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Caylor, West, and Batey Top WERA/AMA National Challenge Qualifying At Roebling

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Chris “Opie” Caylor shined by securing pole position in two classes during Friday qualifying for the opening round of the WERA/AMA National Challenge Series at Roebling Road Raceway located near Faulkville, Georgia.

Overnight showers soaked the track, prompting many riders to skip morning practice. The track dried up just before lunchtime, allowing riders to get only one dry practice session in before it was time for qualifying.

The first WERA/AMA pole position qualifying session of the 2007 season–for 600cc Superstock–went to Cory West, who turned a 1:14.323 aboard his Pirelli-shod Team Hunter YZF-R6. Second spot on the grid went to local hero James Chance III with Caylor third. Dane Westby completed the front row.

Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey nipped Caylor for pole in the Formula 1 class, turning a 1:13.354 to Caylor’s 1:13.433. Rookie Expert Robert Wilkey used a tow from Caylor to move into third on the grid at 1:13.634, while West put his YZF-R6 in the final front-row position with a 1:13.865.

In 750cc Superstock qualifying, Caylor turned a 1:13.722 aboard his GSX-R750 to secure pole ahead of Chance with Vesrah Suzuki’s John Jacobi and Lee Acree third and fourth.

Caylor’s second pole of the day came in the Open Superstock class. Caylor turned a 1:13.029 to edge out Tray Batey’s 1:13.122. Canadian Clint McBain secured third position on the grid at 1:13.699 with Robert Wilkey filling the final front row starting spot with a 1:14.222.

Qualifying Times

600cc Superstock Expert 1. Cory West(Yam YZF-R6) 1:14.323 2. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R600) 1:14.421 3. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R600) 1:14.436 4. Dane Westby (Yam YZF-R6) 1:14.858 5. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.319 6. Trey Yonce (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.330 7. Mark Junge (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.373 8. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.618 9. Joshua Day (Yam YZF-R6) 1:15.691 10. Daniel Parkerson (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.765

Formula 1 Expert 1. Tray Batey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.354 2. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.433 3. Robert Wilkey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.634 4. Cory West (Yam YZF-R6) 1:13.865 5. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.099 6. Mark Junge (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.418 7. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.493 8. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.497 9. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.516 10. John Jacobi (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:15.184

750cc Superstock Expert 1. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R750) 1:13.722 2. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R750) 1:13.929 3. John Jacobi (Suz GSX-R600) 1:14.432 4. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.602 5. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.659 6. Keith Marshall (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.518 7. Daniel Parkerson (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.594 8. Skip Salenius (Suz GSX-R600) 1:16.112 9. Chad Lewin (Suz GSX-R600) 1:16.222 10. Byron Barber (Suz GSX-R600) 1:16.390

Open Superstock Expert 1. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.029 2. Tray Batey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.122 3. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.699 4. Robert Wilkey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.222 5. Mark Junge (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.338 6. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.341 7. James Stroud (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.428 8. John Jacobi (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.478 9. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.571 10. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.571

Foremost Insurance Launches Campaign Aimed At “Outdoor Lifestyle Niche Market”

GRAND RAPIDS, MI Foremost Insurance, a leading insurer of outdoor specialty lines products including motorcycles, off-road vehicles, motor homes, travel trailers, snowmobiles, boats and personal watercraft got its start in 1952. The company has developed its expertise in the outdoor market ever since. With the launch of a new campaign dedicated to insurance for outdoor enthusiasts and their gear, the company stakes an all new claim on the outdoor lifestyle niche market. “Our understanding of the market cross over and the unique insurance needs of this market makes us the perfect company to serve it as a whole,” said Randy Slotten, Director, Foremost Independent Agent Direct Marketing. “Assisting our agents in marketing to outdoor enthusiasts through this campaign helps agents fully serve the outdoor product cross over markets.” Research supports the market cross over theory. Over one in five RV owners also own a boat, a similar percentage own a motorcycle or ATV. Over half of the dirt bike owners surveyed reported they regularly go camping. Nearly one third of personal watercraft owners also take part in power boating. The bottom line customers who seek to insure one outdoor vehicle, like a motorcycle, boat or RV are likely to pursue activities that include other outdoor vehicles. Agents can grow their business by tapping into this market segment and putting Foremost’s research and experience to work for them by recommending Foremost coverage to their customers with outdoor products. Aside from covering the outdoor vehicle itself, Foremost offers coverage for things like safety apparel, optional equipment, after-market parts and accessories, personal property, fishing and watersports gear, even towing and assistance. With an overall “Go Ahead. Get Outdoors.” theme, the campaign will include a new website. ForemostOutdoors.com, will serve as an information portal for the company’s outdoor product insurance offerings. The campaign will also include new marketing materials, print and web advertising, and more to support the unique lifestyle of outdoor enthusiasts and the activities they choose. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, Foremost Insurance Company is a leading specialty personal lines insurer. Foremost insures the range of outdoor products, as well as mobile homes, rental and vacant properties, landlord properties and collectible cars. Go ahead, visit www.ForemostOutdoors.com or www.foremost.com to take a closer look.

More On Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s Plans To Ease Crowd Congestion At U.S.G.P.

