Two-race title challenge starts in Portugal for Rossi Five years to the week since he won the MotoGP World Championship for the first time, Valentino Rossi heads into the penultimate round of the 2006 season at Estoril in Portugal next Sunday aiming to finally overthrow Nicky Hayden from the top of the standings and set-up his sixth premier-class title in a row. After an amazing run of form for the Italian, who has made up 39 points over the last four races, he is now just 12 behind and on course to catch the American by the final round at Valencia. A slip-up for Rossi, of course, could see Hayden take the number 1 plate this Sunday, but the formbook suggests that this should not be the case, with Rossi having finished on the podium in each of his previous six visits to Estoril. The 27 year old has won the race four times, including his first appearance there for Yamaha in 2004, whilst conversely for Hayden it is one of his least successful circuits – his best result coming last year when he finished seventh. Estoril’s location on the western tip of Europe, just seven kilometres from the Atlantic coast, makes it vulnerable to dramatic changes in weather and high gusts of wind, meaning the riders can take nothing for granted. An autumn visit promises to deliver similarly wild conditions to those encountered when the event was held last year in the spring, culminating in the first ever flag-to-flag race in MotoGP – although unlike at Phillip Island three weeks ago none of the riders opted to come in and change bikes. Rossi’s team-mate Colin Edwards was a victim of the conditions on that occasion, the Texan sliding off his bike on lap twenty-four and then remounting to finish in sixth place. This year the 31-year-old is hoping for much better fortune as he looks to build on excellent recent progress with the set-up of his YZR-M1 machine, including sensational lap times in the recent one-day test at Motegi, and end his season on a high. Valentino Rossi: Two difficult tracks Valentino Rossi remains confident that he has the speed to beat Nicky Hayden in any situation although he admits that the upcoming circuits are not amongst his favourites. An intense summer of hard work by Yamaha’s engineers on the YZR-M1 has given Rossi a competitive and adaptable package that he believes can adjust to the demands of both Estoril and Valencia and give him every chance of retaining the title, which he has made his own in recent seasons. “Now we have two difficult tracks but I think our M1 can be fast at both of them,” says Rossi. “Since Brno, when we finally understood everything about what we needed to do to make our bike work at 100% again, we’ve been very strong everywhere and on the podium each time. I think that we’re as strong as our rivals now and when we’re at the maximum we’re always going to be fighting at the front. Of course we know we could have won more if we’d been like this earlier in the season but we can’t do anything about that. Anyway we know our potential and when we’ve started from the front lately we’ve been on the podium each time, so we have to carry on like this. “Everyone involved has helped bring us back to this level. I think the team’s level of motivation and concentration is the best in the paddock, it’s incredible, more than anyone else, so I have to say thank you again. I actually like Portugal – the ’04 bike especially was very good there. It’s twisty but we can go well there. In ’05 we had some problems with the tyre, plus it was only the second race and early in the year so the weather was bad. I hope that it will be a bit warmer and won’t rain, and that we can find a good tyre with Michelin.” Colin Edwards: Our turn for sunshine Colin Edwards is also hoping that recent hard work on the YZR-M1 can bear fruit in a final two-race swansong for the 990cc machine. With development of the 800cc bikes now well underway ahead of the rule changes in 2007, the American is hoping he can end the era on a high and finally fulfil the promise he has shown on the current bike in brilliant flashes over the past two seasons. “We made a big step forward at the test after the last race in Motegi and I was pretty much flying round the track that day,” says Edwards. “We’ve only got two more races with this bike but it is always important to improve in testing so that you can translate that to race conditions, which is what we hope will happen in Portugal. Even though we haven’t had the exact results we’ve hoped for at the last two races, the overall feeling with the bike has been much better and so with any luck the recent adjustments we made in Motegi will give us a competitive package in Estoril. “I was unlucky to be one of the ones that went down in the rain last year but I did get back on and finish sixth, although I had better improve on that this time around! I don’t have any particularly strong feelings one way or another for the track, it’s got a bit of everything but I think it suits our bike quite well. As a place it’s not bad either – the coastline is beautiful and the food is great. The only problem is the weather, but we’ve been fairly unlucky with that this season so hopefully it’s our turn for some sunshine!” Davide Brivio: Keeping the focus After such a good run of recent form, Camel Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio says that the most important requisite from his staff over the final two rounds is that they maintain their focus. From being 51 points behind just four races ago Valentino Rossi is now within striking distance of the championship summit and Brivio is determined not to let this opportunity slip. “The championship is now in its final, vital stage and it’s important that we don’t lose focus,” says Brivio. “Our target for Estoril is to continue in the same way as at the last few races and arrive at the last round in a position to fight for the championship there. Estoril is going to be very important because we need to try to close the gap as much as possible to put us in the best position to win in Valencia. “Colin did a great test on Monday in Motegi and made some really important steps forward. If we’re able to confirm this improvement in Estoril and Valencia then I think we can definitely see him back fighting at the front at these two races. Unfortunately he’s struggled quite a bit this season with finding the perfect setting on the bike, but we’re not giving up! We have confidence in him and we know that we can see him in a better position for the final two races.” Technically speaking: Estoril according to Mike Norton The Autodromo Fernanda Pires de Silva is a circuit of extreme contrasts. One of the lengthiest main straights in MotoGP allows speeds of over 340km/h to be reached and yet the chicane is one of the slowest corners on the calendar. The track itself has the slowest average speed and the throttle is seldom overworked on the extensively twisty and tortuous infield sections, riddled as they are by a host of second and third gear bends. However, the 200km/h kink at turn five and the final Parabolica corner are two of the toughest tests of any rider and machine’s cornering prowess. With such contrasting challenges to overcome, the team mechanics and Michelin tyre technicians have no choice but to opt for compromise settings. “Suspension front and rear has to be generally set to work best towards the end of the race, to aid the tyres after such an extensive workout on the circuit’s nine right and four left hand corners,” explains Mike Norton, Öhlins’ Suspension Technician to Valentino Rossi. “It’s not particularly technical but it is quite hard on the tyres so the setting needs to help them out as much as possible. “Estoril needs a good compromise in order to be able to deal with the difference between the very twisty and quite slow infield sections and some much faster corners, such as turn five and the final Parabolica corner. The biggest problem last year was the temperature of the tyres because it was so early in the year and it rained, but hopefully this time the weather will be a little better and it will stay dry!” Valentino Rossi: Information Age: 27 Lives: London, UK Bike: Yamaha YZR-M1 GP victories: 84 (57 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc) First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc) First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc) GP starts: 171 (112 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc) Pole positions: 43 World Championships – 7 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 4 x MotoGP) Colin Edwards: Information Age: 32 Lives: Conroe, Texas Bike: Yamaha YZR-M1 First GP: Japan, 2003 (MotoGP) GP starts: 64 x MotoGP World Championships – 2 World Superbike Estoril Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2004, 1’38.423 Estoril Best Lap: Alex Barros (Honda) 2005, 1’37.202 2005 Portuguese Grand Prix Results* : 1. Alex Barros (BRA) Honda, 47’14.053 2. Valentino Rossi(ITA) Yamaha, +2.771 3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Honda, +6.071 6. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha, +44.216 * Wet Race

Hopkins hunting a Portuguese podium Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racer John Hopkins is currently enjoying his best ever season in MotoGP, but the 23-year-old Anglo-American will be going all out at Estoril this weekend in search of a podium finish. Hopkins has had two fourth place finishes this year – at Shanghai and Catalunya – plus the honour of setting the first-ever pole position on the new Assen circuit, but it is a top-three finish that he will be striving for as the MotoGP circus visits Portugal for the penultimate round of the Championship. Team-mate Chris Vermeulen will be visiting the 4.1km long circuit for the first time and will be eager to get on terms with the contrasting track as soon as possible. The Fernando Pires da Silva circuit features two ultra fast corners and a kilometre-long straight plus one of the slowest sections of any track on the calendar. This allied to the unpredictability of the weather, where rain and heavy winds can play an important role in the outcome, will surely test the Australian to the full. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP takes to the track on Friday for two free practice sessions, followed by a further free session on Saturday morning. The hour-long qualifying will take place on Saturday afternoon, with Sunday’s 28-lap race getting underway at the earlier time of 13.00hrs local time (12.00hrs GMT). John Hopkins: “Estoril is a track I really like, even though I crashed out last year, which was a shame because I was riding well. A couple of good results in the last two rounds could move us up two or three places in the championship and break us into the top six or seven, which I would be delighted with. That’s the main goal although from a personal point of view I am still desperate for that first podium before the end of the season so that’s what I’ll be going for!” Chris Vermeulen: “We’ve learnt a lot of things on the three-week tour about the bike and we will be looking to put them into action, beginning with Estoril this weekend. I have never been to the track before but I am well aware of the type of weather to expect there. I just hope that we get as much dry time as possible so I can learn the circuit and make sure I’m competitive for Sunday’s race.”

