The American Motorcyclist Association is getting out of promoting professional racing events, and is looking for commercial interests to run its competition series, AMA officials said today. “We have to face the fact that success in promoting our racing series has proven elusive,” says Rob Dingman, President and CEO of the AMA. “The AMA recognizes that the business model it has been following is flawed. We have to rededicate ourselves to our core mission, and promoting racing is not part of that core mission. We are getting out of the promotion business. “Mixing our responsibilities of sanctioning events and promoting series has led to confusion and has cost us in terms of manufacturers being willing to support the AMA,” Dingman says. “I think a lot of people have been confused as to our role. It has led to us being at the center of controversy, and no one wants to be associated with a company mired in controversy. The motorcycling industry is willing to do a lot more with the AMA if we focus on our core competencies.” The AMA will be seeking a business operation similar to that in place at the world level, with the World Superbike series promoted by the FGSport Group but sanctioned by the FIM. Since 1995, the AMA’s for-profit promotion arm, Paradama, has promoted AMA-sanctioned road racing in the United States. But the operation has been controversial from the beginning, with the AMA losing a lawsuit against former business partner Roger Edmondson over whether the association defrauded Edmondson. Last year, American Honda, upset by what it called AMA Pro Racing’s “inability to stand by its own rulebook with regard to recent Formula Xtreme considerations,” abandoned its seats on the AMA’s Board of Directors and the since-disbanded Paradama board of directors. Dingman says the AMA will be issuing a request for proposals (RFP) from commercial interests who want to run its racing series, and will conduct “due diligence” to make sure those interested in promoting the series are capable of doing so. The change will take place over the next several months, Dingman says. “It is not going to happen overnight,” he says. “We are going to be diligent in pursuit of our commercial partners. I’d rather do it right than do it quickly, and we want to do it correctly, to minimize the impact on the racing community. Our goal here is to make a better racing environment.” But make no mistake – the AMA wants out of the promotion business. “I wish I could snap my fingers and get out tomorrow,” Dingman says. Dingman says AMA officials are talking to a number of parties interested in running the road racing and various other series, but declined to identify any of them at this point in the negotiations. Dingman says that the AMA is hoping to pursue partnerships similar to that it struck with Live Nation, which produces and promotes the Supercross series, or the deal struck by the National Hot Rod Association, which sold its entire racing operation to HD Partners. The AMA will continue to establish rules for the racing series and continue to sanction future events, Dingman says. Dingman says the AMA’s efforts to promote its own series were hampered by a lack of resources – people and money. “People always say, ‘Why can’t you be more like NASCAR?’ Well, we aren’t resourced like NASCAR,” Dingman says. “Few people are. It’s a multi-million dollar operation backed by billionaires. We don’t have adequate resources. We have to recognize that.” AMA officials say they plan to release more information on the changes shortly. More, from a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing: A NEW VISION FOR THE AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION PICKERINGTON, Ohio (September 14, 2007) The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that it is embarking on an ambitious new plan to fundamentally change the way it conducts business. Specifically, the AMA is getting out of the racing series promotions business and will begin seeking series promoters for each of its professional and amateur racing disciplines. In making the announcement, AMA President/CEO Rob Dingman, said the organization must ultimately define the distinction between the traditional roles of a sanctioning organization and that of a series promoter. “It is clear to the senior management of the AMA that we must change the way we handle the business of racing,” said Dingman. “Unfortunately the AMA’s role has become blurred and this lack of clarity has led to an erosion of confidence in the organization. The primary objectives of this new initiative are to improve AMA Championship Racing overall and realign the company so it can be successful in its historic mission of serving the needs of motorcyclists by pursuing, promoting and protecting the future of motorcycling.” Dingman made the announcement this week at a staff gathering near company headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. The announcement also appeared in Cycle News Magazine. Text of the new vision as well as a list of Q&As can be found at www.amaproracing.com/newvision.asp. Dingman stated that the organization lacks the resources and infrastructure to effectively promote each of its series as well as govern the sport. “We are not getting out of motorcycle racing,” noted Dingman. “We are redefining our role so we can focus exclusively on race sanctioning as opposed to race promotion. We will partner with companies that can effectively manage racing from the commercial perspective. We will sanction racing events and provide operational staff where it is required.” The AMA’s new business model is the result of a top-down organizational analysis. “We took an honest look at ourselves and were able to identify those things that we are successful at as well as those that are lacking,” added Dingman. “This change will enable us to focus on the tasks that are more suited to our structure, abilities and resources.” The AMA has already begun searching for series partners for all disciplines except AMA Supercross.