MORE BUSES & LOADING STATIONS FOR FREE RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX SPECTATOR SHUTTLE SHUTTLE PLAN HIGHLIGHTS – Continuation of free spectator shuttle system and free on-site motorcycle parking – Additional spectator shuttle buses and loading stations to ease congestion – Miller Event Management hired to manage shuttle system and on-site parking and traffic control – Additional free local public bus service (MST) throughout Monterey County – AMA Superbike race scheduled after Sunday’s MotoGP race to stagger crowd exit – Track crossings between Sunday’s MotoGP and AMA Superbike races to ease bridge congestion MONTEREY, Calif. (March 16, 2007) The free spectator shuttle system for the 2007 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix features a significant increase in the number of buses and loading stations at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to improve the exiting of fans during the MotoGP World Championship race July 20-22. As previously announced, Miller Event Management, an industry leader in spectator management, will coordinate all aspects of the improved shuttle system, as well as on-site traffic and parking. As in 2006, at-track parking will be limited and the free off-site shuttle bus system will be operating from California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), located just north of Monterey off of Highway 1 at the 12th Ave exit in Marina. Refinements to the shuttle plan for 2007 include the hiring of Miller Event Management, a 30% increase in shuttle buses for exiting and a minimum of 21 loading stations operating to increase the efficiency of the shuttle system at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Upon arrival at CSUMB, spectators will load onto either the “A” or “B” shuttle, based on their location in the parking lot. At the end of the day, fans will board their respective “A” or “B” shuttles at separate points at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, thereby reducing the number of spectators leaving from any one location. The “A” shuttle will pick-up and drop-off at the traditional Purple Parking area (formerly Wolf Hill), with the “B” shuttle pick-up located just beyond the Red Bull Energy Center in what is designated Red Parking 8A. Other aspects of the traffic and parking plan remain for 2007: – Motorcyclists will again be provided free on-site parking at Purple Parking. Motorcyclists will enter/exit at Barloy Canyon Road, located off Reservation Road in Marina. – A limited number of general public on-site parking passes for Purple Parking are available through the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca ticket office at a weekend price of $50. These passes are available for advance purchase only. – Free Monterey Salinas Transit (MST) bus service will be available from throughout Monterey County. MST is increasing bus service by 30% for the weekend. Details at www.mst.org. Additionally, the AMA Superbike race is being moved from Saturday to Sunday afternoon, following the MotoGP race in an effort to stagger Sunday’s exiting crowd. Track crossings are scheduled to take place between the two races in order to ease pedestrian bridge congestion for fans exiting the circuit. “Coordinating the transportation of 47,000 people in and out of this facility is a massive undertaking,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “With our limited access points, the off-site spectator shuttle is the most efficient system. In 2006, we had a good plan but miscommunication on the execution resulted in the early exit of campers from the turn 11 area, which in turn clogged the access roads for the shuttle buses. If not for that, the shuttle system would have worked much, much better. We’ve addressed the communications issue by putting Miller Event Management in charge of all on-site aspects of the shuttle, traffic control and parking.” “From Dorna’s point of view, it’s great news that Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca have discussed long and hard with all the involved parties, learning from last year’s plans and dedicating even more time and effort into ensuring that their spectators are well looked after when entering and exiting the track,” said Javier Alonso, Managing Director of Dorna Sports. “The racing experience is not only about the thrilling action on track, but also about everything that surrounds the event and as such we are happy with the plans that have been drawn up to improve this situation for fans visiting the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. I’m sure that it will be another very successful event.” Tickets are on sale now for the 2007 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, featuring the MotoGP World Championship. Race and ticket information is available at www.redbullusgp.com and www.laguna-seca.com, or by calling (800) 327-SECA. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was built in 1957 and has been operated since its inception by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP). SCRAMP is a not-for-profit corporation that donates net proceeds from each race season to the volunteer organizations that help put on the events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Last season alone, SCRAMP donated over $400,000 to local charities and civic organizations. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2007 with a world-class racing schedule including the U.S. Sports Car Invitational featuring the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series May 18-20, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 20-22, the 34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races presented by Toyota August 17-19, the AMA Superbike Championship September 15-16 and the Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series October 19-21.

American Nicky Moore Confirmed In Superstock 1000cc FIM Cup

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Superstock 1000cc FIM Cup Coupe FIM Superstock 1000cc 2007 Permanent Entry List Start Number, Rider, Nationality, Machine, Team 71 Claudio Corti ITA Yamaha YZF R1 Team Lorenzini by Leoni 51 Michele Pirro ITA Yamaha YZF R1 Team Lorenzini by Leoni 19 Xavier Simeon BEL Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra 37 Raffaele Felice ITA Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Celani Team Suzuki Italia 3 Mark Aitchison AUS Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Celani Team Suzuki Italia 49 Arne Tode GER Honda CBR 1000RR Racing Dirk Van Mol Alpha Technik/Van Zon 59 Nicolo Canepa ITA Ducati 1098S Ducati Xerox Junior Team 155 Brendan Roberts AUS Ducati 1098S Ducati Xerox Junior Team 77 Barry Burrel GBR Honda CBR 1000RR MS Racing 96 Matej Smrz CZE Honda CBR 1000RR MS Racing 5 Bram Appelo NED Honda CBR 1000RR EAB Ten Kate Racing Team 11 Dennis Sacchetti ITA MV Agusta Gimotorsport 99 Danilo Dell’Omo ITA MV Agusta Gimotorsport 24 Marko Jerman SLO Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 DBR Racing Team 23 Cedric Tangre FRA Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 DBR Racing Team 56 Daniel Sutter SUI Yamaha YZF R1 Peko Racing 18 Matt Bond GBR Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Mist Suzuki 21 Wim Van Den Broeck BEL Yamaha YZF R1 Team Zone Rouge 55 Olivier Depoorter BEL Yamaha YZF R1 Team Zone Rouge 86 Ayrton Badovini ITA MV Agusta Biassono Racing Team 10 Franck Millet ITA MV Agusta Biassono Racing Team 33 Marko Rohtlaan EST Honda CBR 1000RR Azione Corse 57 Ilario Dionisi ITA Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Team Cruciani Moto Suzuki Italia 29 Niccolo Rosso ITA Ducati 1098S Team Sterilgarda 14 Lorenzo Baroni ITA Ducati 1098S Team Sterilgarda 16 Raymond Schouten NED Yamaha YZF R1 VD Heyden Motors/Yamaha Team 44 Rene Mahr GER Yamaha YZF R1 VD Heyden Motors/Yamaha Team 4 Loic Napoleone FRA MV Agusta EVR Corse 83 Didier Van Keymeulen BEL Yamaha YZF R1 TTSL-MGM Racing 25 Dario Giusepetti GER Yamaha YZF R1 MGM Racing-performance 88 Timo Gieseler GER Yamaha YZF R1 MGM Racing-performance 32 Sheridan Morais RSA Ducati 1098S Team Pedercini 28 Nicky Moore USA Ducati 1098S Team Pedercini 13 Viktor Kispataki HUN Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Full-Gas Racing Team 34 Balazs Nemeth HUN Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Full-Gas Racing Team 15 Matteo Baiocco ITA Yamaha YZF R1 Umbria Bkie 42 Leonardo Biliotti Leuthe GER MV Agusta Billi”¦ssimi Race 75 Luka Nedog SLO Ducati 1098S Team Ducati SC Caracchi

NPR Ducati Grand Opening To Be Held This Weekend In Georgia

NPR DUCATI GRAND OPENING WEEKEND Georgia’s newest Ducati dealership, NPR Ducati, ushers in the 2007 summer season with a monumental Grand Opening Weekend beginning this Friday, March 16 at 6:00pm and continuing through Sunday, March 18. The NPR Ducati Grand Opening will feature food and drink, the always exciting Ducati North America Fashion Show, Ducati North America’s Duc Truck demo fleet, specialty bike displays including the 1098 S Tricolore, Hypermotard 1100 and some surprise bike appearances, and much more. The NPR Grand Opening marks the inaugural appearance of the 2007 Duc Truck demo fleet and, combined with NPR Ducati’s dealer bikes, is a great chance to experience Ducati’s amazing 2007 model lineup. Demo rides will cover some of North Georgia’s most beautiful country roads and will take advantage of the near-perfect weather forecasted for the weekend. For more information, please contact: NPR Ducati 1461 Greensboro Hwy Watkinsville, GA 30677 706-310-0002 www.nprducati.com

Alabama Motorsports Park Retains International Firm To Consult On Design Of FIA-spec, Motorcycle-friendly Road Course

PLANNING CONTINUES FOR ALABAMA MOTORSPORTS PARK

Internationally renowned road course designer retained as consultant

MOBILE, AL Planning for the Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway continues. Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. investors have retained Apex Circuit Design Ltd (www.apexcircuitdesign.com) as a consultant for the road course. Apex is owned and operated by Clive Bowen.

