The Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars in to Silverstone on 16-17 September for the penultimate round of one of the most exciting and fiercely contested domestic bike series in the world. Boasting one of the strongest rider line-ups in two wheeled motorsport, the double-race weekend promises breathtaking action with riders battling it out, wheel to wheel, around Silverstone’s 2.249 mile International Circuit. Silverstone was voted the best bike racing circuit of the year in 2005 and fans can expect fireworks this time around at the penultimate event of the season. The spectacular battle between defending champion Gregorio Lavilla, his Airwaves Ducati team-mate Leon Haslam, and 2005 runner-up Ryuichi Kiyonari is guaranteed to provide awesome racing as the chase for the title goes right down to the wire. British rider Haslam currently leads the championship – 15 points clear of Lavilla – and has every chance of being crowned British Superbike Champion at Silverstone in just over two weeks time. Leading the rest of the pack is former champion and crowd favourite Shane “Shakey” Byrne, lying fourth in the championship, who returns to Silverstone after two years in Moto GP. The passionate Silverstone crowd will also be looking forward to welcoming back British rider Tommy Hill after his stunning performance as a wild card entry in round four of this year’s Corona Extra Superbike World Championship. The talented 21 year old wowed fans and fellow riders alike by storming to a debut pole position in wet conditions. While he didn’t enjoy much success on race day, he certainly made his mark on the championship and the crowd will be eager to see if he can come up with the goods once more at Silverstone. As ever, Silverstone promises to be one of the best races of the year and will once again provide the riders with a real challenge. The circuit’s fast straights and famous corners, combined with a turning and twisting infield section, make Silverstone a firm favourite with both riders and fans. A full support programme includes action-packed races for British Supersport, National Superstock, British 125GP and the Virgin Mobile Cup, all guaranteed to provide non-stop action that will keep spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the weekend. With Silverstone’s open paddock policy and free access to the centre of the circuit, fans are able to get closer to the action as riders and teams approach the climax of a thrilling series. There’s also plenty to keep the family entertained away from the track, including displays from the Red Devils, mobile Mini Motos, a rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and Robot Wars. What’s more, all this additional family entertainment is FREE of charge. There’s also a giant screen enabling spectators to keep up-to-speed with all the action, wherever it happens on the track. To book tickets for round twelve of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone on 16-17 September, or for further information, visit www.silverstone.co.uk, or contact the ticket hotline on 08704 588 260.

Sebastien Charpentier is now close to peak condition after recent injury, and his team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu is full of energy after his last two podium performances. With these strong credentials the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team is ready to compete in the ninth round of the Supersport World Championship, at the Assen circuit in Holland. Charpentier, the current World Champion, has now largely left behind the injury he suffered during Brno testing earlier this summer and is ready for this latest new challenge, partly because last year he missed victory at Assen and also because he wants to stand alone at the top of the standings, not share the lead as he does currently. For Turkish rider Kenan, the last two races have delivered great performances, each of which demonstrated his real value. Starting from Assen, these results may prove to be even more valuable as time goes on. Ronald Ten Kate Team Manager “We have all seen that Sebastien had a tough period after the injury, but now he should be good to go. The doctors who conducted the last check up saw that everything was back to normal. It will be a double restart of the season overall, first of all because the points are the same for the two leaders, and second because Seb is finally right back at his best physical condition, like at the beginning of the season. I also hope that Kenan will maintain, even improve on, the progress he has made in the last couple of races. He is a strong young rider and deserves it.” Sebastien Charpentier Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I had a full month to recover and I did all things possible to get fitter. I can guarantee that I feel much better compared to Brands Hatch, where I managed to remain with the leading group only for half of the race. It’s like starting the season from the beginning for me and I am really ready for these last four races.” Kenan Sofuoglu Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I am really happy to step back on my bike at Assen. A month without races is too much for me. It’s going to be a home race for the team but also for me, because I live only thirty minutes away from the circuit. I made it to Turkey for a short period to recharge my energies and now I am ready to race. I really hope to do well for the many fans that support the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team around here.”