Bol d’Or at Magny-Cours Suzuki ahead of Kawasaki following first day of tests The tension between Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and Team Kawasaki France was palpable today in what was the first day of testing on the Magny-Cours circuit for the 71st Bol d’Or. Situated in pit stands close to each other, both teams have the opportunity to decide the title during this fifth and penultimate round of the 2007 QMMF Endurance FIM World Championship. SERT sit at the top of the provisional classification with 32 points just ahead of TKF, having achieved the best time in today’s first session of test qualifying. The average times of the Suzuki no.1’s riders ; Vincent Philippe, Matthieu Lagrive and Julien Da Costa, enable them to be placed temporarily in first place on the starting grid. The Kawasaki no.11 ridden by Steve Plater, Gwen Giabbani and Julian Mazuecos, achieved the second best time, with Julian Mazuecos lacking pace during the practice. To preserve their main bikes SERT and TKF brought in their reserve machines. Both teams finished in front of Suzuki no.2’s William Costes, Guillaume Dietrich and Max Neukirchner, who signed-off with the third best time. Just behind was Kawasaki Maccio Racing who were represented by Erwan Nigon, Hugo Marchand and Damian Cudlin. Yamaha Austria Racing Team, ridden by Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Sébastien Scarnato finish off the top five. Hoping to break into the top three, Yamaha GMT 94 only managed sixth place in today’s first tests. Christophe Guyot, Team manager of 94, attributed their low placing to the lack of competition of the team in endurance (David Checa and Sébastien Gimbert both ride in the World Supersport Championship). Following today’s training session, Christophe Guyot has announced that new tyres will be fitted in time for tomorrow morning’s second tests. The first of the Superstock machines was the Junior LMS Team who also performed well at the Le Mans 24hr. The Junior LMS Team came ahead of Profil + Dap 91 and Kawasaki Bolliger Switzerland. The pressure was clearly on for all of the teams testing today at Magny-Cours, with numerous accidents taking place throughout the day. Vincent Philippe came off his Suzuki no.1, as did Denis Bouan riding for Honda National Motos, Hugo Marchand riding for Kawasaki Maccio Racing and Patrick Piot on his Yamaha Power 113. All pilots were unscathed. This evening the crews will be back on the track again for night testing. The final grid will be announced after the second tests on Friday morning. Friday evening will see the public invade the stands for the traditional pit-walk. The race begins on Saturday 15th September at 15.00

According to an e-mail sent to various race team managers by AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, the AMA will follow the example of the FIM and try to sell the commercial rights for all AMA Professional Racing Series. The commercial rights available for sale to an overall series promoter include those for Superbike, outdoor motocross, dirt track, Supermoto and hillclimb. Live Nation already holds the series promotional rights to Supercross. DORNA holds the commercial rights to the FIM MotoGP Series, and FGSport holds the commercial rights to the FIM World Superbike Series. The e-mail, forwarded to Roadracingworld.com by a motorcycle company executive, follows: As a valued AMA stakeholder, I am writing you to share information on our future plans and seek your input. Earlier this week I presented a new vision for the AMA to the staff of the association which I have attached for your review. This announcement was also published in Cycle News. As you’ll see, I describe a new business model for the AMA designed to focus the association’s resources on the primary mission of serving as advocates for the interests of motorcyclists. As part of this plan, the AMA will be getting out of the racing promotions business. Moving forward, our plan is to partner with qualified series promoters for all disciplines. The AMA will continue to sanction events and provide operational staff while working closely to support our series. In the short term, it will be business as usual. As we identify and engage solid series promoters, we will gradually transition the management of the commercial aspects of each series to our promotional partners. While we are embarking on a major restructuring of our business plan, I want to take this opportunity to reassure you of the AMA’s commitment to the sport of motorcycle racing, overall. We will continue to govern the sporting aspects of racing and provide a range of services to the racing community. Similarly, our commitment to riders, teams, track promoters, and series sponsors is undiminished. Your role in the sport is invaluable and will continue to be so as we restructure the association. The AMA has a rich heritage of motorcycle racing and we will always honor that history. Our primary goal in this process is to strengthen the management of racing by partnering with series promoters who are capable of helping the AMA enhance the growth of the sport. We have established a special e-mail address for suggestions and comments. I would sincerely appreciate your feedback so please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the American Motorcyclist Association Regards, Rob Dingman President/CEO American Motorcyclist Association Questions and Answers Regarding Latest AMA Announcement Q: Is the AMA getting out of motorcycle racing? A: No. We are redefining our role in motorcycle racing so we can focus exclusively on race sanctioning as opposed to race promotion. We will continue to service the needs of our racing members while we partner with companies that have the ability to effectively manage motorcycle racing from the commercial perspective. Our role will be to sanction events and provide operational staffing where it is required. Q: Why is the AMA making these changes? A: The primary mission of the AMA is to service its members in the pursuit, promotion and protection of the future of motorcycling. Over time the AMA has drifted away from that mission because the association tried to accomplish too many things for which it didn’t have the necessary resources. This has resulted in disappointment and dissatisfaction with the AMA among the motorcycling community. AMA Senior management and the Board of Directors now recognize that it is not in the best interest of the company to continue in this direction and that it has become necessary to effect serious change to the organization. Q: It seems that the AMA has been in transition for a long time now. Will this situation be resolved? A: Yes. Simply stated, our goal is to restructure the AMA’s business plan so the organization can focus on its core competencies. By objectively identifying what we should be doing based on our mission statement, and utilizing our resources efficiently, we believe we can restore confidence in the association and become an effective membership organization again. Q: How will this help grow AMA Racing properties? A: We will actively seek and engage with companies that can professionally manage the commercial side of racing. This includes promotion, marketing and sponsorship, among other things. These companies will be highly capitalized and possess the necessary infrastructure to accomplish that specific job. The AMA does not have