Apex Circuit Design, based in the UK, is internationally respected and is an FIA-recognized motorsport circuit design consultancy. Apex specializes in the development of multi-revenue, commercially viable sports and leisure destinations, working in partnership with some of the World’s finest architects and engineers. Its motorsport projects include; the Dubai Autodrome (UAE), Ghazala Bay circuit (Egypt), Iceland MotoPark (Iceland), Hampton Downs Circuit (New Zealand) and the Sharjah street circuit (UAE). In addition, Apex are or have been contracted to provide master plan designs for Silverstone Circuit (UK), Rio Jacarepagua Circuit (Brazil), the Madras Motorsports Trust (India) and several other confidential projects yet to be publicized.

“This project embodies everything we know is required of a successful ‘destination.’ The investors are real estate specialists and developers who understand that we must create a place that appeals to everyone not just those with gasoline in their veins,” says Clive Bowen. “The plot is hilly and we’re going to create a race track that is exciting, beautiful and one that offers a European style of racing challenge.”

The road course and its design will utilize as much of the natural topography as possible to create a visibly exciting and technically challenging race track. At 3.3 miles in length, as an FIA Category 2 status circuit, it will be suitable for many international forms of motorsport road racing, and all forms of motorcycle racing. It will share the paddock facility with an adjacent ¼-mile drag strip and create the heart of the motorsports location, close to entertainment, dining and merchandising areas. Apex will also consult on the design of the drag strip.

Bowen and his team have included a ¾-mile karting circuit within the road course that will be suitable for public and private events, inclusive of racing activities for recreational usage to championship events.

Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway is a property of Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. The entertainment complex is planned to house four racing venues, retail shopping, restaurants, an RV resort, and other venues such as music theaters. The investors plan to open the complex for racing in the fall of 2009 and to be fully operational in 2010.

Recent Wedding

CCS Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Unlimited Superbike Amateur Champion David Zylberberg married Bonnie Graber March 3 on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten.

Michelin: New MotoGP Tire Restrictions Emphasize Strategy On Race Weekends

MICHELIN MEN AIM TO TURN RECORD-BREAKING TESTING PACE INTO JEREZ VICTORY Michelin riders will be out to score their first victory of the year at Jerez, the second race of MotoGP’s first 800cc season. In Qatar two weeks ago former World Champion Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) finished a close second, while Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC212V-Michelin) won a fierce duel for third place. The two Michelin men have high hopes of success on March 25 because they dominated last month’s preseason Jerez tests, lap record holder Rossi riding the fastest-ever lap of the Andalusian circuit, a fraction ahead of local hero Pedrosa. Colin Edwards (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) and reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda Team RC212V-Michelin) completed the French tire brand’s domination of the event with third and fourth fastest lap times. Michelin has won all but one of the 20 premier-class races held at Jerez since the track hosted its first GP in 1987, including the fastest-ever Jerez race in 2005. The company was beaten at the circuit for the first time last year and is determined to avenge that defeat this weekend – just as it returned to its winning ways at Sepang last September after suffering a rare defeat at the Malaysian track in 2005. MICHELIN & THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGE OF JEREZ “Jerez is quite interesting from a layout point of view,” says Jean-Philippe Weber, Michelin’s director of motorcycle racing. “It’s quite symmetrical but you need a lot of traction from the rear tire and good handling from the front. We tested there only last month which is always a help. “The tarmac is quite old [Jerez was last resurfaced during the winter of 2001/2002] and it gets used a lot for F1 testing which has a big effect on the surface. The tarmac changed a lot from 2005 to last year and has changed some more since then; it’s quite worn now so it isn’t so aggressive on tires. “Riders need a lot of traction exiting all the corners, and good handling from the front is also very important. It’s one of the tracks we visited twice during the winter and we were able to see how our new 16-inch front really helped our riders. We also saw a big improvement in the tire from the November tests to the Jerez session. The 16 offers several positives it allows riders to go deeper into corners on the brakes, it gives better handling, allowing riders to flick into turns quicker, and it also offers more grip. “Our tires won’t be that different from what we used at last month’s tests. The range of tires we bring to the race will be based on the data we got from those tests and adapted according to the weather conditions we can expect at Jerez in late March. Tire behavior changes a lot at Jerez according to the conditions, so we need to be ready for that. “The new tire rules require the riders, the teams and ourselves to carefully consider tire strategy at each race. Riders are now limited to 14 front slicks and 17 rear slicks, but in fact not all those tires will be focused on the expected conditions because we also have to make sure that riders have something to use if conditions are much hotter or much colder than expected. That’s why strategy becomes very important with these new rules, and everybody has to deal with that. Each rider has to consider that the more different tires he has, the less tires he’ll have of each type, and so on.” MICHELIN IN SPAIN Michelin has a big manufacturing presence in Spain. About 9000 people work for Michelin in the country, many of them at the massive Lasarte factory that manufactures the majority of Michelin motorcycle tires used around the world. Michelin MotoGP tires are still produced at the company’s Clermont-Ferrand HQ in France. JEREZ TRACK DATA Jerez: 4.423km/2.748 miles Lap record: 1:41.248, 157.265km/h/98.915mph (2006 – Lap 2) Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici) 2006 Jerez results 1. Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici), 45:57.733 2. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin), + 4.375 3. Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin), + 9.996 Pole position 2006: 1:39.064, 160.732km/h/99.895mph Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici) RECENTS WINNERS OF SPANISH GP 2006 Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP6), 45:57.733 2005 Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin), 45:43.156 2004 Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V-Michelin), 47:16.145 (wet race) 2003 Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V-Michelin), 46:50.345 2002 Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V-Michelin), 46:51.843 2001 Valentino Rossi (Nastro Azzurro Honda NSR500-Michelin), 47:15.126 2000 Kenny Roberts (Telefonica Movistar Suzuki-Michelin), 45:52.311 (rain affected, one lap less) 1999 Alex Crivillé (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:38.667 1998 Alex Crivillé (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:21.522 1997 Alex Crivillé (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:30.624 1996 Mick Doohan (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:28.064 MICHELIN’S 2007 MOTOGP RIDERS IN JEREZ 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 Junior (Team Roberts KR212V-Michelin) Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin)

