TOP TEN MOST OVERLOOKED SAFETY TIPS FOR NEW RIDERS Miami, FL UM (United Motors), the first full line powersports manufacturer in almost 30 years, has recognized that their line of lower displacement motorcycles and scooters appeal to new riders. In accordance, they have developed some often overlooked, yet very important safety tips for those who are new to the lifestyle. The following tips, when applied, may help to increase rider safety: 1. MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION COURSE If you are a new rider, it is important for you to gain a solid motorcycling foundation. This course can help provide the skills necessary to safely operate a motorcycle. Another added benefit to the courses that MSF offers is a likely discount on motorcycle insurance rates. 2. EVALUATE THE ROAD TRAFFIC If you are an inexperienced rider, and live in a highly populated area, ask a more experienced rider to escort you to a less populated area to practice your motorcycling skills with little or no distraction that comes from riding in a busy traffic area. The physics involved in operating a motorcycle are much different than a car. Example: Many riders don’t know that you need to push, not pull, on the right handgrip to turn right and the left handgrip to turn left. 3. DON’T BE AFRAID OF YOUR FRONT BRAKE Front Brakes provide most of the stopping power on motorcycles and should be used in conjunction with the rear brakes in any stopping situation. Be sure to become familiar with the stopping power of the front brake in a controlled setting before using it on the open road. 4. BE SEEN Although you may look cool in black, at night you become invisible. When wearing a helmet, a piece of reflective tape on the back of your helmet can increase you visibility to others with whom you share the road. Also, reflective vests are readily available enhancing your visibility. 5. KEEP YOUR COOL Never let road rage affect you. A car or truck will win every time. If someone is tailgating you, pull over and let them pass. 6. CHOOSE YOUR TRAFFIC TIMING WISELY New riders should pick a time of day when traffic is at a minimum. Heading out for your first time on a bike into rush hour traffic can easily lead to an accident. Also avoid freeways until you gain quite a bit of motorcycling experience. 7. DON’T ASSUME Just because that car in front of you doesn’t have its turn signal on doesn’t mean it won’t get over in front of you. Additionally, even though the cars around you don’t use their turn signals, always use yours, and when riding with a passenger, have them use hand signals as an added safety measure. 8. DON’T TRY TO PREDICT No matter how loud your exhaust may be, don’t assume that the car next to you hears you, or even looks to see if you’re there! Most motorcycles are small enough to be completely hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Stay out of it, at all costs. 9. “IF YOU CAN’T SEE MY MIRRORS, I CAN’T SEE YOU” Use the same common sense when operating a motorcycle. If you can’t see the driver’s face in the rearview mirror in the car in front of you, chances are they can’t see you either. 10. “SPACE CUSHION” As you become more experienced and spend more time in traffic, always allow room for other people’s errors. By keeping a “space cushion” around you at all times, you allow yourself the room to take emergency evasive actions with reduced risk of increased injury or damage. “With the increase in motorcyclists in recent times, we thought it would be wise to help those who are new to the sport,” said UM President Juan Villegas. “There are a number of people taking to motorcycling for a myriad of reasons. By giving them some not so common tips, we are helping to increase road safety as well as greater enjoyment.” About UM [United Motors] Headquartered in Miami, FL, UM is the first full-line Powersports manufacturer in almost 30 years, offering Street, Dual Sport & Off Road Motorcycles, Scooters and ATV’s in displacements from 49cc to 650cc. The company currently boasts more than 600 full-line UM Dealerships and 17 Distributors throughout the world including three North American distribution centers. Family owned and operated with more than 50 years of experience in the transportation industry, UM is currently celebrating 10 years in the Powersports industry and operates with the UM corporate motto “UM: Start Riding.” UM is the top rated complementary line to any established industry franchised dealership today. UM is committed to the highest UM Dealer/Consumer satisfaction and stands far apart from the industry players with its industry-best three-year-warranty, significant “true” wholesale margins, private label HSBC Retail Financing, GE Dealer floor plans, Dealer demo programs, aggressive COOP Program, National Consumer advertising, realistic product pricing at MRSP, one of the best parts availabilities/fill rates at 94%+, and superior after sales support. UM designs all of its cutting-edge products and is involved in every step of the production process. UM also supports a complete quality assurance, engineering staff, production controls and R&D group throughout Asia.

