VALENTINO ROSSI IN NEW ZEALAND WITH A SUBARU IMPREZA ON PIRELLI Italy’s motorcycle world champion with Solberg and Atkinson in the third Impreza. The WRC factory cars on Pirelli P Zero tires are aiming for another top result. After a excellent results three weeks ago in the Rally of Australia, the Pirelli-fitted Subaru Impreza WRCs were once again among the top contenders in New Zealand, where the 15th and penultimate round in the world rally championship will start on Friday, November 17. In the Antipodes, Subaru World Rally Team leader Petter Solberg will be aiming once more for victory. The same goes for Chris Atkinson, in one of the other Impreza WRC06s, competing on Pirelli P Zero tires: he led part of the first leg before an error dropped him down the classification. As well as the two Subaru-Pirellis in their typical official blue livery the rally, there will be a third Impreza competing on Pirelli P Zeros, emblazoned with the number 46 and will driven by Valentino Rossi. The man who has won so many world championships on two wheels in the 125, 250, 500 cc and MotoGP classes will compete in the Rally of New Zealand with direct support from Pirelli Competizioni. Co-driven by Carlo Cassina, Valentino Rossi will attempt to repeat his performance in the 2005 Rally of Monza and the Memorial Bettega, in both of which he also drove a Pirelli-shod Subaru Impreza. Rally Manager of Pirelli Competizioni, Mario Isola, said, “Pirelli is enthusiastic about the opportunity of supplying its tires in New Zealand for a third ace at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRC. Valentino Rossi sampled the quality of our P Zeros last year in Italy and the fact that he has once again opted for Pirelli is very satisfying. For this penultimate counter towards the World Rally Championship, Pirelli Competizioni will have on offer the latest evolutions of its K tread. Rossi, who is competing as a private entrant, can select a second tread and we will provide him with the latest developments of our new KP, which have already satisfied another two aces of the caliber of Solberg and Atkinson. So in New Zealand, I expect another first class result, as was the case with the excellent second place of Petter, who has returned to his rightful place as one of the potential winners of every rally.”