Ducati Corse Previews Next Weekend’s MotoGP Race At Jerez

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Spanish GP – Preview DUCATI MARLBORO MEN AIM TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM The Ducati Marlboro Team goes to Jerez aiming to maintain momentum following Casey Stoner’s awesome maiden MotoGP victory at the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix on March 10. Last year’s Jerez winner Loris Capirossi was out of luck at Losail but is confident he will be back up front in Spain, round two of MotoGP’s longest-ever season. Stoner and his Bridgestone-equipped Desmosedici GP7 stunned with their speed at Losail, proving the success of the team’s 800cc winter development programme. Both the Australian and Capirossi tested at Jerez last month and will make use of the lessons learned during that session to help them achieve the best possible result in Sunday’s race. Jerez is one of the most popular events on the MotoGP calendar, regularly attracting weekend crowds in excess of 200,000. LIVIO SUPPO, Ducati MotoGP project manager “It’s great to start the season with a win, just as we did last year, but we must keep our feet on the ground. It’s a long season and it won’t always be so easy. It was especially satisfying to start the 800cc era with victory, the same way we ended the 990 era; it proves that we are doing a good job. I’m really happy for Casey because scoring your debut MotoGP victory on a new bike and new tyres isn’t easy. He was fast and smart at Losail, and he rode the fastest lap of the race on the last lap, proving he had everything under control and is physically very strong. Loris’ crash was a pity, he didn’t make one mistake all last season and mistakes happen in racing. We are sure he would’ve been on the podium if he hadn’t crashed.” CASEY STONER, World Championship leader, 25 points “We go to Jerez in pretty good mood after the win. I’m so happy with the team and everything, and I feel like we’ll get stronger as I get more used to the strengths of the Ducati and the Bridgestones. Qatar was perfect – I was able to set my own pace throughout the race, not pushing too much. At Jerez I always seem to do reasonably well, never that great, but we’ll see how things pan out this time. Around a lot of the track you need a quick-turning bike, so you can enter the corners quick and get on the gas quick. And you need a bike with good acceleration too. The other thing about Jerez is the first corner – it’s always quite scary. The atmosphere is great, you really feel it during the build-up to the race but once the racing starts you just concentrate on the job in hand.” LORIS CAPIROSSI, World Championship ranking: no score “My crash is already well behind me and I’m really looking forward to Jerez. The tests we did there last month were very important to understand our 2007 package, especially since the tests there at the end of last year didn’t go so well. With the information we learned in February we hope to be able to make some good decisions for the race. The GP7 feels very good around Jerez, it’s a little easier to ride than last year’s GP6 – more agile and more stable on the brakes. Jerez is also good for Bridgestone, as our 2006 win proved. It’s a good track, nice to ride and very technical. To go quick you need a well-balanced bike and a good front end because you need confidence to attack the fast corners.” THE TRACK Constructed in 1986, Jerez hosted its first Grand Prix the following year and has remained on the World Championship calendar ever since. Most riders love the Andalucian venue because it rewards rider talent. Many of the circuit’s 13 corners flow into one another, placing the emphasis on smooth, neat riding and stable, all-round machine performance. The circuit character places particular emphasis on front-tyre grip, though the many slow-speed turns also require MotoGP riders to control wheelspin as they power out of the corners. Five years ago the track underwent resurfacing and total reconstruction of its infrastructure. JEREZ: 4.423km/2.748 miles Lap record: Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team), 1m 41.248s, 157.265kmh/98.915mph (2006) Pole position 2006: Loris Capirossi, (Ducati Marlboro Team), 1m 39.064s (2006) DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM RIDER DATA LOGS LORIS CAPIROSSI Age: 33 (born 4 April 1973) Lives: Monaco Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP7 GP starts: 249 (79xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125) GP victories: 28 (6xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125) First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125) First GP: Japan, 1990 (125) Pole positions: 41 (8xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125) First pole: Australia, 1991 (125) World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998) Jerez 2006 results: Grid: pole. Race: 1st CASEY STONER Age: 21 (born 16 October 16 1985) Lives: Monaco Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP7 GP starts: 78 (17xMotoGP, 31×250, 30×125) GP victories: 8 (1xMotoGP, 5×250, 2×125) First GP victory: Valencia, 2003 (125) First GP: Britain, 2001 (125) Pole positions: 5 (1xMotoGP, 2×250, 2×125) First pole: Italy, 2003 (125) Jerez 2006 results: Grid: 15th. Race: 6th

USGPRU 125s Added To Road Atlanta AMA National

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USGPRU Added to Road Atlanta AMA Weekend Schedule ODENTON, MD The United States Grand Prix Racers Union (USGPRU) has been added as a support class at the AMA Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Makita, Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Road Atlanta. The 125 Grand Prix National ChampionshipTM race at Road Atlanta will be the penultimate round of the 13-race USGPRU season. This truly Grand Prix race series has proven to be a great training ground for the youth racers to learn from some of the best racers in the country. Additionally, it allows these racers to showcase their skills and potential to the national teams they hope to ride for some day. “The already spectacular USGPRU season just got a lot more interesting,” said USGPRU President Stewart Aitken-Cade. “I’m extremely happy that the staff at Road Atlanta and AMA Racing are in support of us for this event. “The 125s will complement the normal AMA program very well as our bikes may sound and look different, but the racing will be just as exciting. The extreme elevation changes and ultra-technical sections of the freshly paved Road Atlanta will certainly push our young racers’ skills to the limit. I think the fans will really get a kick out of how amazing these young racers are and how fast they can get these little GP machines to go around the Road Atlanta circuit.” “We are excited to have the USGPRU as part of the Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Makita,” said Road Atlanta General Manager Brian Skuza. “This will provide extra entertainment for our fans, and will give these young riders the opportunity to compete in the national spotlight before a tremendous crowd.” This will mark the second time the USGPRU will run as part of an AMA-sanctioned weekend in 2007. The 125 Grand Prix National ChampionshipTM will also race at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah in June. For more information about the 125 Grand Prix National ChampionshipTM or to register for the event, visit www.USGPRU.net. Tickets for the Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Makita are now on sale online at www.roadatlanta.com or by calling 800-849-RACE.

