Panek and Ackerman Trade Wins at Summit Point 5.14.07 Team Pro-Motion’s GP Moto Cup Racing Series kicked off its first of 7 Premier Racing Events at Summit Point Raceway Monday. For 2007, the class structures were revised to bring better and more exciting racing. The new classes offered great challenges and competition, and offered up some of the most exciting bar to bar racing action we have ever seen. Race 1 is Supersport Endurance, which tests both skills and longevity in a 12 lap contest. Starting from Row 2, Nate Panek got a great start and finished lap 1 leading the pack across finish line. He would never look back for the next 11 laps, stretching out his lead lap after lap and won the race in convincing fashion. Behind him David Riccodonna and Tom Novelli was engaged in a close batter race long, and Riccodonna edged Novelli by a small margin at the line to take home 2nd place. Race 2 Superbike saw regular and last year’s 5th place championship finisher Brian Ackerman grabbing the hole shot and disappearing into the distance. New comer Dara Lor started from the 2nd row and held on to the lead pack after turn 1, and eventually picked off everyone in front of him to claim 2nd place. Bart Defranceso and Dave East rounded out 3rd and 4th. Race 3 was the new Twister class, which offers an opportunity to run any of the unusual machinery. Alex Lazo won the LightWeight Twister on a SV650 while Bernard Wilson took home the HeavyWeight win on a TL1000R. In Race 4, Supersport Sprint, Panek did not get the same great start as earlier, and he had his work cut out for him as he trailed DeFrancesco by 2 seconds by the start of lap 2. But that obstacle didn’t prove to be enough to bar him from winning his second race of the day, as he slipped past DeFrancesco and took swept the 2 Supersport races on the day. Rob Allen was in close pursue all race long in 3rd place but unable to keep pace with the lead pair and had to settle for 3rd. Race 5 was the revised Dash for cash class. For 2007 the class is divided into Expert and Novice classes and each paid its own separate purse. The race did not disappoint and served up the most exciting comeback victory we have ever seen. Supersport race winner Nate Panek got off to a good start while Superbike winner Brian Ackerman bogged his bike at the flag and went into turn 1 trailing the pack. Panek went to work immediately and stretched out to a huge lead. It took Ackerman half of the 10-lap race to pick off everyone between him and the lead, and Panek was seemingly out of reach. But Ackerman never gave up, and ate away at the lead bit-by-bit and finally sniffed up a little draft under the white flag. With the entire paddock thinking that it was too little too late, Ackerman received a little assistance from a lapped rider and got ever closer to Panek with 3 corners to spare. When both rider emerged from the final turn 10, it was Panek still holding on to 3 bike lengths. He got a great drive onto the front straight, but Ackerman used his displacement advantage wisely and pulled out of the draft just in time to cross the line side by side with Panek. In a photo finish it was Ackerman edging out Panek by the smallest margins less than 6 inches. It was a comeback for the ages! On the Novice side of things it was Alex Lazo upsetting the competition aboard his SV650 while Christopher Gorham and Mathew Lewis finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The conditions were perfect and the racing action was fierce. We at Team Pro-Motion are proud and please to bring you this event, and strive to offer an even better experience at our next GP Moto Premier event June 