AMA Superbike Provisional Sunday Morning Practice Times: 1. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:25.386 2. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:26.081 3. Ben Bostrom (Duc 999F06), 1:26.102 4. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:26.159 5. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:26.160 6. Neil Hodgson (Duc 999F06), 1:26.336 7. Tommy Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.530 8. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:26.633 9. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:26.858 10. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.869

Pro Honda Oils AMA Supersport Championship Presented by Shoei Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio August 6 Provisional Practice Times: 1. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R600), 1:28.293 2. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R600), 1:28.307 3. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R6), 1:28.373 4. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:28.406 5. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), 1:28.705 6. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:28.912 7. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), 1:29.047 8. Damon Buckmaster (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:30.078 9. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:30.093 10. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), 1:30.114 11. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:30.972 12. Shea Fouchek (Suz GSX-R600), 1:31.109 13. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R600), 1:31.235 14. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6), 1:31.352 15. Tony Meiring (Suz GSX-R600), 1:31.460 16. Garrett Carter (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.191 17. Alastair Seeley (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.251 18. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.487 19. Scott Ryan (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.746 20. Jimmy Wood (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:33.168

Repsol Lubricants AMA Superstock Championship Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio August 6 Practice Times: 1. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R1 LE), 1:26.735 2. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1 LE), 1:26.931 3. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:26.976 4. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:27.218 5. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R1 LE), 1:27.319 6. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:27.417 7. Steve Rapp (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:27.548 8. Marty Craggill (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:27.947 9. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:28.013 10. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:28.074 11. Jason Pridmore (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:28.201 12. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.340 13. Damon Buckmaster (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.612 14. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:28.964 15. Matt Lynn (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:29.164 16. John Haner (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:29.260 17. Cory West (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:30.611 18. Robertino Pietri (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:31.045 19. Marco Martinez (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:32.208 20. Akira Tamitsuji (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:32.298

FIM Supersport World Championship Brands Hatch, England August 6 Race Results: 1. Broc PARKES (Yam YZF-R6), 23 laps, 34:27.306 2. Kevin CURTAIN (Yam YZF-R6), -1.758 seconds 3. Kenan SOFUOGLO (Hon CBR600RR), -2.088 seconds 4. Robbin HARMS (Hon CBR600RR), -12.146 seconds 5. Cal CRUTCHLOW (Hon CBR600RR), -12.309 seconds 6. Sebastien CHARPENTIER (Hon CBR600RR), -12.570 seconds 7. Stephane CHAMBON (Kaw ZX-6RR), -15.144 seconds 8. Gianluca NANNELLI (Duc 749R), -16.848 seconds 9. Massimo ROCCOLI (Yam YZF-R6), -17.058 seconds 10. Leon CAMIER (Hon CBR600RR), -17.380 seconds 11. Johan STIGEFELT (Hon CBR600RR), -19.834 seconds 12. Yoann TIBERIO (Hon CBR600RR), -20.967 seconds 13. Maxime BERGER (Kaw ZX-6RR), -21.597 seconds 14. Mauro SANCHINI (Yam YZF-R6), -24.048 seconds 15. Barry VENEMAN (Suz GSX-R600), -25.071 seconds 16. Kai Borre ANDERSON (Suz GSX-R600), -41.099 seconds 17. Tatu LAUSLEHTO (Hon CBR600RR), -42.438 seconds 18. William DE ANGELIS (Hon CBR600RR), -42.574 seconds 19. Matthieu LAGRIVE (Hon CBR600RR), -43.639 seconds 20. Tom TUNSTALL (Hon CBR600RR), -44.224 seconds 22. Chris PERIS (Yam YZF-R6), -56.300 seconds Championship Point Standings (Aafter 8 of 12 races): 1. TIE, Charpentier/Curtain, 131 points 3. Parkes, 119 points 4. Harms, 87 points 5. Roccoli, 78 points 6. TIE, Tiberio/Sofuoglu, 67 points 8. Stigefelt, 57 points 9. Fores, 49 points 10. Vizziello, 37 points More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda: SOFUOGLU THIRD AND HONDA’S BEST Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) scored his third podium of the season after a tough 23-lap race around the classic Brands Hatch circuit, finishing just over two seconds from the race winner. Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) looked set for a podium until his physical condition forced him to slow at half race distance, and he eventually had to settle for sixth place, not fourth, after being overtaken by two riders on the final lap. At the head of the championship Charpentier is still in the overall lead, due to the count back of race wins, but he now shares 131 points with second place Brands race finisher Kevin Curtain. Charpentier is also 12 points ahead of Brands race winner Broc Parkes. Sofuoglu moved from eighth in the championship to seventh, on the same 67 points as Monza race winner, Yoann Tiberio, but placed one behind because of the count back of race wins. Ronald Ten Kate – Team Manager “Very happy with the podium for Kenan, the second one in a row and he was fighting hard for second place with Kevin for a time. I’m very happy with the progress he keeps making, improving with every race, which is good. For Sebastien, I feel sorry, because we were in a very good position after qualifying, and the first laps of the race. It looked like he could go for at least a podium position, but after ten laps or so he had some physical problems, cramp in his arms and legs, so he could hardly hold onto the bike sometimes. Unfortunately he got passed by a couple more people on the last lap, so it seems the championship game has been reset back to the start. The championship starts again after today for us. Luckily for Seb we have a month or so for him to recover his condition to a higher level. So let’s see what happens.” Sebastien Charpentier – WSS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (6th – Championship Position: 1st with 131 points) “My team has worked very well this weekend, I am happy for the tyres. I was OK for the race, I made a good start, and Broc Parkes also made a good start. After 12 laps my body was completely destroyed, no power, my muscle strength is just not what it was before my accident, so for sure after this really bad injury it has not been easy for me to recover. I am hungry to win, so it is a big disappointment to not be able to challenge. I need the best result every time but it is not easy for me. It was impossible for me to control the bike properly at the end. I prepared as well as I could, but I am not Superman.” Kenan Sofuoglu – WSS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (3rd – Championship Position: 7th with 67 points) “I wanted to win today but for me this is a good podium. I still have to learn how to finish the long races, and the end was difficult to stay with Kevin. I have to say thank you to my team because they have really helped me and I hope every weekend can be like this for us from now on.” More, from a press release issued by Honda: CHARPENTIER EQUAL ON POINTS AFTER A BRAVE FIGHT AT BRANDS Despite being forced to drop his pace in the second section of the 23-lap Brands Hatch Supersport race, due to loss of physical stamina after recent pelvic and collarbone injury, Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) still heads the championship table after finishing sixth in the Brands race. Thanks to his greater number of race wins than Kevin Curtain, the rider he now shares a 131 points total with, Charpentier is classified one place above Curtain, despite the points tie. The Brands race was taken by Broc Parkes, with Curtain second and the resurgent Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) a fine third. In the final analysis Sofuoglu was just over two seconds from the race winner, scoring podium number three of his rookie full WSS season to boot. Both Charpentier and Sofuoglu had qualified on the front row, and made good launches from their ideal start positions. With four rounds still to come, Charpentier now has a month to recover and make himself ready for the next challenge, at Assen on September 3. Sofuoglu’s aggressive riding earned him a fine third place, and he moves up one place in the rankings to seventh, on a share of 67 points with French rookie Yoann Tiberio (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR), who was 12th at Brands, fading after a strong start from the third row, as tyre wear took its toll. Simone Sanna (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR) had a tough qualifying and was only 16th on the grid, retiring from the race when his machine lost power and then stopped. Charpentier had prepared as thoroughly as possible for the Brands weekend, but has simply not had long enough to get back the overall fitness and muscle strength required to run at this level. “My team has worked very well this weekend,” affirmed Charpentier after the race, “I am happy for the tyres. I felt I was OK for the race, I made a good start, and Broc Parkes also made a good start. But after 12 laps my body was completely destroyed, no power, my muscle strength is just not what it was before my accident. So, for sure, after this really bad injury it has not been easy for me to recover. I am hungry to win, so it is a big disappointment to not be able to challenge. I need the best result every time but it is not easy for me. It was impossible for me to control the bike properly at the end. I prepared as well as I could, but I am not Superman.” Sofuoglu, who had designs on the race win after a front row qualifying performance, tried his best to stay with eventual second place rider Curtain at the end, and was tantalisingly close to second at the flag. “I wanted to win today but for me this is a good podium,” said the Turkish rider. “I still have to learn how to finish the long races, and the end was difficult to stay with Kevin. I have to say thank you to my team because they have really helped me and I hope every weekend can be like this for us from now on.” Tiberio carried on to the end to score as many points as possible, and was frustrated with his luck after making a good start. “Because of the change in temperature we had to think about tyres again,” said Tiberio. “I think we did not make the best choice because after five laps, when I was in a good position, the rear started to spin. I had to just ride as smoothly as possible to bring the bike home with as many points as I could.” Sanna was mystified as to the reason for his enforced retirement. “I don’t know what happened but the bike cut out and I was forced to stop,” said the Misano podium finisher. “The bike just stopped and we could not get it started on the button afterwards.”

