KAWASAKI HEAD EAST FOR SHANGHAI SHOWDOWN Kawasaki’s Randy de Puniet heads for the Far East, ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, determined to improve on his career best finish last time out in Istanbul. The 26-year-old Kawasaki pilot finished eighth, just 14 seconds behind race winner Casey Stoner, in Istanbul two weeks ago and he will arrive in China confident that the improvements made to his Ninja ZX-RR during the post race test in Turkey will prove decisive this weekend in Shanghai. De Puniet’s Kawasaki teammate, Olivier Jacque, arrives in China determined to make amends for his opening lap crash in the Turkish Grand Prix two weeks ago. While most riders count the Shanghai circuit amongst their least favourite tracks, the place holds fond memories for Jacque. Back in 2005, making his debut for Kawasaki in place of the injured Alex Hofmann, Jacque rode a superb race in appalling conditions to claim an incredible second place behind the then reigning world champion, Valentino Rossi. But the 33-year-old Frenchman is under no illusions about how difficult it will be to repeat his podium performance this time around, and he heads into the race on Sunday with the realistic aim of securing his first top ten finish of the season. The 5.45 km Shanghai circuit is the most modern motorsport facility in the world and, at some 1200 metres in length, features the longest straight on the MotoGP calendar. The riders will hit speeds in excess of 300 km/h on the straight, before getting hard on the brakes for the 60 km/h, first gear hairpin at Turn 14. This is a critical point in the lap, where late braking can easily secure an improvement in position, but can just as easily lead to an off-track excursion into the run-off area at the end of the straight. It’s a unique challenge that is unrivalled at any other circuit. Randy De Puniet Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #14 “Scoring my best MotoGP result last time out in Istanbul, together with a very positive post race test, means that I arrive in Shanghai really excited about the race. But, I have to say, although the Shanghai circuit is an impressive one in terms of the facilities, the track itself is not particularly inspiring. In fact, in my opinion as a rider, it’s one of the worst tracks we race at because it’s just so boring. It’s really just two long straights connected by a sequence of mostly slow corners. The most difficult part is turn 14, which you arrive at doing almost 300 km/h off the back straight. To get through this turn safely you need to almost stop the bike before turning in, and it’s quite difficult to judge the best braking point. At this track you need a bike that is fast and well balanced. Also, qualifying is critical, because there are not so many overtaking opportunities here. I’m fairly confident we can aim for the second row in qualifying and, with a good start, a top ten finish in the race is a realistic possibility.” Olivier Jacque Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #19 “I guess it’s fair to say that the season hasn’t started how I was hoping. The first race was a fairly positive start, but the second in Jerez was a nightmare. And then, after seeing the improvement in the bike during practice and qualifying in Istanbul, I was really optimistic for the race. What can I say; I screwed up by crashing on the opening lap. It was the first time in my career that this has happened to me. On the Monday I was both physically and psychologically devastated, but my bruises are healing and I need to think only about this weekend’s race in Shanghai now. I am confident that a top ten finish is possible this weekend. I like this circuit, and I have fond memories of my second place here in the wet when I stood in for Alex Hofmann on the Ninja ZX-RR back in 2005. I think it will be difficult to repeat this result this time around, but that won’t stop me from trying.” Naoya Kaneko Technical Manager “We have made some improvements to our Ninja ZX-RR ahead of this race. Changes to the engine management system and rear suspension set-up meant that Randy was able to improve on his race lap times during the post race test in Istanbul, despite still suffering from his crash during free practice on Friday. I’m pretty confident that these improvements will make a big difference for both riders in China. The Shanghai circuit is mainly a stop-and-go sort of track, where the riders are either hard on the gas or hard on the brakes, with very little in between. But, with the longest straight on the MotoGP calendar, it’s also a power track where top speed is really important. This weekend it will be critical for our riders to start from the front of the grid to get a good result, which would be to finish less than ten seconds from the race winner.”