The MotoGP World Championship returns to Europe on October 15th for the penultimate race of the season, the bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal. As the season draws to a close, the stakes are ever higher for the title contenders, who could either take the championship or set the scene for a dramatic finale at the end of the month in Valencia. All eyes are on the top two in the premier class, as Nicky Hayden hangs on to the lead in the classification by 12 points. Closest challenger Valentino Rossi has been chipping away at the American’s advantage in recent races, whilst Hayden himself has been experiencing something of a dip in form. Amidst Rossi’s spectacular comeback and some of the most exciting races of the 2006 season, the fact that the Kentucky Kid could clinch his first world title in just a few days time has almost been overlooked. Depending on a number of mathematical eventualities, some more plausible than others, Hayden could leave the Estoril Circuit on October 15th as the last MotoGP World Champion in its 990cc format with a race to spare. The standout eventuality is simple though: If Hayden wins in Portugal and Rossi is unable to finish higher than fifth, then the 2006 MotoGP title will be heading to American soil. Estoril is one of Hayden’s least successful circuits, having failed to finish in the top six in his two previous visits. He missed the 2004 race through injury. On the other hand, Rossi has been on the podium on each of his six races in Portugal, four of those times on the highest step. In third place overall and 27 points behind Hayden, Fortuna Honda’s Marco Melandri is still in with a mathematical chance of becoming World Champion. Despite being one of the few riders to win three races this season, the young Italian has a much more realistic option of finishing in either second or third, and a win at Estoril would do his chances no harm at all. He announced at the end of last week he will stay with the Gresini team for 2007, so the welcome boost may push him to greater things this weekend. Loris Capirossi lies four points behind Melandri, and is celebrating his best ever MotoGP season. The Italian was the winner of the last round in Japan, and his third place finish in Portugal back in 2003 is the best ever result for a Ducati rider at the track. Recently-crowned Rookie Of The Year Dani Pedrosa rounds off the tightly-packed bunch of mathematical title contenders, three points behind Capirossi. The last two races of the season will see the usual line-up joined by the Ilmor team, a new outfit run by renowned engineer Mario Illien and counting on GP winner Garry McCoy as their rider. With an 800cc bike ready for next year’s new regulations, Ilmor are looking to have their team on the grid for the entire 2007 season, and the next two races will be the ideal preparation for the task ahead. The bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal takes place on October 15th, with practices starting on the Friday before. Sunday’s race start-times are shuffled from their usual order to accommodate TV scheduling, with 250cc at 11:15am, MotoGP set to begin at 1:00pm and 125cc at 2:30pm (all local time GMT +1). 250cc Fortuna Aprilia’s Jorge Lorenzo heads to Portugal 27 points ahead of nearest rival Andrea Dovizioso in the 250cc World Championship, and could win the title at the Estoril Circuit by finishing in front of the Italian on the podium, or by finishing one place behind him if Dovizioso can only manage at most a fourth place. Of the 15 races undertaken this season, Lorenzo has already taken eight victories, equalling the highest number of wins achieved by a Spanish rider in the 250cc class in a single year. The record was set last year by Dani Pedrosa. Still waiting for a first victory is Alex de Angelis, riding for the Master MVA Aspar team. The San Marino rider currently lies third in the classification, ahead of winner at his home race last time out Hiroshi Aoyama and Roberto Locatelli, this year’s best privateer. Yuki Takahashi rounds off the top six. 125cc The 125cc title is the only one to be already wrapped up before the penultimate race of 2006. Alvaro Bautista now sets his sights on a number of records, and needs just one more podium to achieve the most rostrum finishes in a single season. Mika Kallio’s win in Japan all but secures him second place in the championship for the second consecutive season, with a 31 point advantage over Mattia Pasini. Hector Faubel, Sergio Gadea and Lukas Pesek are the other three riders in the top six, ahead of 2005 World Champion and newly confirmed 250cc rider Thomas Luthi. Circuit information Situated on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, 28km from capital city Lisbon, the Estoril circuit was used as a MotoGP venue for the first time in 2000. Built in 1972 by Fernanda Pires da Silva the circuit was used mainly for European F2 races in the seventies and after major redevelopment in the early eighties it staged its first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1984. One of the trickiest tracks on the GP calendar, Estoril combines long, constant radius corners with heavy braking zones, bumpy straights and a difficult chicane which was added to the back section in 1994. Its geographical position means that weather can be unpredictable, although its generally warm, dry nature makes it a regular choice for pre-season testing sessions.

TWO-RACE TITLE CHALLENGE STARTS IN PORTUGAL FOR ROSSI Portuguese Grand Prix Estoril, Portugal 13, 14, 15 October 2006 Five years to the week since he won the MotoGP World Championship for the first time, Valentino Rossi heads into the penultimate round of the 2006 season at Estoril in Portugal next Sunday aiming to finally overthrow Nicky Hayden from the top of the standings and set-up his sixth premier-class title in a row. After an amazing run of form for the Italian, who has made up 39 points over the last four races, he is now just 12 behind and on course to catch the American by the final round at Valencia. A slip-up for Rossi, of course, could see Hayden take the number 1 plate this Sunday, but the formbook suggests that this should not be the case, with Rossi having finished on the podium in each of his previous six visits to Estoril. The 27 year old has won the race four times, including his first appearance there for Yamaha in 2004, whilst conversely for Hayden it is one of his least successful circuits – his best result coming last year when he finished seventh. Estoril’s location on the western tip of Europe, just seven kilometres from the Atlantic coast, makes it vulnerable to dramatic changes in weather and high gusts of wind, meaning the riders can take nothing for granted. An autumn visit promises to deliver similarly wild conditions to those encountered when the event was held last year in the spring, culminating in the first ever flag-to-flag race in MotoGP although unlike at Phillip Island three weeks ago none of the riders opted to come in and change bikes. Rossi’s team-mate Colin Edwards was a victim of the conditions on that occasion, the Texan sliding off his bike on lap twenty-four and then remounting to finish in sixth place. This year the 31-year-old is hoping for much better fortune as he looks to build on excellent recent progress with the set-up of his YZR-M1 machine, including sensational lap times in the recent one-day test at Motegi, and end his season on a high. VALENTINO ROSSI: TWO DIFFICULT TRACKS Valentino Rossi remains confident that he has the speed to beat Nicky Hayden in any situation although he admits that the upcoming circuits are not amongst his favourites. An intense summer of hard work by Yamaha’s engineers on the YZR-M1 has given Rossi a competitive and adaptable package that he believes can adjust to the demands of both Estoril and Valencia and give him every chance of retaining the title, which he has made his own in recent seasons. “Now we have two difficult tracks but I think our M1 can be fast at both of them,” says Rossi. “Since Brno, when we finally understood everything about what we needed to do to make our bike work at 100% again, we’ve been very strong everywhere and on the podium each time. I think that we’re as strong as our rivals now and when we’re at the maximum we’re always going to be fighting at the front. Of course we know we could have won more if we’d been like this earlier in the season but we can’t do anything about that. Anyway we know our potential and when we’ve started from the front lately we’ve been on the podium each time, so we have to carry on like this. “Everyone involved has helped bring us back to this level. I think the team’s level of motivation and concentration