Australia’s Robbie Bugden sealed a thrilling victory in the 2007 New Zealand Superbike Championship at Pukekohe Raceway on Sunday, the first Australian rider to secure the crown. Winning the first race of the final round, Bugden needed to finish the last race of the season ahead of main title challenger, New Zealand’s Andrew Stroud, to seal the series win. In a dramatic turn of events, Bugden was leading the final leg when he and fellow Australian Scott Charlton touched wheels which ran Bugden off the circuit. Miraculously Bugden remained upright and rejoined the track in front of New Zealand’s Suzuki hero Stroud where he remained to the chequered flag, registered a new lap record of 56.698 seconds around the 2.8km Pukekohe circuit. Piloting his GSX-R1000 Superbike to an historic victory, the laconic Queenslander was delighted with his triumph. “This is fantastic – it was a really tough day and I feel like I’ve aged about two years across the weekend, but it was well worth it,” Robbie Bugden said. “I had a strong finish to the 2006 season with Team Yoshimura Suzuki and the momentum carried through into the NZ series. I really appreciate Suzuki New Zealand’s invitation to race in the series and all the support they gave me. “Suzuki is so dominant in New Zealand road racing; GSX-R1000’s filled three of the top five places in this year’s Superbike championship.” The Aussie racer is looking to continue his winning ways back on home soil as he resumes his charge in the Australian Superbike competition in the double-header rounds two and three at Winton Raceway, Victoria this weekend. Final NZ Superbike Standings: 1. Robbie Bugden (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 197 points; 2 Andrew Stroud (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 190; 3 Scott Charlton 162; 4 Craig Shirriffs (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 126; 5 Chris Seaton 94.

James Gang Racing and Hoban Brothers Racing have joined forces to contest the second round of the MOTO-ST season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on April 13-14. James Gang Racing placed its Buell Firebolt XB12R on the GrandSport Twins podium in both the inaugural MOTO-ST 8 hours at Daytona in October and the season opening Daytona USA 300 in March. The James Gang/Hoban Brothers line up for the MOTO-ST 500K at Homestead-Miami Speedway will consist of veteran Buell racers Jeff Johnson and Paul James, crew chief Mike Kirkpatrick and tuner John Dahmer. “Mike and I have a solid MOTO-ST program going, and I’ve known and admired Jeff and John from Hoban Brothers for years. I think together we’re going to make a pretty formidable team for the MOTO-ST GrandSports Twins class at Homestead-Miami,” said James Gang Racing’s Paul James. “I’m extremely excited about Hoban Brothers Racing and James Gang Racing working together in a new series with so much potential,” said John Dahmer of Hoban Brothers. “The MOTO-ST series is all about teamwork. And by combining the extensive Buell racing experience of Hoban Brothers with the successful endurance background of James Gang Racing, I think we have a great team.” For 2007 MOTO-ST sponsorship opportunities with the James Gang/Hoban Brothers team, please email [email protected].

Sport Bike Night benefit event a success. I would like to thank those who supported our Sport Bike Night benefit event in Vacaville on February 27th. Even in pouring rain, over 150 people attended our 2007 Alpinestars Fashion Show and benefit for injured Attack Kawasaki crew member Tom Sharp. Tommy was injured in a pit accident over a month ago at Fontana, suffering a serious head injury. After two weeks in a Colton hospital, Tommy was stabilized enough to be flown home to Kaiser Hospital in Sacramento. Although it was touch and go for awhile, I am happy to report that Tom is now walking with assistance. He is still unable to speak at the moment but is making progress with each day. He should be transferred any day to a rehabilitation facility in Vallejo that specializes in Traumatic Brain Injuries. With Tom unable to work it was clear that Sherry and their family needed help. With the assistance of Alpinestars USA, we quickly put together a benefit event. There were many who were not aware of his accident or who had never met Tom, they only knew that a fellow motorcyclist needed support. I would like to thank Alpinestars USA, Terry Newby at Sport Tire Services/Dunlop, Josh at Tigershark Racing/Pirelli, Kenny Norman Snap On Tools, Josh Hayes Erion Honda, Steve Rapp and Ben Attard Attack Kawasaki, Two Brothers Racing, Throttle Wear, Goodtimes Suzuki, PCP Motorsports, Folsom Cycles, Extreme Cycles, Suicycle Extreme, Kneeriders.com, Plush Racing, Nor Cal Chics, SBF Folsom, Rough Riders, Vallejo Cycles, Pacific Track Time, Track Dayz, RoadracingWorld, Steve Thinger Thor Motocross, GPR Stabilizers, Bennett Distributing, Audio to Go, Galfer Brakes, A&S Powersports and Red Bull. The crowd went crazy for the 2007 Alpinestars product line fashion show organized by Shaun Summers and Sara Walker of mysarawalker.com. In little over an hour we raised nearly $2000 that will go directly to Tom and Sherry Sharp. It was one of those evenings that made you proud to be part of the motorcycle community. Mike Summers Sport Bike Night www.sportbikenight.com Sacramento, California

FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: 50 year old Dave Vinson, long time associate and one of the founders of mini road racing in the Southern California area, passed away March 11, 2007 after suffering a heart attack while rock climbing. Many racers will remember Dave and DragonFire Racing for his help and support throughout the years. Funeral arrangements are pending. Al Lyons CMRRA Lake Elsinore, California

Harris confirms TT entry After months of speculation and doubt, New Zealand’s Shaun Harris has confirmed his entry for the 2007 Isle of Man TT Races and the popular Kiwi will be making his first return to the TT since he last rode there in 2004. A double winner in 2003, Harris had sponsorship and machinery all in place prior to Christmas only for the deal to fall through but he was determined to be back on the grid and has now secured machinery and support from Stewart Black of Black’s Bikeshop for whom he has ridden, and won, for on a number of occasions before. Speaking about the new deal, Harris commented: “At long last I’ve managed to secure the necessary support and machinery that will enable me to challenge at this year’s TT races and, having been forced to miss out these last couple of years, I can’t wait to get back out there! Stewart Black from Black’s Bikeshop is supporting me with a brand new K7 GSXR1000 Suzuki for the Superbike, Senior and Superstock races and although we will be using the same bike in all three races we will makes changes for the Superbike races fitting a Superbike-spec engine and electrics as well as Brembo brakes etc.” “The bike will be built by my regular crew chief and friend Kevin Stephens and Kevin will also be supplying me with a K6 GSXR600 Suzuki. We are currently in discussions with companies regarding sponsorship for this bike but it is a full World Supersport spec machine and there are no better parts to be put into or onto this machine – it really is that good.” “At this stage we have not finalised any tyre deals or other product support as the main focus is on securing a sponsor for the 600cc machine. We desperately need a backer to help us maintain it and it’s absolutely vital that we get someone on board to help not only cover our costs but also to make use of the bikes potential. If we get the necessary funding then I’ll be able to do it justice. I’m confident in both the bikes and my ability and will be giving it 100% to secure the best result possible.” Without question, it is great news for all concerned that Shaun will be back racing at the TT and having already taken 600cc and 1000cc Production race victories in 2003, he is clearly capable of challenging for honours. You can guarantee he will be right in the hunt and is yet another rider who the fancied runners will have to keep a keen eye on.

This just in, via e-mail: (Look at the photo and caption…)

CCS Racer Ross Pate married Jennifer Tate February 9, in Dobson, North Carolina.

IT’S OFFICIAL- CUDLIN TO YART IN 2007 Australia’s Damian Cudlin has confirmed he will contest the 2007 World Endurance Championship for the Yamaha Austria Racing Team. In what has been rumored for most of the off season, the move will see Cudlin join Frenchman Sebastian Scarnato and Slovenian Igor Jerman in the formidable YART squad. Speaking from his new base in Austria, Cudlin said “I’m really excited about riding for YART this year and I just can’t wait for the season to begin. I’ve known Mandy for a couple of years now and I really think I’ll fit in well with this team. They do the job at the race track whilst having a laugh along the way, which is the way I like it. My team mates are very fast, and YART is the strongest growing force in the WEC, so to be a part of this crew feels great. I’m sure I’m in for some good times and good results with YART in 2007.” Team Manager Mandy Kainz was also pleased to announce the signing of the young Aussie. “I’ve watched Damian for 3 years now and I saw his talent in the beginning. I believe he’s the best young talent in the WEC and his style fits in good with our team. He’s a good guy and a lot of fun, and I’m glad his riding our R1 this year as he’s very fast. I believe we have everything in place to fight for the championship.” Cudlin will make his debut with the Yamaha Austria Racing Team at the first official pre season test at Le Mans in France on the 21/22nd of March.