Lockhart-Phillips USA AMA Formula Xtreme Championship Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida March 7, 2007 Provisional Practice Times: 1. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.599 2. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.668 3. Steve Rapp (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.193 4. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.546 5. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.546 6. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.562 7. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.625 8. Larry Pegram (Duc 749R/848), 1:43.709 9. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.793 10. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.947 11. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.987 12. Chris Peris (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.634 13. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.768 14. Pascal Picotte (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.270 15. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:45.778 16. Eric Wood (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.066 17. Mark Crozier (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.449 18. Tony Meiring (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.822 19. Chad Herrmann (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.138 20. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.181 21. Scott Ryan (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.485 22. Keith Marshall (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.511 23. Chris Siglin (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.746 24. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600), 1:48.398 25. Matt Layt (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.201 26. Don Canet (Hon CBR600RR), 1:49.369 27. Reno Karimian (Suz GSX-R600), 1:49.463 28. Michael Pearson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.543 29. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.592 30. Bostjan Skubic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.639 31. Walt Sipp (Buell XB12R), 1:49.826 32. John Ashmead (Suz GSX-R600), 1:50.113 33. Steven Breckenridge (Tri Daytona 675), 1:50.198 34. Mark Schnettler (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.276 35. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:50.279 36. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.391 37. Dean Mizdal (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.524 38. Jason Temme (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.906 39. Jean Paul Tache (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.044 40. Darren James (Buell XB12R), 1:51.075 41. Skip Salenius (Suz GSX-R600), 1:51.282 42. Mike Luke (Suz GSX-R600), 1:51.606 43. David Sadowski, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.663 44. Craig Montgomery (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.688 45. Robert McLendon (Tri Daytona 675), 1:51.769 46. Eric Pinson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:52.009 47. Scott Ackerman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:52.536 48. Robert Oliva (Suz GSX-R600), 1:53.021 49. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R600), 1:53.135 50. Scotty Van Hawk (Hon CBR600RR), 1:53.410 51. Jessica Zalusky (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:53.799 52. Rhiannon Lucente (Suz GSX-R600), 1:54.853 53. Andy Hamblin (Buell XB12R), 1:58.252 More, from a press release issued by Pirelli: Pirelli bested the competition when the track opened for first AMA Practice at Daytona International Speedway, setting some of the fastest times during practice and qualifying. The top time in Wednesday morning’s AMA Superstock practice at Daytona was set by M4 EMGO Suzuki rider Geoff May, with a set of Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slicks. May set the pace on his 2007 GSX-R1000 with a lap time of 1:40.131 on the “AMA” configuration of the race course, with its modified infield and excluded west banking. The track was in excellent condition with a clear sky and an ambient temperature of high 70s. May’s top time was backed up by fellow Pirelli-rider Chris Ulrich, on his Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki GSX-R1000. Ulrich set the fourth fastest time of the session with a 1:41.828. Superstock qualifying was as exciting as a race, with pole position going in and out of Geoff May’s hands, on his Team M4 EMGO Suzuki-prepared GSX-R1000. With just over four minutes of qualifying remaining, May shot to the top of the times by three tenths of a second. By the time qualifying was over, May had secured second place on the grid. May said, “My fastest lap was awesome because everything worked so well and the tires hooked up perfectly. It was one of those special laps that seem so easy and smooth it’s shocking to see how fast the time really is. I pushed hard. It was great.” In the AMA Supersport class, Pirelli had super results with four riders in the top nine by the end of qualifying, all on DOT Diablo Supercorsa tires. Attack Kawasaki’s Ben Attard earned a front row position with the fourth-fastest time on his 2007 ZX-6R, using an SC0 rear compound and SC1 front. M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Michael Barnes was sixth on his GSX-R600, followed by Attard’s Attack Kawasaki teammate, Steve Rapp, in seventh, with M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Geoff May in ninth. Unfortunately for the competition, all of these riders set their grid times with Pirelli’s standard DOT Diablo Supercorsa; the same tire in everyway to the tire available to all racers nationwide. The fastest lap in Wednesday’s final Formula Xtreme practice was set by M4 EMGO Suzuki racer Michael Barnes, on a set of 16.5 inch Diablo Superbike Slicks. Barnes’ time of 1:42.599 was complemented by Attack Kawasaki rider Steve Rapp setting third fastest time at 1:43.193. The AMA Supersport and Superstock finals take place Thursday, with the Superbike and Formula Xtreme Daytona 200 races crowning the week on Saturday. More, from a press release issued by Team M4 EMGO Suzuki: FRONT ROW FOR MAY IN OPENING DAY OF 2007 SEASON Team M4 EMGO Suzuki opened their 2007 season with a