is the best in the paddock, it’s incredible, more than anyone else, so I have to say thank you again. I actually like Portugal – the ’04 bike especially was very good there. It’s twisty but we can go well there. In ’05 we had some problems with the tyre, plus it was only the second race and early in the year so the weather was bad. I hope that it will be a bit warmer and won’t rain, and that we can find a good tyre with Michelin.” COLIN EDWARDS: OUR TURN FOR SUNSHINE Colin Edwards is also hoping that recent hard work on the YZR-M1 can bear fruit in a final two-race swansong for the 990cc machine. With development of the 800cc bikes now well underway ahead of the rule changes in 2007, the American is hoping he can end the era on a high and finally fulfil the promise he has shown on the current bike in brilliant flashes over the past two seasons. “We made a big step forward at the test after the last race in Motegi and I was pretty much flying round the track that day,” says Edwards. “We’ve only got two more races with this bike but it is always important to improve in testing so that you can translate that to race conditions, which is what we hope will happen in Portugal. Even though we haven’t had the exact results we’ve hoped for at the last two races, the overall feeling with the bike has been much better and so with any luck the recent adjustments we made in Motegi will give us a competitive package in Estoril. “I was unlucky to be one of the ones that went down in the rain last year but I did get back on and finish sixth, although I had better improve on that this time around! I don’t have any particularly strong feelings one way or another for the track, it’s got a bit of everything but I think it suits our bike quite well. As a place it’s not bad either – the coastline is beautiful and the food is great. The only problem is the weather, but we’ve been fairly unlucky with that this season so hopefully it’s our turn for some sunshine!” DAVIDE BRIVIO: KEEPING THE FOCUS After such a good run of recent form, Camel Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio says that the most important requisite from his staff over the final two rounds is that they maintain their focus. From being 51 points behind just four races ago Valentino Rossi is now within striking distance of the championship summit and Brivio is determined not to let this opportunity slip. “The championship is now in its final, vital stage and it’s important that we don’t lose focus,” says Brivio. “Our target for Estoril is to continue in the same way as at the last few races and arrive at the last round in a position to fight for the championship there. Estoril is going to be very important because we need to try to close the gap as much as possible to put us in the best position to win in Valencia. “Colin did a great test on Monday in Motegi and made some really important steps forward. If we’re able to confirm this improvement in Estoril and Valencia then I think we can definitely see him back fighting at the front at these two races. Unfortunately he’s struggled quite a bit this season with finding the perfect setting on the bike, but we’re not giving up! We have confidence in him and we know that we can see him in a better position for the final two races.” TECHNICALLY SPEAKING: ESTORIL ACCORDING TO MIKE NORTON The Autodromo Fernanda Pires de Silva is a circuit of extreme contrasts. One of the lengthiest main straights in MotoGP allows speeds of over 340km/h to be reached and yet the chicane is one of the slowest corners on the calendar. The track itself has the slowest average speed and the throttle is seldom overworked on the extensively twisty and tortuous infield sections, riddled as they are by a host of second and third gear bends. However, the 200km/h kink at turn five and the final Parabolica corner are two of the toughest tests of any rider and machine’s cornering prowess. With such contrasting challenges to overcome, the team mechanics and Michelin tyre technicians have no choice but to opt for compromise settings. “Suspension front and rear has to be generally set to work best towards the end of the race, to aid the tyres after such an extensive workout on the circuit’s nine right and four left hand corners,” explains Mike Norton, Öhlins’ Suspension Technician to Valentino Rossi. “It’s not particularly technical but it is quite hard on the tyres so the setting needs to help them out as much as possible. “Estoril needs a good compromise in order to be able to deal with the difference between the very twisty and quite slow infield sections and some much faster corners, such as turn five and the final Parabolica corner. The biggest problem last year was the temperature of the tyres because it was so early in the year and it rained, but hopefully this time the weather will be a little better and it will stay dry!” VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION Age: 27 Lives: London, UK Bike: Yamaha YZR-M1 GP victories: 84 (57 x MotoGP/500cc, 14 x 250cc, 12 x 125cc) First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc) First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc) GP starts: 171 (112 x MotoGP/500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc) Pole positions: 43 World Championships 7 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 4 x MotoGP) COLIN EDWARDS: INFORMATION Age: 32 Lives: Conroe, Texas Bike: Yamaha YZR-M1 First GP: Japan, 2003 (MotoGP) GP starts: 64 x MotoGP World Championships – 2 World Superbike Estoril Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2004, 1’38.423 Estoril Best Lap: Alex Barros (Honda) 2005, 1’37.202 2005 Portuguese Grand Prix Results* : 1. Alex Barros (BRA) Honda, 47’14.053 2. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Yamaha, +2.771 3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Honda, +6.071 6. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Yamaha, +44.216 * Wet Race

Time is running out on the opportunity to bid on an AHRMA vintage-racing-legal 1975 Bultaco Pursang 250 in an auction that will benefit the 9-year-old daughter of motocross legend Jim Pomeroy. Bids will be accepted until Monday, October 16, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. For complete information, visit www.ahrma.org/auction. Pomeroy, the first American to win a world championship motocross round (the 1973 Spanish 250 GP), was synonymous with the Bultaco marque. In recent years he was an enthusiastic participant in American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association competition, winning the +50 Expert vintage MX national title three times in a row, 2003 through 2005. He died in a Jeep accident on Aug. 6 outside his hometown of Yakima, Wash., and his daughter, Jamie Lee Pomeroy, suffered minor injuries. The race-ready Model 135 Pursang is being donated by AHRMA members Dan and Susan D’Amico of Utah. Proceeds from the auction will go to a trust fund set up for Jamie Lee Pomeroy

Impressive Performance by Hawk Kawasaki ‘Stars of Darley’ – 8th October Hawk Kawasaki had a fantastic weekend at ‘The Stars of Darley Race’ yesterday 8th October. With record crowds at the Derbyshire circuit Hawk put on a very strong display and won both the Superbike races with Ian ‘Hutchy’ Hutchinson and Peter Hickman taking a win each. In glorious conditions the three Hawk Kawasaki riders, Craig Coxhell, Peter Hickman and Ian Hutchinson were eager to tackle the two 10-lap races around the twisty 1.5-mile track. Hutchy who took the Hawk Kawasaki to the win at Oliver’s Mount in the Summer added a win and second position at Darley Moor at the weekend. The TT Star took the overall Stars of Darley trophy and will also be riding for Hawk Kawasaki this weekend at the Race of the Year at Mallory Park. Young rookie rider, Peter Hickman was on a mission at Darley, after setting pole position in front of his fellow team-mates Hutchinson and Coxhell he also went faster than Road Racers John McGuinness and Ian Lougher. Eager for a good result Hickman set the first ever 100mph lap around the small circuit much to the delight of the crowd. 23-year-old Craig Coxhell scored two fourth places in the two races. The Darley Moor team once again put on a superb and successful meeting and thanks to them all for their hard work and effort. Team Owner Stuart Hicken commented “It’s been a good day for Hawk Kawasaki and the riders rode extremely well. They completely dominated proceedings and it was a positive weekend for the team. We are looking forward to the Race of the Year at Mallory this weekend and hope that we can get similar results there too.” Peter Hickman and Ian Hutchinson will be riding at Mallory Park, this weekend 14th and 15th October.

