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More From Dunlop Tire Tests At Daytona

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Dunlop Tire Testing Day 2: Bostrom, Hacking Happy With New Homes DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2006) Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates isn’t the only rider with new racing leathers during this week’s Dunlop tire testing at historic Daytona International Speedway. In what is a sneak preview for the March 1-10 Daytona 200 Week By Honda, Jamie Hacking has given up his blue Yamaha colors for Kawasaki green leathers while Ben Bostrom has exchanged his Ducati red leathers for Yamaha colors. “It took me a while to see me in green,” said Hacking, the defending Supersport and Superstock class champion, during the lunch break. “It doesn’t look odd to me but it does in a way. When I first started, I rode a Honda and it was painted Kawasaki green and I wore green leathers. I’ve always been a Kawasaki guy when I raced motocross. It does seem odd after riding blue for seven years coming over to green, it’s a big change.” Hacking, who’ll compete in Supersport sand Superbike classes for Kawasaki in 2007, finally got his elusive first victory at Daytona International Speedway after getting nipped at the start/finish line so many times over the years. Hacking outlasted Jason DiSalvo and Yates to win the 2006 Daytona Superstock event. “Daytona, I don’t know what it is about this place,” Hacking said. “I think it’s one of the most prestigious races and one everybody wants to win. It’s a tough track. Everybody knows that and the racing is really close and tough. If you can pull off a win here, you’ve played your cards right. “I outwitted everybody and outsmarted them (in 2006). After trying for so many years and getting beat some many times at the stripe, it was starting to sit in there. Getting one under my belt feels good. Hopefully when we come back in ’07, maybe I can pull off a win in Supersport. I’m not going to set my goals too high on the Superbike yet. I’m still learning a lot of things.” For Bostrom, he’s reunited with his brother Eric at Yamaha. The brothers were last teammates in 1998 with Honda when Eric filled in for an injured Miguel Duhamel for four races. Ben Bostrom is excited about spending the coming season as a teammate with his brother Eric. “You don’t hide information from your brother, you do from your teammate,” Ben Bostrom said. “You are going to talk (to your brother) and get the bike quite a bit better. If it was a teammate, you would be like, ‘I better not let that one out of the bag. That’s my information.’ “ Said Eric Bostrom: “It’s a perfect scenario. We’re going to share the same truck together. It couldn’t get any better. We live together and do everything else together so why not race on the same team and be able to share our thoughts. We’re going to be riding essentially the same motorcycle. His will be in Superstock trim but we will still have a lot to compare.” Signing on with Yamaha to compete in the Superstock class and being a teammate to his brother was an easy decision for Ben Bostrom. “The only other option was to go to Europe and I really wanted to ride here especially with my brother,” Ben Bostrom said. “This was the best seat available and I feel fortunate to be on it.” Tommy Hayden was also supposed to be in his new Yoshimura Suzuki leathers this week but is sitting out the test due to injury. The Dunlop tire test concludes on Wednesday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand available through DAYTONA USA. Tickets for Daytona 200 Week By Honda are available online at http://www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Canadian 600cc Amateur Champion Gets $12,000 In Free Tires For 2007 Season

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FREE TIRES FOR TOP AMATEUR TORONTO, ON International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike champion Karl Daigle will have access to up to $12,000 of Pirelli tires in 2007 thanks to a new bonus program introduced by the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, its spec tire supplier and participating motorcycle manufacturers. The Pirelli Amateur Champion Bonus will award $2,000 in Pirelli DOT rubber to the previous season’s top Amateur 600 national class finisher for use in the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship at each of the six rounds of the series. As the 2006 champion, Daigle will have first right to this bonus at each 2007 series event. Should the Amateur champion not appear at any round of the following season, the Pirelli Amateur Champion Bonus will go to the series runner-up at that event. If that rider doesn’t attend either, the tires will go to the next highest finisher from the previous season’s Amateur championship at that race. “One of our toughest challenges is finding ways to make the step up from Amateur to Pro more accessible to our talented young racers,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, which administers the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “Thanks to the co-operation of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, and our spec tire supplier Pirelli, we now have a bonus that will help relieve some of the financial pressures from our Amateur champion.” If the previous year’s International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike champion lands a ride as a full factory racer in their rookie Pro season, they will not be eligible for the Pirelli bonus. “What makes this program especially exciting is that, if the Amateur champion is forced to miss a round or is fortunate enough to find a factory ride, the bonus will not go to waste,” said Brian Williams, Director of Competition for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “At every series round someone will stand to benefit, and that’s good for our rookie Pro racers as a whole.” Funding for the new program will be providing equally through Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Canadian Pirelli race tire distributor Orion Motorsports and PMP. When the Amateur 600 Sport Bike program was launched in 2003 the top prize for the champion included the use of a manufacturer-supplied bike for their rookie Pro season. That arrangement will be discontinued, making Daigle the last rider to potentially take advantage of this offer. The Roxton Pond, Que. teenager won the 2006 title at the final round aboard a Honda CBR600RR. Pirelli began a three-year contract as the spec tire supplier to all classes of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship last season. Its products are distributed at all series rounds by Orion Motorsports. The full schedule for the 2007 Parts Canada Superbike Championship as well as rules changes for the new season will be announced shortly.

With 2007 Superbikes Delayed In Transit Mladin Leaves Daytona Tire Test Early

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Mat Mladin completed his tire testing program by the mid-day break Tuesday morning, the second day of the annual three-day Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway, and because Yoshimura Suzuki’s 2007 GSX-R1000 Superbikes have been delayed in transit to the track, the six-time Australian is going home early. “We got through some bits and pieces that we had to get through, and we got through about 10 tires or more for Dunlop,” Mladin told Roadracingworld.com during the lunch break Tuesday at Daytona. “Dunlop had some more tires we could’ve probably tried this afternoon, but this isn’t really the proper place to test on those tires.” “Obviously, we’ve had some issues with our freight company,” said Don Sakakura, Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager. “The new bikes might not get here. We’ll know more this afternoon, but it’s very likely that they won’t make it. Unfortunately, it’s out of my control. “It’s disappointing, because we had quite a lot to look at with the brand new motorcycle. We’re going to have to look at testing at another venue, but it’s a shame because this is our only opportunity to test here before March.” The airplane carrying the new Yoshimura Suzuki Superbikes developed mechanical problems en route to the United States and was forced to land in South Korea to make repairs, delaying its arrival, according to one member of the Yoshimura Superbike team. Mladin’s teammate Ben Spies continued testing his 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superstock machine Tuesday, recording the second-fastest time of the morning, a 1:39.536, while running a prototype Showa shock. Eric Bostrom was third-fastest on his Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, but his best time, a 1:40.155, was roughly equal to the best time he turned Monday. Track conditions were reported to be better Tuesday morning than on Monday, when it was colder. Miguel Duhamel dropped a lot of time on his American Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, which is running a very interesting engine management unit that, judging from engine sound, drops spark to one or two cylinders mid-corner. Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Aaron Yates spent more time with the team’s 2006 GSX-R1000 Superbike today, after testing the team’s 2006 Superstock racer Monday. The team is expected to have one Superstock-spec 2007 GSX-R1000 ready to ride before the test is over. Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes ran through Dunlop’s newest Supersport tires on the 2007 CBR600RR he has been sharing with teammate Aaron Gobert. After Gobert makes another run with the bike Tuesday afternoon, it will be fitted with Formula Xtreme suspension components. Hayes may also get an opportunity to test one of the American Honda CBR1000RR Superbikes Tuesday afternoon. No crashes were reported Tuesday morning, but several riders ran straight at turn one due in part to a moderate tailwind on the front straightaway. Dunlop Tire Test Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida December 5, 2006 Tuesday Morning Times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing timing & scoring): 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.067, Superbike 2. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.536, Superstock 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.155, Superbike 4. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR600RR), 1:40.244, Superbike 5. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.280, Superbike 6. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:40.492, Superbike 7. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.887, Superstock 8. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:41.910, Superstock 9. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:43.058, Superbike 10. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.119, Formula Xtreme 11. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:43.313, Superbike 12. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.610, Supersport 13. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.945, Formula Xtreme 14. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:44.623, Supersport 15. Gary Mason (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:44.863, Superbike 16. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.570, Supersport 17. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.260, Supersport 18. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.833, Formula Xtreme