11, back again at Summit Point Raceway. For more information regarding Team Pro-Motion’s GP Moto Cup racing series, please visit our website at http://www.teampromotion.com/tpm.php?page_id=gpmoto or email race director Dafan Zhang at [email protected]. Results GP Moto Supersport Endurance 1 Nate Panek 2 David Riccodonna 3 Tom Novelli 4 Marty Crotty 5 Ryan Fleming 6 Mark Dolente 7 Mike Skowronek 8 Robert Crenshaw III 9 Andy Reiss 10 Christopher Gorham 11 Paul Nelson 12 Alex Vulakh 13 Mathew Lewis GP Moto Superbike 1 Brian Ackerman 2 Dara Lor 3 Bart Defrancesco 4 Dave East 5 Brian Mosholder 6 Andy Reiss 7 Joe Riccodonna 8 Coleman Howard 9 Mike Burham GP Moto Twister HW 1 Bernad Wilson GP Moto Twister LW 1 Alex Lazo 2 Jonas Ferro 3 Paul Nelson GP Moto Supersport Sprint 1 Nate Panek 2 Bart Defrancesco 3 Robert Allen 4 Mark Dolente 5 Tom Novelli 6 Marty Crotty 7 Robert Crenshaw III 8 Andy Reiss 9 Ryan Fleming 10 Dale Jackson 11 Nick Berken 12 Alex Vulakh 13 Mike Burham 14 Jimmy Lenayel GP Moto Dash Expert 1 Brian Ackerman 2 Nate Panek 3 Alex Vulakh GP Moto Dash Novice 1 Alex Lazo 2 Christopher Gorham 3 Mathew Lewis

DUCATI XEROX RIDERS GIVE THUMBS UP FOR NEW MISANO WORLD CIRCUIT Misano Adriatico (Italy), Wednesday 16 May: Ducati Xerox Team riders Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi gave a resounding thumbs up to the new Misano World Circuit as they completed a two-day testing session on the new track layout. The former Santamonica, a classic of the Superbike calendar, has been totally modified, resurfaced and lengthened by 120 metres to 4.180 kms. The Misano World Circuit was inaugurated in its latest configuration at the end of March. It retains a similar layout to the old track but races will now be run in a clockwise direction. Bayliss, a four-times winner at Misano Adriatico, was enthusiastic about the new track after setting quickest time in 1’35.3. “I did a day and a half of testing on the new track and on the new surface. I didn’t think there could be a better track than the old Misano but I actually like this one better. Right now it’s perfect, I really love it! It’s going to be a bit hotter when we come back for the race but it’s not going to change too much as the track has excellent grip. It’s different riding around clockwise now, it’s really physical and has lots of character. The only problem is it’s going to be hard to pass on, but it’s surprised me and I really enjoy riding it. We made a little work on the bike, even from the second race at Monza we’ve changed a couple of things that have helped us and I’ve made a lot of good laps today, a race run as well which went really good. I feel as good as I ever have on the bike and am really looking forward to moving on to Silverstone”. Lorenzo Lanzi, who was third quickest with 1’35.9, also had a positive opinion about the track. “I really like it, it’s very physical because there are some big bumps and they tire you out a lot. I went pretty well in these two days, just half-a-second or so behind Troy, which is not bad because he is the reference point for everyone. I worked a bit for the Silverstone race but mainly for Misano, we tried a lot of tyres and I found one that was satisfactory.” The Misano leg of the World Superbike Championship takes place in a month’s time from 15-17 June. Unofficial times: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1’35.3; 2. Corser (Yamaha) 1’35.6; 3. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1’35.9; 4. Haga (Yamaha) 1’36.6; 5. Xaus (Ducati) 1’36.8; 6. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1’36.9; 7. Laconi (Kawasaki) 1’37.6; 8. Fabrizio (Honda) 1.38.3.

