Corona Extra Honda Racing has signed 26-year-old Englishman James Ellison to race in the 2007 AMA Superbike Championship. Ellison is a two-time European Superstock Champion and a three-season MotoGP veteran. Corona Extra Honda Racing took delivery of its 2007-spec CBR1000RR’s at its Birmingham, Alabama race shop Wednesday, according to Team Principal Tim Saunders, and is expecting its shipment of HRC parts any day. Ellison will make his debut with Corona Extra Honda Racing at the Dunlop tire test in early December at Daytona International Speedway. More information, go to ~http://www.corona-racing.com/html/team.html~

Kawasaki has split up with German team owner Harald Eckl and will now run its MotoGP program out of Kawasaki headquarters in Japan. A news report (in Dutch) on the development can be seen here: ~http://www.racesport.nl/nieuwsbericht/11291/MotoGP-Harald+Eckl+en+Kawasaki+uit+elkaar.html~ Team Eckl mechanic Rob Roston told Roadracingworld.com today, “They will not be working together anymore as of now. The team will now be run direct from Japan by Yoda-san.” Ichiro Yoda, 52, was the Kawasaki Racing Team’s Technical Director in 2005 and 2006. He was formerly with Yamaha, working on development of the 1983 OW61 YZR500 and heading the 1986 YZR250 project that saw Venezuelan Carlos Lavado win the 250cc World Championship. After working on additional YZR500 and YZR250/TZ250 projects, Yoda was the YZR-M1 Project Leader; he joined Kawasaki prior to the start of the 2005 MotoGP season.

AMA PRO RACING BRINGING BONUS AWARDS PROGRAM ONLINE PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Nov. 16, 2006) AMA Pro Racing has announced that it has teamed up with XBux Inc., to revolutionize its Bonus Awards Program by bringing it online. By moving what is normally a manual system to the internet, the AMA is able to expand and improve efficiency for its Bonus Awards Program. Beginning with the 2007 racing season, every AMA professionally-licensed competitor will receive an AMA Pro Racing Visa debit card tied to an online XBux Pro account. This will enable participants to receive contingency payouts online. All industry sponsors participating in the AMA Bonus Awards program will have the option of participating. The program offers many benefits to riders: “¢ Reduced pay-out time, typically within hours of competing, since the program is tied directly to AMA Timing and Scoring. “¢ Online results added to riders’ online resumes, viewable by other riders and sponsors. “¢ Community features, teams, buddy list, messaging and feedback between riders. “¢ Uploadable text, pictures and video. “¢ Online tracking of bonus awards. “¢ Awards can be spent anywhere Visa is accepted, as well as used at ATMs. “¢ Real-time email and text message alerts sent whenever a cash reward is deposited. “¢ Rider year-end tax forms are created automatically. “¢ Access via an 800-number tech support line. Benefits to sponsors: “¢ Reduced labor cost. No more checks to issue or letters to mail. “¢ Reduced overhead in matching results to payout schedule. “¢ Online award tracking as well as full reports e-mailed on a per-event basis. “¢ Brand awareness and logo/naming exposure on riders’ accounts. “¢ Online access to all rider profiles/resumes/results. “¢ Direct payout access to every AMA Pro rider in one easy turnkey system. “¢ Access via an 800-number tech support line. “The objective here is to get everyone on the same page, which will help drive efficiency and consistency,” said Gus Niewenhous, AMA Pro Racing’s Assistant Manager of Commercial Development. “Together with the industry, we hope to develop a system that riders can use to receive all of their sponsor awards and purse payouts. Likewise, this system will provide a turnkey program that sponsors can use for all of their contingency disbursements.” The new online Bonus Awards Program will launch this January beginning with the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. Future plans include integrating event purse payouts, as well as the entire AMA Sports amateur program. Sponsors will have access to every single AMA rider (75,000+) within one system. Additionally, riders will be able to receive rewards from their sponsors on one card account. The addition of the amateur program will also allow sponsors to issue online branded product and service discounts as well as branded “company currency” (a company specific currency redeemable online via the sponsors’ normal retail distribution channels) as well as cash. “We’re very excited about our new partnership with the AMA,” said Richard Grogan-Crane, of XBux. “Together, we are providing a system that raises the bar significantly in what is offered to riders and sponsors. We believe our system of cash allocation, integrated results, community features, 24-7 online tracking, automated resume building and tax forms brings a very high level of service to riders and award sponsors.” For more information on the AMA Bonus Awards Program, contact Gus Niewenhous at 714.986.9030; [email protected] or Connie Fleming at 614.856.1900, ext. 1258; [email protected]. XBux Inc., is the premier provider of 100% online performance payout, award campaign management, promoter automation, nationally ratified results and participant community services. For more information please visit www.xbux.com or call 866.367.9289.

