Foggy PETRONAS Racing head to Germany for the tenth round of the Superbike World Championship hoping to improve on their best results of the season at Assen last weekend. Steve Martin scored good points in both races and, although team-mate Craig Jones suffered further misfortune, he also showed signs of improvement. The riders now face a challenge of a different kind, with the smooth, flowing nature of Assen being followed by the tighter, twistier layout of the EuroSpeedway Lausitz circuit, which suits bikes with greater torque. However both Steve and Craig were happy with the base set-up they obtained at a recent test session at the German circuit, situated close to Dresden. Steve said: “It’s going to be hard work for us because we were a little bit off the pace at the recent test at Lausitzring. There will not be any changes to the bike from last weekend at Assen and, if everyone puts in as much effort as they did there, then hopefully we can be in the points again.” For Craig this will be the final circuit on the calendar at which he has previous experience and he is keen to make the most of this opportunity. Craig said: “This is the last round this year when I will know the track, so I want to make the most of having tested there. All weekend at Assen I was playing catch-up, but every time I went out I increased my times and if I can continue that progress in Germany and I hopeful of challenging for points. We just need to start from where we left off at the test and I am aiming to get some points on the board before the end of the season.” For more news visit our web site: www.foggyPETRONASracing.com

Our 5th race of the season is coming up this Sunday, September 10th at Mission Raceway Park (located at – 32670 Dyke Rd, Mission, BC). We are also holding a 4 hour endurance race on September 9th followed by the Yamaha Customer Appreciation day in the afternoon. Come on out and watch some great racing! – Gates open @ 8:00 am – ADMISSION IS $10.00 (Children under 12 are admitted free) – FREE Admission currently available at Mspeed Performance and through WCSS at Carter Coquitlam – Qualifying races start at 10:00 am. – Main races start at 1:00 pm and run until 5:45 pm NO DOGS ALLOWED AT MISSION RACEWAY PARK DURING ANY WMRC MOTORCYCLE EVENT!!! Class Descriptions SUPERBIKE: Our premier class open to all displacement motorcycles OPEN SUPERSPORT: Unlimited displacement with a maximum 160hp 600 SUPERSPORT: 600cc 4 cylinder and 750cc twin cylinder motorcycles BATTLE OF THE TWINS: Unlimited displacement twin cylinder motorcycles SUZUKI SV650 CUP: For all supersport spec. Suzuki SV 650’s OPEN SINGLES: Open to all singles, roadrace and supermotard bikes FORMULA 2: 250GP, middle weight twins, singles and 10 year old 600’s FORMULA 3: 125GP, 400cc 4 cylinder, 500 twins and 350 two strokes YAMAHA RD/RZ CUP: 350cc twin cylinder 2 strokes 1981 to 1991 VINTAGE: For the classic racing motorcycles with a max model year of 1972 SPORTSMAN: A non competitive alternative for track experience only NOVICE: For the new racer to gain track experience under racing conditions

New MOTO-ST Motorcycle Series Shakes Down Daytona DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Sept. 6, 2006) The MOTO-ST Series, the new endurance motorcycle racing series, participated in a one-day test on Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for next month’s inaugural 8 Hours of Daytona motorcycle endurance race during Fall Cycle Scene. M4 EMGO Suzuki rider Michael Barnes and Ed Sorbo participated in the test as the MOTO-ST Series gathered information about the course configuration, lighting, tires and the motorcycle. The MOTO-ST Series will hold the 8 Hours of Daytona on Saturday, Oct. 21 beginning at 1 p.m. with $100,000 in purse and lap money. MOTO-ST will kick off their 2007 inaugural season in March at DIS during Daytona 200 Week By Honda. “The goals for this test are mainly the course configuration, just making sure that the ideas they had are going too work for this type of race,” Barnes said. “We’ve got a couple of different options as far as the infield is concerned mainly being the west horseshoe with the new pavement and the old west horseshoe. “Other than that, we’re testing the longevity of the spec Pirelli tires to get an idea how long they are going to last versus fuel load and just see if there any other safety issues that we want to address as far as the track is concerned. It’s not really a test session for performance. We just threw some tires and some minor suspension on the bike. It’s nowhere near race trim. It’s mainly for the sanctioning body and the track.” Barnes, who will ride a Suzuki entry for M4 EMGO Suzuki in the 8 Hours of Daytona with Chris Ulrich and Geoff May, is a veteran of Daytona International Speedway and endurance motorcycle races. “I’ve done a bunch of world endurance,” said Barnes, who use to live in the Daytona Beach area and attended nearby Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “I’ve