Ducshop Becomes North American Ducati Pistal Pistons Distributor

Ducshop Performance Center is proud to announce their appointment as the exclusive North American distributor for Ducati Pistal Racing Pistons.

A list of stocking dealers will soon be posted on their website but in the meantime the full range of Ducati Pistal Pistons can be purchase directly from Ducshop. You can find a full list of available models on their website at www.ducshop.com. Some custom pistons are not included on this list but any pistons previously made by Pistal can be obtained. 

Pistal is currently working on an 848 kit for the 749R. 

Pistal offers a wide variety of high compression pistons for most Ducati models that increase horsepower and torque. If you don’t find a piston to suit your bike, please contact Ducshop as their inventory is continuously expanding. 

 As the North American distributor Ducshop will be supplying full technical support to all its dealers along with installation assistance and this support also applies to pistons bought through previous distributors. If needed, spare parts are also available. 

 Please email [email protected] if you wish to become a dealer.

Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities Distributes $501,497 To County Youth Groups

SONOMA, Calif. “” The Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will distribute $501,497 to 55 qualified youth organizations in Sonoma County for the 2006 season. This marks the second consecutive year the Infineon Raceway Chapter has topped the $500,000 mark “” it distributed a one-year record of $554,045 in 2005. Moreover, the chapter has distributed more than $2.1 million since 2002 to Sonoma County youth groups. The chapter’s Board of Trustees recently approved the distribution of funds at its annual meeting. Speedway Children’s Charities is the primary charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which owns and operates Infineon Raceway. “The folks at the track are tireless fundraisers, and countless non-profit organizations get to reap the benefits of their efforts. It is such a blessing for the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance to be one of the recipients they ‘invest’ in,” said Kathy Witkowicki, executive director of the Mentoring Alliance. “We feel really fortunate to partner with (raceway president) Steve Page and his incredible staff.” The monies awarded in 2006 were generated through a combination of Infineon Raceway events, as well as $100,000 raised from the premiere of the Disney/Pixar animated film Cars at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. Other top fundraisers for the year were the Raceway Builders Grand Marshall’s Banquet and the Race & Rock Charity Auction, which combined to raise more than $131,000. Both were held during the raceway’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend in June. In all, the chapter hosted nine events in 2006, primarily tied to the raceway’s motor racing events. The chapter also received a donation from Sonic Automotive Corporation. The chapter was also the beneficiary of funds generated from the Classic Sports Racing Group’s (CSRG) Charity Challenge and 3J’s Motorcycle Track Days at Infineon Raceway. CSRG donated more than $90,000 to the Sonoma Chapter this year, while 3J’s generated $25,000. Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to qualified children’s organizations. Founded in 1984 by Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Speedway Children’s Charities originated at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Fifty-five youth groups will receive funding from Speedway Children’s Charities in 2006: ANOVA Center for Education; Bob Burke’s Kids; Boy Scouts of America Redwood Empire Council; Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma; California Parenting Institute; Canine Companions for Independence; Catholic Charities Diocese of Santa Rosa; Climate Protection Campaign; Committee on the Shelterless; Community Action Partnership; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center; Grandparents Parenting Again; Girls Scouts of Konocti Council; Humane Society of Sonoma County; Kenwood Education Foundation; KRCB Public Radio; La Luz Center; Matrix Parent Network; McDowell Drug Task Force; Northern California Center for Well Being; Old Adobe School; Operation Youth of Sonoma Valley; Petaluma Education Foundation; Petaluma People Services Center; Redwood Empire Food Bank; Roseland University Prep; Routes For Youth; Santa Rosa Symphony; Social Advocates for Youth; Sonoma Children’s Cancer Foundation; Sonoma Community Center; Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development; Sonoma County Public Library Foundation; Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation; Sonoma Ecology Center; Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (5); Sonoma Valley High School Boosters Club; Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance; Sonoma Valley Soroptimist Foundation; The Living Room; The Salvation Army; Valley of the Moon Boys & Girls Club; Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation; Valley of the Moon Aquatics; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; Volunteer Center of Sonoma County; Wells Fargo Center for the Arts; Willmar Center for Bereaved Children; YWCA of Sonoma County. “The grants that our schools have received from Speedway Children’s Charities over the past several years have made a huge impact for our students,” said Tim Boeve, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. “This source of revenue, stemming primarily from the events at Infineon Raceway, has been a tremendous boon for strengthening education in our Valley’s public schools.” For more information on the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, email Denise Silver at [email protected].

Colin Edwards To Sign Autographs At Long Beach, California International Motorcycle Show December 8-9

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Yamaha MotoGP Star Colin Edwards to Appear at Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach California December 4, 2006″¦Fresh off his test of the new 800cc MotoGP bike with team mate Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Motor Corporation is pleased to announce that factory MotoGP pilot Colin Edwards will be on hand signing autographs at this weekend’s Long Beach California Cycle World International Motorcycle Show. Colin will be in the new Yamaha display on Friday December 8th from 5-6 and 6:30-7:30PM and again on Saturday from 10:30-11:30AM and from 12:30-1:30PM. Be sure to stop by for your free autographed poster of the “Texas Tornado.”