Yamaha factory rider Jason DiSalvo, who is slated to race full-time in the 2007 AMA Superbike Championship, will make a special one-off appearance in the AMA Formula Xtreme class to race his YZF-R6 in the 2007 Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida. The announcement was made today during the official 2007 Yamaha Factory Race Team Introduction at Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. headquarters in Cypress, California.

MILLER MOTORSPORTS PARK ADDS A NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL WEST RACE TO A FULL 2007 RACING SEASON TOOELE VALLEY, UTAH (November 16, 2006) “” Miller Motorsports Park (MMP) today announced a 2007 schedule that is among the best in the United States and will include the return of popular racing series like the American LeMans, AMA Superbikes and Supermoto, and Grand Am, plus the addition of a NASCAR Grand National West Series and more. “You will see the top racers in the world at Miller Motorsports Park in 2007,” said Mitch Wright, Director of Racing. “MMP has gone from zero to 200 mph in less than 24 months,” said Alan Wilson, General Manager. “Not only are cars reaching speeds of nearly 200 mph down the front stretch, MMP is attracting race series that typically take years for a new track to secure.” Miller Motorsports Park opened in April 2006 and had an exceptional inaugural year, which included the international honor of being named “Motorsport Facility of the Year,” a prestigious award granted by the Professional MotorSport World Expo in Cologne, Germany. “Such a venue is invaluable to the state, and further positions Utah as a leader in the national and international sports community,” commented Jeff Robbins, president & CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. Every weekend in 2007, from end of March through end of October, will be full of action. In addition to the major events, for example, are weekends featuring kart racing, car racing, and motorcycle racing all on different tracks and all at the same time. Historic racing will be back – with the Historic Sportscar Racing series, a Nostalgia racing weekend, and new in 2007 a Shelby American Auto Club national event, which is expected to draw up to 1,000 cars from all over the US. Opportunities for local racers to fine-tune their skills will be abundant. Miller management expects even more Utah racers and regional racers to participate in 2007. Miller will again offer the popular Plaza Cycle Masters of the Mountains series for motorcycles, the MPRA (Miller Park Racing Association) for cars, the Plaza Cycle Utah Supermoto series, and a Utah kart championship series. “Whether you race or not, there’s something for you here,” said Wilson. “Racing is a sport unlike any other where fans can get close to the stars and meet and talk to the riders and drivers. When you buy a ticket, you also get access to the paddock and Grand Prix garage area, so the public can see the teams at work on race days. Also, we will again host special fan forums, and at times fans will even be invited onto the track before the start of the race. In addition, we think we’ll generate a lot of interest in the track with our “Free Fridays” next year. Most Fridays will be free, and kids 12 and under are always free.” Miller Motorsports Park operates a High Performance Driving School and is host to Freddie Spencer’s world-renowned motorcycle school. Kart rentals and corporate events are available on a daily basis during the season. The 2007 Miller Motorsports Park Schedule March 31-April 1 Season Opens (kart race, Plaza Cycle Masters of the Mountains motorcycle race, SCCA Driver’s School/regional race) May 3-6 Racing 2 Save Lives May 18-19 The Utah Grand Prix – American LeMans Series May 25-27 SCCA Double National June 15-17 WERA regional motorcycle racing June 22-24 The Honda Summit of Speed AMA Superbike Doubleheader July 6-8 Stars of Karting, SAAC Shelby Meet July 14 NASCAR Grand National West Series August 3-5 Historic Sportscar Racing September 7-9 Vintage Motorcycle Racing (AHRMA) September 14-15 The Sunchaser 1000 – Grand Am Series The Plaza Cycle Masters of the Mountains dates are: March 31-April 1, April 21-22, June 9-10, July 28-29, August 11-12, August 25-26, September 8-9. The MPRA race dates are: April 7, May 12, June 9-10, July 28-29, August 25-26, September 22-23. The Utah Kart Championship series dates are: March 31, April 14, April 21, May 12, May 26, June 2, June 3, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, September 8, September 22, October 6, October 20. The Plaza Cycle Utah Supermoto dates are: April 7, May 20, June 17, July 1, August 18, August 19, September 16, October 13.