It will be, without a single doubt, a special race for the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team this weekend. With the latest SBK weekend being held in Assen, Holland, it can be considered a home race in all respects for the Team, under the management of Ronald Ten Kate. During this forthcoming weekend we will see an SBK race on the modified circuit for the first time, on a track with reduced length and, in part, a modified philosophy in the approach to a track which has ever been considered the temple of the racing motorcycle. But the Winston Ten Kate Honda men are ready for this new challenge and both James Toseland and Karl Muggeridge will start out with lofty ambitions. There is a weight of expectation on their shoulders, after the results that were achieved at Assen last year, when the Dutch team secured a fantastic double win with Chris Vermeulen. Both riders are in good form currently and are expected to be fully competitive in the two Superbike races on Sunday. Ronald Ten Kate Team Manager “I am looking forward for the team’s home round. The track has changed for everybody but mainly it has remained a lot like before. The last couple of year’s results have been quite good for us and I really hope to continue this way with Karl and James. We also have some new small parts to test and this will take up a small amount of time on Friday. The weather should be OK, but you never know what the weather is going to be like in Holland”¦ trust me!” James Toseland Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I had a good break which has really recharged my batteries. I spent some time in Greece at my brother’s wedding and I really enjoyed it. I am so happy for him. I also kept myself in shape during this time because I still believe we can have a shot at the World Championship. We are not so far from the top considering that there are still 200 points to be won. I know it’s an important race for the Team because they are at home and I will do my best to make them happy.” Karl Muggeridge Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I’m feeling good. We had a good ‘warm up’ at the Ten Kate workshop last weekend for the pit stop day and a lot of fans showed up. The forecast seems to promise some rain for the weekend but this doesn’t worry me so much. I will try my best to earn as many points as possible for the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team and me. I know it’s a really special race for them.”

Foggy PETRONAS Racing enter the home straight of their five-year existence knowing that points will be at a premium in the closing stages of the Superbike World Championship. The 2006 season ends with four quickfire rounds over six weeks for riders Steve Martin and Craig Jones, starting with round nine at the Dutch circuit of Assen this weekend. The track is familiar territory for team owner Carl Fogarty, who won 12 of his 16 World Superbike races at the venue, and during a recent PR exercise he was one of the few riders to have tested the new lay-out of the track, which has undergone major plastic surgery since last year. Gone is the fast and banked Northern Loop, in a drive to make the circuit shorter and more spectator-friendly. But Carl believes that this has been at the expense of the track’s unique appeal to riders. He said: “In my opinion they have chopped the best bit off. I loved the fast, sweeping, banked corners. Some parts are still the same and the most important thing is that it remains safe. I’m not sure how it will affect the performance of our bike, because we are always down on power at some sections of all the circuits. But the weather forecast does not look too good and that might help level things out, and we have not had a wet race during the whole of the project so we are due a bit of luck.” Steve said: “It is going to be a tough weekend, and a tough finale to the season. However the weather forecast is not good and I actually hope it rains. The last time we rode in the wet was the first session at Silverstone and I was up there. Our bike is now revving higher so it will not be easy to ride in the wet, but it might give us our best chance. I don’t think the new lay-out of the circuit is going to make too much difference as the standard of the riders is so high that everyone will have adapted after two or three laps.” Craig said: “I have only ridden the short circuit three years ago and it has changed twice since then. I think it will help that everyone is starting from scratch on the new lay-out. It is still a flowing circuit and I like flowing circuits so I am looking forward to the weekend. It’s important to show that I am making progress at every round because I want to stay in World Superbikes next year. I am getting more experience every time I ride and feel as though I am improving all the time.” FPR’s five-year deal with Malaysian petroleum giants PETRONAS runs out at the end of this season and Carl’s team is currently closing in on finding new sponsors for 2007 and beyond.