WERA Grand National Finals presented by Parts Unlimited will Crown Champions, Close Season BRASELTON, Ga. Motorcycles will rule Road Atlanta for five days this week during the WERA Grand National Finals presented by Parts Unlimited. The annual season finale begins on Thursday, October 12 and the racing lasts through Sunday the 15th. The busy schedule has something for everyone, including the Michelin National Challenge Series, Bridgestone National Endurance Series, Pirelli Sportsman Series, the Suzuki Cup Series and WERA Vintage. Competition begins as early as Thursday afternoon, when the first of the Sportsman and Vintage finals will be held. The eight-lap sprint races are just the start, and Friday’s schedule includes the tenth and final round of the Bridgestone National Endurance Series. The four-hour race will have some guest riders coming out for a little fun around Road Atlanta’s 2.54-mile road course, but the real story is the teams who have fought all season long toward championships. Vesrah Suzuki can rest easy knowing that they have already tied up the overall championship. Red Star can also relax, since they have wrapped up the Mediumweight Superbike class for their first championship in the series. The other class leaders, though, will still be striving for one last flawless race to sew up their championships. ARNCHU Racing leads the way in Heavyweight Superstock with 41.876 points over championship defenders Team Velocity Racing. Mediumweight Superstock is the closest points chase, with only 27.092 points separating Dalke Motorsports and LOC Endurance. Lightweight Superbike leaders Ghetto Customs also have the advantage, with a margin of more than 100 points over Blue Ridge Performance. Saturday’s racing will include the Pirelli Sportsman finals in a winner-take all format. The top riders from each of five WERA regions will be competing against each other, and the rider who comes out on top takes champion honors. The day will also include qualifying heat races for the Suzuki Cup Series Finals, including the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, SV650 and SV1000 classes. Sunday wraps up with the final round of the Michelin National Challenge Series. The ten-lap sprint races cap a season of tough competition, and a lot of championships are still close. Vesrah Suzuki teammates Mark Junge and Lee Acree have long been in contention for the 750 Superstock title, and even after nine rounds they are still separated by just four points, with Junge leading the way. Lightweight Twins Superstock is nearly as close, with Jeff Walker just five points over Chris Parrish. Tray Batey leads Robert Jensen by five points in Open Superstock, but Jensen has the upper hand in Formula 1, where he leads Batey by ten. The Suzuki Cup Series Finals will also be held on Sunday, featuring the top amateur Suzuki riders in the nation. Tickets for the WERA GNF are $45 for the entire event, $35 for Saturday and Sunday, and $25 for Sunday only. Children 12 and under are admitted free. All fans have access to the paddock, where they can see the hundreds of racers and their bikes up close. Camping is also available for the entire event. More information and directions to Road Atlanta can be found at www.RoadAtlanta.com. More information about WERA can be found online at www.WERA.com. More, from a press release issued by LOC Endurance: October 9, 2006 – Louisville, Kentucky: The Mediumweight Superstock WERA/Bridgestone National Endurance Championship is set to conclude this weekend at Road Atlanta during the annual Grand National Finals. In what can only be described as a season-long dogfight, the LOC enters the 10th and final race weekend with nothing to loose and will be pushing for the class win. LOC Endurance currently sits in 2nd place behind Dalke Motorsports, however, after some exceptionally bad luck at Barber Motorsports Park in September, the team cannot guarantee the National Championship with the victory. 48 laps into the 4-hour race at Barber, the LOC was hit from behind and taken out of the race. The team lost several laps repairing the motorcycle before finishing the race off the podium in a disappointing fifth position. This is the first time since Round #2 in April that the team has not finished on the podium. Team members Dan Carr, Joe Hayes, and Jimmy Vanderhaar are all excited about the season they have put together. “We are a first year team, and up until the last round we were right in the hunt for the National Championship,” team captain Hayes relayed. Regarding the teams current situation, Vanderhaar had this to say, “All we can do is go out there and win the race.”

CHARPENTIER WORLD CHAMPION Question: What did you think as soon as they showed you on the pit board “number 11 out” ? Sebastien: I almost didn’t believe it. For a couple of laps I was really emotional, I was seeing the objective closer and closer, but I knew that the race was still long and that behind were Kenan and Parkes, who were trying to score the first position. Kenan has been fantastic in the last two races and for this reason I have to thank him. Question: Sincerely, did you think you could have won the championship, even if Curtain only needed to finish in eight place? Sebastien: I have to admit that all weekend long I was a bit agitated, maybe because I was a bit afraid to lose the title for only a few points, and it would have made me really sad, after we all know how the season went. I have won six races, with today’s, and nobody has done the same. The crash in Brno complicated my season, but I think this has made the championship much more enjoyable for everyone, but most of all for me and my team. Question: A comment to Sofuoglu’s season Sebastien: I think Kenan has had a really good first season in the Supersport World Championship. Surely next year he will be one of my biggest rivals, and this will help to make the championship much more fascinating. At the beginning I had some difficulties, but he had to understand the method of work of the team. In the second half of the Championship he has demonstrated his real value. Question: How was your psychological approach to this race? Sebastien: I was definitely a bit agitated. But this helped me concentrate from the first to the last lap of this magnificent French weekend. I still can’t believe it !!! It has been much harder to overcome the psychological barriers to come back from injury. For this I have to thank my wife Cathy who has been close to me in the many hours between the hospital and the physiotherapist. Question: After two World Supersport titles don’t you want to try new experience? Sebastien: No. I have found a fantastic team and together we want to reach many goals. I think I owe them a lot and I hope that next year I will make it as fun as this year. Surely, between the two titles, this is the most emotional – because won it just like this, suddenly. I really want to thank everyone who has supported me.

FIM Superbike World Championship Magny Cours, France October 8, 2006 Race Two Results: 1. Troy BAYLISS (Duc 999F06), 23 laps, 38:54.239 2. Troy CORSER (Suz GSX-R1000), -1.282 seconds 3. James TOSELAND (Hon CBR1000RR), -3.388 seconds 4. Noriyuki HAGA (Yam YZF-R1), -8.524 seconds 5. Andrew PITT (Yam YZF-R1), -11.836 seconds 6. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Hon CBR1000RR), -14.126 seconds 7. Lorenzo LANZI (Duc 999F06), -15.217 seconds 8. Chris WALKER (Kaw ZX-10R), -18.212 seconds 9. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suz GSX-R1000), -20.224 seconds 10. Alex BARROS (Hon CBR1000RR), -23.387 seconds 11. Sebastien GIMBERT (Yam YZF-R1), -28.965 seconds 12. Noriyuki ABE (Yam YZF-R1), -33.071 seconds 13. Michel FABRIZIO (Hon CBR1000RR), -33.125 seconds 14. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suz GSX-R1000), -35.223 seconds 15. Pierfrancesco CHILI (Hon CBR600RR), -40.136 seconds 16. Josh BROOKES (Kaw ZX-10R), -40.716 seconds 17. Roberto ROLFO (Duc 999F05), -41.827 seconds 18. Regis LACONI (Kaw ZX-10R), -1 lap, ran off track, pitted/mechanical 19. Fonsi NIETO (Kaw ZX-10R), -6 laps, DNF, mechanical 20. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Duc 999F05), -9 laps, DNF, mechanical 21. Shinichi NAKATOMI (Yam YZF-R1), -11 laps, DNF, crash 22. Craig JONES (Foggy Petronas FP1), -14 laps, DNF 23. Ivan CLEMENTI (Duc 999RS), -16 laps, DNF, mechanical 24. Steve MARTIN (Foggy Petronas FP1), -16 laps, DNF, mechanical 25. Ivan GOI (Hon CBR1000RR), -18 laps, DNF 26. Jiri DRAZDAK (Yam YZF-R1), -23 laps 27. Kurtis ROBERTS (Duc 999RS), -23 laps Final Superbike World Championship Point Standings (After 24 of 24 races): 1. Bayliss, 431 points 2. Toseland, 336 points 3. Haga, 326 points 4. Corser, 254 points 5. Pitt, 250 points 6. Barros, 246 points 7. Kagayama, 211 points 8. Lanzi, 169 points 9. Walker, 158 points 10. Nieto, 139 points 11. Fabrizio, 125 points 12. Muggeridge, 123 points 13. Abe, 112 points 14. TIE, Laconi/Ruben Xaus, 103 points 16. Rolfo, 69 points 17. Nakatomi, 48 points 18. Neukirchner, 28 points 19. Gimbert, 23 points 20. TIE, Martin/Fabien Foret, 19 points More, from a press release issued by Team Klaffi Honda: Barros narrowly misses fourth place in the championship Alex Barros (Team Klaffi Honda) secured seventh and tenth position in the final two SBK-races of the season in Magny-Cours. The Brazilian started from 13th spot on the grid and showed two good starts. Barros overtook Lorenzo Lanzi in the penultimate lap of the first race for seventh position. In the second heat Barros recovered from 16th to tenth place. Alex Barros: “It was difficult here in Magny-Cours. Beside the fact, that we could not test here like some of the other teams, we lost valueable time in the practice sessions, as the track was humid every day in the morning. The bike was okay on Saturday and I had a good feeling. In the races the grip went down quite early and then it felt difficult for me. I just did not