Updated: Mladin Fastest After First Day Of Tire Testing At Daytona

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Six-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin turned the fastest time during the multi-AMA-team Dunlop tire test Monday at Daytona International Speedway. Mladin lapped the 2.95-mile infield road course in 1:39.635 while evaluating new Dunlop tires on his 2006 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike. “We just tested a few tires more than anything,” Mladin told Roadracingworld.com at the end of testing Monday. “There’s no point in doing too much with the [old] bike, and the track’s too cold. It could catch you out, maybe.” The 2007 GSX-R1000 Superbike Mladin tested in mid-November at Sepang, in Malaysia, was still in transit to Daytona on Monday, forcing Mladin’s crew to pull last year’s Superbike, complete with its Number One plate, off of the motorcycle show circuit and prepare it for action at Daytona. “It would be nice to have the new bike here,” said Mladin, “but it’s not a bad thing to be able to jump on this thing and give us a good comparative test, you know? You can see Ben’s [Spies] got going on the new Superstock bike already, so it’s promising.” Mladin added that his right shoulder felt good following post-season surgery to “clean-up” injuries suffered in a crash during testing at Phillip Island in January 2006. American Honda’s Jake Zemke had a promising day going Monday, until he crashed. Zemke had just posted the second-fastest time of the day, a 1:39.785, while dialing in new suspension and new engine management components and evaluating new Dunlop tires, when he crashed in turn one. “I just lost the rear, like immediately, as soon as I picked the throttle up in the corner the rear just came around. There was no way of saving,” Zemke told Roadracingworld.com. “I had already put four or five laps on [the tire]. I had just done my quickest lap. We went back and looked at all the data, and I was doing the exact same thing that I was doing the lap before: throttle application, engine rpm, wheel speed. Everything was exactly the same, within one percent.” Zemke was uninjured in the crash and continued testing on his second CBR1000RR Superbike. Zemke’s crashed bike did not suffer major damage. Eric Bostrom was the third-quickest rider overall, recording a 1:40.116 on his new Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike. Bostrom was cautiously optimistic at the end of the day, saying he and his bike had room for improvement. 2006 AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies posted the fastest time in the Superstock category, a 1:40.249 on his 2007 GSX-R1000. Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki debuted Aaron Yates Monday at Daytona, but Yates’ teammate Jake Holden was forced to sit on the sidelines. Holden had surgery just before Thanksgiving to have some hardware in his right wrist (the remnants of a 165 mph crash at VIR in 2005) replaced so that he will be ready to test when the team’s 2007 bikes are ready in January. AMA Team Test Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida December 4, 2006 Monday Afternoon Times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing timing & scoring): 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.635, Superbike 2. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:39.785, Superbike 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.116, Superbike 4. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.249, Superstock 5. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.091, Superbike 6. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.217, Superbike 7. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:41.418, Superbike 8. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.694, Superbike 9. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.813, Superbike 10. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), 1:41.980, Superbike 11. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.141, Formula Xtreme 12. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:42.811, Superstock 13. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:42.837, Superbike 14. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.476, Supersport 15. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.061, Supersport 16. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:45.540, Formula Xtreme 17. Jsoh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.161, Supersport 18. Gary Mason (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:47.547, Superbike 19. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:47.774, Formula Xtreme More, from a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing: AMA SUPERBIKE TEAMS AT DAYTONA TIRE TEST The Dunlop Tire Test kicked off today at Daytona International Speedway, signaling the unofficial start of the 2007 AMA Superbike presented by Parts Unlimited season. The Dunlop-sponsored portion of the Daytona test runs December 4-6, and is followed by a Pirelli-sponsored test on Dec. 7 and 8. Live timing for the tire tests is available via www.amasuperbike.com’s @theWire, accompanied by news and expert analysis from AMA Superbike reporter Chris Martin. Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin topped Monday afternoon’s Superbike timesheets with a fast lap of 1:39.635. Honda’s Jake Zemke was second fastest, with a time of 1:39.785, followed by Eric Bostrom’s 1:40.116 lap aboard his Yamaha R1. Reigning AMA Superbike Champ Ben Spies was fourth fastest with a time of 1:40.249.

Updated: Yates Makes Debut For Jordan Suzuki In Dunlop Tire Test At Daytona

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., – During the first day of Dunlop tire testing at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the Daytona 200 Week By Honda, the motorcycle world witnessed Aaron Yates in his new Jordan Suzuki leathers. Yates, who is leaving Yoshimura Suzuki after a long tenure, joins NBA Basketball legend Michael Jordan’s Jordan Suzuki motorcycle operation for the 2007 season and will compete in both the AMA Superbike and Superstock Series beginning with Daytona 200 Week By Honda on March 2-10. The talented Georgia rider brings with him three AMA Pro National Championships (750 Supersport, 1996; 600 Supersport, 2002; and 1000 Superstock, 2005) and 25 career AMA National wins. He joins returning rider Jake Holden on the Jordan Suzuki team and replaces Jason Pridmore, who retired following the 2006 season. “I’ve been anxious to get out here and get to work with the new team a little bit and ride these Jordan bikes,” said Yates during the lunch break of the annual Dunlop tire test. The Dunlop tire test is the major tune up for factory and factory-assisted teams before Daytona 200 Week By Honda on March 2-10. Among the many riders in attendance for the test include American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel (five-time Daytona 200 By Honda winner) and Jake Zemke (2006 Daytona 200 By Honda champion); Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes and Aaron Gobert; Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking and Roger Lee Hayden; Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies (2006 AMA Superbike champ) and six-time AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin; and Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom, Eric Bostrom, Jason DiSalvo and Josh Herrin. For Yates, the three-day Dunlop tire test is the first opportunity to ride with his new team. Yates describes the opportunity to ride for Jordan, a huge motorcycle enthusiast, as an “honor.” “I’ve seen (his enthusiasm) for the last couple of years,” Yates said. “His name being so big and it just draws in such a wider spread of people that don’t know anything about motorcycle racing. I think it’s a great thing for the sport and to be the main rider on the team, to be their Superbike guy, is a really neat feeling for me. I’m looking forward to going out there and doing the best I can for them.” Yates says changing teams from Yoshimura Suzuki to Jordan Suzuki will be a learning experience for him. “It’s been a great relationship with Suzuki and my team and the guys that have worked with me,” Yates said. “I hate leaving some of the people but it is exciting going to work with new people. New people have new ideas and different views on things. “It’s a big learning experience is the way I look at it. I’m always game for looking at things another way and learning about something and trying something different. It’s exciting coming to a whole new gig, especially with some competitive motorcycles, and hopefully we can put our bike on top of the box and on top of those factory riders.” The Dunlop tire test continues Tuesday and Wednesday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand available through DAYTONA USA. Tickets for Daytona 200 Week By Honda are available online at ~http://www.racetickets.com~ or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. More, from a press release issued by Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki: Jordan Suzuki Team Jumps Into 2007 with Aaron Yates Three-time AMA Champ Aaron Yates joins Jake Holden on Jordan Suzuki Team AURORA, IL., (Nov. 31, 2006) Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki announced today that three-time AMA National Champion and 2005 AMA Superstock National Champion Aaron Yates has joined the team for the 2007 season. Yates joins returning team rider Jake Holden and replaces the retired Jason Pridmore. Over the past 10 years, Yates has been one of the most dominant competitors on the AMA Pro circuit, earning pole positions, podium finishes, wins in every class in which he participates, and claiming three AMA Pro National Championships (750 Supersport, 1996; 600 Supersport, 2002; and 1000 Superstock, 2005). Yates jumpstart his AMA Pro Racing career in 1993 with several top-10 finishes in the 600 Supersport, 750 Supersport, and SuperTwins classes, earning his first AMA National win in 1994. Since 2005, Yates has posted 17 podium places with 7 wins (in 21 starts) in the Superstock class, and 23 top-5 finishes, 10 podium placements, with 1 win (in 36 starts) in the Superbike class. He has a total of 25 career AMA National wins. Yates will compete in the Superbike and Superstock classes on the new 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 1000, equipped with Dunlop tires, Ohlins Suspension, Yoshimura Exhaust, BPD electronics and motors designed and built (in-house) by Gemini Technology. “I’m really excited to work with the Jordan Suzuki team,” said Yates. “I’m really pumped about representing Jordan in this sport, and the opportunity to help win the team’s first AMA championship. I am looking forward to working with my new crew next week at Daytona and getting the new 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 sorted out.” The Jordan Suzuki duo of Yates and Holden will ride together for the first time at the annual Daytona Tire Test on December 4-6, 2006. This will be their first outing on the brand-new 2007 Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superstock bike. Yates will also be testing the 2006 Jordan Suzuki Superbike previously ridden by the retired Jason Pridmore until the 2007 Superbikes are completed. The goal is to prepare for the AMA Superbike season opener in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 7-10, 2007. Jake Holden returns to the Jordan Suzuki team for the second year, after 2 top-5 finishes and consistent top 10 finishes in 2006. “I look forward to getting back out on the Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000 after a month off,” said Holden. “We had some good results this past year and made a lot of progress. I’m really looking forward to building on that momentum. My team really works hard to give me great equipment, so now it’s up to me to go do my job. I’ve been training really hard since the last race, so I’m ready to go.” Legendary NBA star Michael Jordan formed Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2004 as a result of his passion for motorcycle racing. His mission is to bring a new level of excellence and style to the motorcycle racing industry. For more information on the team, visit the race team website at www.23RACE.com and the Jumpman website at www.Jumpman23.com. For more information and schedules, visit the AMA Superbike Series’ official information web site at www.AMASuperbike.com