Caylor, West, and Batey Top WERA/AMA National Challenge Qualifying At Roebling

Chris “Opie” Caylor shined by securing pole position in two classes during Friday qualifying for the opening round of the WERA/AMA National Challenge Series at Roebling Road Raceway located near Faulkville, Georgia.

Overnight showers soaked the track, prompting many riders to skip morning practice. The track dried up just before lunchtime, allowing riders to get only one dry practice session in before it was time for qualifying.

The first WERA/AMA pole position qualifying session of the 2007 season–for 600cc Superstock–went to Cory West, who turned a 1:14.323 aboard his Pirelli-shod Team Hunter YZF-R6. Second spot on the grid went to local hero James Chance III with Caylor third. Dane Westby completed the front row.

Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey nipped Caylor for pole in the Formula 1 class, turning a 1:13.354 to Caylor’s 1:13.433. Rookie Expert Robert Wilkey used a tow from Caylor to move into third on the grid at 1:13.634, while West put his YZF-R6 in the final front-row position with a 1:13.865.

In 750cc Superstock qualifying, Caylor turned a 1:13.722 aboard his GSX-R750 to secure pole ahead of Chance with Vesrah Suzuki’s John Jacobi and Lee Acree third and fourth.

Caylor’s second pole of the day came in the Open Superstock class. Caylor turned a 1:13.029 to edge out Tray Batey’s 1:13.122. Canadian Clint McBain secured third position on the grid at 1:13.699 with Robert Wilkey filling the final front row starting spot with a 1:14.222.

Qualifying Times

600cc Superstock Expert 1. Cory West(Yam YZF-R6) 1:14.323 2. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R600) 1:14.421 3. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R600) 1:14.436 4. Dane Westby (Yam YZF-R6) 1:14.858 5. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.319 6. Trey Yonce (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.330 7. Mark Junge (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.373 8. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.618 9. Joshua Day (Yam YZF-R6) 1:15.691 10. Daniel Parkerson (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.765

Formula 1 Expert 1. Tray Batey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.354 2. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.433 3. Robert Wilkey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.634 4. Cory West (Yam YZF-R6) 1:13.865 5. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.099 6. Mark Junge (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.418 7. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.493 8. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.497 9. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.516 10. John Jacobi (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:15.184

750cc Superstock Expert 1. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R750) 1:13.722 2. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R750) 1:13.929 3. John Jacobi (Suz GSX-R600) 1:14.432 4. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.602 5. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.659 6. Keith Marshall (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.518 7. Daniel Parkerson (Suz GSX-R600) 1:15.594 8. Skip Salenius (Suz GSX-R600) 1:16.112 9. Chad Lewin (Suz GSX-R600) 1:16.222 10. Byron Barber (Suz GSX-R600) 1:16.390

Open Superstock Expert 1. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.029 2. Tray Batey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.122 3. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:13.699 4. Robert Wilkey (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.222 5. Mark Junge (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.338 6. Robert Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.341 7. James Stroud (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.428 8. John Jacobi (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.478 9. James Chance III (Suz GSX-R750) 1:14.571 10. Lee Acree (Suz GSX-R1000) 1:14.571

Foremost Insurance Launches Campaign Aimed At “Outdoor Lifestyle Niche Market”

GRAND RAPIDS, MI Foremost Insurance, a leading insurer of outdoor specialty lines products including motorcycles, off-road vehicles, motor homes, travel trailers, snowmobiles, boats and personal watercraft got its start in 1952. The company has developed its expertise in the outdoor market ever since. With the launch of a new campaign dedicated to insurance for outdoor enthusiasts and their gear, the company stakes an all new claim on the outdoor lifestyle niche market. “Our understanding of the market cross over and the unique insurance needs of this market makes us the perfect company to serve it as a whole,” said Randy Slotten, Director, Foremost Independent Agent Direct Marketing. “Assisting our agents in marketing to outdoor enthusiasts through this campaign helps agents fully serve the outdoor product cross over markets.” Research supports the market cross over theory. Over one in five RV owners also own a boat, a similar percentage own a motorcycle or ATV. Over half of the dirt bike owners surveyed reported they regularly go camping. Nearly one third of personal watercraft owners also take part in power boating. The bottom line customers who seek to insure one outdoor vehicle, like a motorcycle, boat or RV are likely to pursue activities that include other outdoor vehicles. Agents can grow their business by tapping into this market segment and putting Foremost’s research and experience to work for them by recommending Foremost coverage to their customers with outdoor products. Aside from covering the outdoor vehicle itself, Foremost offers coverage for things like safety apparel, optional equipment, after-market parts and accessories, personal property, fishing and watersports gear, even towing and assistance. With an overall “Go Ahead. Get Outdoors.” theme, the campaign will include a new website. ForemostOutdoors.com, will serve as an information portal for the company’s outdoor product insurance offerings. The campaign will also include new marketing materials, print and web advertising, and more to support the unique lifestyle of outdoor enthusiasts and the activities they choose. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, Foremost Insurance Company is a leading specialty personal lines insurer. Foremost insures the range of outdoor products, as well as mobile homes, rental and vacant properties, landlord properties and collectible cars. Go ahead, visit www.ForemostOutdoors.com or www.foremost.com to take a closer look.

More On Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s Plans To Ease Crowd Congestion At U.S.G.P.