feel the same grip response as on Saturday. It was all I could do.” Klaus Klaffenböck, Team Manager: “We missed out fourth place in the championship by only eight points. After warm up we changed the engine and Alex raced the first heat with the spare bike, because we supposed a technical problem.” More, from a press release issued by Team Yamaha Motor France – Ipone Beautiful final races The last two races of the season were certainly some of the most exciting of this season. Shinichi Nakatomi finished 10th, Sebastien Gimbert 11th (his best result this year) and Norick Abe 12th and 13th. In race one, Troy Corser (Suzuki) was leading at the end of the first lap, Abe was 13th and Nakatomi 15th. Unfortunately Gimbert had to retire early with a warped brake problem. After 8 laps (first third of the race) James Toseland was first on his Honda, Nakatomi was 13th and Abe 14th. After 16 laps (second third) Noriyuki Haga riding a Yamaha was leading, while Nakatomi was 10th and Abe 13th. Finally Toseland was the winner in front of Haga, with Nakatomi 10th and Abe 13th. Troy Corser was leading the second race after one lap, Gimbert was 12th, Abe 16th and Nakatomi 18th. After the first third of the race, Toseland led, with Gimbert 11th, Nakatomi 15th and Abe 16th. The second third had Toseland still leading, Gimbert was 12th and Abe 14th. Nakatomi unfortunately crashed. Troy Bayliss (Ducati) won in front of Corser, Toseland and Haga. Gimbert finished 11th and Abe 12th. Norick Abe: “Yesterday it was not very good. Usually it gets better for the race, but not this time. My grip was not good and I never had the right feeling. I have been in this team for the last 2 years and it is like a family for me. I am very happy of this. Thank you very much to my team.” Shinichi Nakatomi: “I was happy with the first race because I progressed all weekend long. Unfortunately, I crashed in race 2. Overall my first year in this championship was positive. Thank you everybody.” Sebastien Gimbert: “I am disappointed I could not participate in race 1. But I am happy with the second race. I did not have a lot of grip all race long and I could not stay with the fast group of riders. Martial Garcia (team manager): “Sebastien Gimbert was not lucky in race 1 as he had to retire with a warped brake problem. In the second race, 11th between Barros and Abe was a very good result. Abe got for us some useful points for the team. Too bad he did not have enough grip. The 10th position of Nakatomi is really nice. Unfortunately he crashed in race 2. I would like to thank everybody for their efforts.” More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: TOSELAND TAKES RACE ONE AND BAYLISS MAKES IT A DOZEN WINS – FABULOUS FINALE FOR WORLD SUPERBIKE 2006 Two incredible 23-lap races at Magny-Cours delivered a suitable finale to an outstanding season of racing in World Superbike, and it was in some way fitting that the riders who took the race wins were the riders who finished the season first and second overall; race two winner and champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) and James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda). In beating Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) in each French race, Toseland finished his year ten points clear of the talented Japanese rider, in second position. A resurgent Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) battled to third and second today, and thus edged out Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) in the overall championship battle, 254 points to 250, with Corser fourth. RACE ONE A spectacular first race of the day had four riders fighting for the lead, and after a delayed start (due to a crash and oil spill from Ivan Goi’s machine) a 23-lap slug-out went the way of Toseland, from Haga and Corser, with Bayliss just behind. Toseland’s determination to score one more win shone through but Haga was the one with most work to do, as he was only 14th off the startline, setting a new lap record in his progression through the field. One of the best races of this, or any other SBK season. RACE TWO The second race was hardly less dramatic or thrilling than the first, as Bayliss pushed through late in the race, and the warring Corser scooped second, as Toseland finally eased off from the brink to take safe points and secure his overall second in the rankings. Haga could not stay on terms with the leading group in race two, and finished some 8 seconds down on Bayliss, despite showing strongly in the early laps. It was Bayliss’s 12th race win in 2006. Bayliss also scored the lap record in race two, the new best in race conditions, 1’40.370. KAGAYAMA THE NEARLY MAN IN RACE ONE AND PITT CLOSE IN RACE TWO Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) looked like he would join the race one battle for the podium places but had to slow in the latter stages, finishing four seconds behind Bayliss, who was himself fourth. Bayliss, who had the bit between his teeth in the later stages of race two, eventually battered his way into the lead, but Kagayama dropped off to finish ninth, and seventh overall, on 211 points. In a disappointing day for Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda) he finished race one seventh and race two, in tenth, having had to change engines shortly before the start of race one. He missed an overall fifth place by four points – and fourth by eight points – in his rookie SBK season. WALKER FINISHES TOP KAWASAKI RIDER AS LANZI ENDS SEASON IN THE TOP EIGHT Chris Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki) underlined his class by finishing the season as the best Kawasaki rider in the championship, in ninth, 19 points ahead of his team-mate Fonsi Nieto. Walker was sixth in race one, and eighth in race two. He could not overhaul Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) in the championship itself, despite outscoring him in race one, and Lanzi goes overall eighth, on 169 points. NIETO INSIDE THE TOP TEN WITH FABRIZIO 11th AND MUGGERIDGE 12th With Nieto the last rider in the top ten, after two DNFs at Magny-Cours, Michel Fabrizio (DFX Treme Honda) made up ground to him but was 14 points shy of a top ten finish, after an 11th and a 13th. Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) was only two points from Fabrizio. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France Ipone) scored a season best 11th in race two, his team-mate Shinichi Nakatomi was an impressive tenth in race one. Alstare Suzuki’s private rider Max Neukirchner was 12th and 14th. Local favourite Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) was a fighting ninth in the opener, 18th and last in race two. CHILI SAYS GOODBYE WITH A SINGLE POINT Pierfrancesco Chili (DFX Treme Honda) scored a point in his final SBK race, after greetings and hugs from all his competitors on the startline at Magny-Cours. His 15th in race two was his first point since Brno, and the ever-popular Chili was given a rousing send-off to his new career in team management, from fans and paddock personnel alike. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP An unscriptable drama decided the final shape of the World Championship table in France, as Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) won the race and the championship, after the pre-Magny-Cours points leader Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) fell from his machine and scored no points. With Charpentier only needing to finish second or better to take the championship win, he rode to a solid sixth win of the 2006 season, and scored his second successive championship – a unique experience in WSS history. Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda) was second in the race from Broc Parkes (Yamaha Motor Germany) and fourth place rider was Gianluca Nannelli (SC Caracchi Ducati). In the championship, the final points read Charpentier 194, Curtain 187, Sofuoglu 157 and Parkes 145. SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP Claudio Corti (Yamaha Team Italia) secured the last race of the year, after an early scrap with new champion Alessandro Polita (Celani Suzuki). Massimo Baiocco (Umbria Bike Yamaha) was third, some 2.7 seconds down on Corti. Luca Scassa (EVR Corse Ormeni Racing) retired from the race while Ayrton Badovini (Biassono Unionbike MV Agusta) crashed out. The final championship points now read Polita 177, Corti 156, Badovini 122, and Scassa 118. SUPERSTOCK 600 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Xavier Simeon (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) won the final race of the year, heading off Alessandro Antonelli (Junior Team Italia Honda) by over four seconds, with Domenico Colucci (Ducati Xerox Junior Team) third. The final points in the 600 class are Simeon 221, Davide Guigliano (Lightspeed Kawasaki) 145 and Colucci 91. More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi: Black an white in Superbike for Roberto Rolfo, at his last race on the 99905F. Roby, who started from the fifth row, finished in the points in race-1 after a good race, while in race-2 he ended as 17th. “In race-1 I got a good start, but just during the first lap we have been red flagged and we must stop.” said Roberto Rolfo at the end of the race “At the new start I started well once more and I could earn some position, finishing into the points. The bike was rather fast and, also if the leaders were far I could do something good. During race-2 the weather conditions did change and the bike was no more performing, I had a not good start and I remained fighting against Brookes and Chili, but i failed the points just at the last lap.” More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing: Disappointing finale for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in France Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s final races in the Superbike World Championship ended in disappointment at Magny-Cours