powerful showing on Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway. The squad topped the leaderboards in two separate practice sessions and claimed a front row qualifying session to kick off the year. Georgian Geoff May set the fastest lap in the very first free practice of the new AMA season, laying down a 1:40.131 early in the day aboard his all-new ’07 GSX-R1000 Superstock machine. He came back later in the day to drop his mark to 1:38.661, claiming the second spot on the front row for tomorrow’s 14-lap Superstock final. Despite his stellar showing, May is confident that Thursday’s race results in the class may be even more impressive. May commented, “Today was a good day; we came out guns blazing. We’re going to be a factor this year and we’re not going to go away. “We didn’t have a qualifier here. We had a soft race tire that would go about six laps here, but that’s not really a qualifier. We needed something a little stickier on the left side than what we had, but I’m happy with where we qualified. We’re starting upfront and I can’t complain about that.” “It’s going to be a good race,” he continued. “The new Suzuki GSX-R1000 is an unbelievable bike and its capabilities are unreal. Pirelli really did their homework this offseason and we’re seeing better tire wear that we did last season. The tires are very consistent and they’re not falling off. I think the guys who are counting on us to fall off will be badly mistaken and surprised tomorrow in the race.” While May opened the day in fine fashion, teammate Michael Barnes took the honors in Wednesday’s final session. ‘Barney’ laid down a 1:42.599 while practicing in preparation of Saturday’s 66th running of the Daytona 200, the fastest lap of the session. In addition, May, Barnes, and team newcomer Michael Beck qualified all three of the team’s Pirelli-shod GSX-R600 Supersport racers in the top 15 for Thursday’s 22-lap Supersport final. Barnes will start the 100k event from the second row, qualifying sixth with a lap of 1:42.824. May will start a row back after clocking the ninth best time of the session (1:43.066), while youngster Beck will open his race from the fourth row, qualifying 15th overall with a time of 1:44.690. Thursday will be another full day for Team M4 EMGO Suzuki with Superbike and Formula Xtreme qualifying to set the grid for Saturday’s finals, followed by the Superstock and Supersport races to round out the afternoon.

AMA Superbike Championship Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida March 7, 2007 Provisional Practice Times: 1. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:38.296 2. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:38.690 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:38.965 4. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:39.141 5. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:39.331 6. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.469* 7. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:39.632 8. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:39.664 9. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R6), 1:39.708 10. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.878 11. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.473 12. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.213* 13. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:41.446 14. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.656 15. Martin Cardenas (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.759* 16. John Haner (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:42.120* 17. Luca Scassa (MV Agusta F4-1000R 312), 1:42.644 18. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:42.656* 19. Kurtis Roberts (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:43.173 20. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:43.598* 21. Matt Lynn (MV Agusta F4-1000R 312), 1:43.781 22. Doug Chandler (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:44.086 23. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:44.372* 24. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:45.092 25. Corey Sarros (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:45.652* 26. Dean Mizdal (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:46.870 27. Dominic Jones (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:47.136 28. Johnny Rock Page (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:49.707* 29. Chad Rolland (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:50.196 30. Brian Boyd (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:51.681 *Superstock bike

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking started off the defense of his AMA Supersport Championship by claiming pole position during qualifying Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway. “This feels really good,” said Hacking, who led all riders with a time of 1:41.801 on his Dunlop-equipped ZX-6R. “To come here with a new bike, a new team and a new crew and to get pole is just awesome.” Hacking’s teammate Roger Hayden was equally strong in the session and posted the second-quickest time of 1:41.868, a little off of his current lap record of 1:41.552. Roger Hayden’s oldest brother Tommy Hayden made a huge jump up the order late in the session and ended third with a time of 1:42.610 on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R600. Attack Kawasaki’s Ben Attard made it three new ZX-6Rs on the front row by recording a 1:42.699 on his Pirelli-shod machine. Celtic Racing’s Chaz Davies qualified fifth with a 1:42.800, just missing putting his privateer Yamaha YZF-R6 on the front row in his first visit to Daytona. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Michael Barnes turned the sixth-fastest qualifying time (1:42.824) on his Pirelli-fitted GSX-R600. Attard’s teammate Steve Rapp was seventh-fastest (1:43.002) in spite of having limited testing time on his new ZX-6R and Pirelli tires and an injured shoulder. Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes (1:43.016) grabbed the final spot on the second row and the honor of being the fastest Honda Supersport rider. Pro Honda Oils AMA Supersport Championship Presented By Shoei Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida March 7, 2007 Provisional Qualifying Results: 1. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:41.801 2. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:41.868 3. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.610 4. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:42.699 5. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:42.800 6. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.824 7. Steve Rapp (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.002 8. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.016 9. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.066 10. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.550 11. Chris Peris (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.649 12. Keith Marshall (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.670 13. Cory West (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.745 14. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.826 15. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.053 16. Michael Beck (Suz GSX-R600), 1:44.690 17. Jeff Wood (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.699 18. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.963 19. David Anthony (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.004 20. Gary Mason (Hon CBR600RR), 1:45.015 21. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.083 22. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.452 23. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.457 24. Mark Crozier (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.825 25. Gustavo Laya (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:45.876 26. Chris Siglin (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.883 27. Josh Day (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.949 28. Garrett Carter (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.116 29. Will Gruy (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.202 30. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.287 31. Jeff Tigert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.366 32. Doug Chandler (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.427 33. Matt Hall (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.571 34. Freddi Watz (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.724 35. Hawk Mazzotta (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.809 36. Pascal Picotte (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.809 37. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.825 38. Scott Greenwood (Yam Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.981 39. Darren Luck (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.107 40. Shea Fouchek (Hon CBR600RR), 1:47.301 41. David Sadowksi, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.467 42. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.581 43. Don Canet (Hon CBR600RR), 1:47.818 44. Bostjan Skubic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.883 45. Scott Ryan (Suz GSX-R600), 1:48.065 46. Bostjan Pintar (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.170 47. Taylor Knapp (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:48.466 48. Morgan Murphy (Suz GSX-R600), 1:48.675 49. Matt Layt (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.995 50. Reno Karimian (Suz GSX-R600), 1:49.176 51. Kenny Carlotta (Suz GSX-R600), 1:49.227 52. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.524 53. Michael Pearson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.559 54. Jason Temme (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.692 55. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R600), 1:49.946 56. Eric Pinson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.057 57. Dwayne Lang (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:50.116 58. Spencer Stuart (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.119 59. Skip Salenius (Suz GSX-R600), 1:50.393 60. Brian Gibbs (Suz GSX-R600), 1:51.357 61. Dirk Sanchez (Suz GSX-R600), 1:51.421 62. Ryan Clay (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.549 63. Pablo Escalante, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:52.018 110% of Fast Time: 1:52.061 64. Rhiannon Lucente (Suz GSX-R600), 1:52.249 65. Scotty Van Hawk (Yam YZF-R6), 1:52.268 66. Jessica Zalusky (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:52.799 67. Benjamin Clauss (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:52.936 More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway: Spies, Hacking Capture Poles At DIS DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. On the first day of AMA activities at Daytona International Speedway, Ben Spies and Jamie Hacking captured poles for Thursday’s Superstock and Supersport events. Spies aboard the factory No. 11 Yoshimura Suzuki captured the pole for the Superstock event at Daytona International Speedway in record fashion. Spies turned a Daytona Superstock record of 1 minute, 38.355 seconds, 107.976 mph to take the pole for Thursday’s 13-lap, 60K race scheduled for 3:50 p.m. The Texas rider and 2006 AMA Superbike champ felt like his pole-winning lap could’ve been faster if wasn’t for a slower rider. “I had a really good lap going, but coming into the chicane I caught up to a guy,” Spies said. “I got upset, probably too much it almost ruined our lap. It knocked three or four tenths off of it. I was definitely surprised to see we were at 38.3 when I came around. I would have liked to have seen how it would have been. I think would have touched the high 37s. That would have been nice, but I can’t do anything about it.” In all three riders posted times under the Daytona Superstock record during the qualifying session. Rounding out the front row will be M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Geoff May, Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom and Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates. In Supersport qualifying, Hacking got his debut with Kawasaki off to the right start by taking the pole with a lap of one minute, 41.801 seconds, 104.321 mph. His Kawasaki teammate Roger Lee Hayden was second while Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) and Ben Attard (Kawasaki) rounded out the podium. “I know this is the first of many battles