Calgary Motorcycle Roadracing Association(CMRA) Saturday, September 15, 2007 Round 4 Results: MONEY CLASSES Open Superbike 1. Clint Mcbain -2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 2. Mikal Zottmann -2005 Suzuki GSXR 3. Tim Easton -1999 Yamaha YZFR1 4. Randy Hearman -2006 Kawasaki ZX10 5. Mitch Rathje -2006 Yamaha R1 6. Kel Davidson -2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 Middleweight Superbike 1. Guy Tomlinson -2005 Suzuki gsxr 600 2. Jesse Sherstan -2007 Yamaha R6 3. Jeremy Stepper -2007 Yamaha R6 4. Matt Schmidt -2006 Suzuki GSXR 600 5. Richard Maurice -2005 Kawasaki ZX 6 RR 6. Curtis Lindenbach -2003 Yamaha R 6 Formula 2 1. Carey Fougere -1995 Yamaha TZ250 2. Peter Donegan -2005 Buell XB9R 3. Willie Geczi -2007 Buell XB12R 4. Cody Matechuk -2001 Honda RS 5. Gary Bourgeois -2003 Suzuki SV650S 6. Dave Prendergast -1993 Yamaha tz250 TROPHY CLASSES Heavyweight Sportbike Expert 1. Clint Mcbain -2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 2. Dave Stokowski – 2006 Kawasaki ZX-10R 3. Tim Easton -1999 Yamaha YZFR1 4. Randy Hearman -2006 Kawasaki ZX10 5. Richard Maurice -2005 Kawasaki ZX 6 RR 6. Tim Johnson – 2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Heavyweight Sportbike Amatuer 1. Rob Liptich – 2006 Suzuki GSXR1000 2. Matt Schmidt -2006 Suzuki GSXR 600 3. Colin Foster – 2003 Honda CBR 600 RR 4. Andrew Carruthers – 2004 Yamaha R6 5. Peter Meier – 2005 Kawasaki ZX6RR 6. Richard Clark – 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 Middleweight Sportbike Expert 1. Jesse Sherstan -2007 Yamaha R6 2. Guy Tomlinson -2005 Suzuki gsxr 600 3. Richard Maurice -2005 Kawasaki ZX 6 RR 4. Curtis Lindenbach -2003 Yamaha R 6 5. Jeremy Stepper -2007 Yamaha R6 Middleweight Sportbike Amatuer 1. Matt Schmidt -2006 Suzuki GSXR 600 2. Colin Foster – 2003 Honda CBR 600 RR 3. Rob Darlington – 2005 Yamaha YZF-R6 4. Andrew Carruthers – 2004 Yamaha R6 5. Peter Meier – 2005 Kawasaki ZX6RR 6. Bill Gerber – 2000 Ducati 996 Lightweight Sportbike 1. Cody Matechuk -2001 Honda RS 2. Gary Bourgeois -2003 Suzuki SV650S 3. Chad Swain – 2000 Yamaha TZ 125 4. Jessica Sodeen – 1997 Yamaha TZ 125 5. Colin Purcel – 94 Honda rs 125 6. Dayton Graham – 1996 Yamaha tz 125 Senior Open 1. Carey Fougere -1995 Yamaha TZ250 2. Tim Johnson – 2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000 3. Bill Gerber – 2000 Ducati 996 4. Karl Meema – 2002 Suzuki GSXR 1000 5. Robert Porter – 2004 Ducati 749s 6. Brad Gavey – 2006 Honda cbr1000 Sportbike Twins/SV Cup 1. Yves Carrier – 2005 Ducati SS1000 2. Robert Porter – 2004 Ducati 749s 3. Peter Donegan -2005 Buell XB9R 4. Willie Geczi -2007 Buell XB12R 5. Rupert Collins – 2003 Ducati 749 6. Gary Bourgeois -2003 Suzuki SV650S Ducati Cup 1. Yves Carrier – 2005 Ducati SS1000 2. Bill Gerber – 2000 Ducati 996 3. Robert Porter – 2004 Ducati 749s 4. Brian Taylor 5. Joe Peskunowicz – 1998 Ducati 916 6. Chris Istace – 2005 Ducati 749Dark Sunday Sept 16. 2007 Round 5 Results MONEY CLASSES Open Superbike 1. Clint Mcbain -2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 2. Dave Stokowski – 2006 Kawasaki ZX-10R 3. Mikal Zottmann –2005 Suzuki GSXR 4. Tim Easton -1999 Yamaha YZFR1 5. Mitch Rathje -2006 Yamaha R1 6. Kel Davidson -2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 Middleweight Superbike 1. Guy Tomlinson -2005 Suzuki gsxr 600 2. Jeremy Stepper -2007 Yamaha R6 3. Jesse Sherstan -2007 Yamaha R6 4. Richard Maurice -2005 Kawasaki ZX 6 RR 5. Rob Darlington – 2005 Yamaha YZF-R6 6. Curtis Lindenbach -2003 Yamaha R 6 Formula 2 1. Carey Fougere -1995 Yamaha TZ250 2. Peter Donegan -2005 Buell XB9R 3. Willie Geczi -2007 Buell XB12R 4. Gary Bourgeois -2003 Suzuki SV650S 5. Dave Prendergast – 1993 Yamaha tz250 6. Chris Crump – 2004 Buell XB12S TROPHY CLASSES Heavyweight Sportbike Expert 1. Jeremy Stepper -2007 Yamaha R6 2. Clint Mcbain -2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 3. Dave Stokowski – 2006 Kawasaki ZX-10R 4. Tim Easton -1999 Yamaha YZFR1 5. Mitch Rathje -2006 Yamaha R1 6. Curtis Lindenbach -2003 Yamaha R 6 Heavyweight Sportbike Amatuer 1 Matt Schmidt – 2006 Suzuki GSXR1000 2. Rob Darlington – 2005 Yamaha YZF-R6 3. Andrew Carruthers – 2004 Yamaha R6 4. Peter Meier – 2005 Kawasaki ZX6RR 5. Robert Maurice – 04 Kawasaki zx6rr 6. Richard Clark – 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 Middleweight Sportbike Expert 1. Jeremy Stepper -2007 Yamaha R6 2. Guy Tomlinson -2005 Suzuki gsxr 600 3. Jesse Sherstan – 2007 Yamaha R6 4. Curtis