Mladin Quickest Monday Morning At Daytona Tire Test

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Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin turned the quickest time during Dunlop tire testing Monday morning at Daytona International Speedway. Riding his 2006-spec GSX-R1000 with basic set-up changes to suit the Daytona track and no new parts, Mladin turned a 1:39.934 on the 2.95-mile infield road course. Mladin’s Crew Chief Peter Doyle reported that the track surface was “really slick,” but Mladin’s time was faster than Jake Zemke’s 1:40.379 turned on the first morning of last year’s tire test at Daytona. Doyle said Mladin was sorting through some of Dunlop’s new tires Monday and trying to get some set-up information that will carry over to his 2007 GSX-R1000, which is scheduled to arrive at the track Tuesday. Third-fastest Monday morning was Eric Bostrom, who was conducting his third test of his new Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike while his teammate and brother Ben Bostrom was getting his first taste of his YZF-R1 Superstock machine. Jamie Hacking was the quickest Supersport rider with a 1:44.092 on his new Kawasaki ZX-6R. Hacking and teammate Roger Hayden were scheduled to test for three days at Barber Motorsports Park in November, but the test was essentially rained out. Corona Extra Racing Honda’s James Ellison got his first-ever taste of Daytona’s high banks and said, “It was very good fun.” Ellison said Gary Mason has joined his team to race in AMA Supersport. Dunlop tire Test Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida December 4, 2006 Monday Morning AMA Testing Times (as provided by AMA timing & scoring): 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.934, Superbike 2. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:40.547, Superbike 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.969, Superbike 4. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR600RR), 1:41.866, Superbike 5. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.235, Formula Xtreme 6. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:42.355, Superstock 7. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.115, Superbike 8. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:43.253, Superstock 9. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:43,399, Superbike 10. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:44.092, Supersport 11. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.752, Supersport 12. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:45.097, Superstock 13. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:45.563, Supersport 14. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.252, Supersport 15. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.365, Supersport 16. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:49.035, Superbike 17. Gary Mason (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:51.531, Superbike

McEnery Takes Unlimited Grand Prix Win In CCS Florida Season Finale At Homestead

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Dave McEnery used his GSX-R1000 to nab the top spot on the podium for the last race of the CCS Florida season, the Unlimited Grand Prix. It was Greg Melka who took the holeshot lead with his brand new GSX-R1000 with Marco Martinez and McEnery in hot pursuit. By lap two Martinez was out front on his GSX-R1000 with McEnery and Melka battling for second place. Halfway through the race, McEnery took over the lead with Martinez just behind him. Darren Luck had worked his GSX-R600 through traffic and into third place with Jeff Wood on a borrowed GSX-R750 close behind. Position swapping continued through the final lap of the race when McEnery hit the front straight with a twenty bike-length gap over Martinez, who took second place on the rear wheel. Another twenty bike-lengths behind him, Wood had claimed the third place spot and also crossed the finish line on the rear wheel. Luck and Melka rounded off the top five. After the race, McEnery commented on the race start, “I think my clutch just had enough, it just kept lurching and I couldn’t get off the line really well. Then when I saw Marco go by, I’m like ‘Well, I’d just better tuck in or he’s going to take off,’ and I just tried to stay behind him. I watched him for a couple of laps then I decided to make moves on him and finally got one to stick. And then once I got by him, I just knew there were two spots on the track I was just a hair quicker and I really tried to get through those well to get a little gap and I guess it worked because I won.” And, at the end of the day, this year’s number one rider Darren Luck, was again presented with the CCS Florida number one plate for the 2007 season. Luck had already wrapped up his position as points leader earlier during the season with a more than 600 point lead over Santiago Villa, next year’s number two plate holder. Unlimited Grand Prix Results: 1. David McEnery (GSX-R1000); 2. Marco Martinez (GSX-R1000); 3. Jeff Wood (GSX-R750); 4. Darren Luck (GSX-R600); 5. Greg Melka (GSX-R1000); 6. Rodolfo Ramirez (GSX-R1000); 7. Robert Wilkey (GSX-R1000); 8. J Seth Starnes (GSX-R1000); 9. Santiago Villa (R1); 10. Michael Rouleau (GSX-R1000).