those abilities and past attempts in these areas have diluted the overall effectiveness and reputation of the organization. Q: How would you describe the future opportunities for motorcycle racing in the United States? A: Overall we have tremendous growth opportunities in each of our major racing disciplines. With each we face unique challenges, but we are confident that with the proper promotional partners our programs can flourish. Q: Is this new initiative similar to what’s already in place with Live Nation with regards to AMA Supercross? A: Yes. We have a great partnership with Live Nation which specifically defines their role, and ours, in the management of the AMA Supercross Series. Live Nation is responsible for all of the commercial aspects of AMA Supercross and the AMA is responsible for the sporting aspects. It’s an effective partnership that has resulted in the AMA Supercross series growing into the highest profile motorcycle racing series in the United States. We believe we can raise the awareness of all our racing properties by applying this type of management structure and this will strengthen motorcycle racing for everyone. Another good example would be NHRA’s recent announcement that the commercial aspects of their series will be run by a newly formed entertainment company. Q: What is the timeframe for the AMA to effect these changes? A: We have already started and expect the process to take two to three years. Therefore we will continue seeking series sponsorship until such time that we are no longer the group managing the commercial aspects of each series. Q:Will the AMA name continue to be associated with motorcycle racing? A: Yes. It is our intention that all racers will continue to pursue AMA #1 plates in all disciplines Q: Will the AMA still license riders? A: Yes. As part of the role of the sanctioning body, it will remain the responsibility of the AMA to determine rider eligibility and qualifications through a licensing process. Q: What will the AMA do with amateur racing? A: Our goal is to work with good firms to strengthen the entire infrastructure for the sport and grass roots racing is our most important group of activities within racing. Only a few riders get to run an AMA Supercross, Motocross, or Superbike event, but thousands of riders participate in our amateur racing programs. In a future with solid series promoter partners, our amateur racing series should grow and prosper. It is very important that our amateur and professional programs are prioritized equally, and where it’s appropriate, coordinated together as this is the foundation of the system that produces our annual AMA Champions. There are already AMA amateur and Pro/Am series where we work with other series and track promoters together so our new approach to racing overall, should continue to drive the growth at the grass roots levels. Q: How will these changes affect current partners and sponsors of AMA Racing? A: Our objective as it relates to our commercial partners is to increase the value they receive from their investment in the sport. We place tremendous value in the relationships we have built with our sponsorship partners. Any new business relationships we form in the future will recognize the past support and involvement of our sponsors. Existing entitlements and contractual obligations will be recognized and in the long run, all of our partners will benefit from a more efficient racing infrastructure. Q: When this restructuring is complete what can the motorcycle community expect from the AMA? A: The AMA will be rebuilt into a world class membership organization with a renewed focus on the core mission of the pursuit, promotion and protection of the future of motorcycling. We will be staffed appropriately and we will possess the necessary resources to excel. We will refine our purpose, enhance our offerings and communicate better with the motorcycle community. The overall result will a stronger AMA rededicated to the values, beliefs and services on which it was founded.

Miller Brewing Company and AMA launch national motorcycle safety program Miller Brewing Company and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) today announced the creation of Keep Your Balance, a new program intended to promote safe motorcycle riding practices and responsible alcohol consumption. The program, endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, will launch at the Tomahawk Fall Ride on Sept. 13-16 in Wisconsin. Miller believes that individual responsibility is enhanced by the ability to make informed choices. Keep Your Balance promotes rider education and emphasizes the importance of planning ahead and getting home safely. Following the Tomahawk kickoff, this national program will be a part of additional motorcycle events across the country. Keep Your Balance is also endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, the world’s largest organization of law enforcement officers “Our goal with Keep Your Balance is to provide motorcycle enthusiasts and local retailers with information about how to reduce irresponsible motorcycle riding, due to over-consumption of alcohol, unsafe riding practices or insufficient training,” said Diane Wagner, alcohol responsibility manager at Miller Brewing Company. “Tomahawk is in Miller’s home state, and with more than 40,000 motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance, both Miller and the AMA recognize it is a key opportunity to share safe riding tips and remind riders about responsible drinking.” According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data released in August 2007, motorcycle fatalities have increased 47 percent since 2002, making this program especially relevant to riders today. Under the umbrella of Miller’s successful Respect the Road program, Keep Your Balance will provide motorcycle riders and retailers with educational training materials and tools to encourage responsible practices and to help prevent the hazards associated with impaired motorcycle riding. Elements of the program include: certified server training for local retailers, a public awareness campaign, training resources for riders, educational materials on safe riding practices, retail involvement and promotion, incentive giveaways such as training kits and t-shirts for responsible riding pledges, outdoor advertising and program messaging and prepaid phone cards offering responsible riding tips provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Miller is also partnering with Central Beer Distributors to promote and communicate the program at the Tomahawk Fall Ride. “Training is one of the best things a rider can do for themselves and others on the road. Our aim is to help spread awareness and encourage riders to use good judgment,” said Rob Dingman, AMA president and chief executive officer. “Educational programs like Keep Your Balance are crucial for decreasing the number of alcohol-related motorcycle crashes occurring today.” “The Wisconsin DOT Motorcycle Program supports this initiative,” said Ron Thompson, Wisconsin DOT motorcycle program manager. “We are pleased that Miller is incorporating the DOT’s tips into the program and increasing awareness of our recommendations and initiatives.” Public awareness will be sustained through web communications including a web site dedicated to the Keep Your Balance program at www.MillerKeepYourBalance.com.