Lindenbach -2003 Yamaha R 6 5. Richard Maurice – 2005 Kawasaki ZX 6 RR 6. Shane Kuhn – 2004 Yamaha R1 Middleweight Sportbike Amatuer 1. Rob Darlington – 2005 Yamaha YZF-R6 2. Matt Schmidt – 2006 Suzuki GSXR 600 3. Andrew Carruthers – 2004 Yamaha R6 4. Amy Karthaus – 2004 Suzuki gsxr 5. Shane Stickland 6. Brian Taylor – 2006 Ducati 749 Bipostal Lightweight Sportbike 1. Cody Matechuk -2001 Honda RS 2. Gary Bourgeois -2003 Suzuki SV650S 3. Jessica Sodeen – 1997 Yamaha TZ 125 4. Dayton Graham – 1996 Yamaha tz 125 5. Chad Swain – 2000 Yamaha TZ 125 6. Colin Purcel – 94 Honda rs 125 Senior Open 1. Brad Gavey – 2006 Honda cbr1000 2. Carey Fougere -1995 Yamaha TZ250 3. Karl Meema – 2002 Suzuki GSXR 1000 4. Richard Clark – 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 5. Terry Sherstan – 2007 Yamaha R6 6. Dave Prendergast – 1993 Yamaha tz250 Sportbike Twins/SV Cup 1. Peter Donegan -2005 Buell XB9R 2. Robert Porter – 2004 Ducati 749s 3. Brian Taylor 4. Willie Geczi -2007 Buell XB12R 5. Rupert Collins – 2003 Ducati 749 6. Yukiya Ishiguro -2006 Ducati 749 Ducati Cup 1. Yves Carrier – 2005 Ducati SS1000 2. Brian Taylor 3. Robert Porter – 2004 Ducati 749s 4. Chris Istace – 2005 Ducati 749Dark 5. Yukiya Ishiguro -2006 Ducati 749 6. Rupert Collins – 2003 Ducati 749 More, from a press release issued by Speed Tech Racing: Brian Hall of Speed Tech Racing dominated this past weekend during the final CCS Midwest Round at Blackhawk Farms Raceway winning all 6 races he entered. Riding his Speed Tech Racing’s prepared 2007 ZX6R’s Brian dominated the CCS Midwest Series all season as he won over 6 class championships in: Expert Middleweight Supersport / Expert Middleweight Superbike / Expert Middleweight GP / Expert Unlimited GP / Expert GTU / Expert GTO & won the overall points championship 2 years in a row. Brian rode very well this weekend turning times over 2 seconds per lap faster than the competition & winning by over 5-10 seconds in most races. Brian put on near flawless rides all season along with Team Owner / Racer Jason Farrell. The two riders had many great battles throughout the season while dominating the fields on their Speed Tech prepped Team Green Kawasaki ZX6R’s. Both of the riders posted equal times all season long at most tracks. With Blackhawk Farms raceway being their local track they managed to set the official CCS 600cc track record several times throughout the season as Jason turned a 1:10.110 and Brian turned a 1:10.204. With Brian on Dunlop & Jason on Pirelli tires it became a battle of who had the best tires since it was the only difference between their bikes. Both tire brands worked out great for both riders as either rider had no problems all season. “It was a great season running with Brian! He kept me pushing myself faster every race. It basically came down to race strategy and who could outthink the other rider each race. I was more worried about taking each other out than anything. We were running so close that we were passing each other several times per lap sometimes. This year was the first year on this new model ZX6R and we look forward to next season running in 2008. It’s a long winter and we’ll have this bikes really dialed in for next season for sure. I want to thank all of the team’s sponsors for making it such a great season. We have put together a great package bike that just screams and handles great!” said Jason. Brian & father Mike Hall have been please in their first season riding for Speed Tech Racing as their season has gone much smoother all the way around. Previous seasons saw Brian with many engine failures & suspension problems with other tuners. Brian & his father are true dedicated motorcycle racers and it’s a pleasure to race with them. Were like a big family now along with several other riders on the team. Brian stated, “This season has been great! Jason is a dedicated motorcycle racer. Not only is he a racer but he builds the bikes and whenever anything happens he is right there on top of it to fix anything. Racing with him has been fun. We had some serious battles all year and it’s cool that we work with each other to get faster. I’m looking forward to next season for sure, plus I might be on a ZX10R if a sponsor comes through for me.” Speed Tech Racing’s plans for next year are tentative pending on sponsors. They are shooting for AMA all season & ASRA series Midwest events. Companies interested in sponsoring Speed Tech Racing can reach Jason via email @ [email protected].