More From Dunlop Tire Tests At Daytona

Dunlop Tire Testing Day 2: Bostrom, Hacking Happy With New Homes DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2006) Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates isn’t the only rider with new racing leathers during this week’s Dunlop tire testing at historic Daytona International Speedway. In what is a sneak preview for the March 1-10 Daytona 200 Week By Honda, Jamie Hacking has given up his blue Yamaha colors for Kawasaki green leathers while Ben Bostrom has exchanged his Ducati red leathers for Yamaha colors. “It took me a while to see me in green,” said Hacking, the defending Supersport and Superstock class champion, during the lunch break. “It doesn’t look odd to me but it does in a way. When I first started, I rode a Honda and it was painted Kawasaki green and I wore green leathers. I’ve always been a Kawasaki guy when I raced motocross. It does seem odd after riding blue for seven years coming over to green, it’s a big change.” Hacking, who’ll compete in Supersport sand Superbike classes for Kawasaki in 2007, finally got his elusive first victory at Daytona International Speedway after getting nipped at the start/finish line so many times over the years. Hacking outlasted Jason DiSalvo and Yates to win the 2006 Daytona Superstock event. “Daytona, I don’t know what it is about this place,” Hacking said. “I think it’s one of the most prestigious races and one everybody wants to win. It’s a tough track. Everybody knows that and the racing is really close and tough. If you can pull off a win here, you’ve played your cards right. “I outwitted everybody and outsmarted them (in 2006). After trying for so many years and getting beat some many times at the stripe, it was starting to sit in there. Getting one under my belt feels good. Hopefully when we come back in ’07, maybe I can pull off a win in Supersport. I’m not going to set my goals too high on the Superbike yet. I’m still learning a lot of things.” For Bostrom, he’s reunited with his brother Eric at Yamaha. The brothers were last teammates in 1998 with Honda when Eric filled in for an injured Miguel Duhamel for four races. Ben Bostrom is excited about spending the coming season as a teammate with his brother Eric. “You don’t hide information from your brother, you do from your teammate,” Ben Bostrom said. “You are going to talk (to your brother) and get the bike quite a bit better. If it was a teammate, you would be like, ‘I better not let that one out of the bag. That’s my information.’ “ Said Eric Bostrom: “It’s a perfect scenario. We’re going to share the same truck together. It couldn’t get any better. We live together and do everything else together so why not race on the same team and be able to share our thoughts. We’re going to be riding essentially the same motorcycle. His will be in Superstock trim but we will still have a lot to compare.” Signing on with Yamaha to compete in the Superstock class and being a teammate to his brother was an easy decision for Ben Bostrom. “The only other option was to go to Europe and I really wanted to ride here especially with my brother,” Ben Bostrom said. “This was the best seat available and I feel fortunate to be on it.” Tommy Hayden was also supposed to be in his new Yoshimura Suzuki leathers this week but is sitting out the test due to injury. The Dunlop tire test concludes on Wednesday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand available through DAYTONA USA. Tickets for Daytona 200 Week By Honda are available online at http://www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Canadian 600cc Amateur Champion Gets $12,000 In Free Tires For 2007 Season

FREE TIRES FOR TOP AMATEUR TORONTO, ON International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike champion Karl Daigle will have access to up to $12,000 of Pirelli tires in 2007 thanks to a new bonus program introduced by the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, its spec tire supplier and participating motorcycle manufacturers. The Pirelli Amateur Champion Bonus will award $2,000 in Pirelli DOT rubber to the previous season’s top Amateur 600 national class finisher for use in the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship at each of the six rounds of the series. As the 2006 champion, Daigle will have first right to this bonus at each 2007 series event. Should the Amateur champion not appear at any round of the following season, the Pirelli Amateur Champion Bonus will go to the series runner-up at that event. If that rider doesn’t attend either, the tires will go to the next highest finisher from the previous season’s Amateur championship at that race. “One of our toughest challenges is finding ways to make the step up from Amateur to Pro more accessible to our talented young racers,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, which administers the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “Thanks to the co-operation of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, and our spec tire supplier Pirelli, we now have a bonus that will help relieve some of the financial pressures from our Amateur champion.” If the previous year’s International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike champion lands a ride as a full factory racer in their rookie Pro season, they will not be eligible for the Pirelli bonus. “What makes this program especially exciting is that, if the Amateur champion is forced to miss a round or is fortunate enough to find a factory ride, the bonus will not go to waste,” said Brian Williams, Director of Competition for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “At every series round someone will stand to benefit, and that’s good for our rookie Pro racers as a whole.” Funding for the new program will be providing equally through Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Canadian Pirelli race tire distributor Orion Motorsports and PMP. When the Amateur 600 Sport Bike program was launched in 2003 the top prize for the champion included the use of a manufacturer-supplied bike for their rookie Pro season. That arrangement will be discontinued, making Daigle the last rider to potentially take advantage of this offer. The Roxton Pond, Que. teenager won the 2006 title at the final round aboard a Honda CBR600RR. Pirelli began a three-year contract as the spec tire supplier to all classes of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship last season. Its products are distributed at all series rounds by Orion Motorsports. The full schedule for the 2007 Parts Canada Superbike Championship as well as rules changes for the new season will be announced shortly.

With 2007 Superbikes Delayed In Transit Mladin Leaves Daytona Tire Test Early

Mat Mladin completed his tire testing program by the mid-day break Tuesday morning, the second day of the annual three-day Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway, and because Yoshimura Suzuki’s 2007 GSX-R1000 Superbikes have been delayed in transit to the track, the six-time Australian is going home early. “We got through some bits and pieces that we had to get through, and we got through about 10 tires or more for Dunlop,” Mladin told Roadracingworld.com during the lunch break Tuesday at Daytona. “Dunlop had some more tires we could’ve probably tried this afternoon, but this isn’t really the proper place to test on those tires.” “Obviously, we’ve had some issues with our freight company,” said Don Sakakura, Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager. “The new bikes might not get here. We’ll know more this afternoon, but it’s very likely that they won’t make it. Unfortunately, it’s out of my control. “It’s disappointing, because we had quite a lot to look at with the brand new motorcycle. We’re going to have to look at testing at another venue, but it’s a shame because this is our only opportunity to test here before March.” The airplane carrying the new Yoshimura Suzuki Superbikes developed mechanical problems en route to the United States and was forced to land in South Korea to make repairs, delaying its arrival, according to one member of the Yoshimura Superbike team. Mladin’s teammate Ben Spies continued testing his 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superstock machine Tuesday, recording the second-fastest time of the morning, a 1:39.536, while running a prototype Showa shock. Eric Bostrom was third-fastest on his Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, but his best time, a 1:40.155, was roughly equal to the best time he turned Monday. Track conditions were reported to be better Tuesday morning than on Monday, when it was colder. Miguel Duhamel dropped a lot of time on his American Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, which is running a very interesting engine management unit that, judging from engine sound, drops spark to one or two cylinders mid-corner. Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Aaron Yates spent more time with the team’s 2006 GSX-R1000 Superbike today, after testing the team’s 2006 Superstock racer Monday. The team is expected to have one Superstock-spec 2007 GSX-R1000 ready to ride before the test is over. Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes ran through Dunlop’s newest Supersport tires on the 2007 CBR600RR he has been sharing with teammate Aaron Gobert. After Gobert makes another run with the bike Tuesday afternoon, it will be fitted with Formula Xtreme suspension components. Hayes may also get an opportunity to test one of the American Honda CBR1000RR Superbikes Tuesday afternoon. No crashes were reported Tuesday morning, but several riders ran straight at turn one due in part to a moderate tailwind on the front straightaway. Dunlop Tire Test Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida December 5, 2006 Tuesday Morning Times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing timing & scoring): 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.067, Superbike 2. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.536, Superstock 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.155, Superbike 4. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR600RR), 1:40.244, Superbike 5. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.280, Superbike 6. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:40.492, Superbike 7. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.887, Superstock 8. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:41.910, Superstock 9. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:43.058, Superbike 10. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.119, Formula Xtreme 11. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:43.313, Superbike 12. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.610, Supersport 13. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:43.945, Formula Xtreme 14. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:44.623, Supersport 15. Gary Mason (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:44.863, Superbike 16. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.570, Supersport 17. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:46.260, Supersport 18. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:46.833, Formula Xtreme