MORE BUSES & LOADING STATIONS FOR FREE RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX SPECTATOR SHUTTLE SHUTTLE PLAN HIGHLIGHTS – Continuation of free spectator shuttle system and free on-site motorcycle parking – Additional spectator shuttle buses and loading stations to ease congestion – Miller Event Management hired to manage shuttle system and on-site parking and traffic control – Additional free local public bus service (MST) throughout Monterey County – AMA Superbike race scheduled after Sunday’s MotoGP race to stagger crowd exit – Track crossings between Sunday’s MotoGP and AMA Superbike races to ease bridge congestion MONTEREY, Calif. (March 16, 2007) The free spectator shuttle system for the 2007 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix features a significant increase in the number of buses and loading stations at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to improve the exiting of fans during the MotoGP World Championship race July 20-22. As previously announced, Miller Event Management, an industry leader in spectator management, will coordinate all aspects of the improved shuttle system, as well as on-site traffic and parking. As in 2006, at-track parking will be limited and the free off-site shuttle bus system will be operating from California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), located just north of Monterey off of Highway 1 at the 12th Ave exit in Marina. Refinements to the shuttle plan for 2007 include the hiring of Miller Event Management, a 30% increase in shuttle buses for exiting and a minimum of 21 loading stations operating to increase the efficiency of the shuttle system at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Upon arrival at CSUMB, spectators will load onto either the “A” or “B” shuttle, based on their location in the parking lot. At the end of the day, fans will board their respective “A” or “B” shuttles at separate points at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, thereby reducing the number of spectators leaving from any one location. The “A” shuttle will pick-up and drop-off at the traditional Purple Parking area (formerly Wolf Hill), with the “B” shuttle pick-up located just beyond the Red Bull Energy Center in what is designated Red Parking 8A. Other aspects of the traffic and parking plan remain for 2007: – Motorcyclists will again be provided free on-site parking at Purple Parking. Motorcyclists will enter/exit at Barloy Canyon Road, located off Reservation Road in Marina. – A limited number of general public on-site parking passes for Purple Parking are available through the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca ticket office at a weekend price of $50. These passes are available for advance purchase only. – Free Monterey Salinas Transit (MST) bus service will be available from throughout Monterey County. MST is increasing bus service by 30% for the weekend. Details at www.mst.org. Additionally, the AMA Superbike race is being moved from Saturday to Sunday afternoon, following the MotoGP race in an effort to stagger Sunday’s exiting crowd. Track crossings are scheduled to take place between the two races in order to ease pedestrian bridge congestion for fans exiting the circuit. “Coordinating the transportation of 47,000 people in and out of this facility is a massive undertaking,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “With our limited access points, the off-site spectator shuttle is the most efficient system. In 2006, we had a good plan but miscommunication on the execution resulted in the early exit of campers from the turn 11 area, which in turn clogged the access roads for the shuttle buses. If not for that, the shuttle system would have worked much, much better. We’ve addressed the communications issue by putting Miller Event Management in charge of all on-site aspects of the shuttle, traffic control and parking.” “From Dorna’s point of view, it’s great news that Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca have discussed long and hard with all the involved parties, learning from last year’s plans and dedicating even more time and effort into ensuring that their spectators are well looked after when entering and exiting the track,” said Javier Alonso, Managing Director of Dorna Sports. “The racing experience is not only about the thrilling action on track, but also about everything that surrounds the event and as such we are happy with the plans that have been drawn up to improve this situation for fans visiting the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. I’m sure that it will be another very successful event.” Tickets are on sale now for the 2007 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, featuring the MotoGP World Championship. Race and ticket information is available at www.redbullusgp.com and www.laguna-seca.com, or by calling (800) 327-SECA. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was built in 1957 and has been operated since its inception by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP). SCRAMP is a not-for-profit corporation that donates net proceeds from each race season to the volunteer organizations that help put on the events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Last season alone, SCRAMP donated over $400,000 to local charities and civic organizations. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2007 with a world-class racing schedule including the U.S. Sports Car Invitational featuring the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series May 18-20, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 20-22, the 34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races presented by Toyota August 17-19, the AMA Superbike Championship September 15-16 and the Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series October 19-21.

American Nicky Moore Confirmed In Superstock 1000cc FIM Cup

Superstock 1000cc FIM Cup Coupe FIM Superstock 1000cc 2007 Permanent Entry List Start Number, Rider, Nationality, Machine, Team 71 Claudio Corti ITA Yamaha YZF R1 Team Lorenzini by Leoni 51 Michele Pirro ITA Yamaha YZF R1 Team Lorenzini by Leoni 19 Xavier Simeon BEL Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra 37 Raffaele Felice ITA Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Celani Team Suzuki Italia 3 Mark Aitchison AUS Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Celani Team Suzuki Italia 49 Arne Tode GER Honda CBR 1000RR Racing Dirk Van Mol Alpha Technik/Van Zon 59 Nicolo Canepa ITA Ducati 1098S Ducati Xerox Junior Team 155 Brendan Roberts AUS Ducati 1098S Ducati Xerox Junior Team 77 Barry Burrel GBR Honda CBR 1000RR MS Racing 96 Matej Smrz CZE Honda CBR 1000RR MS Racing 5 Bram Appelo NED Honda CBR 1000RR EAB Ten Kate Racing Team 11 Dennis Sacchetti ITA MV Agusta Gimotorsport 99 Danilo Dell’Omo ITA MV Agusta Gimotorsport 24 Marko Jerman SLO Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 DBR Racing Team 23 Cedric Tangre FRA Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 DBR Racing Team 56 Daniel Sutter SUI Yamaha YZF R1 Peko Racing 18 Matt Bond GBR Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Mist Suzuki 21 Wim Van Den Broeck BEL Yamaha YZF R1 Team Zone Rouge 55 Olivier Depoorter BEL Yamaha YZF R1 Team Zone Rouge 86 Ayrton Badovini ITA MV Agusta Biassono Racing Team 10 Franck Millet ITA MV Agusta Biassono Racing Team 33 Marko Rohtlaan EST Honda CBR 1000RR Azione Corse 57 Ilario Dionisi ITA Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Team Cruciani Moto Suzuki Italia 29 Niccolo Rosso ITA Ducati 1098S Team Sterilgarda 14 Lorenzo Baroni ITA Ducati 1098S Team Sterilgarda 16 Raymond Schouten NED Yamaha YZF R1 VD Heyden Motors/Yamaha Team 44 Rene Mahr GER Yamaha YZF R1 VD Heyden Motors/Yamaha Team 4 Loic Napoleone FRA MV Agusta EVR Corse 83 Didier Van Keymeulen BEL Yamaha YZF R1 TTSL-MGM Racing 25 Dario Giusepetti GER Yamaha YZF R1 MGM Racing-performance 88 Timo Gieseler GER Yamaha YZF R1 MGM Racing-performance 32 Sheridan Morais RSA Ducati 1098S Team Pedercini 28 Nicky Moore USA Ducati 1098S Team Pedercini 13 Viktor Kispataki HUN Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Full-Gas Racing Team 34 Balazs Nemeth HUN Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 Full-Gas Racing Team 15 Matteo Baiocco ITA Yamaha YZF R1 Umbria Bkie 42 Leonardo Biliotti Leuthe GER MV Agusta Billi”¦ssimi Race 75 Luka Nedog SLO Ducati 1098S Team Ducati SC Caracchi

NPR Ducati Grand Opening To Be Held This Weekend In Georgia

NPR DUCATI GRAND OPENING WEEKEND Georgia’s newest Ducati dealership, NPR Ducati, ushers in the 2007 summer season with a monumental Grand Opening Weekend beginning this Friday, March 16 at 6:00pm and continuing through Sunday, March 18. The NPR Ducati Grand Opening will feature food and drink, the always exciting Ducati North America Fashion Show, Ducati North America’s Duc Truck demo fleet, specialty bike displays including the 1098 S Tricolore, Hypermotard 1100 and some surprise bike appearances, and much more. The NPR Grand Opening marks the inaugural appearance of the 2007 Duc Truck demo fleet and, combined with NPR Ducati’s dealer bikes, is a great chance to experience Ducati’s amazing 2007 model lineup. Demo rides will cover some of North Georgia’s most beautiful country roads and will take advantage of the near-perfect weather forecasted for the weekend. For more information, please contact: NPR Ducati 1461 Greensboro Hwy Watkinsville, GA 30677 706-310-0002 www.nprducati.com

Alabama Motorsports Park Retains International Firm To Consult On Design Of FIA-spec, Motorcycle-friendly Road Course

PLANNING CONTINUES FOR ALABAMA MOTORSPORTS PARK

Internationally renowned road course designer retained as consultant

MOBILE, AL Planning for the Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway continues. Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. investors have retained Apex Circuit Design Ltd (www.apexcircuitdesign.com) as a consultant for the road course. Apex is owned and operated by Clive Bowen.