STOKES RETURNS FROM INJURY Brian Stokes will return from injury this weekend to race the WERA Regional Championship at the Nashville Superspeedway. After a seven month sabbatical, recovering from injuries sustained in a crash at Daytona that broke his wrist and ankle, Stokes will return to the saddle of Ducshop Performance Center’s Aprilia RSV to race the Heavyweight Twins Superbike race, in the hopes of contesting his third consecutive championship win at the WERA Nationals this October. Though he is still undergoing physiotherapy, from the two operations needed to fix his wrist, he has been cleared by his doctor to race. Brian would like to thanks his sponsors for their continuing support throughout his injuries. More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing: Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril 14, 15 and 16 September 2007 DANI HUNTS DOWN ROSSI AS NICKY SHOOTS FOR A WIN The MotoGP season now enters its final phase with this, the 14th round of an 18 race series, promising tension aplenty as the points leaders in each class start to see the prizes on offer in clearer focus. And this is when those dreams either turn to dust or become reality. Last year here it looked as if Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V) had the MotoGP World Championship torn from his grasp when he and his team-mate Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) tangled and hit the ground in a storm of dust and disappointment. But Nicky fought on despite that heartbreaking DNF and secured the title at the final round. Now Casey Stoner (Ducati) has one hand on the biggest prize in motorcycle sport but he knows that both Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) and Dani Pedrosa have a mathematical chance of the title. And riders of their calibre know that with 125 points still up for grabs there is still a fight to be won however long the odds might be. But if Stoner wins here and Rossi finishes no higher than sixth, the series will belong to the Aussie Ducati rider. Although Casey failed to finish here last year, the young gun is a different proposition to last year and his consistent speed and ceaseless aggression make him hard to bet against. Although Dani has never finished higher than 4th here in nay class, the 21-year-old Spanish flyer has netted two pole positions, once on a 125 and again on a 250. Still smarting from a failure to finish two weeks ago in Misano he is champing at the bit to get racing again here in Portugal. Nicky was happy with the exhaustive testing schedule carried out after the Misano race and the American World Champion was second fastest on the timesheets as well as the fastest Michelin-shod runner. He has been nothing if not dogged in his quest for a first win of the season and the three podiums he has scored so far this year are by no means enough for the Kentucky Kid. Other riders who will surely figure in Sunday’s 28-lap race are the Gresini pairing of Marco Melandri (Gresini Honda RC212V) and Toni Elias (Gresini Honda RC212V). Both are proven race winners and although Melandri boasts the higher number of wins, Elias’ maiden MotoGP victory here last year was the race of the 2006 season. Elias has bravely fought back from a broken femur suatained at Assen in late June and an 11th place at Brno and then a gutsy seventh at Misano signal a rapid return to something approaching full form. Perhaps a win here is too much to ask from the genial Spaniard when he is likely to be only 80% fit at best but this is a track that seems to suit Elias more than anyone else. He is playing down his chances here and so is his equally battered but unbowed team-mate Marco Melandri. ‘Macio’ has broken a foot, gritted his teeth through a herniated disc in his spine and bounced back from a dreadful crash in qualifying at Misano two weeks ago but still he races without visible sign of impediment. A third place at Laguna Seca while ‘nursing’ the foot injury and a fourth at Misano fresh from debilitating back trouble and that massive practice crash indicate that the UK-based iron man will be a factor here on Sunday. Estoril has only been on the calendar since 2000, this wind-lashed track lies 20 miles west of Lisbon and is close to the town of Sintra. The 4.182km circuit features a balance of medium and slow-speed turns with nine rights and four lefts. Built in 1972 the surface is still bumpy in parts despite being resurfaced before last year’s Grand Prix weekend. Nevertheless the track offers a significant challenge regardless of grip issues. The chicane is the slowest turn in MotoGP racing requiring patience and a smooth style to avoid catastrophe. On the other hand a long, fast right onto the start/finish straight, the ‘Parabolica’, is one of the great corners in racing and loved by the best riders. Turn one at the end of the 986m straight is a favourite overtaking spot and so is turn six, the ‘Parabolica interior’ behind the pits complex. The rest of the track is fairly unremarkable requiring no out-of-the-ordinary machine set-ups. But the wind blowing off the Atlantic Ocean is always a concern. Dani said: “It will be really good to get to Estoril and begin working with the team again. It’s so frustrating for everyone when you have a race like the last one at Misano, especially when it’s out of your control, and so I know the guys in my garage are as keen as I am to go for the result we deserve in Portugal My results at this circuit haven’t been the best, but I’ve had a couple of pole positions before and I think that, if we can get the correct package this weekend, we should be able to be competitive. The tyres will be really important again of course and the weather here can really play a part.” His team-mate Nicky Hayden said: “So we’re back in Portugal. It makes me smile now to think about last year when I almost saw my dream of being World Champion go out of the window there. So it would be nice to get a little bit of redemption this weekend. It’s been a struggle at times this year and we’ve had some bad luck and made a few mistakes, so I am excited to go to Estoril and try to turn it around. The weather is always unpredictable which makes Thursday’s tyre choice really critical. One thing we’ve learned this year is that our bike takes quite a while to set up we’ve really got to dial it in. So we’ll let it roll and see what we can do on Sunday.” Melandri said: “I’m highly motivated. The bike and the tyres are at a high level and now we just need the result to go with that. I’m keen to get back on the podium, like I did at Laguna, because it would be a nice way to pay back my team, who have worked so hard and given me so much. It will be a big challenge for us in Portugal Estoril is a difficult circuit with so many first-gear corners and two long straights, one in fifth gear, one in sixth, where we might struggle a bit. The characteristics of our bike are better suited to a more flowing circuit but I’m ready for this race and the final rush that will take us to Japan, Australia and Malaysia before returning to Europe for the last round at Valencia.” His team-mate Elias said: “I’m happy to be heading back to a circuit that holds so many fond memories for me. The win last season in MotoGP was probably the best of my career but now I’m just looking ahead and trying to do well this Sunday and trying to improve my performance race