Ducshop Becomes North American Ducati Pistal Pistons Distributor

Ducshop Performance Center is proud to announce their appointment as the exclusive North American distributor for Ducati Pistal Racing Pistons.

A list of stocking dealers will soon be posted on their website but in the meantime the full range of Ducati Pistal Pistons can be purchase directly from Ducshop. You can find a full list of available models on their website at www.ducshop.com. Some custom pistons are not included on this list but any pistons previously made by Pistal can be obtained. 

Pistal is currently working on an 848 kit for the 749R. 

Pistal offers a wide variety of high compression pistons for most Ducati models that increase horsepower and torque. If you don’t find a piston to suit your bike, please contact Ducshop as their inventory is continuously expanding. 

 As the North American distributor Ducshop will be supplying full technical support to all its dealers along with installation assistance and this support also applies to pistons bought through previous distributors. If needed, spare parts are also available. 

 Please email [email protected] if you wish to become a dealer.

Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities Distributes $501,497 To County Youth Groups

SONOMA, Calif. “” The Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will distribute $501,497 to 55 qualified youth organizations in Sonoma County for the 2006 season. This marks the second consecutive year the Infineon Raceway Chapter has topped the $500,000 mark “” it distributed a one-year record of $554,045 in 2005. Moreover, the chapter has distributed more than $2.1 million since 2002 to Sonoma County youth groups. The chapter’s Board of Trustees recently approved the distribution of funds at its annual meeting. Speedway Children’s Charities is the primary charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which owns and operates Infineon Raceway. “The folks at the track are tireless fundraisers, and countless non-profit organizations get to reap the benefits of their efforts. It is such a blessing for the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance to be one of the recipients they ‘invest’ in,” said Kathy Witkowicki, executive director of the Mentoring Alliance. “We feel really fortunate to partner with (raceway president) Steve Page and his incredible staff.” The monies awarded in 2006 were generated through a combination of Infineon Raceway events, as well as $100,000 raised from the premiere of the Disney/Pixar animated film Cars at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. Other top fundraisers for the year were the Raceway Builders Grand Marshall’s Banquet and the Race & Rock Charity Auction, which combined to raise more than $131,000. Both were held during the raceway’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend in June. In all, the chapter hosted nine events in 2006, primarily tied to the raceway’s motor racing events. The chapter also received a donation from Sonic Automotive Corporation. The chapter was also the beneficiary of funds generated from the Classic Sports Racing Group’s (CSRG) Charity Challenge and 3J’s Motorcycle Track Days at Infineon Raceway. CSRG donated more than $90,000 to the Sonoma Chapter this year, while 3J’s generated $25,000. Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to qualified children’s organizations. Founded in 1984 by Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Speedway Children’s Charities originated at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Fifty-five youth groups will receive funding from Speedway Children’s Charities in 2006: ANOVA Center for Education; Bob Burke’s Kids; Boy Scouts of America Redwood Empire Council; Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma; California Parenting Institute; Canine Companions for Independence; Catholic Charities Diocese of Santa Rosa; Climate Protection Campaign; Committee on the Shelterless; Community Action Partnership; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center; Grandparents Parenting Again; Girls Scouts of Konocti Council; Humane Society of Sonoma County; Kenwood Education Foundation; KRCB Public Radio; La Luz Center; Matrix Parent Network; McDowell Drug Task Force; Northern California Center for Well Being; Old Adobe School; Operation Youth of Sonoma Valley; Petaluma Education Foundation; Petaluma People Services Center; Redwood Empire Food Bank; Roseland University Prep; Routes For Youth; Santa Rosa Symphony; Social Advocates for Youth; Sonoma Children’s Cancer Foundation; Sonoma Community Center; Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development; Sonoma County Public Library Foundation; Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation; Sonoma Ecology Center; Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (5); Sonoma Valley High School Boosters Club; Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance; Sonoma Valley Soroptimist Foundation; The Living Room; The Salvation Army; Valley of the Moon Boys & Girls Club; Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation; Valley of the Moon Aquatics; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; Volunteer Center of Sonoma County; Wells Fargo Center for the Arts; Willmar Center for Bereaved Children; YWCA of Sonoma County. “The grants that our schools have received from Speedway Children’s Charities over the past several years have made a huge impact for our students,” said Tim Boeve, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. “This source of revenue, stemming primarily from the events at Infineon Raceway, has been a tremendous boon for strengthening education in our Valley’s public schools.” For more information on the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, email Denise Silver at [email protected].

Colin Edwards To Sign Autographs At Long Beach, California International Motorcycle Show December 8-9

Yamaha MotoGP Star Colin Edwards to Appear at Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach California December 4, 2006″¦Fresh off his test of the new 800cc MotoGP bike with team mate Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Motor Corporation is pleased to announce that factory MotoGP pilot Colin Edwards will be on hand signing autographs at this weekend’s Long Beach California Cycle World International Motorcycle Show. Colin will be in the new Yamaha display on Friday December 8th from 5-6 and 6:30-7:30PM and again on Saturday from 10:30-11:30AM and from 12:30-1:30PM. Be sure to stop by for your free autographed poster of the “Texas Tornado.”