CBS Sports to broadcast three race package of MotoGP races As MotoGP continues its growth across the world, three races will be broadcast on network television across the United States this summer after an agreement was reached between CBS Sports and MotoGP’s commercial rights-holder, Dorna Sports. This agreement represents the most extensive free-to-air television package that MotoGP races have ever enjoyed in the US, and is a further indication of the growing popularity of the sport across the nation. CBS Sports will broadcast races from the heart of the MotoGP season. Coverage starts with the hugely attended Grand Prix from Barcelona on June 10 (1:30-2:30 p.m., ET), and is closely followed by MotoGP’s most traditional race from the TT Circuit in Assen, Netherlands on June 30 (2:00-3:00 p.m., ET), with the third race coming from the Sachsenring, Germany on July 15 (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET). The race telecasts will include not only the thrilling race coverage but will also include exciting features, news and interviews as well as the sophisticated information and graphics package that helps race fans follow the exciting action. Additionally, the race coverage will include production elements that are unique to MotoGP and highlight the exhilarating and daring nature of the sport and its competitors. Chief among these elements will be the incredible on-board cameras that show the race from the point of view of the riders themselves. Fans seeing these heroes making turns at high speeds and just inches off the ground will be amazed at the skill and accuracy that these riders posses. “With the growth of this emerging sport, we are more than pleased to be bringing our viewers all the high-speed excitement of MotoGP,” said Rob Correa, Sr. Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “We are proud to be associated with CBS Sports, a real home for American sports, and it just shows how far MotoGP has come in the last few years,” said Manel Arroyo, Managing Director, Dorna Sports. “The growth of the sport in the United States is one of Dorna’s key goals, and this deal will help us showcase the thrills and excitement of MotoGP to a mainstream audience right across the country.” MotoGP is the world’s premier motorcycle championship, featuring the best racers on the planet riding multi-million dollar, prototype machines that can reach speeds in excess of 200mph. MotoGP takes its glamorous circus to all corners of the globe. The machines produce more than 200 horsepower and weigh in at just 325lb (148kg), demanding the ultimate in riding skill. MotoGP received a big boost in the US with the performances from the Nicky Hayden, the ‘Kentucky Kid’. Hayden, who won his first MotoGP event at the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix in Laguna Seca, California, took his crowning glory in 2006 when he won two races on his way to becoming the new MotoGP World Champion. Currently MotoGP TV broadcasts reach 207 countries, with 184 of those in live or same day delayed format. An average of 142 million spectators see the live/SDD broadcasts, with a total average audience per GP of 311 million viewers. In 2006, an estimated 5.2 billion people around the world tuned into MotoGP races. Helping to make the deal possible between the two parties was Van Wagner Sports Group who serves as the U.S. free-to-air television agent for MotoGP. In addition to negotiating the television agreement between CBS Sports and MotoGP, Van Wagner will handle the advertising sales for the telecasts as well as coordinating production aspects. The program itself will be produced by Dorna using CBS Sports talent, as well as expert analysis being brought by America’s former World Champion and MotoGP Legend Kevin Schwantz. MotoGP returned to network television in the United States last season with the network telecast special of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix from Laguna Seca, an agreement negotiated by Van Wagner Sports Group and produced by Dorna.

After a seven week break the WERA/AMA National Endurance Series resumes racing at the famed Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama this weekend. Millnic Media Honda will be there with the new for 2007 Honda CBR600RR trying to equal or better their performance from round one of the series at Roebling Road Raceway. Principal rider Melissa Paris has had a chance to test Dunlop’s new NT DOT tire and is very excited to get back to racing. She had this to say about the upcoming weekend at Barber, “I am really pumped about this weekend. With all the success Josh (Hayes) has had with the new Honda CBR600RR I am looking forward to seeing if we can improve our finish from round one. I am feeling a bit of a cold coming on, but if I can beat that then maybe we can beat our competition on the track.” Joining Melissa this weekend will be Greg White and Steven Breckenridge. Both riders have experience at Barber Motorsports Park with Steven finishing a strong 18th in the AMA Supersport class just two weeks ago. Millnic Media Honda currently sits 3rd in points in the Middle Weight Superstock class. This weekend at Barber will certainly test the race teams Ohlins suspension as the undulating Barber demands a great deal from the motorcycle’s chassis. With a weight difference of nearly 90 lbs between Melissa and Greg (Greg is the big one in that statement) suspension set-up is a tricky but manageable issue. Some great news for the Millnic Media Honda team is the presence of AMA Formula Extreme Champion Josh Hayes. Melissa’s fiancé Josh Hayes will be on hand as the crew chief this weekend. Hayes is currently the Championship points leader in the AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme classes and just two weeks ago notched two wins in the same weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. Josh will not only assist in the preparation of the CBR600RR, but will also be working to help the riders reduce their lap times. Speaking of riders lap times, they will know instantly just how fast they have gone thanks to new team sponsor STARLANE who supplies great looking and easy to read lap timers to the Millnic Media Honda team. Expect to see a full report on about the race early next week and a video blog about the weekend as well. Round two of the WERA/AMA National Endurance Series event will begin at 12:45 PM Saturday May 5th. If you are in the area stop by and check out the 4 hour event. Tickets are $20 per day or you can get a weekend ticket for $30. Find us under the red and white canopy of the Honda Riders Club of America. For more information on the Millnic Media Honda team and the sponsors who support the team check out ~http://www.mmhracing.com~ For more information about WERA and the race this weekend check out ~http://www.wera.com or http://www.barbermotorsports.com~

Next: the Albacete Six Hour Night Race! After an ill-fated Le Mans 24 Hours, Team Amadeus X One are back on track this weekend for the second round of the World Endurance Championship The now traditional Albacete 6 Hour Night Race has become known for its particularly hot conditions, but the weather this year could spring some surprises on the World Endurance Championship teams; previously unknown heavy rain showers are a possibility during the race weekend. Team Amadeus X One are preparing to return to racing less than two weeks after a disappointing weekend at Le Mans, where two crashes left the team unable to fight for the result that they had set their sites on. The Italian team know the Spanish track well after testing successfully there over the winter, and they are not hiding their ambitions. “We like the track, and by now it doesn’t have any secrets for us,” says team manager Maurizio Bargiacchi, “But the competition in this series is getting stronger and stronger, and with the arrival of the TSR Honda team (who won the Suzuka 8 Hour last year) the space for the privateer squads is even smaller… but we went well here in the winter tests and we’re confident.” The Spanish round of the championship is run almost entirely in darkness, starting at 18:00 on Saturday 5th of May and finishing at midnight.