James Bhathena, former owner and founder of Brighton Superbike, has sold the aforementioned race shop after years of successful racing and retail success to join a small group of investors in the newly formed Total Racing Solutions Corp.(TRS) Doing business as ‘Total Racing Solutions’ and ‘team-trs.com’ the corporation was formed to focus solely on motorcycle racing. Specifically, TRS will concentrate on chassis (suspension), race engines, team management, IT and web solutions for racers and race teams (drag and roadrace). The first step for the organization was to secure an Ohlins Certified Suspension Center. James says “I’m excited to have the opportunity to get back to being wholly focused on racing. It was hard to let go of Brighton but the growth of that business kept pushing me further into the office and farther away from the track. Racing was the reason for opening that business and in some strange twist of fate also the reason for selling it. At TRS I will be able to get back to full time racing. That’s what I’m good at and that’s what I love. Apparently the idea has some merit because before we could finish the basic organizational set-up stuff we’ve been overrun with work.” TRS has a web site http://www.totalracingsolutions.com, which is informative but not yet fully complete. They are looking for comments from racers, and adding their goods and services as quickly as possible. Total Racing Solutions is based in Brighton, MI For further information please contact: Sara Thea Total Racing Solutions 9864 E. Grand River Ave. Ste. 110/256 Brighton, MI 48116 810-588-6729 [email protected]

Scott E. Bosworth, 39, of Enfield, a motorcycle racing enthusiast, died tragically while racing at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH on Saturday, May 12, 2007. Born in Putnam, Connecticut on March 5, 1968, Scott has been a lifelong resident of Enfield and graduated from Enfield High School Class of 1986. He was employed by Fahrenheit Mechanical Services, Inc. He was a member of the Lodge No. 2222 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Enfield, Loudon Road Racing Series and Team Speedbike Racing. Scott is survived by his parents, William F. and Faylene H. (Lancaster) Bosworth, III of Enfield; his soul mate, Jessica M. Buvelot of Suffield; his brother, Mark R. Bosworth of Enfield; his sister, Karen L. Bosworth-Penny and her husband Cole of Enfield; his two nephews, Zachary W. Penny and Ryan J. Penny and his niece, Kaitlynn H. Bosworth. Family and friends may attend a reception celebrating Scott’s life on Friday, May 18, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge 2222, 138 North Maple Street, Enfield. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Scott’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, May 17, 2007 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with an Elk’s Ritual at 7:30 p.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road. Memorial donations may be made to the Scott E. Bosworth Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Sovereign Bank, 96 Bridge Street, East Windsor, CT 06088. ~http://www.leetestevens.com/runtime.php?SiteId=-1098&NavigatorId=-73163&op=moreinfo&viewOpt=dpaneOnly&ItemId=50979~

Mika Kallio reports “The feeling has arrived”  In the days following the GP of China, Red Bull KTM 250 rider Kallio improved the skills of a group of motorcycle enthusiasts in a rider’s training at home in Finland. But his 5th place also boosted Kallio’s own confidence for Le Mans. Q: After a difficult start into your first 250 cc season, you scored fifth place at the Grand Prix of China. Was this the turning point for the better? A: We definitely found a better way of setting up and using the bike in China, which was a big relief. The start of our season was not as satisfactory as it might have been. We had some rare mechanical problems with the bike on two occasions and that meant I wasn’t able to finish in two races. This was also quite a big mental set-back because the first three races are very important for a rider. If you go well, you develop a good feeling for the races to come. Now, after the results we had at the Grand Prix in Shanghai, this feeling has arrived. It might have come a bit later than expected but it’s definitely there now! Q: You struggled in most of the practice sessions before getting everything right for the race. What makes it so difficult to find the right set-up? A: We don’t know exactly. Everything went quite well during the winter tests, including my lap times, but just before the racing season we started to run into difficulties with the chassis set-up and that proved tricky to resolve. The fact that I didn’t have any experience in the 250 cc category was also a contributing factor. I couldn’t quite put my finger on specific problems and decide what would be the best way to react to them. This is coming to me more naturally now that I have a few races under my belt. The way we managed to improve the bike in China gives me confidence. Q: The characteristics of the stop-and-go Le Mans race track are completely different to the fast Shanghai circuit with its long straights and long, interlinking corners. Will this be better or worse for you and KTM? A: Le Mans with its late-braking action and its shorter corners should be better for us. The problems that we’ve had so far have been with the chassis. The bike was not turning as well as it should and there was a certain lack of rear grip. We managed to improve the handling and got the bike to turn better in China, but we still struggled with rear end grip. This meant we lost a lot on the long corners of the track. The fact that Le Mans doesn’t have these long corners should make it easier for us. I also have quite a good feeling with the bike under brakes and it seems that I’m hitting the braking points well. This