by race. I got 11th at Brno after three races out and seventh at Misano. They are not the results I want but at the moment I am restricted by my physical condition. I like the circuit, especially the uphill chicane, which characterises the kind of corner you get at this circuit slow but technical esses, probably the slowest in the world. The straight is long, almost a kilometre, and very fast, followed by hard braking. The final bend is quite fast and crucial to a good lap time.” Carlos Checa (LCR Honda RC212V) said: “I thought Estoril was a bumpy track until I raced at Misano! Here I am aiming to continue the progress we have made with Michelin at recent tyre tests. Our results at Misano showed we’re heading in the right direction, especially with a new front tyre specification. On the engine side Honda have made a positive step and this will help us be competitive through the infield sections, like the uphill chicane. There are reasons to be optimistic.” Shinya Nakano (Konica Minolta Honda RC212V) said: “Although it’s a slow, technical circuit I enjoy Estoril. Last year I qualified seventh overall, although I had a problem in the race and was not able to finish. I’ve had some top ten finishes at Estoril so I’m hoping we can add another one this weekend. I’m also hoping we can continue to make some progress with the updated Honda RCV212V over the weekend.” Kurtis Roberts (Roberts KR212V) said: “We don’t have a lot of changes for Portugal, I cut my foot quite badly after the race at Misano and didn’t test for Michelin so we have no feedback from that test to work with. But we heard from the other teams using Michelin that the tyre test showed some improvements. I’ve been riding a dirt bike and so far the foot is standing up to it OK.” In the 250cc class Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) looks very much the World Champion elect with 241 points to the 187 of Alex de Angelis (Aprilia) and the unshakeable Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Honda RS250RW) who has 186 points. But Lorenzo will be the first to attest that a points lead means little until a title is in the bag, having been hounded all the way to the title last year by the dogged Dovi. Lorenzo has now won eight races so far this season, all from pole, and it would be a brave man who bets against the Spaniard securing another 250cc world crown this year too. But, as ever, only a fool would consider anything won until the points table proves it. Dovi said: “I won here last year so I have a lot of expectations also for this race, and this is a favourable track for our bike because it’s quite slow. We have to forget the disastrous Misano experience and have perfect races from now on to figure in the World Championship. As ever we’ll do our best and hope luck will be with us.” His team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Scot Honda RS250RW) said: “I like this Portuguese track. Last year we had a good race and made a satisfying lap time. This is an important weekend because this is the race before the my home race, the Japanese Grand Prix, where I would dearly like to be on the podium.” The 125cc title race now looks to be between Gabor Talmacsi and Hector Faubel (both Aprilia) with the Hungarian series leader on 189 points to his Spanish pursuer’s 179 with Japanese KTM-rider Tommy Koyama on 145 points. While Britain’s Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda RS125R) aims to consolidate a top ten overall finish in 9th at the moment with 82 points. Smith said: “Last year at Estoril they had just resurfaced the track and the conditions changed a little over the weekend, and at the beginning we didn’t have a lot of grip. We’re certain to have more grip this year. I like the track because it has quite a lot of different features, like the slow curves, a chicane, and some long fast curves, especially the one at the end. I enjoyed myself last year and even though I fell, up to that moment I’d been riding well, so I’m eager to get down to work again.” His team-mate Esteve Rabat (Repsol Honda RS125R) said: “In the last race I didn’t get the result I expected and I’m confident I can do better and learn. Above all I am going to Portugal eager to ride. I don’t know how things will turn out, but I will do my best. I like this track even though it’s usually windy so we’ll have to look out for that. There are many places to overtake here, which is good.” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: Estoril anticipating possible MotoGP title decider bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal Slightly earlier in the year than in 2006, the MotoGP World Championship arrived in Estoril this morning for the bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal with excitement in the air. The Grand Prix has the possibility of playing host to a MotoGP title victory for Casey Stoner, and the Ducati factory rider was on hand at the afternoon press conference to field questions from the media. The Australian was as calm and collected as ever, refusing to get too carried away despite some heavy odds in his favour. The young Australian can walk away with his first MotoGP World Championship if he scores fifteen or more points than his main title rival Valentino Rossi. The combinations are numerous, but essentially a win versus a sixth place for the Italian would send the title down under for the first time since Mick Doohan’s last win in 1998. Stoner was joined by satellite rider Alex Barros, who had a spectacular clean sweep on his last visit to Estoril back in 2005 and faces an uncertain future in MotoGP when the season ends. The Brazilian spoke frankly about his expectations for the remainder of the 2007 season, and explained his options with the d’Antin satellite team and further afield for next year. Last year’s race winner Toni Elias, still on the comeback trail from a broken femur, updated the press on his current condition and recounted his experience in the spellbinding 2006 race, where he took victory for the first time in MotoGP. The second most successful Australian rider in the premier class, Chris Vermeulen is one of the in-form riders of the moment and, with his future at Suzuki already confirmed, was able to focus on the task at hand in Estoril. The final face in the press conference line-up was Yamaha factory team Manager Davide Brivio, who was quizzed about the future formation of his team to incorporate Jorge Lorenzo and the current state of affairs with the pneumatic engine first used by Valentino Rossi at Misano and which suffered a breakdown in its first outing. The weather in Estoril has been a mixed bag over the past few days, with abundant sunshine during the day followed by evening showers. Clear skies, accompanied by temperatures in the region of 26ºc, are expected for the Grand Prix weekend. Casey Stoner “There are not too many races left, so we’ll just see how many of those we can win”¦or lose. Valentino (Rossi) will keep fighting, so it’s not as easy as people are saying, although we have been helped by his bad luck at Misano. “This is another new track for me with Ducati, and I feel confident enough to just focus on our job. It’s one of the most difficult circuits around. “I’ve had good and bad races here, but the weather has always been a bit unpredictable. I hope that coming here earlier might make things a little more predictable.”