Still recovering from the broken collarbone sustained at Cadwell last month, Team Jentin Racing/ Lloyds British rider Simon Andrews will sit out the penultimate round of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike championship, his place at Donington Park being taken by Derby rider Jon Kirkham. Kirkham, aged 22 will ride the Jentin Racing/Lloyds British R1 in both legs of round 12 of the Bennetts British Superbike championship at Donington Park this coming weekend, September 21 – 23 and will also contest the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock double header for his regular team Raceways Yamaha. BERNIE TOLEMAN, JENTIN RACING TEAM PRINCIPAL We are delighted that Jon Kirkham has agreed to stand in for the injured Simon Andrews and to ride our Yamaha R1 at Donington Park at the weekend. We as a team will give him all the support he needs to ensure he has the best possible chance of scoring some valuable points both for himself and the team. JON KIRKHAM I am very pleased to help the team while Simon recovers from his broken collarbone. I will certainly be kept busy at Donington as I have a double header in the Superstock championship as well as the two British Superbike races. But I am confident I can ride in all four events over the weekend without any problems and will do my utmost to bring home two strong results for the team. This is a good opportunity for me to show that I can run with the best in the British Superbike championship and I thank Bernie for giving me this chance to prove I have the stamina and ability to do just that. During the four-week break from racing and to celebrate Lloyds British taking an equity share in Jentin Racing the team have been busy designing a new livery for their Yamaha R1 Superbike and this is to be unveiled at Donington Park this weekend. (Please see attached file). IAN WHITE, CHAIRMAN OF LLOYDS BRITISH By taking an equitable stake in Jentin Racing rather than taking the advertising route we can really help to shape the future, allowing the team to fully focus on contesting the championship. We believe that all the components are now in place for Jentin Racing/Lloyds British to become one of the great teams in the British Superbike Series! Two free practise sessions take place on Friday with a third 50-minute session on Saturday morning prior to qualifying at 2.30pm. Racing is set for Sunday with the first of two 20-lap British Superbike races on track at 12.45pm, the second race due to start at 16.23pm. The ITV4 live broadcast window is from 12.30pm 5.10pm with further coverage from Sky Sports 3 from 7.30pm 11pm.

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM SET FOR CRUCIAL JAPANESE GP The Ducati Marlboro Team jets east for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix after another strong performance at last Sunday’s Portuguese GP. Casey Stoner finished a close third at Estoril to give him an impressive 76 point World Championship lead with just four races remaining. The remarkable Stoner, winner of eight victories so far this year, and team-mate Loris Capirossi are in confident mood going into this weekend because the Ducati Marlboro Team and Bridgestone tyres have an impressive record at Motegi, Capirossi having dominated the last two MotoGP events at the track. If Stoner wins the race he will secure a historic World Championship, becoming the second-youngest premier-class champ in history and giving Ducati its first title in the category. Ducati also leads the constructors’ points chase and the Ducati Marlboro Team heads the teams’ prize. LIVIO SUPPO, Ducati MotoGP project director “On paper, Motegi is a very good circuit for us, but things are different with the 800s this year, so as usual we will have to wait until we get there to see how things will go. Casey is in superb form, so I think he has the chance of a great weekend, and I hope that Loris can find the kind of pace that took him to victory at Motegi in 2005 and 2006. We begin this weekend like any other, working to get the best out of the Ducati/Bridgestone package and if we win the race then we will also win the championship. Casey has been unbelievable all season, there’s no doubt that he 100 per cent deserves the crown.” CASEY STONER, World Championship leader on 287 points “We weren’t so lucky in the race last Sunday but I think we should be able to come back strong at Motegi because we’ve got a great team and the bike and tyres are so strong at the moment. Motegi is Bridgestone’s home race and it’s in Japan, so I know Ducati always likes to do well there! Ducati has taken pole position and the win the last two times we’ve been to Motegi, so it would be nice if we can do the same. I really want to try and win a few more races before the end of the season. And if we focus on winning races, then the championship should come. Motegi is a bit of a computer-designed track but it works well. We were very competitive there last year and the year before I was on the 250 podium. You need a bike that’s very good on the brakes, which should be good for us. You also need good acceleration, which we still need to improve. We’ve got good midrange and top end but our bottom end needs improving a little bit.” LORIS CAPIROSSI, 8th overall on 105 points “My 2005 and 2006 wins at Motegi will always be very special memories for me. For Ducati to win a MotoGP race in Japan is great but to win two in a row is incredible! I hope we can have another good result this year because the last few races have been pretty difficult for me. But I never give up and I will work as hard as ever and race as hard as ever all the way to the end of the season. The Ducati and the Bridgestones should work well at Motegi, it’s the kind of track that has worked very well for our package in the past, though the 800s are different from the 990s, of course. Acceleration and braking are the most important factors of performance at this track, and we have a fast engine and a very good engine-braking system. The Bridgestones also work really well at Motegi. And I like the layout – even though it’s just full throttle, brake, full throttle, brake – so I’m looking forward to the weekend.” THE TRACK Twin Ring Motegi is stop-and-go in character with few high-speed corners. The track features plenty of slow turns linked by medium-length straights which puts the emphasis on braking and acceleration performance. Motegi hosted its inaugural Grand Prix, the Japanese GP, in 1999. From 2000 to 2003 the venue hosted the Pacific GP while the country’s older Suzuka track ran the Japanese GP until it was declared too dangerous. Twin Ring Motegi is so called because it features both a Grand Prix track and an Indy oval. Constructed by Honda in 1998 to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, the venue is located in the hills to the north west of Tokyo, between the cities of Mito and Utsonomiya. Motegi’s construction entailed a massive civil engineering project that included the razing of seven hills and the filling of two valleys. MOTEGI DATA Lap record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), 1m 47.288s, 161.095km/h-100.100mph Pole position 2006: Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici), 