FIM Superbike World Championship Brands Hatch, England August 6 Race One Results: 1. Troy BAYLISS (Duc 999F06), 25 laps, 36:26.855 2. James TOSELAND (Hon CBR1000RR), -1.657 seconds 3. Noriyuki HAGA (Yam YZF-R1), -2.248 seconds 4. Andrew PITT (Yam YZF-R6), -2.860 seconds 5. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suz GSX-R1000), -9.666 seconds 6. Troy CORSER (Suz GSX-R1000), -16.731 seconds 7. Chris WALKER (Kaw ZX-10R), -16.892 seconds 8. Alex BARROS (Hon CBR1000RR), -20.707 seconds 9. Regis LACONI (Kaw ZX-10R), -25.196 seconds 10. Ruben XAUS (Duc 999F05), -25.338 seconds 11. Tommy HILL (Yam YZF-R1), -26.477 seconds 12. Lorenzo LANZI (Duc 999F06), -26.709 seconds 13. Norick ABE (Yam YZF-R1), -27.335 seconds 14. Fonsi NIETO (Kaw ZX-10R), -29.465 seconds 15. Sebastien GIMBERT (Yam YZF-R1), -39.195 seconds 16. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Suz GSX-R1000), -40.408 seconds 17. Steve MARTIN (Foggy Petronas FP1), -42.389 seconds 18. Roberto ROLFO (Duc 999F05), -48.053 seconds 19. Shinichi NAKATOMI (Yam YZF-R1), -51.243 seconds 20. Josh BROOKES (Kaw ZX-10R), -51.999 seconds 21. Ivan CLEMENTI (Duc 999RS), -59.569 seconds 22. Marco BORCIANI (Duc 999F05), -11 laps, DNF, mechanical 23. Criag JONES (Foggy Petronas FP1), -13 laps, DNF, mechanical 24. Pierfrancesco CHILI (Hon CBR1000RR), -15 laps, DNF, mechanical 25. Kurtis ROBERTS (Duc 999RS), -17 laps, DNF, mechanical 26. Michel FABRIZIO (Hon CBR1000RR), -20 laps, DNF, crash 27. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Hon CBR1000RR), -21 laps, DNF, crash

Race entries are down this year for the AMA Superbike National At Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, with fewer riders entering each class. In 2005, 42 riders entered Superbike, and 42 qualified. In 2006, 41 riders entered Superbike, and 35 qualified. In 2005, 39 riders entered Supersport, and 39 qualified. In 2006, 34 riders entered Supersport, and 31 qualified. In 2005, 32 riders entered Superstock, and 30 qualified. In 2006, 29 riders entered Superstock, and 27 qualified. In 2005, 36 riders entered Formula Xtreme, and 35 qualified. In 2006, 35 riders entered Formula Xtreme, and 32 qualified. In 2005, the race weekend drew 149 entries. In 2006, the race weekend drew 139 entries.