done 24-hour races. I’ve done the Suzuka 8 Hour which is very similar to this format (finishing) into the night with the majority of (the race) being during the day. This is going to be easy. You’ve got a lot of lights and a lot of time to rest on the straightaways and on the banking. It won’t be nearly as taxing as some of the race tracks that I’ve done for endurance racing. “The biggest thing for any endurance race as far as the rider is concerned is hydration and making sure you’re physically ready. Other than that, especially coming here to Daytona, the attrition of the equipment is probably most critical. You want to build a bike that’s going to last rather than be the fastest one out there. Eight hours at Daytona is going to be really quite taxing on a motorcycle.” Barnes, who now resides in Boca Raton, Fla., is excited about the opportunity to compete under the lights at the “World Center of Racing.” The 8 Hours of Daytona, which will finish under the lights, is the first nighttime motorcycle race at DIS since the 1985 Paul Revere 250. “Racing at Daytona under the lights is something that hasn’t been available in my career,” Barnes said. “I’ve never had a lap around here at night until tonight. It’s going to be interesting.” Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene are available at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

The most recent race in the World Supersport Championship, the rain disrupted Assen contest played its part in Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) losing his leading status for the first time in the 2006 season, but despite recent reversals in fortune the 2005 champion is still fully in the title fight with three rounds to go. He is now seven points behind Kevin Curtain, winner of the Lausitz round in 2005, but back to virtual fill fitness, Charpentier fully expects to be at his very best for Lausitz. Charpentier can count on great support from his team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) who scored an impressive debut win in challenging wet conditions at Assen. Sofuoglu’s 25-points from his Assen triumph pushed him to fifth in the championship and at a circuit he knows well, thanks to his early career in the German national racing scene and a recent test session, Lausitz may well be another happy hunting ground for the young Turk. After a crash at Assen, Yoann Tiberio (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR) slipped one place to seventh on the championship fight, on an unchanged 67 points. He set the pole record at Lausitz during his European Superstock 600 championship campaign last year, and is thus no stranger to the nuances of the tortuous circuit layout. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR) got through the Assen weekend without any great problems to his injured hand, but will be out to improve on his finish outside the points, before pushing for more in the final two rounds in early October. Charpentier is set to put the niggling problems of Assen behind him and now knows exactly what he has to do to retain his champion’s status. “I just had a problem with the small muscle on my back at Assen,” said Charpentier, “but I can say that I am definitely ready for the last three rounds. I’m clear in my head, motivated and I’m in the championship to win it. I am only seven points down and the championship is not finished. Last weekend was not easy for anyone but I am OK; I feel no pressure because I have a very well sorted bike. I know everyone in the series and I know what we can all do. I am very motivated to win the championship.” Sofuoglu, buoyed by his winning form at Assen, is relishing the prospect of a return to where he first came to global notice. “I’m very happy to be going back to race at Lausitzring,” said Sofuoglu. “We had a good test there just a short time ago and I made very good times on the Honda. I know the track very well because I raced in the German Supersport Championship there in 2003. I have great motivation from my Assen race win and I hope to make another good race weekend in Germany.” For Tiberio, Lausitz holds no fears and indeed he marks it down as one of his better tracks. “Assen was another bad race for me, but I feel good for Lausitz,” stated Tiberio. “In Assen the rain didn’t help me to get a better result but I hope for much more from the German round, because I like the track very much. The bike is good and we have a good starting set-up, so I’m not expecting it to be a difficult weekend for me.” After a tentative weekend in Holland, Fujiwara is looking for more from the Lausitz weekend, especially if the rain stays away. “Last weekend it was important for me to get lots of laps in and gain more confidence with the bike,” quoted Fujiwara “I didn’t expect a big result, especially on Sunday morning when I saw the rain. In Lausitz I will be a lot more ready than I was for the Assen weekend. I just hope it stays sunny.” World Superbike Round 10 of 