BUELL LIGHTNING SUPER TT XB12STT UNVEILED AT MILAN SHOW Buell Delivers Sport Performance with New Urban Supermoto Motorcycle MILAN (Nov. 14, 2006) It’s time to take to the street with attitude and style as Buell brings on the new Lightning Super TT XB12STT packed with tenacious performance and distinctive urban character. The Lightning Super TT, launched today at the EICMA 64th Annual International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, Italy, is built for battle with characteristic Buell Streetfighter innovation and excitement. “Buell motorcycles let riders own the corners and have fun, whether it’s the corners on a back highway or corners of a city street,” said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Buell Motorcycle Company. “The Lightning Super TT XB12STT continues that concept by blending street and track performance with plenty of torque and power into a bigger, versatile Supermoto-inspired design.” As the latest addition to the Buell Lightning family, the Lightning Super TT combines hard core Streetfighter attitude with the style of Supermoto bikes. The Supermoto (aka SuperMotard or US TT) category refers to an all-around style of motorcycle combining characteristics of road racing, dirt track and motocross bikes. The Lightning Super TT captures a rebellious and aggressive racing spirit. Other models in the Buell Lightning family are the Lightning XB12S, Lightning XB12Scg, Lightning Long XB12Ss and Lightning CityX XB9SX. The Buell Lightning family is known for its combination of functional rider ergonomics and sporty styling. The Lightning Super TT provides a long, smooth 31.4-inch solo seat height with Supermoto-style, while a passenger seat can be added. A 5.63-inch suspension travel and 54-inch wheelbase let you take the Lightning Super TT wherever the road leads. A 43 mm Showa inverted front fork with fully adjustable front suspension and adjustable Showa rear shocks add even more versatility. While the Lightning Super TT has a slick, competition-inspired look with racing-style number plates, white Surlyn flyscreen and minimalist Satin Black tail section, the bike begs riders to show their inspiration for customization as these components can easily be personalized. The white Surlyn flyscreen sits below a wide, flat handlebar with cross brace, instrument panel and deflectors for aggressive street riding. The upper front fender provides debris protection with a Supermoto look. Primed with 84 ft. lbs. of torque and broad powerband of the Buell Thunderstorm 1203 45-degree engine, the Lightning Super TT is just the bike to attack city streets. On the roads of the urban jungle or in the corners of a long canyon run, the Lightning Super TT is powerful in every gear, rpm and twist of the throttle. The air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin engine features DDFI II electronic fuel injection and the Buell Interactive Exhaust is tuned for the ultimate in performance and control. The Buell Trilogy of Technology featuring frame rigidity, mass centralization and low unsprung weight works to provide the Lightning Super TT with superior handling, powerfully smooth acceleration and legendary Buell torque. A lightweight aluminum frame contains the fuel while the swing arm holds oil. The muffler is located below the engine and the Immediate Throttle Response System has a light Goodyear Hibrex final belt drive with Flexten Plus technology to provide what feels like a direct connection between the throttle and the rear wheel for an exhilarating ride in all conditions. A ZTL (Zero Torsional Load) front braking system, mounted on the wheel perimeter 375mm rotor, is gripped by six-piston caliper allowing for light, six-spoke Designer Black Super TT wheels. Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires on the Lightning Super TT have an aggressive tread pattern to provide better bite on even the nastiest pavement. The Lightning Super TT features Barricade Orange or Arctic White airbox cover molded in color schemes. U.S. MSRP for the Lightning Super TT will be $10,295, and it will be available at Harley-Davidson/Buell dealerships in mid to late January 2007. Buell Lightning Super TT XB12STT highlights: 1203cc (73.4 cid) Thunderstorm Powertrain: 3.500-inch (88.9 mm) bore and 3.812-inch (96.82 mm) stroke 10.0:1 compression ratio 49 mm down draft DDFI II fuel injection Interactive Exhaust with mass-centralized mounting 103 peak horsepower @ 6800 rpm (per SAE J607) 84 ft. lbs. peak torque @ 6000 rpm (per SAE J607) Designer Black 6-Spoke Powdercoat cast aluminum wheels: Front: 3.5 inch (89 mm) x 17 inch (432 mm) wheel with 120/70 ZR-17 tire Rear: 5.5 inch (140 mm) x 17 inch (432 mm) wheel with 180/55 ZR-17 tire Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires Buell ZTL front brake Front and rear suspension travel of 5.63 inches (143 mm) 43 mm Showa fully-adjustable front suspension with inverted forks Showa fully-adjustable rear suspension with coil-over monoshock with remote reservoir Narrow Supermoto-style solo seat Laden seat height 31.4 inches (798 mm) Supermoto-inspired upper front fender design Racing style white Surlyn flyscreen and tail section number plates that are easily swapped out as a canvas for moto art and self-expression 23.1-degree rake and 4.7-inch (119 mm) trail Dry weight: 400 pounds (181 kg) Wheelbase: 54 inches (1372 mm) Graphite Gray frame and swingarm Supermoto-style crossbar with deflectors. Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces sport motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Pull into www.buell.com for the Buell dealer nearest you.

Woodcraft Purchases JMK Specialties, Klucky Pucks Woodcraft Technologies Inc., a leading aftermarket manufacturer of roadracing accessories in the United States, is proud to announce the acquisition of JMK Specialties, the producer of “Klucky Pucks” knee sliders. Woodcraft will now be the exclusive producer and distributor for these knee sliders. The classic “Klucky Pucks” will remain unchanged. Woodcraft’s President Eric Wood was quoted saying, “Klucky Pucks have been my puck of choice for some time now, they wear extremely well and had that super grippy velcro that ensured they would never come off while I was riding. When the opportunity came up to add a top shelf product like Klucky Pucks to the Woodcraft lineup, I was eager to put the deal together”. Klucks pucks were chosen as the winner in a large Roadracing World comparison several years ago. Klucky Pucks are available for $40 retail through Woodcraft or any Woodcraft dealer. Available colors are Black, White, Red, Blue and Yellow. John Klucky, former racer and founder of JMK Specialties, has founded a new company producing hunting videos that is called Klucky’s Outdoor Adventures. We wish John the best of luck in the future. Woodcraft Technologies, Inc. 105 Baldwinville Rd Winchendon, MA 01475 (978)297-2977 Fax (978)297-2922 www.woodcraft-cfm.com

