The final race of the MotoGP season in Valencia, which saw 25 year-old American Nicky Hayden claim the MotoGP World Championship following a crash from five-time champion Valentino Rossi, saw MotoGP audiences reaching record highs to top off an incredible season of racing in the world’s premier motorcycling race series. The season has seen growth across most networks broadcasting the sport this season, and the figures at the thrilling Gran Premio bwin.com de la Comunitat Valenciana bear testament to that improvement. For the season’s culmination in Italy, a new viewing record was set for Italia 1, the Mediaset-owned channel which broadcasts MotoGP. A massive 8,850,000 viewers coupled with a 48.25% share represents the highest amount of spectators ever recorded on the channel, breaking the previous record of 8.446 million from MotoGP’s Catalunya race in 2005. Spain also saw a good turnout, TVE revealing that 3.35 million had tuned in to Sunday’s action, with a peak of 4.8 million towards the end of the MotoGP race, overall a 36.7% share. TVE could also boast positive figures during the 250cc race, where Jorge Lorenzo claimed his first world title, with 2.1 million watching the race live, a 36.2% share. In Britain, 1.4 million race-fans watched the exciting events unfold at Valencia on the BBC, representing a 15.5% share, whilst in Austria a share of 7.5% represented a new record high for the 12-3pm slot on the ATV channel. With Nicky Hayden claiming his first title, there were also positive signs from viewing figures back home in the USA, with cable channel Speed recording a 54% increase in figures compared to the same race in 2005.

A mere 22 days after the final race of the 2006 AMA Superbike season, factory teams were back on track testing machinery in preparation for the 2007 season. Yamaha’s Eric Bostrom and Jason DiSalvo tested their new 2007 YZF-R1 Superbikes at Daytona International Speedway October 24-25. “The test went better than I thought it would,” said Yamaha Team Manager Tom Halverson. “The CCS guys were there running the old course configuration, so the AMA portion of the infield was green and really, really slippery when we got there. So to get the times we were getting with a brand new motorcycle was really impressive. Top speed was good, too.” Because the new YZF-R1 is so similar in external dimensions and ergonomics to the 2006 model, Yamaha did not have to sacrifice a day — or an entire test, as is common practice, to set the handle bar, footpeg and seat positions on their new bikes. The team simply set the controls of the new bikes like those of Eric Bostrom’s and DiSalvo’s 2006 Superstock YZF-R1s and started testing. Still, the team plans another test, probably in northern California, before heading back to Daytona for the annual Dunlop tire test in early-December. As soon as Yamaha moved out of Daytona, American Honda pulled in for two days of testing (October 26-27) with factory riders Miguel Duhamel and Jake Zemke, Erion Honda’s 2006 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Josh Hayes and the Rockwall Honda’s Ryan Andrews. The Honda teams primarily worked on their new 2007 CBR600RRs, while American Honda’s factory men continued working with the engine management (a.k.a. traction control) systems on their CBR1000RR Superbikes. Honda hopes to squeeze in another test on the West Coast before the Dunlop tire test. Kawasaki’s first test of the off-season is scheduled to happen at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama, in November. This will mark 2006 AMA Supersport and Superstock Champion Jamie Hacking’s debut as a Team Green rider and as Roger Hayden’s teammate. In addition to Hacking’s acclimation to the team, Kawasaki’s time at Barber will be its first opportunity to try its new, 2007 ZX-6R Supersport machine and to continue development on its ZX-10R Superbikes. Kawasaki also hopes to hold a second test before going to Daytona in December. Yoshimura Suzuki held its first test of the new season, a one-day test, November 1 at Willow Springs in Southern California. The outing had two goals. First, new-to-the-team Tommy Hayden needed to start developing his relationship with his new crew and get familiar with his new bike. And 2006 AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies and six-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin needed to get shakedown runs on their new, 2007 GSX-R1000 Superbikes before the team headed to Sepang, Malaysia in November for the first real test of the new machine. Yoshimura Suzuki hopes to conduct a third test in America before going to the Daytona Dunlop tire test.

WERA racer and U.S. Marine Luke Wikle, 20, of Huntsville, Alabama was injured by a explosive device that detonated while he was on a foot patrol in Iraq. Wikle suffered shrapnel wounds in one thigh and is recovering in country. Luke Wikle is the eldest son of racer Luther Wikle and his wife Libby, and is the older brother of WERA racer Russell Wikle. Read about it here: ~http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=37300344&MyToken=5041826a-26be-459f-bcba-d3940ca0e401~

Reached by phone at 1:29 p.m. California time today and asked to comment on charges that officers took an hour to respond to the car-jacking of racer Ben Thompson, and then didn’t believe Thompson was car-jacked, a Tucson Police public information officer hung up on Roadracingworld.com . We’ll take that as a “No comment.”