Apex Circuit Design, based in the UK, is internationally respected and is an FIA-recognized motorsport circuit design consultancy. Apex specializes in the development of multi-revenue, commercially viable sports and leisure destinations, working in partnership with some of the World’s finest architects and engineers. Its motorsport projects include; the Dubai Autodrome (UAE), Ghazala Bay circuit (Egypt), Iceland MotoPark (Iceland), Hampton Downs Circuit (New Zealand) and the Sharjah street circuit (UAE). In addition, Apex are or have been contracted to provide master plan designs for Silverstone Circuit (UK), Rio Jacarepagua Circuit (Brazil), the Madras Motorsports Trust (India) and several other confidential projects yet to be publicized.

“This project embodies everything we know is required of a successful ‘destination.’ The investors are real estate specialists and developers who understand that we must create a place that appeals to everyone not just those with gasoline in their veins,” says Clive Bowen. “The plot is hilly and we’re going to create a race track that is exciting, beautiful and one that offers a European style of racing challenge.”

The road course and its design will utilize as much of the natural topography as possible to create a visibly exciting and technically challenging race track. At 3.3 miles in length, as an FIA Category 2 status circuit, it will be suitable for many international forms of motorsport road racing, and all forms of motorcycle racing. It will share the paddock facility with an adjacent ¼-mile drag strip and create the heart of the motorsports location, close to entertainment, dining and merchandising areas. Apex will also consult on the design of the drag strip.

Bowen and his team have included a ¾-mile karting circuit within the road course that will be suitable for public and private events, inclusive of racing activities for recreational usage to championship events.

Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway is a property of Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. The entertainment complex is planned to house four racing venues, retail shopping, restaurants, an RV resort, and other venues such as music theaters. The investors plan to open the complex for racing in the fall of 2009 and to be fully operational in 2010.

Recent Wedding

CCS Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Unlimited Superbike Amateur Champion David Zylberberg married Bonnie Graber March 3 on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten.

Michelin: New MotoGP Tire Restrictions Emphasize Strategy On Race Weekends

MICHELIN MEN AIM TO TURN RECORD-BREAKING TESTING PACE INTO JEREZ VICTORY Michelin riders will be out to score their first victory of the year at Jerez, the second race of MotoGP’s first 800cc season. In Qatar two weeks ago former World Champion Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) finished a close second, while Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC212V-Michelin) won a fierce duel for third place. The two Michelin men have high hopes of success on March 25 because they dominated last month’s preseason Jerez tests, lap record holder Rossi riding the fastest-ever lap of the Andalusian circuit, a fraction ahead of local hero Pedrosa. Colin Edwards (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) and reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda Team RC212V-Michelin) completed the French tire brand’s domination of the event with third and fourth fastest lap times. Michelin has won all but one of the 20 premier-class races held at Jerez since the track hosted its first GP in 1987, including the fastest-ever Jerez race in 2005. The company was beaten at the circuit for the first time last year and is determined to avenge that defeat this weekend – just as it returned to its winning ways at Sepang last September after suffering a rare defeat at the Malaysian track in 2005. MICHELIN & THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGE OF JEREZ “Jerez is quite interesting from a layout point of view,” says Jean-Philippe Weber, Michelin’s director of motorcycle racing. “It’s quite symmetrical but you need a lot of traction from the rear tire and good handling from the front. We tested there only last month which is always a help. “The tarmac is quite old [Jerez was last resurfaced during the winter of 2001/2002] and it gets used a lot for F1 testing which has a big effect on the surface. The tarmac changed a lot from 2005 to last year and has changed some more since then; it’s quite worn now so it isn’t so aggressive on tires. “Riders need a lot of traction exiting all the corners, and good handling from the front is also very important. It’s one of the tracks we visited twice during the winter and we were able to see how our new 16-inch front really helped our riders. We also saw a big improvement in the tire from the November tests to the Jerez session. The 16 offers several positives it allows riders to go deeper into corners on the brakes, it gives better handling, allowing riders to flick into turns quicker, and it also offers more grip. “Our tires won’t be that different from what we used at last month’s tests. The range of tires we bring to the race will be based on the data we got from those tests and adapted according to the weather conditions we can expect at Jerez in late March. Tire behavior changes a lot at Jerez according to the conditions, so we need to be ready for that. “The new tire rules require the riders, the teams and ourselves to carefully consider tire strategy at each race. Riders are now limited to 14 front slicks and 17 rear slicks, but in fact not all those tires will be focused on the expected conditions because we also have to make sure that riders have something to use if conditions are much hotter or much colder than expected. That’s why strategy becomes very important with these new rules, and everybody has to deal with that. Each rider has to consider that the more different tires he has, the less tires he’ll have of each type, and so on.” MICHELIN IN SPAIN Michelin has a big manufacturing presence in Spain. About 9000 people work for Michelin in the country, many of them at the massive Lasarte factory that manufactures the majority of Michelin motorcycle tires used around the world. Michelin MotoGP tires are still produced at the company’s Clermont-Ferrand HQ in France. JEREZ TRACK DATA Jerez: 4.423km/2.748 miles Lap record: 1:41.248, 157.265km/h/98.915mph (2006 – Lap 2) Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici) 2006 Jerez results 1. Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici), 45:57.733 2. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin), + 4.375 3. Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin), + 9.996 Pole position 2006: 1:39.064, 160.732km/h/99.895mph Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici) RECENTS WINNERS OF SPANISH GP 2006 Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP6), 45:57.733 2005 Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin), 45:43.156 2004 Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V-Michelin), 47:16.145 (wet race) 2003 Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V-Michelin), 46:50.345 2002 Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V-Michelin), 46:51.843 2001 Valentino Rossi (Nastro Azzurro Honda NSR500-Michelin), 47:15.126 2000 Kenny Roberts (Telefonica Movistar Suzuki-Michelin), 45:52.311 (rain affected, one lap less) 1999 Alex Crivillé (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:38.667 1998 Alex Crivillé (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:21.522 1997 Alex Crivillé (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:30.624 1996 Mick Doohan (Repsol Honda-Michelin), 47:28.064 MICHELIN’S 2007 MOTOGP RIDERS IN JEREZ 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 Junior (Team Roberts KR212V-Michelin) Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin)

