Choices for Fans SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) The road course won’t be the only area bustling with entertainment at the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown weekend, presented by Supercuts, at Infineon Raceway, May 19-21. There are a variety of promotions, media events and charitable events planned to keep people busy, as well. For more details on any of these events, please visit www.infineonraceway.com. Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, May 20: Race fans are invited to the Winner’s Circle on Saturday of race weekend at 12:15 p.m. as legendary AMA riders Miguel Duhamel and Rich Oliver are officially inducted into the raceway’s Wall of Fame. Duhamel and Oliver will become the first two AMA riders inducted into the prestigious Wall of Fame, which was created in 2005 and features NASCAR drivers Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin and NHRA drag racer Warren Johnson. Bike Night in Novato “” Saturday, May 20: The party will continue after the racing ends on Saturday, May 20, with the 3rd annual Bike Night in Novato. Motorcyclists take over historic Grant Avenue in Novato for the biggest off-site get-together of the weekend. This free event will feature bike-only parking, entertainment and restaurants will extend business hours. The party spans from 5-10 p.m. More than 300 people made the trek to Bike Night in 2005, so be sure and show-up early. Infineon Raceway Idols to Sing National Anthem Saturday and Sunday: Two talented singers will perform the national anthem at Infineon Raceway prior to the start of the AMA Superbike main events. Roseville’s Nikki Wehrenberg (Saturday) and Colusa’s Lori Rodrigues (Sunday) were selected to sing the anthem through the Infineon Raceway Idol Contest, which was held in association with 98 Rock FM out of Sacramento. Wehrenberg and Rodrigues beat out more than 70 other entrants for their chance to sing at Infineon Raceway. Cycle Gear Motorcycle Charity Auction “” Sunday, May 21: Signed memorabilia from some of the top AMA riders will be available at the 3rd annual Cycle Gear Motorcycle Charity Auction, which will take place on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Winner’s Circle. Last year’s auction featured signed leathers from Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking, as well as a variety of signed helmets, including one by six-time AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin. More than 20 items are expected for this combined silent/live auction, with all proceeds benefiting qualified youth groups in Sonoma County through Speedway Children’s Charities. AAA Designated Driver Program “” Sunday, May 21: This highly-successful program enters its second year in 2006 and is designed to educate people about the dangers of drinking and driving. The program is a partnership between AAA and Infineon Raceway. Those who decide to become designated drivers must fill out a pledge card “” under the direction of the AAA”” and they will be given a free bottle of water supplied by smartwater. Participants will also receive a designated driver card signed by NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Mark Martin. Look for the booth in the main paddock on Sunday, May 21. Recycling Program All weekend: Infineon Raceway will intensify its recycling program in 2006, beginning with the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown. The raceway recycled more than 15 tons of materials in 2005 by collecting glass, aluminum and plastic at its NASCAR, NHRA and IRL events. This year, the raceway has expanded to include collection at its AMA weekend, as well. Infineon Raceway is the only major motor sports facility in the country with a comprehensive recycling program, according to George Mutter, owner of Environmental Event Management Group, which executes the recycling program at the track. Motorcycle Art Show “” All weekend: Five-time AMA champion Rich Oliver will be one of several artists featured at Infineon Raceway in a motorcycle-themed art show during the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown weekend. The show will take place in the Infineon Technologies Business Center, which is located directly across from the Winner’s Circle in the main paddock. Hours are 9 a.m.-approximately 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday and admission is FREE. Oliver, best known for his exploits on the track, has become a very accomplished abstract artist. He’ll be joined by other artists in the show. WHAT: Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts WHERE: Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 & 121, Sonoma, CA 95476 WHEN: May 19-21. COURSE: 12 turns, 2.22 miles. 2005 WINNERS: Mat Mladin (Superbike, both main events, Suzuki); Tommy Hayden (Supersport, Kawasaki); Jake Zemke (Formula Xtreme, Honda); Aaron Yates (Superstock, Suzuki). SUPERBIKE SCHEDULE (All times Pacific): Friday “” Superbike practice, 9:40-10:40 a.m.; Superbike qualifying, 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday “” Superbike qualifying, 9:50-11 a.m.; Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown main event #1, 3:50 p.m. (28 laps); Sunday “” Superbike practice, 10:20-10:50 a.m.; Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown main event #2, 3 p.m. (28 laps). TICKETS: $10-$65, 12-and-under free, parking is free. 