Camel Yamaha Team Test Sepang, Malaysia Thursday 16th November 2006 DRY DAY AIDS EDWARDS’ 800CC PROGRESS IN MALAYSIA After yesterday’s torrential downpour, the rain stayed away today and the sun came out at Sepang for the second day of MotoGP testing at the Malaysian track. Yamaha pilot Colin Edwards, who is riding Yamaha’s new 800cc motorcycle for the first time this week, was able to complete 48 laps and make significant improvements to the setting of his bike, despite suffering a small slide into the gravel in turn one at one stage. Edwards was luckily unhurt and was able to continue working on the same bike after a short time. The two Suzukis of John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen where fastest today, putting in times of 2’02.77 and 2’02.78 respectively. Having set the fastest time yesterday, Edwards was able to improve on that and finished the day third fastest with a best lap of 2’02.91. Following yesterday’s washout, Yamaha have elected to stay for one more half day of testing tomorrow before heading home for a short break ahead of the final test of the year in Jerez. COLIN EDWARDS (3rd 2’02.91, 48 Laps) “The sun came out today, luckily, but the track was still wet this morning so we had to wait until about eleven before we could get going. Anyway things felt pretty good straight away and we were able to start doing some real work, playing around with some new stuff and just generally improving the setting all over. We then tested some new front tyres for Michelin and the second one especially felt really good. As a result I was pushing quite hard and just held onto the brake a little too long into turn one, which is when I came off. It wasn’t a big crash; I was trying to find the limit and it just bottomed out. Anyway it wasn’t a great drama and within half an hour I was back out on the same bike. After that we just kept on tweaking away at the setting; we ruled a few things out and some things in and made a lot of progress. I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot in a short time and now we’ve just got a few more things to try out tomorrow before we head home.” DAVIDE BRIVIO CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR “Today was a good day and, although we had to wait for the track to dry, we had time to get through a lot of work. Colin went well today and ha was able to give some very important information to our engineers, as well as put in some good lap times. We managed to complete everything we had scheduled for the day and we’re pleased with his progress. Finally we have decided to stay for one more half day of testing tomorrow to make up for the time we lost yesterday, and then we will have a short break before the next test in Jerez, which is also going to be very important for the ongoing development of our bike.” Unofficial Lap Times (800cc Bikes) 1. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 2’02.77 2. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki, 2’02.78 3. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Yamaha, 2’02.91 4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda, 2’03.74 5. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda, 2’03.87 6. Carlos Checa (SPA) Honda, 2’04.08 7. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Yamaha, 2’04.65 8. Tadayuki Okada (JPN) Honda Test Rider, 2’05.70 Sepang Lap Record: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2006, 2’02.127 Sepang Best Lap: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2006, 2’00.605 More, from a press release issued by Honda: MotoGP test Sepang November 16, 2006. Day two of three day test. Honda RC212V riders get to grips with their new machines in the heat of the Malaysian sun The second day of the planned three-day MotoGP test session at the 5.548 k Sepang circuit, Malaysia started at 9.30, as soon as the damp track had been dried off by the burning sun. With ambient temperatures quickly rising to 34 plus degrees combined with high humidity and the track surface eventually reaching 45 degrees the Honda riders returned to testing the RC212V MotoGP machines they will campaign in the 18-round world championship of 2007. First out to take advantage of the almost ideal conditions was Repsol Hondas MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. The American played catch-up on the HRC test programme badly interrupted by the torrential rain of the opening day. Hayden set about improving the balance of his RCV having felt the weight distribution gave to heavy a feeling from the front end. Once satisfied with the required chassis changes had the desired effect he moved on to evaluating engine mapping changes and suspension parts developed for the new generation of 800cc Honda GP machines. Following his machine development work Nicky moved on to test a range of Michelin tyres designed to maximise the potential performance of the prototype RC212V. Toni Elias is the sole Gresini Honda rider in attendance at the test and the Spaniard continued his acclimatisation with the RC212V