Updated: Mladin Fastest After First Day Of Tire Testing At Daytona

Six-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin turned the fastest time during the multi-AMA-team Dunlop tire test Monday at Daytona International Speedway. Mladin lapped the 2.95-mile infield road course in 1:39.635 while evaluating new Dunlop tires on his 2006 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike. “We just tested a few tires more than anything,” Mladin told Roadracingworld.com at the end of testing Monday. “There’s no point in doing too much with the [old] bike, and the track’s too cold. It could catch you out, maybe.” The 2007 GSX-R1000 Superbike Mladin tested in mid-November at Sepang, in Malaysia, was still in transit to Daytona on Monday, forcing Mladin’s crew to pull last year’s Superbike, complete with its Number One plate, off of the motorcycle show circuit and prepare it for action at Daytona. “It would be nice to have the new bike here,” said Mladin, “but it’s not a bad thing to be able to jump on this thing and give us a good comparative test, you know? You can see Ben’s [Spies] got going on the new Superstock bike already, so it’s promising.” Mladin added that his right shoulder felt good following post-season surgery to “clean-up” injuries suffered in a crash during testing at Phillip Island in January 2006. American Honda’s Jake Zemke had a promising day going Monday, until he crashed. Zemke had just posted the second-fastest time of the day, a 1:39.785, while dialing in new suspension and new engine management components and evaluating new Dunlop tires, when he crashed in turn one. “I just lost the rear, like immediately, as soon as I picked the throttle up in the corner the rear just came around. There was no way of saving,” Zemke told Roadracingworld.com. “I had already put four or five laps on [the tire]. I had just done my quickest lap. We went back and looked at all the data, and I was doing the exact same thing that I was doing the lap before: throttle application, engine rpm, wheel speed. Everything was exactly the same, within one percent.” Zemke was uninjured in the crash and continued testing on his second CBR1000RR Superbike. Zemke’s crashed bike did not suffer major damage. Eric Bostrom was the third-quickest rider overall, recording a 1:40.116 on his new Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike. Bostrom was cautiously optimistic at the end of the day, saying he and his bike had room for improvement. 2006 AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies posted the fastest time in the Superstock category, a 1:40.249 on his 2007 GSX-R1000. Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki debuted Aaron Yates Monday at Daytona, but Yates’ teammate Jake Holden was forced to sit on the sidelines. Holden had surgery just before Thanksgiving to have some hardware in his right wrist (the remnants of a 165 mph crash at VIR in 2005) replaced so that he will be ready to test when the team’s 2007 bikes are ready in January. AMA Team Test Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida December 4, 2006 Monday Afternoon Times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing timing & scoring): 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.635, Superbike 2. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:39.785, Superbike 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.116, Superbike 4. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.249, Superstock 5. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.091, Superbike 6. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.217, Superbike 7. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:41.418, Superbike 8. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:41.694, Superbike 9. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.813, Superbike 10. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), 1:41.980, Superbike 11. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.141, Formula Xtreme 12. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:42.811, Superstock 13. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:42.837, Superbike 14. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.476, Supersport 15. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:45.061, Supersport 16. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), 1:45.540, Formula Xtreme 17. Jsoh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:47.161, Supersport 18. Gary Mason (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:47.547, Superbike 19. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:47.774, Formula Xtreme More, from a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing: AMA SUPERBIKE TEAMS AT DAYTONA TIRE TEST The Dunlop Tire Test kicked off today at Daytona International Speedway, signaling the unofficial start of the 2007 AMA Superbike presented by Parts Unlimited season. The Dunlop-sponsored portion of the Daytona test runs December 4-6, and is followed by a Pirelli-sponsored test on Dec. 7 and 8. Live timing for the tire tests is available via www.amasuperbike.com’s @theWire, accompanied by news and expert analysis from AMA Superbike reporter Chris Martin. Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin topped Monday afternoon’s Superbike timesheets with a fast lap of 1:39.635. Honda’s Jake Zemke was second fastest, with a time of 1:39.785, followed by Eric Bostrom’s 1:40.116 lap aboard his Yamaha R1. Reigning AMA Superbike Champ Ben Spies was fourth fastest with a time of 1:40.249.

Updated: Yates Makes Debut For Jordan Suzuki In Dunlop Tire Test At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., – During the first day of Dunlop tire testing at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the Daytona 200 Week By Honda, the motorcycle world witnessed Aaron Yates in his new Jordan Suzuki leathers. Yates, who is leaving Yoshimura Suzuki after a long tenure, joins NBA Basketball legend Michael Jordan’s Jordan Suzuki motorcycle operation for the 2007 season and will compete in both the AMA Superbike and Superstock Series beginning with Daytona 200 Week By Honda on March 2-10. The talented Georgia rider brings with him three AMA Pro National Championships (750 Supersport, 1996; 600 Supersport, 2002; and 1000 Superstock, 2005) and 25 career AMA National wins. He joins returning rider Jake Holden on the Jordan Suzuki team and replaces Jason Pridmore, who retired following the 2006 season. “I’ve been anxious to get out here and get to work with the new team a little bit and ride these Jordan bikes,” said Yates during the lunch break of the annual Dunlop tire test. The Dunlop tire test is the major tune up for factory and factory-assisted teams before Daytona 200 Week By Honda on March 2-10. Among the many riders in attendance for the test include American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel (five-time Daytona 200 By Honda winner) and Jake Zemke (2006 Daytona 200 By Honda champion); Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes and Aaron Gobert; Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking and Roger Lee Hayden; Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies (2006 AMA Superbike champ) and six-time AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin; and Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom, Eric Bostrom, Jason DiSalvo and Josh Herrin. For Yates, the three-day Dunlop tire test is the first opportunity to ride with his new team. Yates describes the opportunity to ride for Jordan, a huge motorcycle enthusiast, as an “honor.” “I’ve seen (his enthusiasm) for the last couple of years,” Yates said. “His name being so big and it just draws in such a wider spread of people that don’t know anything about motorcycle racing. I think it’s a great thing for the sport and to be the main rider on the team, to be their Superbike guy, is a really neat feeling for me. I’m looking forward to going out there and doing the best I can for them.” Yates says changing teams from Yoshimura Suzuki to Jordan Suzuki will be a learning experience for him. “It’s been a great relationship with Suzuki and my team and the guys that have worked with me,” Yates said. “I hate leaving some of the people but it is exciting going to work with new people. New people have new ideas and different views on things. “It’s a big learning experience is the way I look at it. I’m always game for looking at things another way and learning about something and trying something different. It’s exciting coming to a whole new gig, especially with some competitive motorcycles, and hopefully we can put our bike on top of the box and on top of those factory riders.” The Dunlop tire test continues Tuesday and Wednesday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand available through DAYTONA USA. Tickets for Daytona 200 Week By Honda are available online at ~http://www.racetickets.com~ or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. More, from a press release issued by Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki: Jordan Suzuki Team Jumps Into 2007 with Aaron Yates Three-time AMA Champ Aaron Yates joins Jake Holden on Jordan Suzuki Team AURORA, IL., (Nov. 31, 2006) Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki announced today that three-time AMA National Champion and 2005 AMA Superstock National Champion Aaron Yates has joined the team for the 2007 season. Yates joins returning team rider Jake Holden and replaces the retired Jason Pridmore. Over the past 10 years, Yates has been one of the most dominant competitors on the AMA Pro circuit, earning pole positions, podium finishes, wins in every class in which he participates, and claiming three AMA Pro National Championships (750 Supersport, 1996; 600 Supersport, 2002; and 1000 Superstock, 2005). Yates jumpstart his AMA Pro Racing career in 1993 with several top-10 finishes in the 600 Supersport, 750 Supersport, and SuperTwins classes, earning his first AMA National win in 1994. Since 2005, Yates has posted 17 podium places with 7 wins (in 21 starts) in the Superstock class, and 23 top-5 finishes, 10 podium placements, with 1 win (in 36 starts) in the Superbike class. He has a total of 25 career AMA National wins. Yates will compete in the Superbike and Superstock classes on the new 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 1000, equipped with Dunlop tires, Ohlins Suspension, Yoshimura Exhaust, BPD electronics and motors designed and built (in-house) by Gemini Technology. “I’m really excited to work with the Jordan Suzuki team,” said Yates. “I’m really pumped about representing Jordan in this sport, and the opportunity to help win the team’s first AMA championship. I am looking forward to working with my new crew next week at Daytona and getting the new 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 sorted out.” The Jordan Suzuki duo of Yates and Holden will ride together for the first time at the annual Daytona Tire Test on December 4-6, 2006. This will be their first outing on the brand-new 2007 Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superstock bike. Yates will also be testing the 2006 Jordan Suzuki Superbike previously ridden by the retired Jason Pridmore until the 2007 Superbikes are completed. The goal is to prepare for the AMA Superbike season opener in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 7-10, 2007. Jake Holden returns to the Jordan Suzuki team for the second year, after 2 top-5 finishes and consistent top 10 finishes in 2006. “I look forward to getting back out on the Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000 after a month off,” said Holden. “We had some good results this past year and made a lot of progress. I’m really looking forward to building on that momentum. My team really works hard to give me great equipment, so now it’s up to me to go do my job. I’ve been training really hard since the last race, so I’m ready to go.” Legendary NBA star Michael Jordan formed Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2004 as a result of his passion for motorcycle racing. His mission is to bring a new level of excellence and style to the motorcycle racing industry. For more information on the team, visit the race team website at www.23RACE.com and the Jumpman website at www.Jumpman23.com. For more information and schedules, visit the AMA Superbike Series’ official information web site at www.AMASuperbike.com