is also very important in Le Mans. Q: The Le Mans track is about braking hard, but also about accelerating hard. How does your KTM compare to the fastest Aprilia? A: KTM and Aprilia have quite similar acceleration so this is not a problem for us. Compared to Honda, our acceleration is even a little better. Again, the problem is with the chassis set-up. If you can’t open the throttle early enough, you lose speed going onto the next straight, and this obviously also hurts your top speed. If we can further improve our set-up and find some more grip on the corner exits, then we will be on a par with Aprilia. Q: World Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo seems to be a class of his own at the moment. Which other 250 cc rider has impressed you in the season so far? A: I would say Julian Simon. Like me, he is a newcomer to this class but he’s been quite good in every race so far. And we have to remember he rides a Honda, which is not on the same level as Aprilia or our KTM. Alvaro Bautista has also done really well, but he also has been on a really good bike. Q: How do you feel about Casey Stoner’s success with Ducati? A: It’s nice to see him win races and lead the world championship. Everybody knows how fast he is but he had many crashes in former years. Now he has found a good way to reach the limit, but not to exceed it, and obviously his bike is also very good. It’s also nice to see that there is not so much difference between MotoGP and the other classes, as far as rider talent goes. Casey Stoner proves to all of us that if you are fast in the two-stroke categories, you can also do well in MotoGP! More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing: French Grand Prix at Le Mans 18, 19 and 20 May 2007 DANI GOING ALL OUT TO REPEAT HISTORY IN FRANCE The MotoGP season now enters its most intense phase with seven races over the next ten weeks and no one will be more focused on getting the most out of this gruelling period of racing than Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V). Dani has triumphed here at Le Mans on a 125cc machine in 2003 and the Spanish idol achieved two 250cc wins at the Bugatti circuit in 2004 and 2005. He also set the pole position here with a lap time of 1m 33.990 seconds in his debut MotoGP season and will be looking to achieve even more this weekend as he starts his 100th Grand Prix He currently lies third in the overall points standings after achieving two podium finishes and a fourth place so far. He was deprived of a finish in Turkey after getting knocked off in a first lap incident. Amazingly, he has now gone 12 races without a win and in terms of Dani’s incredible success rate this represents something of a barren spell. But Dani is nothing if not determined and this weekend represents a perfect chance for him to get back on terms with the series points leaders Casey Stoner (Ducati) and Valentino Rossi (Yamaha). His team-mate and reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V) will be equally keen to get his season back on the rails after a troubled start to his title defence. But the genial American, although currently ninth overall, knows he has the skill and the means to hit back here. He said, “I really need get a good result for myself and for the team in France, and we’ll definitely be going all out for that. I wouldn’t say Le Mans is one of my favourite tracks, but that’s just because I’ve never had a very good result here, which can take the fun out of any track I guess. So I hope all that changes this weekend. We’ve still got some distance to go to get the bike working for me and put ourselves in a position to fight for wins, but the guys are right behind me and I know Honda’s pushing hard to improve the performance and Michelin too.” Nicky is not alone in describing the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans as ‘not a favourite’ in the way that say Mugello, Assen or Brno might be, but some riders like it. A ‘name’ track with a rich recent history, it’s a racing environment capable of producing entertainingly close racing. And with no winter testing conducted here pre-season, all riders will face a fresh challenge. The 4.180km track is a compact circuit and although few riders claim to enjoy riding here, they all have huge respect for it. Le Mans requires courage in parts, a delicate throttle hand in others and absolute commitment in the many heavy braking areas. The track was built in 1965, modified and shortened in 2003 and then totally resurfaced in 2004 to the general relief of most riders. Located 150 miles south-west of Paris, the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans employs some elements from the longer public roads circuit but remains modestly within its own confines. Turn one is a blisteringly fast uphill right with a following chicane that requires expert judgement to get right. Many rookie riders overshoot or brake too early allowing rivals past. Much of the rest of the track is a succession of hard braking and tight exits that put a premium on machine balance. It might not be that technical but it is a challenge. In all it comprises nine right hand turns and four lefts with two tight complexes before the flat out start/finish straight into turn one, which was modified last year. Machine set-up requires stability on the brakes and chassis settings that allow quick turn-in but not at the expense of having to tame a wheelie-prone machine on the throttle out of the many slow turns. Many of the overtaking opportunities here are afforded under braking and the longest straight is only 450m long. Dani said, “Le Mans is a circuit where I’ve had some good races in previous years so I’m hoping this visit will be the same. Since it’s the first time we will ride the new 800cc machines at Le Mans, our primary target will be to find the right way to