TORONTO, ON For the third time in the past four years, the Parts Canada Superbike Championship will be settled at the season’s final round. Brantford, ON’s Jordan Szoke comes into this weekend’s deciding race at Shannonville Motorsport Park with a 41-point lead over Kevin Lacombe in the series standings. With a total of 56 points available Lacombe has a tall order to try and overtake Szoke in the standings. But the Granby, QC rider is coming off a victory at the most recent round at Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Motorsport Park. Lacombe’s win three weeks ago also derailed Szoke’s hopes for a perfect Parts Canada Superbike Championship season. The two-time national champion had won the first five races of the year on his Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-10R, tying a record for the longest winning streak over the course of a single season. Szoke can still set a record for the most wins in a series campaign with a victory at Shannonville on Sunday. Szoke will be trying to become just the third rider to win three Canadian Superbike championships in the series’ 26-year history. Lacombe has never won the national crown. Both riders should enjoy solid support from their respective teammates. Tom Kipp joins Szoke on the Kawasaki team, and the Chardon, OH rider qualified on pole for this season’s opening round, also at Shannonville. Lacombe is teamed with two-time Parts Canada Superbike champion Pascal Picotte in the Toyota Yamaha squad, and the St-Cecile Milton, QC rider won at Shannonville in 2004 to clinch the title. The Team Suzuki / Blackfoot Suzuki riders could act as spoilers in this weekend’s season finale. Outgoing Parts Canada Superbike champion Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC is coming off a second-place finish at AMP. His teammate Clint McBain of Cochrane, AB has a runner-up finish at Calgary’s Race City Motorsport Park to his credit. Other racers coming off strong performances at AMP are Mississauga, ON’s Matt McBride, who placed fourth on the Riders Choice Suzuki GSX-R1000, and Andrew Nelson of Kars, ON, who qualified on the front row aboard the Z1 Cycletech Yamaha YZF-R1. Both have a history of good results at SMP. Number one plates are also up for grabs in the other four national classes. Szoke enjoys a 37-point lead over Lacombe in the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike class after claiming his fifth win of the year at AMP. In the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike division, Honda rider Karl Daigle of Roxton Pond, QC is 25 points clear of Saskatoon’s Brett McCormick, who has won the past two races on his Yamaha. Buell’s Darren James holds a 27-point edge over BMW racer Oliver Jervis in his bid for a second straight Thunder crown, and Paul Glenn sits just five points clear of Dave Bagshaw after winning his third straight Suzuki SV650 National Cup race at AMP. Practice for all five national classes opens Friday with qualifying set for Saturday afternoon. Races are scheduled to go Sunday. For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com ALL TIME SHANNONVILLE MOTORSPORT PARK SUPERBIKE WIN LEADERS Steve Crevier (Maple Ridge, BC) 10; Michel Mercier (Thetford Mines, QC) 5; Pascal Picotte (Granby, QC) 4; Rueben McMurter (London, ON) 3; Francis Martin (Rock Forest, QC) 3; Miguel Duhamel (Repentigny, QC) 2; Jeff Gaynor (Toronto, ON) 2; Michael Taylor (Toronto, ON) 2; Don Munroe (Halifax, NS) 2; Jordan Szoke (Brantford, ON) 2 SHANNONVILLE MOTORSPORT PARK FAST FACTS -Although Jordan Szoke now has 20 career Canadian National Superbike wins, Shannonville has not been a happy hunting ground for him. The Brantford, ON ace’s victory in the first round of this season was only his second at the venue, the other coming in the 2000 season finale. -This weekend’s activities will be staged on the 2.46km ‘Pro’ track instead of the 4.03km ‘Long’ course that has traditionally concluded the season. The 2006 season opened on the longer layout. Interestingly, both of Jordan Szoke’s Shannonville national wins have come on the ‘Long’ track. -It was somewhat fitting that Kevin Lacombe ended Jordan Szoke’s five-race winning streak at Atlantic Motorsport Park in the previous Parts Canada Superbike round. The Granby, QC rider did the same thing in 2002 when he triumphed in the season finale. 2006 POINT STANDINGS Parts Canada Superbike: 1. Jordan Szoke (Kawasaki) 296; 2. Kevin Lacombe (Yamaha) 255; 3. Pascal Picotte (Yamaha) 206; 4. Tom Kipp (Kawasaki) 185; 5. Francis Martin (Suzuki) 157 Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike: 1. Jordan Szoke (Kawasaki) 292; 2. Kevin Lacombe (Yamaha) 245; 3. Tom Kipp (Kawasaki) 211; 3. Clint McBain (Suzuki) 211 International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike: 1. Karl Daigle (Honda) 212; 2. Brett McCormick (Yamaha) 187; 3. Ross Millson (Suzuki) 177 Canadian Thunder: 1. Darren James (Buell) 270; 2. Oliver Jervis (BMW) 243; 3. Brett McCormick (Buell) 233 Suzuki SV650 National Cup: 1. Paul Glenn 223; 2. Dave Bagshaw 218; 3. Martin Grande 183 PROVISIONAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE Saturday Sept. 2 1:20 p.m.-1:40 p.m. Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Qualifying 1:45 p.m.-2:05 p.m. Thunder (Twins) Qualifying 2:10 p.m.-2:55 p.m. International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Qualifying 3:25 p.m.-4:05 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Championship Qualifying for the Vicious-I Pole Award 4:10 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Suzuki SV650 National Cup Qualifying Sunday Sept. 3 12:15 p.m. Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Race 16 laps Thunder (Twins) Race 14 laps — International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Race 14 laps 3:10 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Championship Race 18 laps — Suzuki SV650 National Cup Race 12 laps