Preparations for the latest round of the MotoGP World Championship the Sinopec Great Wall Lubricants Grand Prix of China- got underway today at the Shanghai International circuit amidst the humid warmth of the Asian track. With riders having only recently arrived from afar, the day was a relaxed affair ahead of the all-important practice sessions which take place tomorrow. Early birds Toni Elias, Loris Capirossi and Olivier Jacque took part in a pre-event ‘meet and greet’ at the Jin Mao Tower, attended by fans, local and international media. The trio went up to the 88th floor of the tallest building in China, and also took in a ‘Dragon Dance’ and martial arts display performed by local artists. The three spoke briefly in a press conference also held in the tower. In the customary press conference, five MotoGP stars fielded questions about Shanghai and the season so far. World Championship leader Casey Stoner and five time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi were joined by last year’s race winner Dani Pedrosa, veteran rider Alex Barros and 2006 front row qualifier John Hopkins. Stoner indicated that he did not believe that the Ducati speed advantage would make it plain sailing for the riders on the Desmosedici GP7, whilst the others also noted that the track was more than just two straights. Practice for the Sinopec Great Wall Lubricants Grand Prix of China begins tomorrow at 9.00am local time with the 125cc class, with the MotoGP riders undertaking their first laps on the 800cc machines at the Shanghai International circuit at 10am.

Defending World Endurance Champions SERT are looking to take control of this year’s series at this weekend’s second round in Spain following their second place at the opening round at Le Mans in France. GSX-R1000-mounted Vincent Philippe, Matthieu Lagrive and Julien Da Costa head a field of 42 teams – 20 permanent series competitors and 22 others – for the Albacete 6 Hours which starts at 18.00hrs on Saturday. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team’s second squad – who claimed victory at Le Mans – aren’t entered so Suzuki’s main rivals are likely to be Kawasaki France, Yamaha GMT 94 and Yamaha Austria. Another notable entry for Albacete, which may pose a threat to the regular teams, is the Suzuka 8 Hour-winning FCC TSR Honda of Takeshi Tsujimura and Yoshiyuki Sugai. The privateers beat the factory Seven Stars Honda team at the prestigious Japanese event aboard. Practice and qualifying starts on Friday at 16.30 with two further night sessions before Saturday’s final morning qualifying sessions. Championship Points (after 1 round): 1: SUZUKI ENDURANCE RACING TEAM 2 (SUZUKI) 35 2: SUZUKI ENDURANCE RACING TEAM 1 (SUZUKI) 28 3: KAWASAKI MOTOR FRANCE (KAWASAKI) 22 4: YAMAHA GMT 94 (YAMAHA) 18 5: YAMAHA AUSTRIA RACING TEAM (YAMAHA) 15 6: JUNIOR TEAM SUZUKI LMS (SUZUKI) 14 7: ACROPOLIS MOTO EXPERT (YAMAHA) 13 8: TEAM LTG 57 (YAMAHA) 11 9: PHASE ONE ENDURANCE (YAMAHA) 10 10: TEAM 18 SAPEURS POMPIERS (SUZUKI) 8

FIRST PERSON/OPINION: Via e-mail: WERA racer Mark Brereton (creator of the DVDs RoadRace 1 & 2) crashed at Barber during a NESBA trackday this past Sunday. Mark was paralyzed from the chest down when his back was broken along with his left wrist. Mark has been an icon of the WERA BBS, always posting some of the most humorous things you’ve ever read, and several current threads on wera.com include well-wishes. And a PayPal account is taking donations to help with the astronomical medical expenses that Mark is getting ready to be hit with. Anyone wishing to make a PayPal donation towards Marks’ medical expenses, can send it to [email protected]. Please make sure that you send a note identifying yourself so he can thank you. This is a link to the WERA BBS thread concerning the donations: ~http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=140400~ This is a link to the WERA BBS thread with the all the well wishes and I’ve also made a post in with the details of how the crash occured. ~http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=140128~ Mark speaks alot of Vincent Haskovec right now, talking about how he now knows what Vincent must have gone through, and when all this is said and done, really would like a chance to meet/talk to him. Vincent, even before his accident, has always been an inspiration to Mark. Todd Clark WERA Expert #39 Conyers, Georgia