Ducati Corse Previews Next Weekend’s MotoGP Race At Jerez

Spanish GP – Preview DUCATI MARLBORO MEN AIM TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM The Ducati Marlboro Team goes to Jerez aiming to maintain momentum following Casey Stoner’s awesome maiden MotoGP victory at the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix on March 10. Last year’s Jerez winner Loris Capirossi was out of luck at Losail but is confident he will be back up front in Spain, round two of MotoGP’s longest-ever season. Stoner and his Bridgestone-equipped Desmosedici GP7 stunned with their speed at Losail, proving the success of the team’s 800cc winter development programme. Both the Australian and Capirossi tested at Jerez last month and will make use of the lessons learned during that session to help them achieve the best possible result in Sunday’s race. Jerez is one of the most popular events on the MotoGP calendar, regularly attracting weekend crowds in excess of 200,000. LIVIO SUPPO, Ducati MotoGP project manager “It’s great to start the season with a win, just as we did last year, but we must keep our feet on the ground. It’s a long season and it won’t always be so easy. It was especially satisfying to start the 800cc era with victory, the same way we ended the 990 era; it proves that we are doing a good job. I’m really happy for Casey because scoring your debut MotoGP victory on a new bike and new tyres isn’t easy. He was fast and smart at Losail, and he rode the fastest lap of the race on the last lap, proving he had everything under control and is physically very strong. Loris’ crash was a pity, he didn’t make one mistake all last season and mistakes happen in racing. We are sure he would’ve been on the podium if he hadn’t crashed.” CASEY STONER, World Championship leader, 25 points “We go to Jerez in pretty good mood after the win. I’m so happy with the team and everything, and I feel like we’ll get stronger as I get more used to the strengths of the Ducati and the Bridgestones. Qatar was perfect – I was able to set my own pace throughout the race, not pushing too much. At Jerez I always seem to do reasonably well, never that great, but we’ll see how things pan out this time. Around a lot of the track you need a quick-turning bike, so you can enter the corners quick and get on the gas quick. And you need a bike with good acceleration too. The other thing about Jerez is the first corner – it’s always quite scary. The atmosphere is great, you really feel it during the build-up to the race but once the racing starts you just concentrate on the job in hand.” LORIS CAPIROSSI, World Championship ranking: no score “My crash is already well behind me and I’m really looking forward to Jerez. The tests we did there last month were very important to understand our 2007 package, especially since the tests there at the end of last year didn’t go so well. With the information we learned in February we hope to be able to make some good decisions for the race. The GP7 feels very good around Jerez, it’s a little easier to ride than last year’s GP6 – more agile and more stable on the brakes. Jerez is also good for Bridgestone, as our 2006 win proved. It’s a good track, nice to ride and very technical. To go quick you need a well-balanced bike and a good front end because you need confidence to attack the fast corners.” THE TRACK Constructed in 1986, Jerez hosted its first Grand Prix the following year and has remained on the World Championship calendar ever since. Most riders love the Andalucian venue because it rewards rider talent. Many of the circuit’s 13 corners flow into one another, placing the emphasis on smooth, neat riding and stable, all-round machine performance. The circuit character places particular emphasis on front-tyre grip, though the many slow-speed turns also require MotoGP riders to control wheelspin as they power out of the corners. Five years ago the track underwent resurfacing and total reconstruction of its infrastructure. JEREZ: 4.423km/2.748 miles Lap record: Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team), 1m 41.248s, 157.265kmh/98.915mph (2006) Pole position 2006: Loris Capirossi, (Ducati Marlboro Team), 1m 39.064s (2006) DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM RIDER DATA LOGS LORIS CAPIROSSI Age: 33 (born 4 April 1973) Lives: Monaco Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP7 GP starts: 249 (79xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125) GP victories: 28 (6xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125) First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125) First GP: Japan, 1990 (125) Pole positions: 41 (8xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125) First pole: Australia, 1991 (125) World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998) Jerez 2006 results: Grid: pole. Race: 1st CASEY STONER Age: 21 (born 16 October 16 1985) Lives: Monaco Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP7 GP starts: 78 (17xMotoGP, 31×250, 30×125) GP victories: 8 (1xMotoGP, 5×250, 2×125) First GP victory: Valencia, 2003 (125) First GP: Britain, 2001 (125) Pole positions: 5 (1xMotoGP, 2×250, 2×125) First pole: Italy, 2003 (125) Jerez 2006 results: Grid: 15th. Race: 6th

USGPRU 125s Added To Road Atlanta AMA National

USGPRU Added to Road Atlanta AMA Weekend Schedule ODENTON, MD The United States Grand Prix Racers Union (USGPRU) has been added as a support class at the AMA Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Makita, Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Road Atlanta. The 125 Grand Prix National ChampionshipTM race at Road Atlanta will be the penultimate round of the 13-race USGPRU season. This truly Grand Prix race series has proven to be a great training ground for the youth racers to learn from some of the best racers in the country. Additionally, it allows these racers to showcase their skills and potential to the national teams they hope to ride for some day. “The already spectacular USGPRU season just got a lot more interesting,” said USGPRU President Stewart Aitken-Cade. “I’m extremely happy that the staff at Road Atlanta and AMA Racing are in support of us for this event. “The 125s will complement the normal AMA program very well as our bikes may sound and look different, but the racing will be just as exciting. The extreme elevation changes and ultra-technical sections of the freshly paved Road Atlanta will certainly push our young racers’ skills to the limit. I think the fans will really get a kick out of how amazing these young racers are and how fast they can get these little GP machines to go around the Road Atlanta circuit.” “We are excited to have the USGPRU as part of the Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Makita,” said Road Atlanta General Manager Brian Skuza. “This will provide extra entertainment for our fans, and will give these young riders the opportunity to compete in the national spotlight before a tremendous crowd.” This will mark the second time the USGPRU will run as part of an AMA-sanctioned weekend in 2007. The 125 Grand Prix National ChampionshipTM will also race at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah in June. For more information about the 125 Grand Prix National ChampionshipTM or to register for the event, visit www.USGPRU.net. Tickets for the Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Makita are now on sale online at www.roadatlanta.com or by calling 800-849-RACE.