The National Transportation Safety Board this week approved recommendations for motorcycle safety focusing on passage of mandatory helmet-use laws in all states, reports the American Motorcyclist Association. But the panel did not deal with other significant issues related to the safety of riders on the road. The recommendations, which do not carry the force of law, come a year after the NTSB held a public forum on motorcycle safety that gathered comments from motorcycle manufacturers, researchers, trauma physicians, law enforcement officials, insurance companies and motorcycle associations, including the AMA. Those groups expressed support for a wide range of motorcycle-safety initiatives, including campaigns against alcohol impairment, increased opportunities for rider education and stricter enforcement of licensing laws. In the end, though, the panel’s final report focused almost exclusively on the helmet-law issue. “While we encourage all riders to voluntarily wear a DOT-certified helmet as a part of a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety,” noted Ed Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations, “we’re disappointed that the NTSB missed this opportunity to focus on meaningful issues related to the reduction of motorcycle crashes, rather than just reducing injuries once a crash occurs.” The AMA has worked for years to secure federal funding for the first comprehensive study of the causes of motorcycle crashes in more than 25 years. And thanks to major financial support from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, plus contributions from the AMA and individual riders, the matching funds for that federal grant are now in place and the study should begin this fall. “The motorcycling community has demonstrated its commitment to vital issues of safety through support for this study, along with rider education, alcohol impairment and licensing programs,” Moreland said. “We would have hoped that federal officials would have taken a more well-rounded approach of working with the community to create truly effective countermeasures to reduce crashes, rather than investing more resources in a very limited legislative agenda that has not had much success in recent years.” The American Motorcyclist Association: rights. riding. racing. Founded in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with more than 280,000 members. The Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain (Subtitle: Danforth’s legacy lives on) Re: ~https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=30203~ It’s galling when corporations take statistics and twist them up to suit their agenda. It’s especially so when the agenda is to nail those of us who ride sportbikes. Thankfully, they’re usually transparent enough to catch at it … Overall motorcycle registrations increased 51%. Overall fatalities increased 58% … while helmet use dropped from 71% to 51%. Duhhhhh — big surprise … how many of those increased fatalities are the new, inexperienced riders trying/dying to look cool? And the major thrust of the article — that supersports bikes are deadly missiles that are becoming even deadlier — totally ignores the fact that of the four groups noted (Supersports, sport & unclad sport, cruisers/standards, and touring) the supersports had the second LOWEST increase in deaths … as a percentage AND in actual numbers … even though their increase in registrations was higher than all the other groups! And deaths per 10,000 riders of sport and unclad sports actually DECREASED in the measured 5-year period of ’00-’05. So forget the fact that more of the riders of the two largest demographic groups (cruisers and standards, and touring bikes) are dying, or that (proportionally and numerically) more of them hit the sauce and then dump their bike. Instead, start your press release by concentrating on the 9% of riders that cost the funders of your study the most money, paint them as irresponsible, and talk about banning or handicapping their machines. Smoke and mirrors, folks; smoke and mirrors. If I were to use the same tactic as the IIHS, after reading this press release I’d ask why aren’t they suggesting banning touring bikes? Or alcohol? B.J. Worsham LRRS #31 Old Westbury, New York FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: ~http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/SeniorStats/4-09-02Bikes.htm~ ~http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1031002245.html~ The above articles and several others reference the DOT/NHTSA reports that specify OLDER riders on CRUISERS are the majority and fastest growing segment of accidents. Also, alcohol played a part in 40% of the fatalities for the report. (I work in the insurance industry consequently and I ride street and track). The stats on alcohol use are eye opening. Perhaps the insurance industry should go after the brew makers since they seem to be the biggest factor across the board. From the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration- ~http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motorcycle03/recent.htm~ “A recent analysis of age trends shows that over the past 10 years, fatalities in the 20 to 29 year old age group, the group with consistently the highest annual number of motorcycle fatalities, decreased, while fatalities in the 40 and over age groups increased. During this time, however, there were more driving age individuals in the 40 and over age group in the United States.” Old data or not, you be the judge? Phillip Williamson Sanford, Florida More, from a press release issued by the AMA: Conclusions misleading in new IIHS report, AMA says The American Motorcyclist Association has expressed serious reservations about the conclusions reached in a report of motorcycle fatalities released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety this week. The IIHS report purports to show that sport-styled motorcycles are considerably more dangerous than other types of bikes. But an AMA analysis