between me and Rog,” Hacking said. “I know this is going to happen every week. I know this is going to make me get old very quick. He’s a tough competitor. I got one up on him but I’m sure he is going to have one up on me down the road.” Tickets for the Daytona 200 By Honda is available online at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki: Monster Energy Kawasaki Road Race Qualifying Update: Daytona Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking set the fastest qualifying lap in the AMA Supersport class, capturing the pole position with a 1:41.801. Teammate Roger Hayden, who holds the current Daytona track record for the fastest lap time in the AMA Supersport class, qualified in the 2nd position with a 1:41.868. Attack Kawasaki rider Ben Attard was on the gas as well, qualifying in the fourth position just tenths of a second off the leaders. Steve Rapp held the third quickest lap time nearly the entire session and ended up qualifying seventh. Hacking, Hayden and Attard will represent three of the four front row starting positions in the AMA Supersport race on Thursday afternoon as well as Rapp in the second row.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies qualified on pole position for AMA Superstock Wednesday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway. Using a Dunlop qualifying tire on his 2007-model Suzuki GSX-R1000, Spies lapped the 2.95-mile infield road course in 1:38.355, a new lap record for the class, but according to Spies it could have been even faster. “I had a really good lap going, but coming into the chicane I caught up to a guy,” said Spies, after saying his race set-up was good. “I got upset, probably too much. It almost ruined our lap. It knocked three or four 10ths off of it. I was definitely surprised to see we were at 1:38.3 when I came around. I would have liked to have seen how it would have been. I think we would have touched the high-1:37s. That would have been nice, but I can’t do anything about it. It should be a good race. I’d like to say we can win it. I haven’t won here, but the bike’s working really good and it’s going to be really good at the end of the race.” Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Geoff May was at the top of the time charts for most of the 40-minute qualifying session, but his best effort of 1:38.661 on his Pirelli-equipped GSX-R1000 only held up for second-best. “We’re looking really good for the race,” said May. “We wanted to get up there. To come out at Daytona with guns blazing, making a big impression on the factory guys, I think we accomplished that today by being up at the top of the order most of the time. It was a good day for Suzuki and the GSX-R1000 and the Pirelli tires. I think it’s going to be a good season.” Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom led at several points of the session on his YZF-R1, but he had to abort his final lap on his last qualifying tire due to waving yellow flags in the infield. Bostrom tried to stretch his Dunlop qualifying tire for another lap, but that lap was no faster than his best, 1:38.952, the third-fastest time. Bostrom said he hopes his injured left shoulder doesn’t hold him back in the race, but he admitted that it “hurts like hell,” especially when he is off his bike. The final spot on the Superstock front row went to Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Aaron Yates, who turned a 1:39.288 on his GSX-R1000. In spite of his strong result, Yates said he had a troubled session and ran out of time while trying to find a long-distance set-up. Earning spots on the second row of the Superstock grid were: Yates’ teammate Jake Holden, who missed the winter test at Daytona; 24-year-old Colombian Martin Cardenas, who rode a Motul-sponsored Kawasaki ZX-10R; Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich, who rode a Pirelli-shod GSX-R1000; and Danny Eslick, who lost time during Wednesday morning’s Superstock practice when a seal blew out on his Matsushima Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000, causing an oil leak. Only 22 of the 27 riders who tried made the 110% qualifying cut-off time of 1:48.191. AMA Superstock Championship Daytona international Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida March 7, 2007 Provisional Race Results: 1. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:38.355 2. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, 1:38.661 3. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, 1:38.952 4. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:39.288 5. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:39.663 6. Martin Cardenas (Kaw ZX-10R), Dunlop, 1:41.299 7. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, 1:42.117 8. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:42.775 9. John Haner (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:43.428 10. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:43.528 11. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:43.840 12. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:44.226 13. Tristan Palmer (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:44.322 14. David Loikits (Suz GSX-R1000), Pirelli, 1:44.962 15. Santiago Villa (Yam YZF-R1), Dunlop, 1:44.967 16. Bryan West (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:45.327 17. Corey Sarros (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:45.442 18. M. Ivan Garza (Suz GSX-R1000), Dunlop, 1:45.494 19. Johnny Rock Page (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:46.684 20. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:46.743 21. Matt Hall (Yam YZF-R1), 1:46.751 22. Chad Rolland (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:47.640 110% of Fast Time: 1:48.191 Did Not Qualify: 23. Matthew Bushe (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:48.596 24. Robert McLendon (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:48.636 25. Dwayne Lang (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:49.123 26. Joe Ribeiro (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:49.513 27. Brian Boyd (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:50.824