set up the bike especially the gearing because there are many sections of acceleration out of slow corners and it’s very important to have the best possible drive at these points. Let’s hope the weather stays clear and gives us enough dry track time to do this.” Marco Melandri (Gresini Honda RC212V) won here last year and needs a win again to stay in touch in the World Championship standings. He said, “I like it here and it should suit our bike a little more. It’s a little early to be making predictions and we’ll have to wait until we get there to check out the weather conditions, which can change quickly. The Bugatti track is full of hard braking and it needs a riding style that favours braking and opening the gas with perfect timing according to each particular corner. There are a couple of hard acceleration points but there are no really long straights and that should help.” Marco’s team-mate Toni Elias (Gresini Honda RC212V) said, “I’ve had some good results here in the past. I actually scored my first podium here back in 2001 when I finished third in the 125cc race and I also won the 250cc race in 2003. Last year we suffered a lot with tyres because I couldn’t get them up to the right temperature. This year the tyre situation is completely different and we should be in the right shape to challenge at the front of the field again. This could be a decent chance to register a good result.” “I’ve had good results here before,” said Carlos Checa (LCR Honda RC212V). “The engine power is not so important like in Istanbul and Shanghai so we have more chance of finishing near the front. I hope the weather’s good and we find the best solutions for the tyres because Bridgestone is very strong now. Michelin is working hard together with my technicians and I am pretty confident for the weekend. All the RC212V riders are suffering the same problems with the engine power and the front chatter and I’m sure that HRC can find a solution soon.” Shinya Nakano (Konica Minolta Honda RC212V) said, “We didn’t have a good weekend last time out in China, but I know the team and I will bounce back for Le Mans. I’m hoping we’ll be much stronger on race tyres here as I really enjoy the circuit layout. Last year at the French Grand Prix I almost got pole, but was eventually bumped back to second. This shows I can do it, so I’m very much looking forward to getting on the pace from the very first practice session.” Kenny Roberts (Roberts KR212V) who has been struggling with chassis trouble so far this season said, “We’ve an updated version of the chassis we’ve been running and this one is nearer to the original centre position we started with nothing drastic, only adjustments. Tyres have been an issue at some races but this week we are racing in Michelin’s back yard so we hope they’ll have something for us.” In the 250cc class Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Honda RS250RW) is on the hunt for another win to take him closer to series points leader Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) who has scored three pole-to-flag wins this year to Dovi’s one. Just like in 2006 these men are the pre-eminent riders in the class. Dovi currently has 68 points to Lorenzo’s 95, but this is a track that might well suit the nimble handling characteristics of the 2007 Honda RS250RW. The Italian former 125cc World Champion has the riding skills and racecraft to capitalise on any advantage. Dovi won here on a 125 in 2004 and was second here on a 250 last year. “Le Mans should suit the Honda and we need to get the gearing absolutely right to make sure we have maximum acceleration out of the turns, then we can use our chassis to best effect on the brakes into the turns too. We’ve done OK here in the past and we’ve got to take maximum advantage of any chances we get this season.” Dovi’s team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Scot Honda RS250RW) will not ride here this weekend as his wretched run of luck continues. He has just undergone an operation on his broken left arm, while still not fully recovered from a broken leg sustained at the end of last season. Julian Simon (Repsol Honda RS250RW), currently seventh overall, said, “I think the race in France may favour the Hondas. It has fewer long straights and the technical aspect has a lot of influence. It’s a layout with a lot of braking sections in which the riding style is very important. I think even though we’re racing here for the first time with a 250cc machine, if we work hard and well during the practices, we’ll be able to achieve a good result.” His team-mate Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW) said, “I like the French Grand Prix because I took my first podium in the World Championship last year at Le Mans. It’s a very technical circuit, with a lot of corners, which I like. You could say it’s a ‘Honda track’ too.” The 125cc class is currently the domain of Aprilia and Derbi riders, but again Le Mans represents a chance for Honda’s young lions Esteve Rabat (Repsol Honda RS125R) and Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda RS125R) to break into the top places as Rabat managed so determinedly in China two weeks ago with a fighting third. He said, “I’ll try to do the best I can as always. And we’ll try to continue learning and evolving. I don’t know anything about the track, I’ve only played it on Play Station, so the information I’ve got is minimal. I’ll have to learn the layout, to start from zero again and it will be hard work. But let’s see if the twisty layout fits my riding style.” Smith said, “I’ve already been here before so that’s a positive for us and last year I had no experience with the bike’s settings. I think I even managed to be second fastest in wet conditions last year and I believe I can even do a good job if it’s dry. I’m really looking forward to this race.”