12: TOSELAND READY FOR THE FINAL PUSH James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) approaches the Eurospeedway Lausitz race with only one goal in mind, clawing back as many points of Troy Bayliss’ championship lead as possible, so he can keep his hopes of overhauling him in the final two rounds alive, and thus put some distance between himself and those riders behind him in the championship fight. Having promoted himself to overall second after an often-challenging pair of Assen races last week, he will be out to keep Noriyuki Haga at arm’s length in both Lausitz races, to protect his slender two-point advantage in the championship table while hunting the championship leader. Bayliss is currently on 332 points, with Toseland on 232 and Haga on 230. Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda CBR1000RR) is in the novel position of having actually tested at a 2006 season circuit before first practice begins on Friday, having attended a test at Lausitz earlier in the summer. As talented as they come, Barros is hoping that his usually strong pre-race form will be translated into results at Lausitz, after qualifying fifth in Superpole at Assen, yet having only a retirement and a seventh to show for his weekend’s work. He is now sixth overall. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Honda CBR1000RR) has been showing the rest of the SBK rookies how to do it this year, having scored three podiums in the last six races, two at Brno and one in the wet at Assen last week. Currently just outside the top ten, he could realistically move up at least two places after the Lausitz weekend, with only six points separating him from Lorenzo Lanzi, in ninth. Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) is once more attempting to marry his often fully competitive pre-race lap speeds to strong race results, as he goes for his first podium finish of his SBK career. 15th overall is his current championship placing. Pierfrancesco Chili (DFX Honda CBR1000RR) has struggled in the last few races, and is thus just outside the top 20. His pride and determination to sign off the season on the highest possible note augur well for two penetrating rides in Germany, before he heads back to Imola for another home round in October. With Bayliss 100 points ahead and only an absolute maximum of 150 points to be gathered by any one single rider before the season finishes, Toseland is realistic about the arithmetic involved in his ultimate championship challenge. But his irrepressible racer’s spirit means he’s always out to win in any case. “The only positive thing I can say about the outcome of Assen is that I moved up to second position in the championship,” said Toseland. “The main thing to concentrate on at Lausitz will maybe have to be consolidation of my second place in the championship, because Troy is possibly just too far away to catch now. I will keep trying though, and I’ll never give up the chase until it’s over.” Barros knows that he is at less of a disadvantage at Lausitz than he might be at many other SBK tracks he has never competed at before, simply because of an encouraging mid-season test session. “The next race is at Lausitz,” said Barros, “and I hope it goes as well for me as it did the last time I was there. I hope I can be as competitive as I was at the tests earlier in the season.” Fabrizio’s most fervent wish is for consistent weather conditions throughout the weekend as his podium excellence in race one at Assen was followed by a tenth place, partly because of gearbox issues but also machine set-up variables. “To finish on the podium in the wet race one was fantastic for us at Assen,” said Fabrizio, “but in Lausitz I hope to find better conditions in order to practice and race without everything being dependant on the changing weather. Lausitz isn’t my favourite circuit but I hope to finish in the top five.” Muggeridge acknowledges that his 2006 season has not worked out as he desired so far, but points to recent testing as a reason why Lausitz may help to turn things around. “For whatever reason our races haven’t turned out as planned this year,” said Muggeridge, “but we have tested at Lausitz this year, which should help us out. For the three days of the test I spent most of my time working on the traction control aspects of the bike, so there may still be some work to do to find a real race setting. But I’m familiar with the place, so it should be OK.” After several consecutive weekends of unforeseen problems, which have held back his search for points, Chili is out for two solid finishes at Lausitz. “Assen was an ugly day,” said Chili, “and one which I hope to forget quite quickly. In Lausitz we will feel the absence of traction control but the team will work hard to resolve this problem. I won’t be in Germany without a desire to race.” The final two World Supersport and Superbike rounds will take place in early October, at Imola on October 1 and Magny-Cours on October 8.