1m 45.724s DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM RIDER DATA LOGS LORIS CAPIROSSI Age: 34 (born 4 April 1973) Lives: Monaco Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP7 GP starts: 262 (92xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125) GP victories: 28 (6xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125) First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125) First GP: Japan, 1990 (125) Pole positions: 41 (8xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125) First pole: Australia, 1991 (125) World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998) Motegi 2006 results: Grid: 1st. Race: 1st CASEY STONER Age: 21 (born 16 October 16 1985) Lives: Monaco Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP7 GP starts: 91 (30xMotoGP, 31×250, 30×125) GP victories: 13 (6xMotoGP, 5×250, 2×125) First GP victory: Valencia, 2003 (125) First GP: Britain, 2001 (125) Pole positions: 10 (6 x MotoGP 2×250, 2×125) First pole: Italy, 2003 (125) Motegi 2006 results: Grid: 11th. Race: DNF More, from a press release issued by Repsol: “I HAVE TO CONTINUE LEARNING, IMPROVE MY RIDING STYLE AND CONCENTRATE ON MY WORK SO AS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE BIKE” With the next race at the circuit of Motegi upon us we take advantage to review the season with Shuhei Aoyama. The Repsol rider will go to his home Grand Prix with an extra dose of motivation that should help him get a satisfactory result after a year where things have not gone as he would have liked. This is his chance to show what he can do in front of his fans and compatriots, with just four races left this season. Finally your home race. Were you dying to race in your home country again? “Yes, because for me it means I am at home, racing in front of Japanese fans and the sponsors from my country. It is a special race and I am dying to race at Motegi.” In the races in Japan, the Japanese riders usually ride very fast. How do you see the race in Motegi? “It is a circuit that I know very well and I like. Two years ago I got a wild card and I classified on the first row of the grid. Last year, in spite of not getting such a good classification, I felt good, so I will race at Motegi desperate to put in a good performance and get a good result.” This is turning out to be a difficult year, more so if we take into account the other bikes in the category. How do you see your progression in the last few races? “This has been a difficult year for us, since Aprilia and KTM have been much faster than last year. Honda on the other hand has improved some things, but the difference has been very big compared to the other makes. Since the race in Jerez there has not been an easy race. I have done my best but I have not got on the podium or got a good result. It has been quite difficult.” Where must you improve? What are you lacking so that you can progress? “I have to open the throttle. I have to go faster and taking into account the fact that the bike cannot be improved much more, it is I who has to go faster. It is not easy, but I have to continue learning, improve my riding style, and concentrate on my work so as to understand the bike and the circuits better, and so be up with the leading riders.” A lap of Motegi with Shuhei Aoyama Main straight, curve 1 and 2 The main stright is a a little short. The first two curves are one after the other and are taken as if they were one. Curves 3 and 4 Then there is another short straight with strong braking before the third curve, taken in 1st or 2nd, depends on the rider. We stay on the same line again as if it were just one curve. Curve 5 We get back on a small straight and arrive to curve 5, where it is very important to have braked right but without losing speed, because on the following curves, six, seven and eight you climb and it is important not to let the revs drop. Curve 6 Curve 6 is where you have the throttle totally open, although you have to find the right line because if you don`t you have to shut the throttle down. Moreover, the tyres and the set up have a big influence. If you are in the right place you can go flat out, but the MotoGP bikes are certain to drop the revs a little. More, from a press release issued by Fiat Yamaha: MOTEGI HOLDS EASTERN PROMISE FOR FIAT YAMAHA TEAM Continuing improvements with the Yamaha YZR-M1 machine and the enhanced performance of Michelin’s latest tyres make for another promising weekend ahead as the Fiat Yamaha Team head east for the next round of the MotoGP World Championship in Japan this weekend. A frantic pack-up operation took place at the Estoril circuit on Sunday evening as the entire paddock prepared to make the gruelling 11,000 kilometre journey from the western tip of Europe to far east Asia, where Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards will do battle for Yamaha in the factory’s home country. The long trip to Motegi has at least been taken in buoyant mood thanks to Rossi’s stunning fourth victory of the season in Portugal. The Italian kept his slim World Championship hopes alive with a breathtaking ride that saw him cut the gap to series leader Casey Stoner to 76 points with four rounds and a maximum haul of 100 points remaining. The race in Japan is followed by trips to Australia and Malaysia before the series returns to Europe for its traditionally grand finale at Valencia in Spain. Designed in 1997 as a test venue, Motegi has ultra-modern facilities although the outstanding paddock is not quite matched by the intricacies and character of a somewhat geometric circuit layout. A bump-free surface offers good levels of grip without being particularly abrasive, but the proliferation of second gear turns, linked for the most part by mini-drag strips, means braking and acceleration are the main prerequisite to a fast lap time, and consistency the key to a good race. Valentino Rossi “MOTIVATION AND CONFIDENCE HIGH” Valentino Rossi’s fourth win of the season was his 29th for Yamaha and with four races remaining before the end of the year he is keen to add to that tally. The 28-year-old’s army of Japanese fans will be supporting him all the way this weekend at a circuit he admits is not high up on his list of favourites despite holding the lap record of 1’47.288 and he plans to continue his winning ways. “Portugal was a great, great race and it was fantastic to win again after so long,” said Rossi. “Now we go straight to Motegi and the motivation and confidence within the team is very high. We know that our rivals are always very strong in Motegi and we expect the same from Stoner this year, but I’ve never won there with Yamaha so I will be doing my best to change that this week. “We’re not thinking of the championship, we know it’s probably out of our reach, but we can do the best we can to try to keep it open for as long as possible and this will be our goal next week. Our top speed is much better with the new engine, our tyres worked well in Portugal and now we hope we have the same situation again in Japan.” Colin Edwards “TIME IS RUNNING OUT” Twice a winner of the Suzuka 8 Hour race, one of those alongside Rossi, Colin Edwards enjoyed plenty of success in Japan during his Superbike