MICHELIN KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK FOR LE MANS Michelin goes into its home race at Le Mans aiming to continue the good work done during the recent Chinese GP where Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) rode to second place and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC212V-Michelin) finished fourth. Rossi was able to ride very aggressively at Shanghai to lead on several occasions. After the race he gave a thumbs up to the latest development work undertaken by Michelin, which is focused on increasing side grip for enhanced cornering performance. Le Mans is a different circuit from the last two venues on the MotoGP calendar, Istanbul and Shanghai. The layout of the legendary French motorsport venue is more stop-and-go with many slow and medium-speed turns that demand excellent braking, cornering and acceleration performance. As always, Michelin adapts its MotoGP tires to suit individual riders, bikes and racetracks. Michelin has a great record in the French Grand Prix, having won the past 14 premier-class races at three different tracks, Le Mans, Le Castellet and Magny-Cours. MICHELIN AND THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGE OF LE MANS “Le Mans is Michelin’s home race but that doesn’t really make it any different for us –each of the 18 races is as important as the others,” says Jean-Philippe Weber, Michelin’s director of motorcycle racing. “We don’t do specific tests at the track and the main complication during the weekend could be the weather, which can be a bit unpredictable at this time of year. “We got a lot of information from Turkey and China which we are using for Le Mans. We’ve been reactive to our riders’ feedback so things are going better now and we are continuing to work in the same direction. “The big thing we are now working on is side grip. We saw that Valentino had good side grip at Shanghai because he could really fight with Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici) despite a big difference in top speed. If we can give our riders even more side grip then we give them the possibility to be more aggressive through the corners, which is very useful if there’s a big difference in speed between the different machines. The stiffer front and rear casings we have created since Turkey are performing well but we are working on both constructions and compounds because usually you have to work on both together. “Valentino and some of our other riders will have some different tires at Le Mans, adapted to their needs and to this track, based on the results of the tests at Istanbul and the race at Shanghai. The direction we have taken with Valentino’s tires also works for some of our riders, though others will use different tires more suited for their own style at Le Mans. “Le Mans is mainly a braking and traction circuit, though there are several long corners, like the Musee left-hander, and several long rights, like La Chapelle, the right of the ‘S’ Bleu, where you need stability to be able to flick the bike out of there and into the next left, and the double right at the end of the lap. “There are a few straights but they aren’t so long as at Shanghai, so I think we should be in good shape to be competitive. We hope we’ll be able to get as good side grip as we had in Shanghai because that means our riders will be able to get through the curves fast and then open the throttle early to get a good exit speed. “You also need a good front at Le Mans to get into the hairpins at a good speed and I’m sure our 16-inch front will be good at Le Mans. All our riders like the 16 and it was obvious at Shanghai that the tire gave Valentino the confidence to be really aggressive into corners. After the race he said the front was perfect.” MICHELIN IN FRANCE A French company with a proud history, Michelin is one of France’s most renowned names. Established in the late 19th century, Michelin has 18 sites in France, with headquarters in Paris and Clermont-Ferrand, 17 production facilities throughout the country, from Toul in the northeast to Bordeaux in the southwest, and one technology center at Clermont. The company employs more than 30,000 people in France, roughly a quarter of its worldwide staff. LE MANS: 4.180km/2.598 miles Lap record: Valentino Rossi (Camel Yamaha YZR-M1-Michelin), 1:35.087, 158.255km/h-98.335mph (2006) Pole position 2006: Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin), 1:33.990, 160.102km/h-99.483mph Recent winners of the French GP 2006 Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V-Michelin), 44:57.369 2005 Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin), 44:12.223 2004 Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V-Michelin), 44:22.750 2003 Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V-Michelin), 24:29.665 (race shortened due to rain) 2002 Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin), 34:22.335 (race shortened due to rain) 2001 Max Biaggi (Marlboro Yamaha Team YZR500-Michelin), 46:59.346 (old circuit) 2000 Alex Crivillé (Repsol YPF Honda NSR500-Michelin), 47:15.363 1999 Alex Crivillé (Repsol Honda NSR500-Michelin), Circuit Paul Ricard 1998 Mick Doohan (Repsol Honda NSR500-Michelin), Circuit Paul Ricard 1997 Mick Doohan (Repsol Honda NSR500-Michelin), Circuit Paul Ricard 1996 Mick Doohan (Repsol Honda NSR500-Michelin), Circuit Paul Ricard Michelin’s 2007 MotoGP riders Carlos Checa (Honda LCR RC212V-Michelin) Colin Edwards (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda Team RC212V-Michelin) Shinya Nakano (Konica Minolta Honda RC212V-Michelin) Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC212V-Michelin) Kenny Roberts Jr (Team Roberts KR212V-Michelin) Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin)

Aprilia USA and Atkins Global Management Announce 2007 AMA Supermoto Championship Team Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing and the Aprilia SXV Debut May 19 NEW YORK, May 16, 2007 Aprilia USA and Atkins Global Management, along with a world-class roster of sponsor partners led by Rip-It Energy Drink®, have teamed up to challenge the ‘establishment’ in the 2007 AMA Supermoto Championship. Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team riders Ben Carlson, the 2006 AMA Supermoto Unlimited Class champion and team owner Darryl Atkins, the 2005 AMA Supermoto Unlimited Class runner-up will race the World Championship-winning Aprilia SXV 4.5 V-Twin in the Supermoto class for the first time. Until 2007, AMA rules have only allowed multi-cylinder machines to compete in the unlimited class. For the 2007 season the V twin Aprilias will also compete in the 450 class. Wisconsin native Carlson and New Zealander Atkins will also return to contest the Unlimited Class with the Aprilia SXV 5.5, beginning with the season opener AMA Supermoto Championship races on May 19, at the St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. “We’re really excited to expand our factory Supermoto race program for 2007,” says Rick Panettieri, brand manager, Aprilia USA. “The SXV 4.5 has proven to be very competitive in the FIM S2 Supermoto World Championship taking the title in 2006. “All of us, from racers to sponsors, are focused on showcasing the Aprilia’s competitiveness on North American soil as well,” he says. Aprilia’s race engineering heritage the company has 32 on-road and off-road world championships on the books has delivered a machine that’s designed to blend the benefits of increased horsepower with an exceptional chassis. “While the bike is heavier than the competition, the responsiveness of the SXV’s awesome chassis and the added horsepower give us a real unique advantage,” says Atkins. “We feel we maximized the 2006 season to get an in-depth understanding of this machine’s potential, and we’re excited about making the SXV as competitive on the North American circuit as it has been in the World Championship series.” Ben Carlson cites the Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team dynamic as another factor in the team’s favor. Former rivals, Atkins and Carlson will compete for the podium as teammates for the first time. “Darryl has been a tough competitor in the past few years and I’m happy to join forces,” says Carlson. “Add the opportunity to compete on a powerful new machine like the SXV, and it’s a real adrenaline rush. You can bet that we’re committed to making the most out of these strengths every time the tires touch the track.” The Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team’s first outing on the SXV 4.5 and 5.5 was at the Stateline Supermoto Challenge – a season primer held in Primm, NV. Carlson took a seventh place finishing spot competing amongst some of the top riders in the 2007 AMA season, while Atkins was involved in a multi rider accident and did not finish the race. The Factory Aprilia Rip-It Racing team is sponsored by Rip-It Energy Drink, Aprilia USA, Parts Unlimited, Bel-Ray Oils, Thor, Scott, Alpinestar, Asterisk, Ogio, ZLT, Dunlop, Beringer Brakes, K&N Filters, Pit