Lockhart Phillips USA AMA Formula Xtreme Championship Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio August 5 Provisional Race Results: 1. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R6), 16 laps 2. Josh Hayes (Hon CBR600RR), -2.256 seconds 3. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R6), -2.304 seconds 4. Aaron Gobert (Hon CBR600RR), -10.311 seconds 5. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), -10.608 seconds 6. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), -19.035 seconds 7. Ryan Andrews (Hon CBR600RR), -19.167 seconds 8. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), -32.837 seconds 9. Steve Crevier (Buell XB-RR), -55.962 seconds 10. Tony Meiring (Suz GSX-R600), -56.321 seconds 11. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6), -56.455 seconds 12. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R600), -56.795 seconds 13. Armando Ferrer (Kaw ZX-6RR), -69.087 seconds 14. Alastair Seeley (Yam YZF-R6), -69.194 seconds 15. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), -69.270 seconds 16. Gustavo Laya (Kaw ZX-6RR), -80.866 seconds 17. Michael Hale (Buell XB-RR), -81.842 seconds 18. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), -90.207 seconds 19. Victor Chirinos (Kaw ZX-6RR), -91.581 seconds 20. Chris Siebenhaar (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap 21. Eric Spector (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap, 12.920 seconds 22. Eric Haugo (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap, 16.239 seconds 23. Mark Hatten (Duc 749R), -1 lap, 17.941 seconds 24. Jessica Zalusky (Kaw ZX-6RR), -1 lap, 45.049 seconds 25. Joseph Ford (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap, 74.684 seconds 26. Myron Bell (Suz GSX-R600), -3 laps, DNF, mechanical 27. James Kerker (Hon CBR600RR), -8 laps, DNF, mechanical 28. Michael Morgan (Suz GSX-R600), -9 laps, DNF 29. Ty Howard (Hon CBR600RR), -16 laps, DNF, mechanical 30. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), -16 laps, DNF, crash 31. Garrett Carter (Yam YZF-R6), -16 laps, DNS 32. Taylor Knapp (Suz GSX-R600), -16 laps, DNS Unofficial Points Standings (After 8 of 11 races): 1. DiSalvo, 254 points 2. TIE, Hayes/Bostrom, 250 points 4. Gobert, 210 points 5. Andrews, 174 points 6. Meiring, 158 points 7. Young, 137 points 8. Caylor, 133 points 9. Eslick, 132 points 10. Barnes, 129 points 11. Howard, 123 points 12. Elleby, 110 points 13. Chirinos, 105 points 14. Ferrer, 81 points 15. Brian Stokes, 60 points More, from a press release issued by Team M4 EMGO Suzuki: FRONT ROW STARTS FOR MAY AND BARNES Geoff May and Michael Barnes put in stellar efforts on Saturday at Mid-Ohio for Team M4 EMGO Suzuki, combining to score a top-five race result and three qualifying positions in the top five. Starting from the sixth spot on the grid in the 16-lap Formula Xtreme race, Barnes worked his way up to fourth by the tenth lap aboard his Pirelli slick-shod GSX-R600 racer. The Floridian was involved in a dogfight in an attempt to secure the position, but in the end he fell just 0.297 seconds short of the spot, claiming a still-solid fifth at the flag. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki will be out for podium placings on Sunday at the undulating 2.4-mile long circuit. May and Barnes will start alongside each other on the front row for the Supersport contest. May qualified second best at 1: 28.190 while Barnes was just one spot further down in third at 1:28.229. May expects to be in contention aboard his fire-breathing GSX-R1000 as well, qualifying a close fifth at 1:26.856 in Superstock. “It was a productive day,” the Georgia native commented. “We’re not quite where we want to be on the 1000 but it’s a slower process than the 600. You can’t really override it like you can a 600 and make the time come. I think we’ll be better off tomorrow. We’re looking really good for the race. We’ve been focused all weekend on race set-up instead of fast laps, so we’ll just have to see how the race shakes out. I know that we’re quicker on the Pirelli tires at the beginning than my rivals are for sure. Those guys are really having to take it easy on the first couple of laps. I’ve seen that all weekend. I think that might be our strong point. If we can get a really good launch and get out front and get a gap, maybe there will be chaos behind us and allow us to get away.” “Supersport is looking really good,” he continued. “I really feel confident on the 600. It’s come a long way this year in its development. The guys at M4 Exhausts have done a killer job finding me more and more power and Pirelli has done a really good job bringing me stuff from World Supersport. We’ve switched tire sizes recently back to the 180 on the rear and that’s made the biggest difference in the world as far as the lap times. I feel confident. If things go our way I don’t think a win is out of the question.” Following his strong Friday performance, development rider Shea Fouchek qualified on the sixth row for Sunday’s Supersport race. He was 22nd quickest in the session, lapping with a best time of 1:32.633.