MotoGP continues to deliver racing of the highest caliber and it’s no surprise that among the men fighting tooth and nail for the biggest prize in motorcycle sport are Repsol Honda men Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC211V). With only five races left to run in this grueling 17-race season, the points spread among the top five contenders for the World Championship is just 50. And with 125 points still up for grabs, this season-end could well turn out to be one of the tightest struggles seen for a long while. The form-book suggests that Loris Capirossi (Ducati), who currently lies fifth in the World standings, 50 points behind leader Hayden, could be the man to beat here in Malaysia. The Italian rider won here last year and he arrives at Sepang off the back of a win at Brno in August. But Nicky holds the lap record here and is eager to add to his tally of two race wins so far this season. And the Kentucky Kid is experienced enough to know that he still needs to race for wins while maintaining his enviable record of podium-finishing consistency. Dani won here on a 250cc machine on the way to his first World title in that class in 2004 and as his inaugural season in the premier class draws to a conclusion, the diminutive Spaniard gets stronger and stronger. He lies only 25 points behind Hayden and there is no steelier competitor when it comes to riding under World title pressure. Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V) sits fourth in the overall points table and this tough rider from Ravenna in Italy is eager to hoist himself higher in the table as his fourth season on a 990cc machine unfolds. Marco needs another win to add his tally of two this season if he is to give himself a springboard to launch a title assault in these closing races. And it will take a huge effort from any rider to win here at Sepang. Track temperatures are high in Malaysia at around the 45 to 50 degree mark, with ambient temperatures nudging the high thirties. And there is invariably around 80% humidity. This can often prove more debilitating to riders than sheer heat. The 5.548km Sepang track has two long straights, fast open turns, one left/right flick, and a tight left turn onto the start/finish straight. Hard braking at the end of the two straights requires a stable set-up while sheer power and a high top speed are at a premium too. The wide (25m) track offers plenty of overtaking opportunities through its ten right-hand turns and five lefts. Nicky said, “I’m looking forward to these three back-to-back races because it’s a fun period of the season. Sepang is a track we know well from testing and I like it in fact there are a few tracks coming up that I like. I’ll pretty well approach these races like I have all year try to be smart and consistent and fight for the best result each weekend. I believe in myself and I’ve got good guys around me in this team. So I’m looking forward to it and I’m going to try to enjoy it.” His team-mate Dani said, “We’ve already tested at Sepang. I’ve done many laps and this will give us a better starting point for the weekend. I think Capirossi will be very strong here it was a good track for him last year and also Hayden, Rossi and Melandri will be up there too. The heat and humidity at Sepang are really high and this is something you have to take into account. It’s not really a problem though, because you expect it and can prepare for it.” Melandri said, “We’ve got three very contrasting circuits coming up but I like them all and I can’t wait to get on my RC211V. Last year I arrived in Sepang with 35 stitches in my foot so I wasn’t in the right physical shape. Now I’m feeling confident because we have a good base set-up for the bike which will help me to be more consistent at each of the remaining tracks. Tyre choice at Sepang will be another of the main keys to success.” Kenny Roberts Jnr (Roberts KR211V), a winner here in 1999 and 2000, is achieving consistent results on the RC211V-powered Roberts machine and said, “We’ve done a lot of testing here and now that we’re making progress at other tracks we have a chance to really step up here and try to get on terms with the podium finishers again. I know what it takes to win here and we’ll be going all out to try to