The long winter of testing and preparation is finally over for the MotoGP riders, as the entire 2007 World Championship grid today arrived at the Losail International Circuit for the season-opening Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar. Although they still have to wait until tomorrow for the on-track action to begin, there were still some pending matters and activities taking place in the paddock today. Chief amongst them was the traditional scrutineering session which required the verification of every detail on each of the 800cc MotoGP bikes, as well as the 250cc and 125cc bikes. In what has become something of a regular feature of a visit to Qatar, riders from all three classes took in some of the local culture at a nearby location. Alex Barros, Marco Melandri, Alvaro Bautista, Tomoyoshi Koyama and rookie Thai 250 rider Ratthapark Wilairot sampled camel-riding, national music and henna painting close to the circuit, before returning to the track for the official MotoGP photo sessions. All riders from the MotoGP class also attended a briefing headed by Race Direction in the early afternoon, where they were given the lowdown on some of the new regulations coming into play this season. Aside from the new technical regulations such as the reduction engine size and fuel capacity, the main subjects raised were the change in schedule and the allowance of a specially designated time for practicing starts at the end of the first session. The first press conference of the year was attended by reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden, alongside four rivals who will be going all out to wrestle the title from him in 2007. Valentino Rossi – winner in Qatar for the past two seasons – last year’s pole-setter Casey Stoner, John Hopkins and Randy de Puniet all answered various questions put to them by the press, speaking about their new teams, deals, sponsors, injuries and seasons. Practice for the Commercialbank Grand Prix Of Qatar begins tomorrow from 9am local time (GMT+3) Nicky Hayden – Repsol Honda Team “Testing is one thing, but racing is always going to be the only way to know where you are really at. We need to improve in some areas definitely, and there are a lot of guys who are coming into this season fast and motivated. The new regulations are in place, but the racing remains simple: if you ride round the fastest then you win.”

ACTION STARTS IN THE HEAT AND DUST OF QATAR The testing and the talking are over and now its time for the racing to reveal just who is at the top of their game for this, the opening race of what promises to be a gruelling 18-round series. World Champion Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V), who will be riding with the number one plate for the first time here at Losail, finished second here in 2006. The genial American will be looking to go one better here and get his title defence off to a winning start. The shoulder injury he carries towards the end of last season has been operated on and Nicky is in top shape for the challenge ahead. His team-mate Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) who has looked very comfortable on the diminutive new machine in 2007 will be aiming for nothing less than victory now he has had a season’s experience in the big class. He has finished in the top two places in all but one of the pre-season tests. Add a hungry former World Champion in Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) into the mix, put veteran Loris Capirossi (Ducati) in the frame, reckon on Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC212V) being at the front and you have all the ingredients for a firecracker of an opening race here. There are major changes in place for 2007. First, MotoGP machines are reduced in capacity from 990cc to 800cc and second riders are limited to 14 front tyres and 17 rears per Grand Prix. These must be chosen and marked on Thursday (Wednesday in Qatar) evening prior to the first free training session. And a certain amount of unease exists among teams over this cost-saving measure because weather conditions can change dramatically over the course of three days and in the case of Australia and Malaysia can change hugely in the space of an hour perhaps leaving riders without enough of the right type of tyre for a Grand Prix. But at least Qatar, where the weather tends to be consistent, is where this new rule will be first tested. The Losail International circuit lies ten kilometres from Qatar’s capital of Doha and the 5.4km track is now a known quantity for most riders across the classes. Built in 2004, it features more turns than any other track on the calendar, six lefts and ten right-handers in all. Nor is there a chicane of any description. This puts a high premium on machine agility and it also brings tyre wear issues into sharp focus. But the artificial grass placed along the track to allay riders’ fears of sand being blown onto the surface is only partially successful. Sand tends to collect on anywhere other than the racing line, making overtaking tricky, although this is less of a problem than when the track was new. The heat will not be quite as relentless as in high summer with track temperatures of up to 35 degrees expected. Ambient temperatures will be around 25 degrees. Set-up will be directed at making the machines manageable with a minimum of physical input from the pilots. There is a 1068m straight, 20m longer even than that of Catalunya. This puts power and top speed among the primary requirements and also braking at the end of a 320km/h blast flat out in top gear. Nicky said, “I’m fired up to go racing again. It’s going to be a proud moment lining up with that number one plate on the front of my bike it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. It’s a track I quite like and I had a pretty good race here last season. There are a couple of long right-handers that are fun to ride and I really like the sequence of turns one, two and three with the banking. I’ve had a third place here and was second last year so we’ll be aiming to go one better on Saturday. I’m feeling ready for the lights to go out and to go toe-to-toe with the boys again.” His team-mate Dani said, “It seems like the start of the season has come round very quickly and I’m really looking forward to racing again after all the tests we’ve done over the winter. It will be interesting to finally see how the new 800s feel during a race. I’ve enjoyed riding the RC212V in testing and the smaller size allows me to move around the bike more easily than on the 990. We had a positive test here in February and found a good setting for the bike so I hope that the conditions will be similar this weekend. I feel like I’m ready for the season but there have been many teams going fast during testing through the winter so I expect the racing to be very close.” “I’m really fired up for the start of the new season,” said Marco Melandri. “We’ve done a lot of preparation during the winter, working methodically, focusing on race pace as opposed to a single fast lap. I like the bike a lot, especially the cycle parts, I’ve got a good feeling with it and I’m having fun again. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the Honda-Bridgestone package and I’m happy even though there is still work to do. The race will be particularly demanding because the Losail circuit has a long straight and you need horsepower. At least in the test we completed there in February we worked out which way we want to go with the race tyre.” His team-mate Toni Elias (Fortuna Honda RC212V) said, “I can’t wait to get back on track for the first race. I’m really happy to be back with Fausto Gresini, my chief mechanic Cecchini and all the guys in the team. I really believe in continuity and I feel comfortable and well supported here. We’re working to find a base that has the best possible balance between the bike and the new tyres that Bridgestone brought to Jerez to suit my riding style. Losail is a tough track because the conditions mean there is no room for error. We tested here in the middle of February but this time I want to get more out of the bike’s potential with these new tyres.” New Honda recruit Carlos Checa (LCR Honda RC212V) said, “I feel very excited about this first Grand Prix of the season. Lucio and his team made a great job during the winter and now we are ready to start. The winter tests have been very productive for us as we gathered important data for the World Championship. Honestly at the beginning it was not easy to adapt to the new bike but thanks to some changes (we moved the seat back and changed the height of the bars) now I feel more comfortable. We still have a few things to fix including the engine power (especially on this track which is pretty fast!) but I am confident for the future.” Another man drafted into the Honda ranks, Shinya Nakano (Konica Minolta Honda RC212V), said, “I’m looking forward to the first race of the season at Qatar. I have a new Team and a new package with the Honda RC212V and Michelin tyres. We have completed four tests over the winter and we’re maybe 80% there so I’m looking at making the other 20% up during the race weekend. I enjoy the Losail track, although it isn’t one of my favourites, but testing here showed that our bike suited the track perhaps more than Phillip Island or Sepang, so let’s hope that is the case come the race on Saturday.” Kenny Roberts (Roberts KR212V) said, “The main thing is that we’re ahead of where we were last year in terms of work done and base set-ups. Once we’ve got the chassis settings where we need them we’ll concentrate on tyres again and then refine the front-end and rear settings for the conditions on Saturday. It’ll be good to get racing again and see just how far we’ve come since 2006.” In the 250cc class 2007 World Champion Jorge Lorenzo stays to defend his crown and the man who so nearly prevented his success last season, the masterly Andrea Dovizioso (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) also stays in the quarter-litre category to challenge him again. Dovi said, “I am very confident about the season. The engine is definitely stronger than last year, but I have not run with the riders from other manufacturers so I can’t say how close we are or what the differences are. The new chassis is better and I have a good feeling with this bike. I am very fit and mentally much stronger than last year so I am looking forward to a good season.” His team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) said, “At the end of last year I broke my leg and have not yet fully recovered, only about 80%. I am improving all the time and I will race well with the new bike. I like the power increase and the way the chassis works, it feels like last year’s bike but better. I don’t really like the circuit at Qatar but I will try my best to get a good result on Saturday.” Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW) said, “This pre-season hasn’t been bad. We’ve made a lot of tests in which I have been able to learn how to move better on the bike, but I still have to improve. I want to start now. I hope to be able to be on the podium more often this year. The first race will be on a track I don’t like much, but the tests weren’t bad and I hope to be among the best.” Julian Simon (Repsol Honda RS250RW) said, “It’s been a positive pre-season, not only for the lap times but because we’ve been able to get used to the new bike. That’s what worried me most but hanks to the work of the whole team we’ve managed to understand how to ride a 250cc machine, which was the most important. But well, there is still some work to do and I’m arriving in Qatar taking it as a Grand Prix but also as a further step in my training.” And the Honda line-up for 2007 features some new faces among the more experienced riders. The first Thai rider to embark on a season in Grands Prix is eager to get his season underway. Ratthapark Wilairot (Stop And Go Racing Honda RS250RW) said, “I’m really looking forward to my first season in the World Championships. We’ll start on a track where we previously tested and this should give me a chance to be competitive. Now it’s the moment of truth after a long and intense winter but the most important thing is to keep improving every time I’m on track so we can get the best possible results.” The 125cc rider line-up has been refreshed with Esteve Rabat joining Bradley Smith in the Repsol outfit and Mike di Meglio taking a Humangest berth alongside new boy Stefano Musco, while Joey Litjens remains with Arie Molenaar. Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda RS125R) said, “We’ve had a good pre-season. We’ve had a lot of time to practice and test, much more than last year and that’s good. Everything seems to be in place for the first race and I’m happy with the performance of the whole team and the bike.” His team-mate Esteve Rabat (Repsol Honda RS125R) said, “I feel good after all these tests. My intention is to do the best I can and I’m looking forward to starting. I’ve learned a lot and the work of the whole team has allowed me to improve. Everybody has done a great job. If we stay focused, we will do well.”