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Gates open at 7 a.m. each day. More, from another press release issued by Infineon Raceway: WHAT: Infineon Raceway will host the top pavement motorcycle road-racers in the country at the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts. WHEN: May 19-21. This is the fourth stop on the 19-race series for 2006. It will be a doubleheader weekend, featuring 28-lap main events in the Superbike division on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. The weekend will also feature racing in Pro Honda Oils Supersport, Repsol Lubricants Superstock and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme. CIRCUIT 12-turn, 2.22-mile road course. RACE LENGTH: Superbike main events will span 28 laps. All other main events are 17 laps. ON-TRACK SAFETY: Infineon Raceway will have an additional 102 pieces of airfence strategically placed around the road course that will enhance rider safety. The raceway gave the American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) a $70,000 no-interest loan to purchase 92 pieces, and the AFM received an additional 10 pieces that were donated by the Roadracing World Action Fund. The raceway houses the airfence and it is available for rental and is used at AMA-sanctioned events, as well as by the AFM. SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS (all times Pacific): Friday: Superbike practice, 9:40-10:40 a.m.; Superbike qualifying 2-3:30 p.m.; Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme qualifying, 3:40-5:10 p.m. Saturday: Superbike qualifying, 9:50-11 a.m.; Repsol Lubricants Superstock qualifying, 12:40-2 p.m.; Pro Honda Oils Supersport qualifying, 2:10-3:30 p.m. Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown main event #1, 3:50 p.m. (28 laps); Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme main event, 5 p.m. (17 laps). Sunday: Superbike practice, 10:20-10:50 a.m.; Repsol Lubricants Superstock main event, 11:30 a.m. (17 laps); Pro Honda Oils Supersport main event, 1:45 p.m. (17 laps); Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown main event #2, 3 p.m. (28 laps). For complete schedule, visit www.infineonraceway.com. TELEVISION: Sunday: Superbike Main Event #1, 10 a.m..; Superbike Main Event #2, 8 p.m. All on SPEED. Tuesday, May 23: Supersport Main Event, 10 a.m.; Formula Xtreme, 2 p.m. All on SPEED. All times Pacific. 2005 CHAMPIONS: Superbike: Mat Mladin (Suzuki). Mladin won both Superbike main events; Supersport: Tommy Hayden (Kawasaki); Superstock: Aaron Yates (Suzuki); Formula Xtreme: Jake Zemke (Honda). QUALIFYING RECORDS: Superbike: Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 83.233 mph, 2005; Supersport: Tommy Hayden (Kawasaki) 81.654 mph, 2005; Superstock: Jason Disalvo (Yamaha) 82.467 mph, 2005; Formula Xtreme: Miguel Duhamel (Honda) 81.441, 2004. WHAT TO EXPECT: Ben Spies (Suzuki) enters the Sonoma Valley weekend on a roll, having won the last four Superbike main events with doubleheader sweeps in Alabama and Fontana. He leads teammate Mat Mladin, 182-163. “¦ Mladin (Suzuki) won an AMA-record sixth Superbike championship in 2005, with 11 victories in 17 starts. Mladin has won three consecutive AMA Superbike titles (2003-2005). “¦ Mladin holds the record for career Superbike victories in the Sonoma Valley with six. He has won five of the last six Superbike features at Infineon Raceway, including both ends of the doubleheader in 2005. “¦ Suzuki dominated at both Infineon Raceway and in the AMA Superbike points standings in 2005. Suzuki finished one-two in the first feature in Sonoma (Mladin, Aaron Yates) and one-two-three in the second (Mladin, Yates, Spies). Mladin and Spies also finished one-two in the final AMA Superbike points standings. “¦ Ben Bostrom (Ducati), who raced in the World Superbike championship in 2005, returns to AMA Superbike in 2006 with Ducati. Bostrom is a Petaluma High School graduate. He will join teammate Neil Hodgson, who completed his first year in AMA in 2005. Hodgson, a former World Superbike champion, placed sixth in Superbike in his “rookie” year with one victory (Road America) and six podium finishes overall. “¦ Eric Bostrom, a Petaluma High graduate and brother of Ben Bostrom, switches from Ducati to Yamaha for 2006. “¦ Tommy Hayden should be a factor for Kawasaki, which returns to Superbike racing with its ZX™-10R. Hayden has won the last two Pro Honda Oils Supersport titles and sits sixth in Superbike points. “¦ Jake Zemke (Honda) posted his first-career win at Infineon Raceway in 2005 in the Formula Xtreme feature. He also won the 2006 Daytona 200. “¦ Miguel Duhamel (Honda) holds the record at Infineon Raceway for overall AMA victories (nine). Duhamel and retired rider Rich Oliver will be inducted into Infineon Raceway’s Wall of Fame during the lunch break on Saturday of race weekend. “¦ Honda and Suzuki have combined to win 13 of the last 14 Superbike main events at Infineon Raceway. “¦ Former NBA superstar Michael Jordan fields a three-rider team in the AMA, including Lafayette native (East Bay) and Acalanes High School graduate Steve Rapp. “¦ Yamaha may not feature a Superbike factory effort this year, but it is dominating in all other categories entering Sonoma: Jamie Hacking leads Pro Honda Oils Supersport, Jason Disalvo leads Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme and Hacking and Disalvo are tied for the lead in Repsol Lubricants Superstock. Hacking and Disalvo have combined for four victories overall this year. SUPERBIKE POINTS ENTERING SONOMA (after five races): Ben Spies (Suzuki) 182, Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 163, Miguel Duhamel (Honda) 140, Neil Hodgson (Ducati) 130, Aaron Yates (Suzuki) 126, Tommy Hayden (Kawasaki) 124, Ben Bostrom (Ducati) 119, Jake Zemke (Honda) 110, Jason Pridmore (Suzuki) 108, Larry Pegram (Honda) 93.