putting in 60-laps as he learned as much as possible about the characteristics of the new machine while chasing a base set up that will work as his guideline for future tests and eventually the grands prix. Elias tested the overnight set up changes before evaluating the Bridgestone tyres he will use for the first time in earnest when the season opens at the Losail Circuit in Doha, Qatar on March 10 next year. Toni improved on his best lap time of yesterday by 1.1 seconds and announced himself happy with his days work albeit acknowledging both he and the team have a lot of work to do in the winter test season. The third Honda RC212V rider out on track was Carlos Checa riding the LCR Honda. Checa only managed five full laps of the Sepang circuit yesterday but made up as much time as possible with running a marathon 81-lap stint today. Checa worked on finding a better machine balance to improve corner entry speed. The team worked with various changes to the steering head angle to give Carlos a better feeling from the front tyre when he tipped the RCV into the corners. He also feels a need to improve the seating position by moving the seat back and possibly changes to the fuel tank for him to be more comfortable on the machine. Nicky Hayden’s Repsol Honda team-mate, Spaniard Dani Pedrosa who has already tested the RC212V twice, will resume testing his 2007 mount at Jerez on November 28. Pedrosa recently underwent pre-scheduled surgery to his left forearm. He will be joined at Jerez by Italian Marco Melandri (Gresini Honda) another rider returning to testing following minor surgery. Melandri will make his RC212V debut at Jerez as will Japanese star Shinya Nakano who will be making his debut as a Honda MotoGP rider in 2007, racing the Konica Minolta Honda. Honda rider lap times and quotes. Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2m 03.73s – 77 laps. “We were a little bit faster today but we have a lot of work to do, me to I have to work harder. Today we moved the swinging arm pivot both up and down to check the feed-back looking for better rear grip and a good feeling. We also tried a new shock but that was not really what we were looking for, we need something in between. I tried some changes on the mapping and other electronic stuff. Basically we just need to understand the bike better than we do right now. But I didn’t really give my best today. My brother Tommy crashed today testing his US Superbike and what with running to the phone to check out his condition and testing the day could have been much better. Luckily Tommy’s OK so I will go into tomorrow in better shape.” Toni Elias, Gresini Honda: 2m 03.903s – 60 laps. “We have to improve many things but today we didn’t change too much on the bike, nothing big on chassis and suspension because we are trying to understand how the bike behaves on Bridgestone tyres. I am happy about the Bridgestone performance. Machine balance is not so bad and we can definitely improve with chassis and suspension changes. Basically this was my first full day of testing with the new generation RCV and I just need more laps on the machine to understand but its definitely easier to ride than the 990cc, its more like a 250 and has higher corner speed, you can get on the gas hard and very early with this bike.” Carlos Checa, LCR Honda: 2m 04.085s – 81 laps. “Yesterday was my first time on the bike but in five laps I learned nothing. Today we got in a full day of testing and I realised that the power is not the strong point of an 800cc bike. We worked on the front end to try and find a better feeling going into the corners. We tried different off-sets because the front felt a little heavy. With those changes we needed to test tyres to check the character of this bike using these tyres. In the passed two years I have used both Bridgestone and Dunlop tyres so I have to learn all about the new generation of Michelin tyres, they are a different concept to the last time I used Michelins. During this test we have to clarify the good and not so good features of the machine for the engineers to work the best way before we return to test here again in January.” Overall lap times: John Hopkins, Suzuki: 2m 02.77s. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki: 2m 02.78s. Colin Edwards, Yamaha: 2m 02.91s. Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2m 03.73s. Toni Elias, Gresini Honda: 2m 03.903s. Carlos Checa, LCR Honda: 2m 04.085s. Olivier Jacque, 990cc Kawasaki: 2m 04.49s. Makoto Tamada, 990cc Yamaha: 2m 04.69s. More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing Honda: GOOD START FOR TONI ELIAS ON THE RC212V Honda RC212V riders profit of the ideal track conditions at Sepang (Malaysia) to carry on the test programme spoiled yesterday by torrential rain. The Spaniard Toni Elias of the Gresini Honda team completed in total 60 laps. Toni made some tyre testing together with Bridgestone technicians and lapped with the target to understand the bike before staring to work on the set up. TONI ELIAS (2.03.903, 60 laps): “We have to improve many things but today we didn’t change too much on the bike, nothing big on chassis and suspension because we are trying to understand how the bike behaves on Bridgestone tyres. I am happy about the Bridgestone performance. Machine balance is not so bad and we can definitely improve with chassis and suspension changes. Basically this was my first full day of testing with the new generation RCV and I just need more laps on the machine to understand but its definitely easier to ride than the 990cc, its more like a 250 and has higher corner speed, you can get on the gas hard and very early with this bike.” UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES John Hopkins, Suzuki: 2m 02.77s. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki: 2m 02.78s. Colin Edwards, Yamaha: 2m 02.91s. Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2m 03.73s. Toni Elias, Gresini Honda: 2m 03.903s. Carlos Checa, LCR Honda: 2m 04.085s. Olivier Jacque, 990cc Kawasaki: 2m 04.49s. Makoto Tamada, 990cc Yamaha: 2m 04.69s. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office: Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen dominated the second day of testing at Sepang by posting the two fastest times to lead today’s timesheets. Hopkins was the quickest rider of the day with a time of 2’02.73, which was fractionally outside his best lap time from September’s Malaysian Grand Prix, and well over a second quicker than his time from the first day. He completed 58 laps of the 5.5km circuit including a 22-lap run as he tested the latest Bridgestone tyres to match them to the new 800cc engine characteristics to see how they would perform over race distance. He also tested a new fairing and seat shape with some very positive results Vermeulen also shaved over a second off his best time from Wednesday, recording a fastest lap of 2’02.83 during his 62 laps. He tried many chassis settings to find the best balance for his GSV-R that would enable him a faster corner entry speed and mid-corner pace. He also conducted thorough tyre tests as he searched for the best combinations for his machine. Suzuki Factory Engineers that are present at the test worked with the Team to improve engine control, driveability and throttle response strategies. This will continue into tomorrow’s final day of testing as Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will be looking to improve further on today’s results.

Suzuki Australia will return as a major sponsor of the 2007 Australian Superbike Championship. Suzuki will again offer financial support to the nation’s premier national road racing championships, covering the entire eight-round series which now features a new double-header format for selected rounds in 2007. “Racing is an important part of the Suzuki psyche. In Australia and around the world, Suzuki has been a dominant factor in top-level production class racing throughout the modern era,” said Glyn Griffiths, National Marketing Manager – Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia. “For the second consecutive year, Suzuki has made a significant financial commitment to the Australian Superbike Championship that supports our own commitment to creating the highest quality motorcycle racing and raising the profile of the sport in this country. “In addition to renewing our position as a major sponsor for the Aussie Superbike series, Suzuki has expanded its Suzuki Support Rider scheme, plus the on-track commitment with Team Yoshimura Suzuki is greater than ever and we are very confident and excited about our new race program. “Team Yoshimura Suzuki will field a strong rider line-up in the 2007 Superbike and Supersport classes and we expect to be a major force in both categories. It is only fitting that we are major sponsors of these series’ too.” Presenting a stunning team of champion riders, Team Yoshimura Suzuki will feature three-time Australian Superbike Champion Shawn Giles and 2003 Australian Superbike Champion Craig Coxhell racing aboard Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes, while 2003 Australian 125 GP Champion Josh Waters will pilot the factory Suzuki GSX-R600 Supersport machine. AUSCO General Manager Terry O’Neill is delighted about the continuing partnership with Suzuki Australia. “The continuation of this major sponsorship agreement with Suzuki Australia is an indication of the strength of the current series and Suzuki’s dedication to the sport,” he said. “Suzuki’s contribution is of great importance and will make a positive impact on motorcycle racing in this country. “For 2007, the Australian Superbike series has been expanded to eight rounds and, for the first time, will include an exciting, new double-header format that will provide interesting new opportunities for our sponsors, including Suzuki.” Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s Giles, Coxhell and Waters will take to Eastern Creek Raceway, New South Wales, for round one of the Australian Superbike and Supersport Championships on February 16-18th, 2007.