in France. Craig Jones finished a valiant 17th in the first race of the final round of the season but engine failures meant that neither he, nor team-mate Steve Martin, were able to complete race two. Both FPR riders made good starts to a re-started first race and had moved up to 16th and 17th by the end of lap four before Craig overtook his team-mate on lap seven. After Steve’s retirement soon after with another engine failure, Craig was in a points-scoring position for much of the race before being caught by Josh Brookes and Vito Ianuzzo on the penultimate lap. Team owner Carl Fogarty summed up the five-year project, backed by petroleum giant PETRONAS, to build and race the first Malaysian superbike. He said: “I want to thank PETRONAS for all their support throughout this unique project. From the very first day we knew we were taking on a big challenge, to compete against the established motorcycle manufacturers. While we were all hoping for better results, the achievements of this project have been considerable, especially when considering the fact that the 900cc PETRONAS FP1 has been racing against 1000cc machines for reasons outside of the project’s hands. I have been proud of the efforts of my team over these four years and, while today was a disappointing finale, the same effort was there until the very last minute. Steve has done as much as he could over his two years with us and Craig has learnt a lot for what will hopefully be a bright future for him. The support from fans has also been incredible and I think they have all appreciated how hard we have battled for our results. My team has developed a reputation for professional excellence and I am very confident that this reputation will help us attract a sponsor for 2007 and beyond so that we can continue to chase racing success.” Steve said: “The racing hasn’t always gone as planned over the last couple of years but I am happy to have spent that time with such a brilliant team. I would like to thank PETRONAS for having the ambition to take on such a challenging project, Carl for putting his faith in me as a rider, and everyone who has supported the team. We have never stopped trying throughout and it was disappointing that we could not end on a more positive note today.” Craig said: “It has been a really tough year but I think I have learnt a lot. It has been a very big step for me to come to World Superbikes and I would like to thank PETRONAS, the team and Carl for giving me the opportunity. I want to be back in World Superbikes next year, put everything I have learnt to good use and show everyone what I can do.” James Toseland won a thrilling opener to secure second place in the championship and new world champion Troy Bayliss clinched victory in a second enthralling contest. More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing: World Supersport and Superbike Championships 2006 Round 12, Magny-Cours France Weekend Crowd – 61,000 (claimed) Temperatures: 17°C air, 27°C track – dry and sunny Race Report 6 – 8 October 2006 World Supersport Round 12 of 12 CHARPENTIER RETAINS CHAMPIONSHIP AS HONDA WINS FIVE-IN-ROW Another superb 1-2 team performance by Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) and Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) delivered the 2005 champion a second consecutive title in the World Supersport division, after a dramatic afternoon in Charpentier’s home country. Charpentier and Sofuoglu dominated the race, as they had qualifying (with Charpentier on pole and Sofuoglu second) but in a safe fifth place on the second row of the grid, Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) was on course to win the title. Any finish eighth or higher would have given Curtain the title, but he fell at post 12 on lap eight, and was thus out of the race. Charpentier then had to finish second or better to overturn Curtain’s 18-point pre-race lead and in winning the delayed 22-lap event now enjoys a final points advantage of 194 to Curtain’s 187. Sofuoglu’s selflessness gave him third overall, as he scored his seventh podium of the season, in second. Charpentier has scored eight podiums this season; six wins, and has now made history by being the first rider to make back-to-back championship wins in World Supersport. In doing so he gave Honda and his Ten Kate team their fifth back-to-back Rider’s Championships, to add to Honda’s Manufacturers’ trophy, earned last weekend at Imola. Sofuoglu finishes his first full season in WSS racing with seven podiums and two wins. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR) battled hard, after a qualifying performance of sixth, for seventh in the 22-lap race, while Yoann Tiberio (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR) was tenth, recovering from a disastrous 20th in qualifying. Tiberio finishes his season seventh overall on 80 points, with Fujiwara 13th, on 39. Charpentier was simultaneously exhausted and elated by his championship success, having recovered from some seemingly impossible situations – and a broken pelvis during a Brno test session in June. “When I saw number 11 was out I was not completely sure, because I know Kevin very well and he is a good rider,” said Charpentier, emotional after his title win on home soil. “Yamaha worked very hard this year and sometimes Curtain and Broc Parkes made it very hard for me. Also after my crash in Brno, it became very difficult. It was not easy to keep my body at 100%. I think my Winston Ten Kate Honda team is very strong and they have been perfect. They made a good way for me, and my team-mate made some very good results in the last few races. For me this is a fantastic day because there have been some very difficult moments this year – after the Brno injury and the German race at Lausitz. Thank you so much to Honda, because they showed that the CBR600RR has a big possibility to win.” Sofuoglu was the perfect team-mate once more, and achieved his personal goal of third overall. “I knew we had to work together in the race and so when Sebastien came through I did not try to re-pass him,” said Sofuoglu. “When I learned that Curtain was out I realised that I could push again and go for the win, and Sebastien would still be champion, – but it was a risk, and I still had Parkes behind. I want to be really strong next year and I will give everything to win.” Fujiwara was pugilistic in the final round and only just missed out on a better finish at the end, due to a piece of unusual bad luck. “During the last lap I touched with Harms and I broke my clutch lever, so I couldn’t attack him again,” said Fujiwara. “I started not so well and some riders passed me at the first corner. During the first lap I had some problem with the new tyre but after that I pushed hard and I recovered more positions – thanks to the help of the circuit design I had more chance to pass. I feel only a little pain on my hand, so that’s a good sign for the future.” Tiberio was caught out by the changeable weather in qualifying but recovered well in the race. “This result is important for the championship because I took more points and I ended up in seventh position,” said Tiberio. “I started without clear ideas about the set-up because of the rain on Saturday, but, after the first lap, I pushed hard and I recovered more positions. During the last laps my tyre was finished and I could not attack for eighth position. I’m happy, I want to thank the team for the positive season. I won a race and it was a fantastic experience.” World Superbike Round 12 of 12 TOSELAND WINS AND IS SECOND IN THE TITLE RACE James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) was a main player in two of the best races witnessed this season in World Superbike, and scored a race win in the first 23-lap contest. When he took an eventually safe third place, he ensured that he would finish second in the overall championship. He has now scored three race wins in his first season on the CBR1000RR, and was only one place from winning pole at Magny Cours, after a strong showing throughout regulation qualifying. Race one went to second best Superpole qualifier Toseland, after a classis battle with second placed Noriyuki Haga, Troy Corser and fourth placed Troy Bayliss. Toseland owed his win as much to aggression and determination as his obviously high level of sheer riding skill, and it continued the strong form of the Honda CBR1000RR this season. Muggeridge fell after dropping back from the leading positions, while Imola race one winner Alex Barros overcame a disappointing fourth row Superpole performance to finish seventh. The race was delayed for over 40-minutes after an oil spill from a crashed rider’s machine had stopped the first leg before a lap had been completed. A full 23-lap restart was called. In race two, Toseland led for the majority of the contest, which was a three way fight for the win, eventually taken by 2006 champion Bayliss, from 2005 Champion, Corser. Toseland fought as hard as he ever has in his career while leading, but once Bayliss made a pass and gapped him, he slowed to take a safe podium in third, and win his personal battle with Noriyuki Haga for overall second. Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda CBR1000RR) could not replicate his Imola race-winning form and ended his season sixth overall, after a mistake in qualifying left him on the fourth row for each race, ultimately leaving him with tough battles to score seventh and tenth place finishes in France. Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) fell in race one but was in the leading mix in race two, finally slipping back to sixth, equalling his previous individual season best. Pierfrancesco Chili (DFX Treme Honda CBR1000RR) retired from race one but was an assured and aggressive 15th in race two, signing his World Superbike championship career off with a points score. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Treme Honda CBR1000RR) went 11th and 13th, ending his rookie SBK year 11th overall, one place ahead of Muggeridge. The final top points scores are Bayliss 431, Toseland 336, Haga 326, Corser 254, Pitt 250, and Barros 246. Toseland was enthused by his race one win but realised that a desperate last lap in race two could have far reaching consequences for his stated aim of finishing second overall. “You could tell from the last few races that Haga and I both wanted second place in the championship badly, so it was good to take my third win of the season in race one – and I had to think about the championship placing in race two,” stated Toseland. “The racing was fantastic today and to finish the season second was our goal coming here. There was a bit of contact from time to time but we are all used to it now – we’ve been racing together for years now. I have to thank the team for all their support this year and the Fireblade is working great.” Barros was disappointed after his first SBK visit to Magny-Cours. “It was difficult here in Magny-Cours,” said the Brazilian star. “Beside the fact that we could not test here, like some of the other teams, we lost valuable time in the practice sessions, as the track was damp every day in the morning. The bike was OK on Saturday and I had a good feeling before the races. In the races the grip went down quite early and then it was difficult for me. I just did not feel the same grip as on Saturday. It was all I could do today.” Muggeridge was up with the leaders in each race but even in race two his luck was against him. “In both races I had a good rhythm but I made a mistake in race one and fell,” admitted Muggeridge. “In race two I was with the fastest riders but at one stage I lost a few tenths, due to a mistake and I could not pick it up. I know they had a good fight up there, and I wish I could have been with them all the way. Sixth place is not too bad, but still not what I wanted, which was to step on the podium. I have to thank the team for all their support this year.” Chili spent most of his final race weekend saying thank you to well-wishers, but when the action started he scored his first point since Brno in July. “I have not so many words today,” said Chili, clearly emotional about this his final SBK race as a rider. “I did not finish race one but I was happy to finish in a good way in race two and score a point. I had some problems in the middle of the race and then got fast again towards the end.” Fabrizio ended his season with two points scoring results, but he paid the price for only finishing 16th in Superpole. “My set-up was not perfect but I was just starting too far towards the back in each race,” said Fabrizio. “In race two I also had some problems stopping but I rode as hard as I could with a set-up that was not all it could be.” More, from a press release issued by Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra: 2006 Superbike World Championship Round 12, magny-Cours, France, Sunday 8th October Circuit: 4.411 kms. Crowd: 61,000 Weather: Dry, mostly sunny 14-19 C. TROY ENDS WITH TWO PODIUMS! Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser finished the season in style with two very hard-fought for podiums at Magny-Cours today. He was involved in a terrific dogfight for both of the 23-lappers but, although he didn’t get the win he wanted so badly, his third place in race one and second in race two was enough to move him into fourth in the championship. His team mate Yukio Kagayama suffered rear grip problems in both races, finishing fifth in the first race and ninth in the second. James Toseland (Honda) won the first race, with Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) second and Troy third, after a battle that had the 61,000 strong crowd jumping up and down with excitement. Race two was yet another titanic battle, but this time newly-crowned champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati) took the win, with Troy second after fighting off Toseland in the closing stages. TROY – Race 1: 3rd, Race 2: 2nd Today was a fantastic advert for Superbike racing and both races were awesome. It was great to be involved in both races and I’m sure the fans and TV audiences enjoyed them. The bike worked really well today and I always felt that I could get a couple of podiums or maybe even a win. The boys worked their socks off – just like they’ve done all year and it’s great to finish my two-year spell with Alstare on a high note. Everybody has supported me so well throughout my time here and I’d like to thank them all, as well as Francis and Patricia Batta of course. YUKIO – Race 1: 5th, Race 2: 9th It was not such a good day for me and I am disappointed with the way things worked out. I had grip problems in both races and that meant I could not push hard at all. The rear grip was a problem in the first race, so we made some adjustments to the bike for the second race. We used the same tyre, but the feeling of the bike was worse! I didn’t want to pull in, so I just kept going and tried to finish with some good points. More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: BAYLISS TAKES MASTERPIECE WIN AT MAGNY-COURS FOR DUCATI XEROX – FOURTEENTH MANUFACTURERS’ TITLE FOR DUCATI Magny-Cours (France), Sunday 8th October: Just one week after Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) clinched a twelfth Rider’s title for Ducati at Imola, the Italian manufacturer concluded a perfect season by wrapping up the Manufacturers’ crown at the Magny-Cours circuit in France. The fourteenth Manufacturers’ title in nineteen editions of the World Superbike Championship came with Troy Bayliss’s fourth place at the end of a fantastic race-long battle in race 1 between the Ducati Xerox rider, Troy Corser (Suzuki), Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) and eventual winner James Toseland (Honda). Bayliss then produced an astonishing performance in race 2 to take his twelfth win of the year after getting the better of Corser, Toseland and Haga.in another extraordinary battle. “Actually it was a great race, probably my best race of the year” declared Troy. “It was my first time here at Magny-Cours and slowly we’ve been making progress throughout the weekend. We made another little change before the second race and it gave me that extra feel in the middle of the corners. It was nice but it didn’t really come on until half-way through the race when I started to get a better feeling. You learn something as the race goes on and in the end I just pulled the pin and went for the win! These guys did a really good race today, it could have gone either way and I just haven’t been in a race like that for a long time but I feel great and I’ve had a great year!” Lorenzo Lanzi finished the final two races of the year in eighth and seventh place after starting from the front row of the grid. “In race 1 I had problems with the rear tyre that began to slip early on and it was not possible to get away with the leading guys. Things went a bit better in race 2 if we look at the lap times, but then I was passed by Pitt and Muggeridge towards the end. It’s been a difficult year for me, but we worked better in the second half of the season. I wanted to finish it off with a good result but it wasn’t possible today” More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: Corser in the 250 Club On Saturday, Troy Corser was presented with a special trophy and certificate by FG Sport CEO Paolo Flammini to commemorate the fact that he has taken part in 250 WSBK races. The only other rider to have received such an accolade is Pierfrancesco Chili who retired after the Magny-Cours race. More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda: TOSELAND WINS RACE ONE AND FINISHES SECOND OVERALL James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) scored his third race win of the 2006 season in the first 23-lap event at Magny-Cours, and after a third place in race two he confirmed his second place in the overall championship rankings, on 336 points. Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) equalled his season best result of sixth in race two, despite a fall in race one. He finishes his season 12th overall, on 123 points. Race one was the property of Toseland, but only after a superb four-way fight for the win, in a race delayed by an oil spill shortly after the start of the abortive first leg. Muggeridge was luckless once more, falling after a bright start in among the leading group. In the second race, Toseland led from the fifth to the 20th lap, in another astonishing fight for supremacy on the day with eventual race two winner, Troy Bayliss, and second place rider Troy Corser. James was forced to reduce his pace or risk a crash on the final lap, as he secured his 12th podium of the year. Muggeridge had been the fight for his first SBK podium finish in race two, but a slide and the sheer pace up front forced him to sixth. Ronald Ten Kate – Team Manager “I think that everyone agrees that this was wonderful racing, exciting in both legs. No matter if you come out as a winner or in third, it was a lot of fun to watch. In the first race, we won it, but in the second race James was riding hot again, let’s say, but in the few last laps Bayliss made a very strong push and pulled a bit of a gap. James was also considering second place overall. But it was fun and good to watch, and I saw a lot of respect between some great sportsmen; they were exchanging paint but always fair and square. If the end of this year promises what we can have next year, we will have a fantastic 2007. For Karl, he could hang in there strongly with the leading group in the first laps of race two, until Bayliss passed him and they touched. After that he made a small mistake and lost the tow to the leading group. As far as riding line-up is concerned, we can only confirm James, and we are working on some other deals. We all probably have to wait until the end of next week.” James Toseland – Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (1st and 3rd – 336 points) “You could tell from the last few races that Haga and I both wanted second place in the championship badly, so it was good to take my third win of the season in race one – and I had to think about the championship placing in race two. The racing was fantastic today and to finish the season second was our goal coming here. There was a bit of contact from time to time but we are all used to it now – we’ve been racing together for years now I have to thank the team for all their support this year and the Fireblade is working great.” Karl Muggeridge – Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (DNF and 6th – 123 points) “In both races I had a good rhythm but I made a mistake in race one and fell. In race two I was with the fastest riders bit at one stage I lost a few tenths, due to a mistake and I could not pick it up. I know they had a good fight. Sixth place is not too bad but still not what I wanted which was to step on the podium. I have to thank the team for all their support this year.