AMA Formula Xtreme Championship Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida March 7, 2007 Provisional Practice Results: 1. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.638 2. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.649 3. Steve Rapp (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:42.770 4. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), 1:42.805 5. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R6), 1:42.914 6. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.098 7. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.119 8. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.438 9. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:43.556 10. Cory West (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.480 11. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.511 12. Larry Pegram (Duc 749/848), 1:44.649 13. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.898 14. David Anthony (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.443 15. Eric Wood (Hon CBR600RR), 1:45.709 16. Chris Peris (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.830 17. Tony Meiring (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.926 18. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.002 19. Pascal Picotte (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.155 20. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.424 21. Chris Siglin (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.608 22. Bostjan Pintar (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.633 23. Chad Herrmann (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.740 24. Will Gruy (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.885 25. Mark Crozier (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.949 26. Jeff Tigert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:47.013 27. Hawk Mazzotta (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.412 28. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.503 29. Scott Ryan (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.686 30. Josh Day (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.730 31. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.781 32. Keith Marshall (Suz GSX-R600), 1:48.021 33. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.477 34. Bostjan Skubic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.510 35. Santiago Villa (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.584 36. Reno Karimian (Suz GSX-R600), 1:48.688 37. Don Canet (Hon CBR600RR), 1:48.697 38. Matt Layt (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.699 39. Jason Temme (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.072 40. Anthony Fania, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.739 41. Darren James (Buell XBRR), 1:49.797 42. Jean Paul Tache (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.915 43. David Sadowski, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.994 44. Ricky Orlando (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:50.048 45. Dean mizdal (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.175 46. Michael Murphy (Suz GSX-R600), 1:50.252 47. Kenny Carlotta (Suz GSX-R600), 1:50.824 48. Pablo Escalante, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.992 49. Dr. Jeffrey Purk, DDS (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.099 50. David McPherson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.140 51. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R600), 1:51.195 52. Steven Breckenridge (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:51.246 53. Benjamin Clauss (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:51.353 54. Scott Ackerman (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.468 55. Robert McLendon (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:51.484 56. John Ashmead (Suz GSX-R600), 1:51.525 57. Skip Salenius (Suz GSX-R600), 1:52.081 58. Dirk Sanchez (Suz GSX-R600), 1:52.792 59. Brian Gibba (Suz GSX-R600), 1:52.937 60. Mark Schnettler (Yam YZF-R6), 1:52.944 61. Scotty Van Hawk (Hon CBR600RR), 1:52.994 62. Craig Montgomery (Yam YZF-R6), 1:53.034 63. Robert Oliva (Suz GSX-R600), 1:53.184 64. Eric Pinson (Yam YZF-R6), 1:53.202 65. Spencer Stuart (Yam YZF-R6), 1:53.393 66. Walt Sipp (Buell XB12R), 1:54.132 67. Rhiannon Lucente (Suz GSX-R600), 1:54.259 68. Jessica Zalusky (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:54.705 69. Mike Luke (Suz GSX-R600), 2:11.227

AMA Pro Racing’s electronic timing & scoring system shut down during the first practice session for the AMA Supersport class Wednesday morning at Daytona International Speedway. Over one hour after the Supersport practice session had ended lap times were still not available to riders or members of the media. As the fourth practice session of the day, Formula Xtreme, took to the track Wednesday morning, no printed practice results for any session have been made available in the media center. Results from Wednesday morning’s practices were also not available on the official AMA website. AMA Pro Racing’s electronic timing & scoring system came back up in the middle of the first Superbike practice and continues to operate as the first Formula Xtreme practice takes to the track. AMA Racing Vice President Ken Rogers, who previously served as AMA Pro Racing Director of Timing and Scoring, resigned from the organization about two weeks ago. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden and Jamie Hacking were leading Wednesday morning Supersport practice when the timing & scoring system shut down. Update: At 11:43 a.m. local time practice results began to appear on AMA Pro Racing’s official website.

Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship Presented By Shoei Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida March 7, 2007 Provisional Practice Results: 1. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:42.655 2. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.494 3. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.644 4. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.691 5. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), 1:43.722 6. Steve Rapp (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:44.019 7. Cory West (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.119 8. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.215 9. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:44.375 10. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.451 11. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.516 12. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R600), 1:44.820 13. Gary Mason (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.833 14. Chris Peris (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.846 15. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:44.975 16. David Anthony (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.330 17. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.719 18. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.721 19. Michael Beck (Suz GSX-R600), 1:45.793 20. Garrett Carter (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.991 21. Jeff Wood (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.320 22. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.350 23. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.416 24. Scott Greenwood (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.598 25. Bobby Fong (Suz GSX-R600), 1:46.943 26. Will Gruy (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.051 27. Gustavo Laya (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:47.079 28. Bostian Pintar (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.106 29. Chris Siglin (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.178 30. Doug Chandler (Hon CBR600RR), 1:47.209 31. Jeff Tigert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:47.441 32. Mark Crozier (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.480 33. Hawk Mazzotta (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.585 34. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.656 35. Darren Luck (Suz GSX-R600), 1:47.702 36. Josh Day (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.875 37. Freddi Watz (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.209 38. Taylor Knapp (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:48.546 39. Keith Marshall (Suz GSX-R600), 1:48.917 40. Jason Temme (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.222 41. Morgan Murphy (Suz GSX-R600), 1:49.300 42. Kurtis Roberts (Hon CBR600RR), 1:49.332 43. Shea Fouchek (Hon CBR600RR), 1:49.345 44. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.357 45. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:49.387 46. Matt Layt (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.492 47. Bostjan Skubic (Yam YZF-R6), 1:49.812 48. Spencer Stuart (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.292 49. Scott Ryan (Suz GSX-R600), 1:50.332 50. Don Canet (Hon CBR600RR), 1:50.429 51. Reno Karimian (Suz GSX-R600), 1:50.510 52. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R600), 1:50.518 53. David Sadowski, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:50.701 54. Kenny Carlotta (Suz GSX-R600), 1:51.298 55. Pablo Escalante, Jr. (Yam YZF-R6), 1:51.520 56. Dwayne Lang (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:51.550

AMA Superbike Championship Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida March 7, 2007 Provisional Practice Times: 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:38.441 2. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:38.645 3. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:39.363 4. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:39.382 5. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:39.540* 6. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.796* 7. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:39.951 8. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.056 9. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.090 10. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:40.065 11. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.689* 12. Tommy Hayden (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.853 13. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.952 14. Martin Cardenas (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.469* 15. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.875* 16. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:42.275 17. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:42.565 18. Matt Lynn (MV Agusta F4-1000R), 1:43.266 19. John Haner (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:43.499* 20. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:43.538* 21. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:43.611* 22. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:44.065 23. Doug Chandler (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:44.253 24. Kurtis Roberts (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:44.263 25. Tristan Palmer (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:44.402 26. Santiago Villa (Yam YZF-R1), 1:44.989 27. Corey Sarros (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:45.350 28. Johnny Rock Page (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:46.195 29. Dean Mizdal (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:46.602 30. Luca Scassa (MV Agusta F4-1000R), 1:47.499 31. Chad Rolland (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:48.483 32. Clint McBain (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:48.793 33. Brian Boyd (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:49.558 *Superstock-spec machine