SBK test Valencia Spain: 14th, 15th November 2006 Day 1 It was just one month ago we were racing in Magny Cours and celebrating the new Champions, and already the 2007 WSBK season is starting. This two days of testing here in Valencia actually represent the first act of the 2007 incoming season, with the new teams and bikes. The development teams are called to start testing the 2007 material, with a programme Pirelli is carrying on and which is starting with three appointments: Valencia, Doha, Phillip Island. “They started testing the same tyres they raced with here at the beginning of the season, in order to find the same references, then they swapped to the solutions developed during the year in order to see the improvements and the development path, and finally they could test and evaluate the new solutions they haven’t tried yet,” stated Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli racing manager. “Next step will be the test in Qatar, which will take place in December, ant then we will move to Australia in January. At the end of these three appointments we will be ready to face the new season, but of course we have already planned a full testing activity during the year.” Pirelli in the 2006 season has set the new track record with the new race tyres in almost every Round, so the 2007 season will be really though, as the goal will be the same: improve. Riders testing at Valencia: WSupersport (Pirelli DIABLO SUPERCORSA) Sofuoglu Honda Ten Kate 1’37.2 Charpentier Honda Ten Kate 1’37.9 Parkes Yamaha Motor Germany Foret Kawasaki Gil Motorsport 1’38.9 Riba Kawasaki Gil Motorsport 1’39.8 Veneman Suzuki Hoegee 1’39.4 Nannelli Ducati SC Caracchi 1’37.4 Race ’06: Best lap 1’38.66 Pole ’06: 1’36.91 WSBK (Pirelli DIABLO SUPERBIKE) (Race tyres Qualifyers) Bayliss Ducati Xerox 1’34.8 Lanzi Ducati Xerox 1’34.9 Toseland Honda Ten Kate 1’34.7 Rolfo Honda Ten Kate 1’37.4 Haga Yamaha Motor Italia 1’35.8 Corser Yamaha Motor Italia 1’35.6 Kagayama Suzuki Alstare 1’35.1 Biaggi Suzuki Alstare 1’35.2 Laconi Kawasaki PSG-1 1’35.4 Nieto Kawasaki PSG-1 1’35.8 Race ’06: best lap 1’35.37 Superpole: 1’34.9 At this first appointment Pirelli is also testing some new materials with some teams racing in National Championships. SBK Borciani (ITA) Team Ducati Sterilgarda 1’35.7 Hafenegger (DE) Honda Alpha Tecnik 1’40.2 Daemen (DE) Honda Alpha Tecnik 1’39.3 SS Roccoli (ITA) Yamaha Lorenzini 1’39.5 Vizziello (ITA) Yamaha Team RG 1’39.0 Velini (ITA) Yamaha Team RG 1’39.6 Laverty (UK) Suzuki TAS 1’40.7 Pellino (ITA) Yamaha Bike Service 1’41.1 Giugovaz (ITA) Yamaha Bike Service 1’40.1 Harding (DK) Suzuki 1’42.0 STK Corti (ITA) Yamaha Lorenzini 1’39.1 Badovini(ITA) Team MV Unionbike 1’39.1 Tode (DE) Honda Alpha Tecnik 1’40.7 Cermak (CZ) Team MBB Racing 1’46.0 Weather conditions: dry Track Temperature from 12 to 25° C More, from a press release issued by FGSport: 2006 SBK CORONA EXTRA SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP® PIRELLI TEST VALENCIA 14 and 15 NOVEMBER FIRST DAY Valencia, Tuesday 14th November 2006 TOSELAND TOPS DAY ONE TIMES A two-day test for the SBK Pirelli development teams at Valencia in Spain was kicked off in bright and sunny conditions, with James Toseland (Ten Kate Honda) posting the fastest time of the day. He made in excess of 50 laps, and his best time was faster than that set in race conditions in the 2006 Superbike race, and even faster than Superpole. Close behind came the 2006 champion, Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) with his team-mate, Lorenzo Lanzi, just a tenth behind. The Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra duo of SBK regular Yukio Kagayama and exciting SBK ‘new boy’ Max Biaggi were fourth and fifth fastest respectively, with Biaggi setting a 1’35.2 in his first ‘open’ SBK testing session. Regis Laconi was top PSG-1 Kawasaki rider, sixth fastest, while Troy Corser had a fast outing on his new-for-2007 Yamaha R1, heading off his team-mate Noriyuki Haga. Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki) and Roberto Rolfo (Ten Kate Honda) completed the top Superbike ten. SOFUOGLU HEADS UP SUPERSPORT RIDERS In the Supersport class, Kenan Sofuoglu (Ten Kate Honda) scorched to the fastest time, continuing his impressive 2006 race season form. Juts behind was Ducati specialist Gianluca Nannelli (Ducati SC Caracchi), with 2006 champion Sebastien Charpentier (Ten Kate Honda) third fastest. One more day remains for the SBK and WSS riders to set their best times of the entire test. WSBK (Pirelli DIABLO SUPERBIKE) (Race tyres Qualifyers) Toseland Honda Ten Kate 1’34.7 Bayliss Ducati Xerox 1’34.8 Lanzi Ducati Xerox 1’34.9 Kagayama Suzuki Alstare 1’35.1 Biaggi Suzuki Alstare 1’35.2 Laconi Kawasaki PSG-1 1’35.4 Corser Yamaha Motor Italia 1’35.6 Haga Yamaha Motor Italia 1’35.8 Nieto Kawasaki PSG-1 1’35.8 Rolfo Honda Ten Kate 1’37.4 Race ’06: best lap 1’35.37 Superpole: 1’34.9 World Supersport (Pirelli DIABLO SUPERCORSA) Sofuoglu Honda Ten Kate 1’37.2 Nannelli Ducati SC Caracchi 1’37.4 Charpentier Honda Ten Kate 1’37.9 Foret Kawasaki Gil Motorsport 1’38.9 Veneman Suzuki Hoegee 1’39.4 Riba Kawasaki Gil Motorsport 1’39.8 Parkes Yamaha Motor Germany n.a. Race ’06: Best lap 1’38.66 Pole ’06: 1’36.91