career. After a difficult weekend in Portugal, he hopes those positive memories and the support of the Japanese fans can help him recover points and, just as importantly, confidence ahead of the season run-in. “To finish tenth at Estoril, one of my favourite tracks, was really demoralising but at least we don’t have time to dwell on it,” said Edwards. “I’ve never had a great race at Motegi but this has got to be the right time to turn that around! We had a really good test there last year so with any luck some of that data will help us out this year. “We’re just going to have to get our heads down from day one and get on with it. Time is running out and I want to get back on that podium before the end of the season. I know both myself and Valentino have a lot of supporters in Japan, especially after winning the Suzuka 8 Hour together a few years ago, so hopefully that can propel us to a top result this weekend.” Davide Brivio Fiat Yamaha Team Director “MORALE IMPORTANT” Fiat Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio hasn’t had much time to dwell on a rewarding victory for his staff at Estoril, overseeing the intense logistical operation demanded by back-to-back races on opposite sides of the globe. Nevertheless, he is hoping the boost in morale provided by that success can overpower the jet-lag and provide the whole team with extra energy to seem them through the final four races of the season. “It was a great reward for the team to have such a good result in Portugal, especially after all their hard work since before the summer,” explained Brivio. “Also, this is a very hard stage of the season, with a lot of races close together and a lot of travelling, so it is important that morale is high. “With Valentino we will just be trying to keep going in the same way, we expect our rivals to be very strong there but we know that if we can give Valentino the right package then he can fight with them. Colin had a bad race in Portugal so he will be keen to erase that memory and hopefully he will have a better time in Japan.” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: A-Style Grand Prix of Japan – Tuesday 18th September In a swift cross-continent turnaround after the thrilling race at Estoril, MotoGP heads to the Far-East for the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan this weekend. The race will have big implications for the 2007 MotoGP title race, with two possible scenarios that will decide when or whether Casey Stoner can be crowned with his first MotoGP World Championship. With a 76-point gap separating current standings leader Stoner and nearest rival Valentino Rossi, either the factory Ducati rider will leave Japan with the title in the bag or the chase will be prolonged until his home race at Australia. Stoner simply has to finish ahead of the five-time MotoGP World Champion in what is sure to be a tough race for the 21 year-old. Rossi is still very much capable of beating Stoner in a straight fight, having done so at the last round in Estoril. The Yamaha rider will not be conceding defeat on the track any time soon, and has set himself the target of ending the season with more than his current tally of four victories. He also has to fend off Dani Pedrosa to consolidate second place in the standings, currently leading the Spaniard by 23 points. A second place finish for Pedrosa in Estoril gave him room to breathe in third overall, with a gap of over 30 points separating himself and the tightly packed group consisting of John Hopkins, Chris Vermeulen and Marco Melandri. Further down, Colin Edwards, last year’s race winner in Japan Loris Capirossi and reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden also occupy spots in a top ten completed by Alex Barros. Two wild card riders will be participating in the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan, under the Suzuki and Kawasaki banners respectively. Paul Denning’s boys in blue will be joined by test rider Nobuatsu Aoki at the race, whilst Kawasaki will run one of their original riders from their MotoGP return, Akira Yanagawa, in his first premier class race since 2003. Last year’s race was won by Loris Capirossi in a runaway victory from pole, ahead of his fellow Italians Valentino Rossi and Marco Melandri. Before the on-track action gets underway in Japan, a special event featuring some of the biggest names in MotoGP will take place in Tokyo. A huge attendance is expected for the “MotoGP Lands in Tokyo” event, which takes place on Wednesday in Shinjuku Station Square. Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, Shinya Nakano, Chris Vermeulen, Colin Edwards, Makoto Tamada, Carlos Checa and Randy de Puniet are all confirmed participants in an on-stage talkshow and autograph session accompanied by five 800cc machines. 250cc Jorge Lorenzo still leads the way in 250cc, 51 points ahead of Andrea Dovizioso as he looks to retain his quarter-litre World Championship. The Spaniard has never won a race at Japan, finishing third last year in his most recent visit to Motegi. He is rumoured to be staying on after the race to test the 800cc Yamaha M1, in anticipation of his move up to MotoGP next season. Dovizioso will have to keep one eye on the challenge to his second place from Alex de Angelis, just nine points behind him in the classification but on a run of poor results after a near year-long spell finishing no lower than fourth. The top three are relatively clear from the remainder of the field, with Estoril racewinner Alvaro Bautista in fourth, Hector Barbera in fifth and Hiroshi Aoyama in sixth. Aoyama has won the last two races at Motegi, breaking down in tears at the end of the 2006 race due to the emotion of his second home victory. 125cc The gap between Gabor Talmacsi and Hector Faubel at the top of the 125cc classification stands at just five points, with the team-mates both eyeing up the World title. They battled right up to the line in Portugal, with Faubel slipstreaming his Hungarian team-mate to take victory and earn an important psychological victory. Home-rider Tomoyoshi Koyama will be one of the favourites for the win at Motegi onboard the KTM machine, and the Japanese rider currently lies third in the classification. The remainder of the top six consists of the level-on-points duo of Simone Corsi and Lukas Pesek, and the rider with more pole positions than any other in 125cc this year, Mattia Pasini. Circuit Info Located amongst the vast natural beauty of the northern Kanto district, the Twin Ring circuit at Motegi in Japan consists of a 1.5 mile oval and a 2.9 mile road course constructed to international standards. Built by Honda as the ultimate test facility in August 1997, the road circuit became home to MotoGP in 2000 whilst the oval was designed to introduce American motorsports culture to the country. Twin Ring Motegi is a major attraction for motorsports fans all year round as it is the venue for the Honda Collection Hall, a museum which houses an illustrious collection of motorcycle, car and racing machines from throughout the ages. The complex also includes a safety and riding school, dirt track, go-karts, hotel, restaurant, shops and event halls and currently employs some 300 staff.