Racer Ben Thompson was car-jacked in Tucson, Arizona at 8:30 a.m. local time, a thief taking off in Thompson’s blue 2004 Ford F150 Lightning, VIN #2FTRF07324CA74217, which was pulling an enclosed 5×8-foot U-haul trailer full of stock motorcycle parts and bodywork. The incident occured in the parking lot of a Super 8 motel located at I-10 and 22nd Street. Thompson was en-route from San Diego to Houston when he pulled in front of the hotel’s entrance to drop off his room key. “It was less than 10 seconds and this guy jumped into my truck,” said Thompson, “and started pulling away. I jumped in front of the truck and he hit me, and I flew off the side of the fender. He had a sharp turn he had to make to get out of the parking lot and I got in front of him again and he hit my knee. Then I jumped up and grabbed onto the window and was hanging on and he accelerated out onto the roadway and started swerving until I was thrown off and rolled across three lanes of traffic. I stood up, all bloody, and nobody would even stop to help me.” Thompson said that police officers who responded to the incident didn’t believe him, including Officer Galaida. “I’m obviously beat up, the guy hit me like three times, they showed up like an hour later after I saw three different police cars drive by and tried to wave them down. When they showed up they asked me if I was involved in any drug deals or prostitution to lose the truck. Asked me what I was really doing here, why I was in the area. I had called and told them within two minutes of the thing happening where the truck was going and then they showed up an hour later and asked me what the truck looked like. “Then the last thing they said to me was, ‘Let us know if you somehow find your truck.'” The truck has Alaska plates and the trailer has Oregon plates; more information will be posted when it becomes available. Thompson qualified on pole for the final AMA Superbike race of the season, at Mid-Ohio, and finished the race in 13th.

According to a memo to dealers, Buell is discontinuing the BRAG owner’s club, as follows: November 2, 2006 To: All U.S. Buell Dealers, AROs and SRLs Subject: BRAG to be discontinued; membership benefits open up to ALL Buell owners Dear Buell Dealer: Since the club’s formation, members of the Buell Riders Adventure Group™ (BRAG) have been some of Buell Motorcycle Company’s biggest fans and some of our very best mutual customers. Based on the feedback we’ve received from them and from you, we’re making significant changes to BRAG. Specifically, we are phasing out the BRAG membership program, including clubs. This means, effective immediately, we will no longer take membership applications or renewals for membership. Beginning in November 2006, we will be rolling out a more comprehensive (and we believe better) approach to our interactions with owners. These interactions will primarily take place through www.buell.com and plans for expanded event presence. Most importantly, we’re opening things up to all Buell owners. Overview: More specifics will be announced over the next few months; until then, here’s an overview of the changes: A new “Owners” section of www.buell.com is being created. This section will be THE destination to find information about local Buell owner clubs and events, as well as the place to communicate with other Buell owners. Look for these enhancements in early 2007. FUELL® magazine will continue, and be available at no cost to Buell owners who reside in the United States. Owners simply need to go to the Owners section of www.buell.com and update their online profile to receive FUELL in 2007. If they do not have an online profile, they must create one in order to receive (or to keep receiving) this magazine. The annual Buell Homecoming will continue and will be open to all Buell owners. It is tentatively planned for June 2007. We will continue to offer special hospitality for Buell owners at races, rallies and International Motorcycle Shows. In fact, our offerings will be enhanced. Look for more details in the near future. Some previous BRAG member benefits (e.g., Shipping, Roadside Assistance Program, Travel Insurance) will be available to all Buell owners, for a fee and where applicable. Local gatherings of Buell riders, such as the Wicked Twisty tours, will continue to be promoted via FUELL and, starting in 2007, at the Owners section of www.buell.com. Existing BRAG clubs are encouraged to continue; however, those with “BRAG” in the title will need to adopt new names. In addition, each dealer will be responsible for obtaining insurance of their club and/or dealer-sponsored events. Attached is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers so that you are prepared to answer questions Buell owners may have over the next few weeks. These FAQs will also be prominently posted on www.buell.com. The bottom line is that we are improving the privileges and ownership experience for all Buell owners more than ever before. And we’re giving you the flexibility to engage sport bike customers the best way you see fit in your market. We hope you’re as excited about these forthcoming changes as we are! More information will be coming in future issues of FUELL magazine and at www.buell.com. Hang on; it’s going to be an exciting ride! If you have specific questions about BRAG please call BRAG at 888.432.BRAG. Your SPOC representative can assist with all non-BRAG related inquires. Best of Roads Ahead, Jon Flickinger, President and Chief Operating Officer and Erik Buell, Founder and Chief Technical Officer

Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Walker is delighted with the performance of the new GSX-R1000K7 after completing a two-day test at Valencia in Spain. Walker rode the 2006 Rizla Suzuki at the Mallory Park Race of the Year and for the first morning of the Valencia test to get up to speed before trying the new fledgling GSX-R1000K7. Despite it featuring numerous standard production parts, within 15-laps he had comfortably bettered his previous best lap time. Rizla Suzuki young gun Cal Crutchlow tested the 2006 Rizla Suzuki during both days and finished just one second behind his team mate. He tested many parts and Dunlop tyres and is champing at the bit to ride the new GSX-R1000K7 at the team’s next test, scheduled for late January 2007. In dry and warm conditions the Rizla Suzuki pair completed 293 laps over the two-day test. Rizla Suzuki will spend the winter months building and developing the all-new race bikes at its Verwood headquarters in Dorset before undertaking further foreign tests early in the New Year. Chris Walker: “I started out on the 2006 bike so I could compare with the new GSX-R. On the K7 the engine is in development specification and there were road bike parts being used but even then it was a noticeable improvement over the old race bike. “The new bike was easier to ride, accurate and took less effort to hold its line and do what I wanted it to do. It’s really encouraging as my lap times were good and there still remains a lot of untapped potential. It’s a fast user-friendly bike and the team will now be working to make it even quicker. I’m smiling.” Cal Crutchlow: “It’s been a good test and I’ve learnt a lot about what you can adjust and change on a Superbike there is a lot more than I have ever had to think about before. PJ, my Chief Mechanic, has also learnt a lot so from that point of view it’s been a great test. “Personally I am a little disappointed to have been beaten by my team mate but we all know the 2007 bike is at least a half second or more better than the 2006 GSX-R, so I’m okay with it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the new bike so I can test it. January can’t come quick enough.” Simon Buckmaster – Team Manager: “It’s been a good first test for Rizla Suzuki. It’s already clear the new GSX-R1000K7 is a better race bike than the 2006 version and that gives us all encouragement although we will not be relaxing at all. Instead we will be working hard over the coming months to build and improve the package we currently have in time for our next test. “Chris was on lap record pace and while Cal was a little bit behind him he learnt about what can be changed on a Superbike and will be a lot stronger because of it. It’s back to England to start the hard developmental work now before starting a comprehensive foreign test schedule early in 2007.”

Two-time Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden joins defending Superbike Champion Spies & six-time Superbike Champion Mladin BREA, Calif., Just a few short months after winning the 2006 AMA Superbike Championship, Yoshimura Suzuki is already preparing for the upcoming 2007 road race season. The team’s talented lineup for next year includes the return of both the reigning 2006 AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies as well as six-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin. Joining Spies and Mladin for the 2007 season is newly signed Tommy Hayden. The new Yoshimura Suzuki trio rode together for the first time at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 1. This was their first outing on the brand-new 2007 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike. The goal was to prepare for the more formal test in Malaysia later this month, according to Team Manager Don Sakakura. “We didn’t have much in the way of testing components on Wednesday,” said Sakakura. “Those will arrive for the Malaysia test on Nov. 15 -17. This was more of a ‘Superbike shakedown.’ Obviously, Tommy Hayden is the newest member of our team and we wanted to get him on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 for a few laps. This was the first time for Tommy and our staff to work together and we wanted to get him as comfortable as possible on the bike as quickly as possible.” Suzuki signed Hayden, 28, to race the GSX-R1000 in the premier Superbike class and the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R600 in the Supersport class for the next two years. Kentucky native Hayden is a two-time AMA Supersport Champion, having won the prestigious title in both 2005 and 2004. “The Willow test was a lot different for me because I’ve been riding another bike for a long time,” said Hayden about his first ride on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike. “It was real exciting, just trying to take it all in. I was real happy and everybody on the team was great. They’re really knowledgeable and I feel like we accomplished what we set out to accomplish. This was my first opportunity to work with my crew chief, Katsu Yanagawa, and I just tried to learn from him as much as I could. We’re taking things slow, trying to get our communication down so he understands what I’m looking for and I understand what kind of procedures he likes to do in testing. It was a good day.” Newly crowned AMA Superbike Champion Spies, 22, also put in some laps at the Willow Springs shakedown and is optimistic about the 2007 season. Spies will defend his AMA Superbike Championship and will also race in the AMA Superstock class next year. “It was good to get back out on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 after a few weeks off,” said 22-year-old Spies. “We didn’t do a whole lot of laps, more like we were just getting familiar with the new 2007 bike. But it looks like we’ll have another great motorcycle to race this year.” Australian Mladin echoed Spies’ sentiments. “The shakedown of the new Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 was awesome,” said 34-year-old Mladin, who will again race the Superbike class only. “We did a few laps at Willow Springs that were surprisingly good. It looks like Suzuki has delivered another great motorbike that makes even more horsepower than last year’s bike.” For more information on the 2007 Yoshimura Suzuki team, please log on to www.teamsuzuki.com.