According to a report in the December 2006 issue of American Motorcyclist, the official magazine of the AMA, Super Bike Racing’s Andrew Wright has been sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $20,674 to former customers after being convicted of illegally importing, re-labeling and selling motorcycles that didn’t meet EPA and DOT standards. Super Bike Racing is based in Valdosta, Georgia and has generated several complaints from Roadracing World readers over the last 15 years, most involving motorcycles and products that were not what the buyer believed them to be at the time of purchase. And now some comment from a reader: FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I just read the post on your website about Super Bike Racing’s Andrew Wright. Do you know what prison he’s in? I want to write him a real nice letter! He screwed me years back and a few friends of mine. Thank you. A long time subscriber, Bill Smith Aliso Viejo, California

HONDA CBR1000RR chosen by Corona Extra Racing for 2007 AMA Superbike series American Honda Motor Co. Inc. and Cycle Motion Experience LLC, operating entity for Corona Extra Racing, have signed a multi-year agreement to support Corona Extra Racing in the AMA Superbike Championship. The Team – Corona Extra Honda Racing, will enter one or more riders in the Superbike class riding CBR1000RRs. Selection of rider(s) will be forthcoming soon. Cycle Motion Experience principal Tim Saunders said: “All of us in the Corona Extra Racing Team are very excited to be working with American Honda and to field the CBR1000RR in the Superbike class. The multi-year agreement gives us the opportunity to develop the CBR1000RR to the highest level of competitiveness. Further, we will be able to grow our national retail display program with Corona to a level of exposure for our partners not seen before in AMA racing!” American Honda Senior Vice-President of Motorcycles, Ray Blank announced the partnership at the national Honda dealer convention in Las Vegas. Blank said: “We’re very impressed with Team Corona’s racing experience and promotional professionalism. Having the team as a partner is a great opportunity to expand consumer awareness of both their program and ours.”

The Central Roadracing Association held its annual Banquet on Saturday November 11, 2006. During the event a silent auction was held to benefit the Red Flag Fund www.redflagfund.org . The auction was organized by long time racer and former Club President, Mark Dargis. The CRA was able to raise over $1200.00 for the newly formed fund that helps injured racers. The Red Flag Fund is continuing the tradition started by the Wegman Fund for injured racers. For information about the Red Flag Fund and what it does, or to make a donation please contact Jeff Kufalk through the website mentioned above. The CRA is proud to be a contributor to the fund.

Arroyo Seco Raceway November 12, 2006 by Andy Ruhl Doug Chandler sets lap record at Arroyo Seco Raceway Three time AMA superbike champion Doug Chandler set the Arroyo Seco Raceway motorcycle lap record at 1:07.69. The time was set in the counter-clockwise direction. Chandler was riding his 2006 Superbike spec Kawasaki ZX-10R during a practice session for the weekend’s races. The Chandler family was visiting Arroyo Seco for Doug’s Champ Racing school and to attend to son Jett’s racing. The lap record was previously set by AMA Superbike privateer standout Ben Thompson at 1:07.78. Arroyo Seco Raceway is located near Deming, NM. For more information, visit http://www.ASMAracing.com or call Roger Heemsbergen at 505-494-4794.