Josh Hayes had a rough weekend chasing his first AMA Supersport Championship at the AMA season finale this past weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. First, Hayes suffered a highside so big coming out of Turn Two that most who saw it likened it to “an old school 500cc GP highside.” In that fall, Hayes broke bones in both his feet. He came back hours later, however, to take pole position for the Supersport race with a new lap record. Then just before the start of the Supersport race, Hayes’ CBR600RR broke an electrical cable that prevented it from starting via its electric starter motor. That was fixed, and Hayes proceeded to battle for the lead in the Supersport race until lap seven when he crashed big in Turn Six, causing the race to be stopped and Josh Hayes fans everywhere to hold their breath because the Mississippi rider was motionless in the gravel trap. The only news available at the track prior to the end of the day was that Hayes was awake and alert when he was transported to a local hospital. Roadracingworld.com followed up by calling the two-time AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Tuesday to see how he was doing. “Actually, considering everything I went through, I’m doing pretty darn good,” said Hayes, who was treated and released from the hospital Sunday night and traveled to his home in Mississippi, on schedule, on Monday. “I still have two broken feet, but other than that I’m just banged up with normal crash stuff. I’m pretty bruised and sore, but I can walk, I can get around.” Asked about the crash, Hayes said, “I’m a little foggy. The only thing, I don’t know if it was bad judgment on my part or what but I remember I ended up on the curbing going into the corner. I was wondering if I was gonna make it. I was out by the edge of the track and the rear wheel stepped out one way and then came back the next.” Hayes said Jamie Hacking had nothing to do with his crash. Other than losing his long-shot chance at winning the AMA Supersport Championship, Hayes said he was “bummed because I was supposed to ride with Melissa [Paris, Hayes’ fiancée] and Steven Breckenridge in the WERA endurance race at Road Atlanta.” In the meantime, Hayes said he would get surgery on his broken left foot at the hands of Dr. Douglas Elleby, a podiatrist and the father of Rockwall Honda’s Ryan Elleby, “so I’ll be able to stand up at my wedding while Melissa walks down the aisle.” Hayes’ wedding is scheduled in October near Monterey, California. “It’s been really cool,” added Hayes. “I’ve gotten more emails and more people sending me notes and signing my guestbook at my website, www.joshhayesracing.com, in the last two days than ever before. It’s just been really cool to know so many people care and support me.”

2007 AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies will test a Suzuki GSV-R 800cc MotoGP racebike on the Monday following the Malaysian Grand Prix (October 19-21) at the Sepang Circuit. “We’re going to fly in and watch the race, jump on the bike and see how it goes. So far that’s all I know about it,” said Spies, who will be accompanied on the trip by his Yoshimura Suzuki Crew Chief Tom Houseworth. Spies has experience with the Sepang Circuit, as he tested there in the past with his Yoshimura Suzuki AMA team, but that was not a factor in Spies’ MotoGP test being scheduled there. “Not that I know of,” said Spies, who is still hoping he will get to race the Suzuki GSV-R as a wild card before the end of the 2007 MotoGP season. “I’d like to, but it’s up to them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to race the bike.” As for his goals and expectations for the test, Spies said, “I can’t get too picky. I’ve got to just go out and ride. I need to try and get used to the bike, try to get comfortable on it. If I can get comfortable on it and make some laps, hopefully I’ll be able to go pretty quickly.” Reached by phone Tuesday and asked about the trip to Malaysia, Houseworth said, “I’m going over there so Ben’s transition is as smooth as possible, to help him explain what he needs on the bike. The terminology that he uses to explain what he needs done in terms of set-up is unique compared to any other riders I’ve worked with. He wants some different things, and it took me awhile to figure out what he needed and to go the right direction, we had to make drawings and diagrams to figure it out. Communication between us is now pretty good, I’ve adapted to what he says, I’ve got his terminology down. All I’m gonna do is try to help him communicate with the MotoGP crew.”