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Eric Bostrom comes into Road Atlanta’s Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme race the new series leader. The championship is far from over however, as Bostrom’s teammate, and former series leader, Jason DiSalvo and Erion Racing Honda’s Josh Hayes are just a few points back. Whoever wins at Road Atlanta this Saturday, Sept. 2, will likely have the series lead as the championship heads to the final round at Mid-Ohio on Sept. 30. Bostrom, the 29-year-old Graves Motorsports Yamaha rider, got off to a bad start in Formula Xtreme this year. He suffered problems in the second round in Birmingham, Ala., in April, leaving him with a 22nd-place finish and little hope of contending for the title. Then at California Speedway on April 29, Bostrom found the setup he was looking for on his Yamaha R6 and he won the race convincingly. That opened the floodgates and Bostrom went on to make the most spectacular come-from-behind charge in Formula Xtreme history. He’s won six of the last seven rounds, including a victory in the last round in Alton, Va., to move into the championship lead. With just three points separating the top three riders, this year’s Formula Xtreme Series promises to provide one of the most exciting finishes in all of AMA racing. “My crew has done such a great job for me this year,” Bostrom said of his amazing ascendancy to the top of the standings. “None of these races have been easy. Some of them have come down to the final lap. It’s hard to believe after the start I had this year that I’d find myself on top of the standings. The series is so close between Jason, Josh and me that the one thing I know is that Road Atlanta is going to be very interesting.” For DiSalvo speed is not the issue. He’s scored the pole in all but one of the races, but has found it difficult to duplicate that speed on race day. “It seems like we have the momentum early in the weekend,” DiSalvo said. “We’ve got to figure something out to give me the speed throughout an entire race. We had a good test at Road Atlanta so I’m looking forward to the race.” Hayes has quietly stayed in title contention all season with one win and a slew of podium finishes. Hayes raced Road Atlanta frequently as he came up in the club ranks so he’ll feel right at home on the twisty, hilly circuit. “I really want to win this championship,” Hayes said. “The guys I’m racing against are great racers so whoever comes out on top of this battle should be really proud of what they’ve accomplished.” Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking controls the Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series with two rounds to go. Hacking is hoping to become the first rider since 1988 to win both the AMA Superstock and Supersport titles in the same year. He already secured the Supersport title so now he turns his attention to Superstock. “I go into Atlanta being able to concentrate on Superstock,” said Hacking, who is hoping to give Yamaha its third AMA Superstock title. “Sometimes it’s tougher to have a big lead because you don’t know for sure how you should approach the races. I’m not going to go out of my way and do anything crazy to win at Road Atlanta, but at the same time I’ve got to ride my race and if the opportunity to win is there it’s going to be hard not to take it.” Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates is the only other rider with a realistic shot at catching Hacking. Yates is always a favorite at Road Atlanta since this is his home track and he’s proven to be very quick there in the past. “I’ve been doing everything I can to win,” said Yates, the defending series champ from Milledgeville, Ga. “It’s out of my hands now, but I’ll go to Road Atlanta and give it my best shot. If I can’t win the championship at least I can go out winning races.” Eric Bostrom is suddenly a contender in Superstock with his first-career victory in the class at VIR earlier this month. Yamaha is rumored to be returning to Superbike in 2007 and Bostrom may be sending a message that he’s ready to win on a big bike. The Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme and Repsol Lubricants Superstock races from Road Atlanta will air on SPEED on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. For additional information on this weekend’s Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Makita call 800-849-RACE or visit the website www.roadatlanta.com.