of the report notes that the methodology used in the research makes it difficult to determine whether that’s a valid conclusion. “The synopsis released by the IIHS claims that it has data showing a much higher fatality rate among so-called ‘supersport’ motorcycles,” noted Ed Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations. “But that is by no means clear, based on this report.” The IIHS report is not a new study. Instead, it’s an analysis of existing data from the national Fatal Accident Reporting System. The methodology consists of a comparison of fatalities for different styles of motorcycles based on a rate per 10,000 registrations. But that approach ignores a number of key factors, like the number of miles the bike was ridden, the traffic environment in which it was used, along with the age and experience of the rider, among others. “Those factors are so significant that they could easily change the results the IIHS has reported,” said Moreland. “For instance, the IIHS has made no attempt to determine whether bikes in its ‘supersport’ category are ridden more miles than bikes in the ‘cruiser/standard’ category. Nor has it attempted to determine whether they are used more often in urban areas that represent a more dangerous environment than the rural interstates where touring bikes are likely to be used.” When it comes to age and riding experience, the IIHS does indicate that motorcycles in its “supersport” category are ridden by the youngest riders, averaging 27 years of age. In fact, its rankings of the average ages of riders killed on various styles of bikes coincides closely with the fatality rate it reports on that style of motorcycle. “In other words,” said Moreland, “it’s entirely possible this report actually demonstrates that younger, less-experienced riders are more prone to crash than older riders, regardless of the type of bike they’re riding. And that’s true for all types of motor vehicles–cars, trucks or motorcycles.” Making any interpretation of the IIHS report even more difficult is the classification system the group used in dividing motorcycles. It includes some unfamiliar categories, like “unclad sport” motorcycles, and leaves out well-established categories, like the sport-touring class. In an attempt to sort through this confusion, the AMA requested a copy of the classification system the IIHS used in its analysis and found several significant anomalies. For instance, although the IIHS report focuses on speed and acceleration as the factors that make its “supersport” category so dangerous, the two most powerful motorcycles you can buy in the United States, Kawasaki’s ZX-14 and Suzuki’s Hayabusa, are placed in the Sport category, which is rated considerably less dangerous. And they share that category with Honda’s ST1300 and Yamaha’s FJR1300, two bikes that define the sport-touring class. “No matter what name you put on it, the Hayabusa and the ST1300 are simply not in the same class of motorcycles,” Moreland said. “And if you’re claiming to rank fatality rates by category of motorcycle, it’s hard to get meaningful results when you lump those very different machines together and declare them to be in the same class.” The timing of the IIHS report is also unusual. Just this week, the National Transportation Safety Board specifically asked the Federal Highway Administration to work with states to develop uniform data-collection procedures that will result in better information about the number of miles traveled by motorcycles, one of the most important factors in evaluating crash statistics. As a result, this could be one of the final reports to use registration data exclusively, which is less accurate in reflecting actual motorcycle use. This new IIHS report is remarkably similar to a study the group financed 20 years ago that also purported to show higher fatality rates among sportbikes. At that time, the IIHS used its study as the springboard for a well-orchestrated campaign that included ready-made news footage it fed to TV news operations across the country. That campaign culminated in the introduction of a bill in the U.S. Senate to impose a horsepower limit on all motorcycles sold in the U.S. The current IIHS research has plenty of echoes of that era in the late 1980s. In fact, the final sentence of the IIHS “Status Report” on the subject, published Sept. 11, says, “Short of banning supersport and sport motorcycles from public roadways, capping the speed of these street-legal racing machines at the factory might be one way to reduce their risk.” In response to that previous attempt by the IIHS to ban sportbikes, the AMA conducted an analysis of the study and raised questions that the Association submitted to Harry Hurt, lead researcher on the most comprehensive study of motorcycle crashes ever conducted. Hurt reviewed the research and declared it “fatally flawed” for exactly the kind of methodology problems seen in the new IIHS report. The Association then coordinated a campaign among motorcyclists across the country that eventually led the senator to withdraw his proposed legislation. Ironically, the new IIHS report comes out just as the AMA and the motorcycling community have been successful in getting federal funding for the first comprehensive motorcycle safety study since the Hurt Report all those years ago. And thanks to funding from the industry, through the Motorcycle Safety Council, along with the AMA and individual riders, that study will begin this fall. “We look forward to getting the results of actual, in-the-field research that won’t just compare fatalities to some hypothetical class of motorcycle, but will pin down the actual factors involved in motorcycle crashes,” Moreland said. “That will be much more useful in helping save lives on the highway.” The American Motorcyclist Association: rights. riding. racing. Founded in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with more than 280,000 members. The Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.