WSMC Classic Series It was Jeremy Toye again atop the Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula 1 race at Willow Springs Motorcycle Club on Saturday, as the dominant rider with Willow Spring Motorcycle Club this season extended his streak of wins in the feature class. Riding his Lee’s Cycle-prepped, Dunlop-shod Suzuki GSX-R1000, Toye took his eighth win in nine starts this season in the 12-lap feature event. Second was World Superbike regular Jakub “Kuba” Smrz, who was at Willow Springs to race the Toyota 200 the following day. Smrz, riding a Suzuki GSX-R1000 for Vincent Haskovic’s Czecher Hypercycle squad, finished ahead of Jason Curtis on the No Limit Motorsports, NLA-sponsored Suzuki GSX-R1000. Jeff Stern, Karl Lowry and Chris Duran rounded out the top six. Curtis took a second in the Open Superbike race, following Jason Perez to the line, with Chris Duran finishing third. Duran also took the Open Modified Production win over Robbie Dowie and Tyler Paulson. Another of the Czecher wrecking crew, World Supersport regular Pawel Szkopek, came from the back of the 25-rider deep 600cc Modified Production race to take the win over Bradley Adams and Ryan Regalado. WSMC Classic Series September 15-16, 2007 Willow Springs International Raceway Rosamond, California Results As Provided By WSMC Listed In Chronological Order Saturday: LITTLE, BIG RACING SERVICES 125cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Bryce Prince (Hon RS125) 2. Joel Manes (Apr RS125R) 3. Brian Heess (Hon RS125) FORMULA SINGLES: 1. Tony Moniz (KTM) 2. James Provencher (MZ) 3. Jim Chaconas (Buell) 4. Cody Burton (MZ) FASTRACK RIDERS OPEN SUPERBIKE: 1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R1) 2. Jason Curtis (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Chris Duran (Yam YZF-R1) 4. Robbie Dowie (Kaw ZX-10R) 5. Jack Pfeifer (Kaw ZX-10R) 6. James Henrikson (Yam YZF-R1) RACER’S EDGE 750cc SUPERSTOCK: 1. Karl Lowry (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Ryan Gagliano (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Mike Reitz (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Douglas McLarty (Suz GSX-R750) GOLDEN WEST TRAILERS FORMULA 2: 1. John Ryan (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Mauro Deviasso (Duc) 3. Jason Turner (Hon CBR600RR) 4. Matt Cardenas (Hon CBR600RR) 5. William Clarke (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Alec Dare (Yam YZF-R6) WEST COAST GP CYCLES FORMULA TWINS LIGHTWEIGHT: 1. Kevin Jump (Kaw Ninja 650R) 2. Edward Johnson (Suz SV650S) 3. Andy Palmer (Suz SV650S) 4. Cory Mann (Suz SV650S) 5. Chris Armantrout (Suz SV650S) 6. Jonathan Dixon (Kaw Ninja 650R) TIGERSHARK RACING OPEN MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. Chris Duran (Yam YZF-R1) 2. Robbie Dowie (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Tyler Paulson (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. James Henrikson (Yam YZF-R1) 5. Mitchell Wissner (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. John Ashker (Yam YZF-R1) RACE TECH 750cc SUPERBIKE: 1. Karl Lowry (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Ryan Gagliano (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Don Erickson (Apr) 6. Shawn Sauer (Suz GSX-R750) L&L MOTORSPORTS 600cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. Pawel Szkopek (Kaw ZX-6R) 2. Bradley Adams (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Ryan Regalado (Hon CBR600RR) 4. Ryan Gorman (Suz GSX-R600) 5. Alex Weathersby (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Stan Bates (Yam YZF-R6) KAL-GARD LUBRICANTS HEAVYWEIGHT TWINS: 1. Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc) 2. Michael Baird (Duc) 3. Don Erickson (Apr) 4. Jerry Mendzer (Yam) 5. Bob Setbacken (Duc) GOLDEN CANTINA 550 SUPERBIKE: 1. Kevin Jump (Kaw Ninja 650R) 2. Andy Palmer (Suz SV650S) 3. Edward Johnson (Suz SV650S) 4. Chris Armantrout (Suz SV650S) 5. Cory Mann (Suz SV650S) 6. Jonathan Dixon (Kaw Ninja 650R) ROADRACINGWORLD.COM 250cc GRAND PRIX: 1. Mark Watts (Yam TZ250) 2. Jeff Hanford (Hon RS250) 3. Ed Sorbo (Yam TZ250) 4. Alex White (Yam TZ250) 5. Kory Gill (Yam TZ250) 6. Patrick Dowd (Yam TZ250) VP RACING FUELS FORMULA TWINS HEAVYWEIGHT: 1. Jeff Dixon (Buell) 2. Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc) 3. Michael Baird (Duc) 4. Bob Setbacken (Duc) 5. Jerry Mendzer (Yam) 6. Don Erickson (Apr) ANTELOPE VALLEY INN 500cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. Kris Provost (Apr RS250) 2. Eric Angel (Yam FZR400) 3. J.C. Gibbs (Yam FZR400) 4. Richard Barnett (Apr RS250) 5. Hector Flores (Yam FZR400) 6. Reese Timonen (Apr) TRACK DAZ 650cc SUPERBIKE: 1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6) 2. Bradley Adams (Suz GSX-R600) 3. Jack Pfeifer (Kaw ZX-6R) 4. Brant Wiwi (Yam YZF-R6) 5. John Ryan (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Ryan Regalado (Hon CBR600RR) DUKE 22 PHOTOGRAPHY/ADVANCED KAWASAKI OPEN SUPERSTOCK: 1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R1) 2. Robbie Dowie (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Chris Duran (Yam YZF-R1) 4. Mike Sullivan (Yam YZF-R1) 5. Tyler Paulson (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Jim Small (Yam YZF-R1) CALIPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 750cc MODIFIED PRODUCTION: 1. Karl Lowry (Suz GSX-R750) 2. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R750) 3. Ryan Gagliano (Suz GSX-R750) 4. Ken Kramer (Suz GSX-R750) 5. Mike Reitz (Suz GSX-R750) 6. Shawn Sauer (Suz GSX-R750) RACERLOANS.COM TWO STROKE PRODUCTION: 1. Kris Provost (Apr RS250) 2. Richard Barnett (Apr RS250) 3. Rick Stitley (Apr RS250) 4. Thomas Bruer (Apr RS250) LIGHTWEIGHT TWINS: 1. Michael Gougis (Suz SV500) 2. Tony Moniz (KTM) 3. Reese Timonen (Kaw EX500) 4. Cody Burton (MZ) VINTAGE HEAVYWEIGHT DINOSAURS: 1. Ed Sorbo (Hon CBR600) 2. Debra Westermeyer (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Craig Beecher (Yam FJ600) TOYOTA CUP UNLIMITED FORMULA 1: 1. Jeremy Toye (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Kuba Smrz (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Jason Curtis (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Karl Lowry (Yam YZF-R1) 6. Chris Duran (Yam YZF-R1) HD/BUELL OF GLENDALE MIDDLEWEIGHT TWINS: 1. Michael Baird (Duc) 2. Jim Chaconas (Buell) 3. Joe Pugliese (Duc) 4. Jeff Dixon (Buell) 5. Chris Armantrout (Suz SV650S) 6. Jonathan Dixon (Kaw Ninja 650R) VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT DINOSAURS: 1. Craig Beecher (Yam FJ600) 2. Warren Spradlin, Jr. (Yam RZ350) PEAK PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLES FORMULA 40 HEAVYWEIGHT: 1. Jeff Stern (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Tyler Paulson (Suz GSX-R1000) 3. Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc) 4. Eric Anderson (Yam YZF-R1) 5. Paul Milligan (Yam YZF-R1) 6. Bob Setbacken (Duc) FORMULA 40 LIGHTWEIGHT: 1. Mark Watts (Yam TZ250) 2. Stan Bates (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Stephen Hewitt (Kaw ZX-6RR) 4. William Clarke (Yam YZF-R6) 5. John Neiland (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Debra Westermeyer (Yam YZF-R6) TRACK RIDERS TAX SERVICE FORMULA 50: 1. Mitchell Wissner (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Rickey Herd (Kaw ZX-10R) 3. Travis Westermeyer (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. David McLarty (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Brett Riley (Kaw) 6. Charlie Coyner (Suz SV650S) 500cc SUPERSTOCK: 1. J.C. Gibbs (Yam FZR400) 2. Eric Angel (Yam FZR400) 3. Rick Stitley (Apr RS250) 4. Edward Gonzales (Yam FZR400) 5. Amy Hronek (Hon CBR400) 660cc SINGLES: 1. Cody Burton (MZ) 2. Tony Moniz (KTM) 500cc SINGLES: 1. Tim Hurley (Buell) 2. Jim Chaconas (Buell) SPORT TIRE SERVICES 600cc SUPERSTOCK: 1. Bradley Adams (Suz GSX-R600) 2. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Brant Wiwi (Yam YZF-R6) 4. John Ryan (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Mike Sullivan (Yam YZF-R6) 6. Stan Bates (Yam YZF-R6) 501-650cc MIDDLEWEIGHT NOVICE: 1. William Mudd (Hon CBR600RR) 2. David Christensen (Yam YZF-R6) 3. Julian Wust (Yam YZF-R6) 4. Bruce Marteney (Yam YZF-R6) 5. Chris Babcock (Kaw ZX-6R) 6. Michael Keeler (Kaw ZX-6R) 651cc-OPEN HEAVYWEIGHT NOVICE 1. Ben Fansler (Suz GSX-R1000) 2. Andrew Akins (Hon CBR1000RR) 3. Ivan Santana (Suz GSX-R1000) 4. Rick Erickson (Suz GSX-R1000) 5. Michael Anaya (Suz GSX-R1000) 6. Frank Laster (Hon CBR1000RR)

After the Grand Prix of Portugal, during which Alex Hofmann entered the pit boxes with 17 laps remaining, and said, “I don’t have the motivation to fight for the last positions”, the Team management of Pramac-d’Antin have decided to release Hofmann from his contractual obligations for the remainder of the 2007 MotoGP season. The last four races in the MotoGP World Championship will see a substitute rider in place of Hofmann, who will be named within a few days in a following press release.

Up and coming Superbike rider, Aaron Zanotti will be joining the ranks of the Hydrex Honda team for the remaining two rounds of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. Zanotti will be running on Guy Martin’s Superbike at the final two rounds of the year. His sponsors, SMT have purchased Karl Harris’ bikes for their Championship chase in 2008. Shaun Muir, Team Manager of Hydrex Honda said, “We are happy to have Aaron on board and it will be a learning curve for him as he has a new bike and tyres to learn. By bringing him into the team we feel we can help him get set-up for next year and pass on some of our experience to him.” The final two rounds of the Championship take place at Donington Park on the 21st-23rd September and Brands Hatch on the 12th 14th October.

Shawn Higbee will be back on the RMR / Daytona H.D. Buell at the Suntrust 8 hours at Daytona race. Dave Estok will also join Dan Bilansky and Clint Brotz to round out a 4 rider team. Higbee, who was seriously injured at Iowa Speedway on July 14th, has progressed much faster than expected. “A month ago I would have never dreamed of having this conversation. I truly felt Shawn would be out until next season. He is tough and determined, so I have to admire that. It is great news for the team and Higbee fans” stated Morris. RMR / Daytona H.D. Buell also announced that recently crowned Thunderbike champion Dave Estok would join the team for the Suntrust 8 hours. Dave and I have been trying to put something together for some time now. It just never quite worked out. So I am extremely happy to have him for the finale. The whole team agreed having 4 riders for an 8 hour race was the wise choice. The fact that all of them are past and current champions makes it that much sweeter” Morris added. The Moto-ST GST class championship will be decided at Daytona. The RMR / Daytona H.D. Buell team leads the points by a slim margin over Touring Sport Ducati and James Gang Racing Buell.