FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: My name is Joseph N Barton III and I’m currently stationed at Langley Air Force Base Va. All the military services have seen an alarming increase in accidents/loss of life with sportbike riders, the at risk age is 18-27 year olds. To help fight this current trend and to raise motorcycle safety awareness/training I established a military riding club at Langley AFB in 2005, Langley Motorcycle Riders Club www.lmrclub.com . Since the club has been established we’ve put on a variety of events the first of those was having 3x AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler come to Langley and speak to 315 riders on motorcycle safety, training, protective gear, riding smart and a multitude of other motorcycle related topics. In 2006 we started Langley’s Inaugural Motorcycle Show with this we had over 150 participants and 75 motorcycles enter to win prizes and trophies. We had three categories: Best in Show Sportbike, Best in Show Cruiser and Best in Show Custom. We garnered support from local motorcycle dealers, motorcycle road racers and different vendors in the motorcycle industry which enabled us to give away $3,000 in prizes, trophies and gift certificates. Without the support from the following our inaugural show wouldn’t have been a success: Komodo Gear, Doug Chandler, Wayne Rainey, Tommy Hayden, Roger Hayden, Rob Muzzy, Area P Exhausts, Redline Performance of Hampton, Casey Cycle City of Hampton, Hooters of Hampton and Brick House Cycles of Norflok. I’m trying to gather support from vendors in the motorcycle industry to help support our 2007 motorcycle show. I would like to hear from motorcycle industry companies and motorcycle road racers interested in supporting our venture by donating items such as hats, shirts/hoodies, stickers/decals or other small value items. All items will be given away as raffle prizes to the participants of the bike show. The bike show/safety brief is scheduled for Friday 11 May 2007 from 0730-1500 (3:00 p.m.) Interested parties can contact me at: Joseph N Barton III Business phone 757-225-5219 Cell phone 757-719-4044 [email protected] [email protected] Thank you for your time and consideration. Joseph N Barton III

Team Green Rider and AMA Supersport Racer, Jessica Zalusky, to appear at the Minneapolis Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Come and meet Jessica Zalusky, at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, held February 2-4. Zalusky will be showcasing her 2006 AMA Supersport race bike in the Sportbike Customs Showcase as well as signing autographs and talking with fans about her passion for bikes, racing and women in the sport of motorcycling at the Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., booth at the Minneapolis Cycle World International Motorcycles Shows Presented by Toyota. Zalusky is a rider for the Kawasaki Team Green competing in the AMA Supersport and select Formula Xtreme classes. This past year, she finished 39th overall in the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship. Attendees will get an up close look at her Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-6RR race bike at the Sportbike Customs showcase. Zalusky, a Minnesota resident, will be signing autographs at the Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A, booth on Friday, February 2nd at 7 pm and Saturday, February 3rd at 3 pm. For more information on the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show® Presented by Toyota or to purchase tickets, visit www.motorcycleshows.com. For more information about Jessica, visit www.roadracinggirl.com.

Rizla Suzuki British Superbike racers Chris Walker and Cal Crutchlow will start their busy pre-season test programme next week in a private two-day session at the Spanish Calafat circuit. When the racers take to the twisty 3.5km circuit on Wednesday and Thursday, it will be the first time they have access to two full race-specification Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 race bikes each. Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: “The first test of 2007 is very important to Rizla Suzuki and its riders. After our Valencia test last November we have built two bikes for each rider to a specification we think will provide a strong base setting. “By the end of the two-day test we expect to have covered a lot of miles, component, part and tyre testing so we can develop the GSX-R1000 further in time for our next test at Almeria at the end of the month.” Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Walker said: “The Valencia test last year showed us the potential of the new Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000. I was half a second faster than the 2006 bike using an early specification 2007 GSX-R and can’t wait to ride the new race version. I’m excited and ready to improve the bike even further. “It is really encouraging that we have a full test programme abroad and within the UK to get through before the racing starts; that will give us the best chance possible to be challenging for race wins right from the off.” Reigning British Supersport Champion Crutchlow is eager to start testing as well. He said: “I have been training hard and I am in tip-top shape to start testing for my first season in Superbikes. “Testing and completing as many miles as possible on my new Rizla Suzuki are absolutely vital as you can’t beat riding as a way for getting up to speed and preparing for racing. I can’t wait.”