Bull, Suzuka, Alpina Wheels, Renthal, Mechanix Wear, Regina Chains, Works Connection, Acberis, Groove Wines and AF1 Racing. For more information on the SXV 450 and 550, plus race reports and photos,log on to www.apriliausa.com. For a complete schedule of the 2007 AMA Supermoto Championship series, visit www.amasupermoto.com. About Aprilia and Piaggio Group Americas Aprilia world headquarters are in Noale (Venice, Italy). Founded in 1962, the company designs and manufactures motorcycles in Noale, with additional production facilities in Scorzè. With 32 motorcycling world championship titles (27 road and 5 off-road) under its belt, Aprilia is the only European manufacturer to have a complete on- and off-road model portfolio, ranging from sporty scooters, innovative off-road bikes and tough adventure tourers to award-winning super sport bikes. For information on Aprilia’s complete U.S. model line, visit the company’s website at www.apriliausa.com . In December 2004 Aprilia became part of the Piaggio Group, Europe’s leading manufacturer of two wheelers and one of the world’s most recognized and respected names in motorcycle and scooter production. With over 6,700 employees, an annual production of more than 680,000 vehicles, 5 R&D centers, 7 production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in over 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European 2 wheeler market. Its production includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands.

In an effort to continue the dream of a wonderful person and racer American Supercamp is humbled to have the opportunity to present the Chasing A Dream Riding and Training Program through support from the dirt-track racing community. The program will offer four different young riders the opportunity to attend each of our two-day schools of their choice at no cost. The opportunity for training is presented to honor and cherish the memory of Ethan “Butch” Gillim, whose incredible bright light was lost to this world recently. Ethan’s dream was to become the best motorcycle racer he could be, and as a result the best in the world. Ethan had taken to his cousin Nicky’s now infamous slogan and adopted it as his life philosophy. The Chasing A Dream program is a celebration of his life and his forever lasting contributions to a community. Those young racers who wish to join American Supercamp in this celebration of life are encouraged to do so with a short race resume, current report, and short essay introducing themselves and their dreams. Consideration requirements can be sent to American Supercamp care of Danny Walker at 8606 S.E. Frontage Rd. Ft. Collins, CO 80528

Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Walker and Cal Crutchlow take part in this weekend’s fifth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton relishing the chance to ride at one of the fastest circuits in the UK. Snetterton in Norfolk is 1.95-miles long and boasts two long straights that allow the Superbikes to approach 200mph. The Revett Straight is the longer of the two straights and flows into a tight left-right chicane, making it one of the most dramatic overtaking points on the track as bikes brake from 200mph to 60mph. The Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 race bikes used by ‘Stalker’ and Crutchlow are amongst the quickest Superbikes in the world – with 210bhp to call upon – making outright top speed one of the bike’s core strengths. Stalker approaches Snetterton determined to make amends for a below par performance at the previous round at Oulton Park and to step on to the podium again. Crutchlow continues to make quick progress in his rookie year on a Superbike and is now firmly targeting top six finishes or better. Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: “We have already tested at Snetterton this season and know the circuit well. If there is one area our Rizla Suzukis are strong it is top speed; both riders will be looking to use that inherent strength to their advantage this weekend. “Cal and Chris enjoyed an encouraging test at Mallory Park last week. Cal made progress on bike-feel and set-up and Chris found an improved level of comfort with his bike. That test was part of our ongoing commitment to do all we can to help our riders challenge at the front of the pack and for race wins in British Superbikes. “We have already proved we can compete for the podium thanks to Chris’s excellent performance at Silverstone. Now it is full speed ahead for more silverware for Rizla Suzuki.”