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office: CORSER RACES TO DOUBLE PODIUM Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser finished the 2006 World Superbike Championship season in style with two very hard-fought-for podiums on his GSX-R1000 at Magny-Cours in France today to secure fourth place in the series. The Australian was involved in a terrific dogfight for both of the 23-lappers but, although he didn’t get the win he wanted so badly, his third place in race one and second in race two was enough to move him up two places in the championship. His team mate Yukio Kagayama suffered rear grip problems in both races, finishing fifth in the first race and ninth in the second to take seventh in the Championship. Team Alstare Engineering Corona Extra rider Max Neukirchner put away his disappointment of the last round in Imola with two solid finishes. Despite lack of rear grip and a lot of wheelspin in both races, he kept the bike upright to finish 12th in race one and 14th in race two. James Toseland (Honda) won the first race with Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) second and Corser third after a battle that had the 61,000-strong crowd jumping up and down with excitement. Race two was yet another titanic battle, but this time newly-crowned champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati) took the win from Corser after fighting off Toseland in the closing stages. Troy Corser – Race 1: 3rd, Race 2: 2nd: “Today was a fantastic advert for Superbike racing and both races were awesome. It was great to be involved in both races and I’m sure the fans and TV audiences enjoyed them. The bike worked really well today and I always felt that I could get a couple of podiums or maybe even a win. The boys worked their socks off – just like they’ve done all year.” Yukio Kagayama – Race 1: 5th, Race 2: 9th: “It was not such a good day for me and I am disappointed with the way things worked out. I had grip problems in both races and that meant I could not push hard at all. The rear grip was a problem in the first race so we made some adjustments to the bike for the second race. We used the same tyre but the feeling of the bike was worse! I didn’t want to pull in so I just kept going and tried to finish with some good points.” Max Neukirchner – Race 1: 12th, race 2: 14th: “I know the results don’t look too wonderful but I’m happy to end with two finishes following the crashes in the last round in Imola. I had some problems with grip in both races and the bike was spinning a lot. Also, it was difficult to change direction in the chicanes so today’s pair of races was not so easy for me. I think the bike has a lot of potential and all we need to do is work some more and keep developing it. Nothing has been finalised yet for next year but I’d really like to stay with the team and continue my work with this bike.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Haga and Toseland serve up Magny Cours stunner It may ‘only’ have been the battle for second place in the 2006 Superbike World Championship, but Yamaha Motor Italia’s Noriyuki Haga and Honda rider James Toseland certainly served up an end of season thriller at Magny Cours today. Along with outgoing world champion Troy Corser (Suzuki), Haga and Toseland gave the fans probably the best racing of the year as they traded positions corner after corner in the day’s opening race. Haga did a remarkable job to even catch the leading group after running wide under braking on the first lap. That put the Japanese rider way down to 13th in the pack but, undeterred, Nitro Nori lit the afterburners to charge through the pack and challenge for the lead by lap nine of the 23 lap race. The leading quartet, with new world champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati) hanging in the background, traded places with the outcome of the race hanging in the balance until the final lap, with Toseland leading the Yamaha man across the line by one tenth of a second, Corser no more than a few lengths behind. Race two proved to be more of the same for the fans, although this time Haga was unable to challenge for the lead as Bayliss, Corser and Toseland fought it out a few seconds ahead of him. The Japanese rider had retained the same machine settings for the second outing, but found that his rear tyre performance was less impressive than in the opener. Bayliss went on to take his 12th win from 24 races, with Corser second and Toseland third. The result sees Haga repeat his 2006 performance, ending the year third in the standings. Haga’s team-mate Andrew Pitt ended his best ever season with a fine fifth place in race two. The Australian suffered disappointment in the opener when he slid off on lap two, but showed typical grit to pull his R1 out of the sand trap and finish the race, albeit just outside the points. In the second outing Pitt struggled for front end feel and ran just behind the leading group to take fifth at the flag and fifth in the championship, missing out on fourth place to Corser by just five points. The Yamaha Motor France squad had a mixed day at their home race. Shinichi Nakatomi was the top individual performer, showing stunning speed as race one wore on to charge through to tenth, although the Japanese rider ended his debut world championship season in the gravel, crashing out of race two. Countryman Norick Abe took 13th and 12th place finishes, with local favourite Sebastien Gimbert retired from the opener with brake problems and took 11th in race two. In the championship, Abe finished 13th, Nakatomi 17th and Gimbert 19th on the kit part development bikes. Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) “The first race was good fun with some big fighting with James and Troy. I made a mistake under braking but the bike worked very good and I was able to push hard and catch the leaders. For the second race we kept everything the same but unfortunately rear tyre performance was not as good and after two or three laps I knew that it would be very hard to win the race. I am a little disappointed not to be able to take second in the championship today. I only finished 10 points behind Toseland in the championship and it for sure there were some places where we lost points.” Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) “We went for a softer front tyre in race two and on the brakes, going into corners, it was moving a little bit. It was never one I really liked, but I used the harder one in race one and crashed. I didn’t quite have the speed in the early laps, and I just hung in there and got back up to fifth, which was an ok result to end the season on. We’ve had a good season I’d like to thank Yamaha for giving me this opportunity to run at the front of the championship for the past two years.” Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France) “So-so! This weekend everything was pretty bad with the set-up in qualifying and afterwards. Other times we can improve on race day but this time it maybe got worse. The lap times were not as good as in qualifying. I don’t know why. I have raced two years in this team and everyone is so kind, it is like a family now.” Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha Motor France) “In race one I had a good finishing position, up on what I could do normally. In race two we changed the settings a little bit and they were better, and I was behind Walker and Kagayama. I pushed and pushed but the front washed out and I fell down.” Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France) “My races were unbelievable. I had a problem in race one with a warped brake rotor and no brakes. Then I had no grip in the second race. But I finished 11th and scored good points.” Massimo Meregalli (Yamaha Motor Italia) “Having both riders in the top five is a fine achievement for our team, although there has to be some disappointment as our target at the start of the season was to go for the title. We’ve improved a lot this year and it gives us a good base for next season. Today Noriyuki made the same tyre choice for the two races, but in the second the rear did not work the same. In the first race it had been perfect but in the second the bike started to slide after around two laps. Andrew was not so confident with the front end today and couldn’t push as hard as he wanted to. In the end he did the best he could and fifth in the championship is a good result.” Martial Garcia (Team Manager – Yamaha Motor France) “Sebastien was not so lucky with a warped disc in race one. In race two, finishing between Barros and Abe was a good result. Abe got some useful points for the team, and it was too bad that he did not have enough grip. The tenth of Nakatomi was very nice, although he fell in race two. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in 2006.”