Mladin Quickest Monday Morning At Daytona Tire Test

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin turned the quickest time during Dunlop tire testing Monday morning at Daytona International Speedway. Riding his 2006-spec GSX-R1000 with basic set-up changes to suit the Daytona track and no new parts, Mladin turned a 1:39.934 on the 2.95-mile infield road course. Mladin’s Crew Chief Peter Doyle reported that the track surface was “really slick,” but Mladin’s time was faster than Jake Zemke’s 1:40.379 turned on the first morning of last year’s tire test at Daytona. Doyle said Mladin was sorting through some of Dunlop’s new tires Monday and trying to get some set-up information that will carry over to his 2007 GSX-R1000, which is scheduled to arrive at the track Tuesday. Third-fastest Monday morning was Eric Bostrom, who was conducting his third test of his new Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike while his teammate and brother Ben Bostrom was getting his first taste of his YZF-R1 Superstock machine. Jamie Hacking was the quickest Supersport rider with a 1:44.092 on his new Kawasaki ZX-6R. Hacking and teammate Roger Hayden were scheduled to test for three days at Barber Motorsports Park in November, but the test was essentially rained out. Corona Extra Racing Honda’s James Ellison got his first-ever taste of Daytona’s high banks and said, “It was very good fun.” Ellison said Gary Mason has joined his team to race in AMA Supersport. Dunlop tire Test Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida December 4, 2006 Monday Morning AMA Testing Times (as provided by AMA timing & scoring): 1. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:39.934, Superbike 2. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:40.547, Superbike 3. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:40.969, Superbike 4. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR600RR), 1:41.866, Superbike 5. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), 1:42.235, Formula Xtreme 6. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:42.355, Superstock 7. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.115, Superbike 8. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:43.253, Superstock 9. Akira Yanagawa (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:43,399, Superbike 10. Jamie Hacking (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:44.092, Supersport 11. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), 1:44.752, Supersport 12. Ben Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1), 1:45.097, Superstock 13. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:45.563, Supersport 14. Chaz Davies (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.252, Supersport 15. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:48.365, Supersport 16. James Ellison (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:49.035, Superbike 17. Gary Mason (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:51.531, Superbike

McEnery Takes Unlimited Grand Prix Win In CCS Florida Season Finale At Homestead

Dave McEnery used his GSX-R1000 to nab the top spot on the podium for the last race of the CCS Florida season, the Unlimited Grand Prix. It was Greg Melka who took the holeshot lead with his brand new GSX-R1000 with Marco Martinez and McEnery in hot pursuit. By lap two Martinez was out front on his GSX-R1000 with McEnery and Melka battling for second place. Halfway through the race, McEnery took over the lead with Martinez just behind him. Darren Luck had worked his GSX-R600 through traffic and into third place with Jeff Wood on a borrowed GSX-R750 close behind. Position swapping continued through the final lap of the race when McEnery hit the front straight with a twenty bike-length gap over Martinez, who took second place on the rear wheel. Another twenty bike-lengths behind him, Wood had claimed the third place spot and also crossed the finish line on the rear wheel. Luck and Melka rounded off the top five. After the race, McEnery commented on the race start, “I think my clutch just had enough, it just kept lurching and I couldn’t get off the line really well. Then when I saw Marco go by, I’m like ‘Well, I’d just better tuck in or he’s going to take off,’ and I just tried to stay behind him. I watched him for a couple of laps then I decided to make moves on him and finally got one to stick. And then once I got by him, I just knew there were two spots on the track I was just a hair quicker and I really tried to get through those well to get a little gap and I guess it worked because I won.” And, at the end of the day, this year’s number one rider Darren Luck, was again presented with the CCS Florida number one plate for the 2007 season. Luck had already wrapped up his position as points leader earlier during the season with a more than 600 point lead over Santiago Villa, next year’s number two plate holder. Unlimited Grand Prix Results: 1. David McEnery (GSX-R1000); 2. Marco Martinez (GSX-R1000); 3. Jeff Wood (GSX-R750); 4. Darren Luck (GSX-R600); 5. Greg Melka (GSX-R1000); 6. Rodolfo Ramirez (GSX-R1000); 7. Robert Wilkey (GSX-R1000); 8. J Seth Starnes (GSX-R1000); 9. Santiago Villa (R1); 10. Michael Rouleau (GSX-R1000).