A memorial page, including photos from his racing career, has been established for former racer Jim Dunn, who died late last year. To see it, go here: ~http://www.mem.com/display/biography.asp?ID=1628615~

Click here for photos of work crews removing the Billy Mitchell Bridge and building a new paddock access tunnel at Road America: ~http://photos.roadamerica.com/gallery/2317236#121172631~

CORRECTION Rome, Georgia, February 2,2007 : In a recent press release concerning a contract with Harley Davidson, Michelin North America claimed that ‘Michelin invented the radial motorcycle tire in 1987.’ To set the record straight, the first radial motorcycle tire, the MP7, was produced by Pirelli in 1983 for the launch of the Honda VF1000R. Pirelli Tire North America specializes in the manufacture and marketing of high performance car, light truck and motorcycle tires and currently has four of its highly advanced MIRS (Modular Integrated Robotized System) modules in operation in its newest automated production facility in Rome, Georgia, to better serve the American OEM and Replacement markets. For more information, please visit the company’s web site at www.us.pirelli.com

After weeks of speculation Steve Plater is pleased to announce that he is to ride for AIM Yamaha and will contest the British Superbike championship on a new 2007 R1. Richard Cooper who will race an R6 Yamaha in the British Supersport series will join him in the team. Steve said: “I am delighted to be riding for the team that made it possible for me to win the 40th Macau Grand Prix on their R1 Yamaha.” Steve will also be contesting the North West 200 for the team before making his debut at the Isle of Man TT races in June. Last year the Woodhall Spa rider tasted the victor’s champagne by winning both races at the North West 200 and is hoping to repeat that again in 2007 for AIM Yamaha. The TT will be a completely new experience for the 34-year-old Lincolnshire rider who has never ridden the 37.73-mile mountain road circuit on a race bike. “I have been over to the Isle of Man on numerous occasions and ridden a road bike around the course but never under race conditions so it will be interesting to see how I go when there is no traffic coming the other way,” he said. “I am looking forward to the challenge and will do my best for AIM Racing. It has not yet been confirmed which TT classes I am to contest but it is likely I will be riding in the Superbike and Superstock races with the possibility of the Supersport race if all goes well.” Team AIM principal Alistair Flanagan said: “I am delighted to welcome Steve Plater on board. He rode for me at the Sunflower meeting in Ireland last year and then won the Macau Grand Prix for AIM Yamaha in November so I am more than happy that he has agreed to join the team and ride in both the British Superbike championship and the major road races this year.” It will be a busy year for Steve as he has also confirmed his intention to compete in the World Endurance championship for Team Kawasaki France with whom he rode to third place in the 24-hour Bol D’Or race at Magny Cours in France last September. Steve will be riding a Kawasaki ZX10 with two teammates to be decided from Gwen Giabbani (F), Ivan Silva (E) and Frédéric Moreira (F). The championship will be run over six rounds at major circuits throughout the world – April 21/22, Le Mans; May 5, Albacete; July 29, Suzuka; August 11/12, Oschersleben; September 15/16, Bol D’Or; November 10, Qatar. The 2007 British Superbike calendar: 9 April, Brands Hatch; 15 April, Thruxton; 29 April, Silverstone; 7 May, Oulton Park; 20 May, Snetterton; 17 June, Mondello Park; 1 July, Knockhill; 15 July, Oulton Park; 22 July, Mallory Park; 12 August, Croft; 27 August, Cadwell Park; 23 September, Donington Park; 14 October, Brands Hatch. The Isle of Man TT commences on May 26 with a week of practise followed by racing from June 2 June 8. The North West 200 is on Saturday, May 12 preceded by practise on Tuesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 10.