achieve that.” Melandri’s team-mate Toni Elias (Fortuna Honda RC211V) said, “The two day test in the Czech Republic was crucial. We worked a lot on weight distribution under braking and we know we are on the right lines and that the hard work will bear fruit soon. I like Sepang because it’s a technical track which has some really hard braking areas too. We’re working very hard with my team and I hope to get a good result starting from this race.” Casey Stoner (LCR Honda RC211V) said, “I’m trying to keep the front-end of the bike a bit more upright and we’re doing some fine tuning on the front set-up. I’ll adapt my style a little like I did at Brno and even though I haven’t finished some races I’ve been up the front racing for the podium. It’ll be close this weekend and I should be up there again.” “I like the Sepang track,” said Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V). “I’ll reach it motivated, as usual. I hope to be able to get good results not only for me but for my team and everybody supporting me as well. After the Brno race, I stayed in Japan for a couple of weeks of preparation. I’m aware of the necessity to obtain good results and I also know that the end of the season is quickly approaching.” In the 250cc class Andrea Dovizioso (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) lies a mere seven points behind leader Jorge Lorenzo (Aprilia) after mounting a title challenge of grit and consistency. With five races left Dovi is as ready as ever to take the fight to his Spanish rival. He said, “I like Sepang and in 2004, when I was riding in the 125cc class, I set a pole position lap time that’s still unbeaten. It’s a fast track, where the Honda is penalized in terms of engine power compared to the Aprilia due to the high temperatures. But I’m confident and motivated for this Malaysian race, because the second place at Brno made me understand that if we take full advantage of the potential of the bike we can aim high and my team’s abilities make a big difference.” His team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) returns to action and said, “I enjoyed watching the Czech Republic race at home, but I would have preferred to be on the starting grid along with my colleagues. It has been very important, though, to stay in Japan and finish the rehabilitation, because now I’m ready and physically I feel very good.” Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW), who currently lies tenth in the points table said, “I’ve never been to Malaysia before, but I think it may be as difficult as the circuit in Brno. I’ve been covering thousands of laps at the circuit with the Playstation and I’ve also been watching videos from previous races so we’ll have to wait and see what we can do here once the race weekend starts.” Shuhei’s team-mate Martin Cardenas (Repsol Honda RS250RW) said, “Last year I liked Malaysia a lot. I made a good race, so I hope that things will work out well this year too. After the result of the last race in Brno where the aim was finishing the race and I finally achieved a good result seventh I obviously arrive in Malaysia in high spirits and with confidence to make a good race.” In the 125cc class reigning World Champion Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) knows his title has gone for this year, but the Swiss rider is determined to finish the season strongly. Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia) is the runaway leader, but both Luthi and Gabor Talmacsi (Humangest Honda RS125R) are set on showing their best in the closing races. Talmacsi said, “Malaysia’s a country I like very much, and I’m going there a few days earlier because I want to get used to their weather and also meet some friends in Kuala Lumpur. This is one of my favourite tracks, but high temperatures make this Grand Prix quite tough. Anyway, I’m confident I can make a good race like I did in the Czech Republic.” Luhti knows he has the pace to perform well here and said, “I’ve got to get nearer the front in qualifying and that means getting a good tow from a fast rider in the final timed session. The track suits my style with fast flowing turns, and if I can get with the front runners early in the race I know and can stay with them and aim for a podium here.”