AFM Announcer Goes National Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway recently announced that longtime AFM announcer John Fosgate will once again be joining Brian Drebber as the event co-announcer for the upcoming Corona AMA Superbike Championship weekend on September 15-16. “I’m pleased and excited to be a part of the 2007 AMA event at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway,” said Fosgate. “It’s long been known that the AMA offers some of the greatest competition in the world, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Brian Drebber is a lot of fun to work with, and I’m sure we’ll have a great time and see some great racing.” Known by many as “the voice of the AFM,” Fosgate has been calling the shots at AFM events for almost two decades. His involvement with motorcycles extends well beyond the announcer’s booth, with experience as a riding instructor at Zoom Zoom Trackdays, a position on the AFM Board of Directors, and years of experience as an AFM New Racer School instructor. Fosgate also started the 2007 season racing a Yamaha TZ250, and was ranked as high as fifth in the Formula 2 class. For more information, Fosgate can be contacted through the website of his production company, N3 Productions, at http://www.n3-productions.com/

Team Toyota Yamaha / Fast Company Inside Motorcycles Team of the Year STIRLING, Ont. Team Toyota Yamaha / Fast Company was named winner of the Inside Motorcycles Team of the Year award at the final round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Shannonville Motorsport Park Sept. 2. Team rider Steve Crevier finished second in both the Parts Canada Superbike and Yoshimura Pro 600 Sport Bike point standings for 2007. Riding the team’s Yamaha YZF-R1, the Maple Ridge, B.C. rider won the last three races in the seven-round Superbike schedule. He claimed one win and a pair of runner-up results on the Fast Company-prepared Yamaha YZF-R6 in the Pro 600 class. This marked the second time tuner Scott Miller and his Breslau, Ont.- based team has won the award. They also picked up the honour in 2001, the first year it was presented. “I’ve been trying to beat Steve for years,” said Miller, who won a national Superbike title in 2002 with Jordan Szoke. “Working with him turned out to be a better fit than I expected. We seemed to get along fine.” This was the first year for the Team Toyota Yamaha / Fast Company set up and the squad took some time to get up to speed, especially with the brand new Yamaha YZF-R1. “We received the bikes in January and from there I was working non- stop until the first round,” Miller admitted. “I wish I could have had a little more time with them. But all things considered it was a good year.” Miller was particularly impressed with Crevier’s consistency in the Pro 600 Sport Bike class. “He was up for the win every race,” he said. “He stayed around, put himself in position to make a move at the end. Every one of those races could have been his.” Miller was assisted on the team by Derek Uttley, Jim Nelson, Dave Oakley, Pete Snell, Sandra McGill, Mike Rush and Michelle Rush. “We had a great bunch working with us,” Miller pointed out. “For our first year together it’s pretty incredible how well we all got along.” Inside Motorcycles (www.insidemotorcycles.com) is published by Inside Track Communications. Based in Toronto, Inside Track Communications also publishes Inside Track Motorsport News (www.insidetracknews.com), Inside Karting, and Inside MotoX (www.insidemotocross.ca). For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com

AMA FORMULA XTREME AND AMA SUPERSTOCK SEASONS COME TO A CLOSE AT MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA PICKERINGTON, Ohio (September 12, 2007) Josh Hayes, having already clinched the 2007 Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series presented by HMR, comes to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this Sunday, Sept. 16, for an encore ride on his championship winning Erion Racing Honda CBR600RR. While Hayes has already done the hard work of winning this year’s championship, the Mississippi native does have something to shoot for at Laguna. If he wins, Hayes will tie the single-season win record in Formula Xtreme established by Eric Bostrom in 1998. That year Bostrom, who now rides in the Superbike class for Yamaha, won an impressive eight Formula Xtreme races en route to the ’98 championship. Hayes has won seven of the nine rounds coming into this weekend’s season finale. He has no plans on slowing down in the final race. “I’ve said all along, I want to win races,” said Hayes. “It’ll be the same approach I’ve had all year. We want to dominate this thing. I’m really excited about going out there and putting a stamp on this for the end of the season.” Other riders hoping to join Hayes include Steve Rapp and Aaron Gobert, both on the list of 2007 Formula Xtreme race winners. Aussies Ben Attard and Marty Craggill have stepped up big in the class late in the season. Attard kept Hayes honest at Road Atlanta in perhaps his best performance of the season, on the Attack Kawasaki. Craggill is proving that he still has plenty of speed left in his 38-year-old body. He’s pushed the Boulder Motorsports Ducati to newfound heights scoring podium finishes in the last two rounds. A number of other riders could put a final stamp on the season with a victory at Laguna. Attack Kawasaki’s Rapp would love to bookend his season with a victory Sunday. He won the season opener, the Daytona 200, in March. Veteran Larry Pegram, like Craggill, is proving the Ducati a worthy competitor in the class. He’s flirted with a victory a couple of times this year. And then there’s young up-and-comers like Chaz Davies, of Celtic Racing Yamaha, and Martin Cardenas, of the powerful M4 EMGO Suzuki squad, who could raise their already strong stock with a memorable season-ending performance at Laguna. While champ Hayes is flying the championship badge this weekend, newly crowned AMA Superstock presented by Dynojet champ Ben Spies will sit out the season finale in order to focus on trying to defend his AMA Superbike title. With Spies watching from the pits, the rest of the Superstock competitors see a golden opportunity to add a national victory to their resume. With or without Spies in the race, Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates promised to be a leading contender for the Laguna Superstock win. Now he’ll be the odds-on favorite to win the event. He’s a former Laguna Superstock winner and the only rider other than Spies to win a series race this year. Graves Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom is ranked second in the standings and has finished on the podium five times this year. The one thing Bostrom hasn’t done is scored a victory. This weekend presents him with a perfect opportunity to notch his first AMA road racing win in over three years. Roadracingworld.com Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich joins Yates as the only other former Laguna Superstock winner in the field. Ulrich won the race in 2001. Known as a top-notch rain rider, Ulrich, with the right conditions, could be a factor in Sunday’s race. He scored the Superstock pole at Road America earlier this year in a wet qualifying session. The Laguna Formula Xtreme and Superstock races will air on SPEED on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 2:00 pm eastern. The Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series presented by HMR and AMA Superstock presented by Dynojet races are part of the Corona AMA Superbike Championship Finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., on Sept. 15-16. For additional event information visit the website www.laguna-seca.com.