RED 21 HOLDING ALL THE EUROSPEEDWAY LAUSITZ ACES Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) arrives in Germany in an enviable position in the championship chase, with a clear 100 point advantage over second place rider James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda), after the 2001 champion’s latest victory in race two at Assen last weekend. A short hop across Northern Europe now sees the entire championship decamped to Central Europe, close to the Polish border, at the magnificently appointed mega-venue of Eurospeedway Lausitz. The 4.265 kilometre circuit is ringed by a NASCAR style banked section, while a test track bisects the back straight, making Lausitz one of the most expansive and versatile circuits imaginable. THREE REMAINING ROUNDS STILL OFFER OPPORTUNITIES The hunt for Bayliss may have got all the harder after most of his immediate championship rivals endured tough weekends at Assen, but in the war for other championship positions, Assen’s results have pushed even more riders into the frame for top three finishes come season end, at Magny-Cours in France on October 8. Bayliss’ tenth win of the season came after Chris Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) had scored his first race win of his entire SBK career in race one, making the Englishman the seventh rider in the top eight of the championship to have taken at least one race win in the 2006 season. At Lausitz, the possibilities of other riders notching up a victory are very much alive, despite Bayliss’ impressive record of scoring three wins in four attempts at the German track. The only other currently active SBK rider to win a race at Lausitz is none other than his 2006 team-mate, Ducati Xerox rider Lorenzo Lanzi, who took his first ever SBK victory at Lausitz in race two last year. HAGA AND TOSELAND SLUGGING MATCH ENTERS TENTH ROUND No one involved in SBK racing expects any drop off in the personal points battle between second placed Toseland perennial title challenger Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia). Each has scored one race win, eight podiums in total and are only separated by two points – with 150 still up for grabs for any rider who can win every remaining race. PITT ON AN UPSWING OF THE SEASON PENDULUM Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) was the top points scorer in the previous round at Lausitz and now sits in an enviable fourth place in the title chase, 33 points behind his team-mate Haga, but with a high confidence level being pushed along by the momentum of three podium finishes in a row, including two second places at Assen, each in vastly different conditions. At the tight Lausitz track all riders will face a very different challenge from the high speed G-force ride around some sections of Assen, but Pitt has proven nothing if not adaptable this year. As Pitt’s fortunes have swung upwards, Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) has found his season on a downward spiral since even before the mid-season break, having scored no podium places since Monza, way back in May. The 2005 champion provided the most consistent early season challenge to Bayliss but six DNFs in 18 races have had an obviously detrimental effect on his campaign, and he enters Lausitz fifth overall. BARROS LOOKS TO TESTING RESULTS IN HIS DESIRE FOR HIS FIRST WIN Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda) finds himself in an unusual situation on the entry to Lausitz, having carried out a successful test at the German circuit earlier in the year, posting competitive lap times on a machine which is now improved after some engine modifications before Assen. An unhappy Dutch weekend has not aided his Lausitz preparations, but the Brazilian star will once more be out to eradicate his record of being the only rider in the top eight to not have won at least one race so far. Riding for a German-speaking team, a win for Alex would be a popular outcome for both the German fans and neutrals alike. KAGAYAMA AND WALKER READY FOR MORE PODIUMS A sensational Brno meeting for Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) delivered him his first race wins in SBK this season, while a wet first race win for Chris Walker at Assen gave him his first ever SBK race win – in 133 attempts. Neither rider will be satisfied with their 2006 totals so far, and after Kagayama’s disappointing Assen weekend in general, and Walker’s troubles with an erroneously fitted rear tyre in race two at Assen, motivation to return to the top flight will be higher than ever. NIETO AND FABRIZIO OUT FOR MORE MEDALS AT EUROSPEEDWAY LAUSITZ Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) got his first chance to sit at the top table in SBK at Assen, by running out third in race two, after looking set for a podium in race one at one stage. A fantastic weekend for two of the three men in the PSG-1 team left multiple SBK race winner Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) out in the cold somewhat, giving him all the impetus he needs to get himself back into the top echelons again at Lausitz. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Treme Honda) has scored three podiums in the last six races, in his rookie SBK season, making him this year’s most impressive young strike in what is a rich seam of riding talent. XAUS ON THE UP IN FRONT OF IMPRESSIVE MIDFIELD SWELL A fine fifth place in race two at Assen was a season-best for Ruben Xaus (Ducati Sterilgarda Berik), who will be back in the same squad in 2007. Lausitz has been occasionally good to him in the past, and he hopes that his machinery will allow him to challenge once more, as he attempts break into the top ten at season’s end. Currently 12th, he leads a talented trio of Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France) Regis Laconi and Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda), which completes the top 15. ROLFO AND CO READY FOR GERMAN EXPEDITION Roberto Rolfo (Ducati SC Caracchi) has had an eventful rookie season so far, but the missing link has this been the fortune to have his machinery match his obvious talents at the right time and place. He is nonetheless fully 32 points ahead of his closest championship challenger, another rookie, Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha Motor France). Sebastien Gimbert, Nakatomi’s team-mate, injured his back in a crash at Assen, and is now almost certain to miss Lausitz. NEUKIRCHNER THE BIG DRAW FOR MANY GERMAN FANS Talented German rider Max Neukirchner (Alstare Engineering Suzuki) will have the best wishes of the large German crowd riding pillion with him at Lausitz, as he takes part in his second meeting with his new team. Sixth in race one at Assen, only a fall stopped his double points score, but at the very same Lausitz circuit he had his first shakedown laps at when he signed for Suzuki, much is expected. Neukirchner’s former Klaffi Honda team-mate Pierfrancesco Chili (DFX Honda) hopes to make Lausitz a high-point of his season so far and get back into the top 20 again. MARTIN AND BROOKES GO FOR AUSSIE PRIDE Steve Martin (Petronas FP-1) scored magnificent 12th and 11th place results at Assen, despite his power disadvantage on the 900cc triple, and another Aussie force, Josh Brookes (Bertocchi Kawasaki) earned his first point of the season, with a single for 15th in race two. Each is out for points again, while Martin’s team-mate Craig Jones (Petronas FP-1) is after his first points score of the year. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP For the first time this year Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) enters a World Supersport event with a clear championship lead, after scoring second at Assen, as his main championship rival Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) was only fourth, giving Curtain a seven point advantage. Curtain will be without his team-mate Broc Parkes (Yamaha Motor Germany) who sustained three broken ribs and a punctured lung in a heavy crash at Assen last weekend. Fabien Foret will replace him for the German round. Robbin Harms (Stiggy Motorsports) has made himself a star this year with his consistently strong performances, but is still out for his first win. Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia) and Yoann Tiberio (Megabike Honda) were joined in their status as first full season race winners in Supersport by Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda). Sofuoglu spent much of his racing career in Germany and thus knows Lausitz well, making him another possible favourite for outright victory in Germany on Sunday. SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP Alessandro Polita (Celani Suzuki Italia) extended his advantage over Ayrton Badovini (Biassono Unionbike MV Agusta) after the recent Assen race but the battle for the title itself is still very much a three – and possibly a four – rider contest now, with Luca Scassa (EVR Corse Ormeni Racing) only two points behind Badovini, and Claudio Corti (Yamaha Team Italia) some 41 points behind the leader, with three unpredictable rounds to go. SUPERSTOCK 600 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Xavier Simeon (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) had to give best to Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox) at the most recent race of the exciting 600 Superstock year, but still enjoys a 34-point advantage over Canepa, with three rounds to run. Davide Giugliano (Lightspeed Kawasaki) is now most probably out of contention for the title itself, some 60 points behind Simeon. These top three riders have won every victory on offer this year, and on current form it is difficult to see who can upset the winning run of the big trio. ITALIAN AND FRENCH ROUNDS FINISH THE CHAMPIONSHIP TRAIL The final two rounds of the Superbike series take place at Imola on 1 October and Magny-Cours on 8 October, giving all the Lausitz competitors an opportunity for reflection and preparation as they look to an exciting end to the season.

After the superb 5th position of Norick Abe last Sunday, the Team Yamaha Motor France-Ipone is ready for the difficult German Lausitz track. In Assen, Abe realized a beautiful first race, coming back from the 11th position on lap one to the 8th place on lap 9, then the Japanese champion was 4th on the 15th lap before he was passed in the last moments of the race by Fonsi Nieto (Kawasaki). Abe did almost as well as his two best results this year (2 times 4th in Valencia). Shinichi Nakatomi picked up the points of 13th place and Sebastien Gimbert (then 7th after an excellent start) crashed. The second race was less fortunate, as Gimbert did not start while Abe and Nakatomi had to retire. Very brilliant races for the Yamaha rider Andrew Pitt (2 times second) who is now forth of the championship behind his team mate Noriyuki Haga. THE EUROSPEEDWAY LAUSITZ RACE TRACK Lausitz was opened on August 20th 2000. The racing complex follows current trends and includes an oval and a road circuit. This type of configuration originated in the United States but can now be found more and more frequently elsewhere. Examples are Rockingham (near Northampton in England), Jacarepagua (Brazil) opened in 1978, Welkom (South Africa, opened in 1999) and Motegi (Japan, opened in 1997). Stretching over 570 hectares, the Lausitz EuroSpeedway offers sprint events like Superbike a 4265km long circuit. But F1 racing can also be catered for, over a 4.5km long course, Endurance racing has an 11.3km circuit while the Super Speedway tri-oval is 3.2km long. There are a total of 120,000 seats for spectators with 96,000 of them giving a full view of the circuit. Total tarmac surface is an impressive 90,000m2. Compare that to Valencia’s already large 49,066m2 or Oschersleben’s 60,000m2. 60 km away from Dresden, Lausitz is 130 km from Berlin. It is about the same distance away from Chemnitz Sachsenring, where the German Grand Prix has been held since 1998. Last year, troy Corser was leading the race 2 when he crashed in the first corner of the second lap, restarted 28th (last) and finished 13th. July 15, 16 and 17 tests: Race tyres: 1. Bayliss (Ducati) & Haga (Yamaha) 1:38.2 ; 3. Pitt (Yamaha) 1:38.3 ; 4. Corser & Kagayama (Suzuki) 1:38.4 ; 6. Lanzi (Ducati), Toseland (Honda) & Muggeridge (Honda) 1:39.0 ; 9. Walker (Kawasaki) 1:39.5 ; 10. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1:39.7 Qualifying tyres: 1. Haga & Corser 1:37.6 ; 3. Bayliss 1:37.8 ; 4. Pitt 1:38.1 ; 5. Lanzi 1:38.5 ; 6. Kagayama 1:38.6 ; 7. Toseland 1:38.7 ; 8. Walker 1:39.2 ; 9. Nieto 1:39.5 ; 10. Martin (Foggy Petronas) 1:40.1 World Championship standings: 1- Bayliss (Ducati) 332 points, 2-Toseland (Honda) 232, 3-Haga (Yamaha) 230, 4-Pitt (Yamaha) 197, 5-Corser (Suzuki) 193 LAUSITZ STATS Practice record (2005): 1:39.019 Lanzi (Ducati) 155.060 kph 2005 Yamaha Motor France practice times: Norifumi Abe: 1:41.034 / 15th and Sebastien Gimbert: 1:41.224 / 19th Race 1 result 2005: 1- Vermeulen (Honda) 2- Haga (Yamaha) 3- Corser (Suzuki), 4- Toseland (Ducati) 5- Kagayama (Suzuki) 2005 Yamaha Motor France race 1 results: Norifumi Abe: 9th and Sebastien Gimbert: DNF (retired lap 13) Race 2 results 2005: 1- Lanzi (Ducati) 2- Vermeulen (Honda) 3- Haga (Yamaha) 4- Kagayama (Suzuki) 5-Muggeridge (Honda) – 13-Corser (Suzuki) 2005 Yamaha Motor France race 2 results: Norifumi Abe: 8th and Sebastien Gimbert: 14th Lap record (best race time 2002): 1:39.679 Ruben Xaus (Ducati) 154.030 kph 11th round of the Superbike World Championship: October 1st at Imola (Italy)