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies won his ninth AMA Superbike race of the season Saturday at the repaved Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, in Lexington, Ohio. Spies pulled away on his Dunlop-shod GSX-R1000 from the start, building a 2.3-second lead after the first lap and a 9.6-second lead after 16 laps. The race was stopped on lap 17 for a crash involving Jason Pridmore, causing a restart and Spies’ lead to be erased. Spies grabbed the holeshot on the restart and pulled away again to his convincing victory. Mladin and Duhamel stayed closer to Spies on the restart but could not match the Superbike sophmore’s pace. Mladin was able to hold off Duhamel and finish second, 5.713 seconds behind Spies. Feeling he could not pass Mladin, Duhamel consolidated to place third. Zemke was running fourth, not far behind Duhamel when he crashed in turn 12 on lap 22. Zemke was fine, but his CBR1000RR slid all the way to the outside of turn 13 and hit the Airfence hard enough to become airborne. AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio August 5 Provisional Race One Results: 1. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R1000), 26 laps 2. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), -5.713 seconds 3. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), -9.113 seconds 4. Aaron Yates (Suz GSX-R1000), -12.318 seconds 5. Tommy Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), -12.594 seconds 6. Steve Rapp (Suz GSX-R1000), -19.270 seconds 7. Jake Holden (Suz GSX-R1000), -19.566 seconds 8. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), -25.655 seconds 9. Larry Pegram (Hon CBR1000RR), -28.769 seconds 10. Matt Lynn (Suz GSX-R1000), -28.940 seconds 11. John Haner (Suz GSX-R1000), -36.468 seconds 12. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000), -36.555 seconds 13. Eric Wood (Suz GSX-R1000), -37.067 seconds 14. Cory West (Suz GSX-R1000), -40.468 seconds 15. Robertino Pietri (Suz GSX-R1000), -41.116 seconds 16. Neil Hodgson (Duc 999F06), -57.983 seconds 17. Akira Tamitsuji (Suz GSX-R1000), -59.083 seconds 18. Dean Mizdal (Suz GSX-R1000), -59.508 seconds 19. Jason Curtis (Suz GSX-R1000), -68.666 seconds 20. Ben Bostrom (Duc 999F06), -1 lap, pitted 21. Douglas Duane (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 37.453 seconds 22. Jean Paul Tache (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 39.186 seconds 23. Andi Notman (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 39.226 seconds 24. James Kerker (Hon CBR1000RR), -1 lap, 39.498 seconds 25. Michael Sanchez (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 39.806 seconds 26. Barry Teasdale (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 49.245 seconds 27. Fernando Amantini (Kaw ZX-10R), -2 laps 28. David Weber (Suz GSX-R1000), -4 laps 29. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), -5 laps, DNF, crash 30. Jason Pridmore (Suz GSX-R1000), -10 laps, DNF, crash 31. Taylor Knapp (Suz GSX-R1000), -12 laps, DNF, crash 32. Dominic Jones (Suz GSX-R1000), -16 laps, DNF 33. Kenny Noyes (Yam YZF-R1 LE), -26 laps, DNS 34. Marty Craggill (Suz GSX-R1000), -26 laps, DNS 35. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R1000), -26 laps, DNS Championship Point Standings (After 13 of 19 races): 1. Spies, 464 points 2. Mladin, 424 points 3. Duhamel, 358 points 4. Hodgson, 332 points 5. Yates, 331 points 6. Tommy Hayden, 330 points 7. Zemke, 298 points 8. Ben Bostrom, 279 points 9. Pridmore, 260 points 10. Rapp, 251 points 11. Pegram, 240 points 12. Holden, 205 points 13. Wood, 183 points 14. Curtis, 159 points 15. Tamitsuji, 156 points 16. Lynn, 154 points 17. TIE, Hendry/Scott Jensen, 102 points 19. Amantini, 89 points 20. TIE, West/Mizdal, 83 points More, from a press release issued by American Suzuki: Yoshimura Suzuki 1-2 in Saturday’s Mid-Ohio Superbike Race –Next round, Virginia International Raceway in Alton, VA, Aug. 18 – 20, 2006– Round 8 AMA Superbike Series Lexington, Ohio Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Aug. 4 – 6, 2006 Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies overcame the Lexington, Ohio, heat and humidity as well as a red flag to win the first AMA Superbike race of the double-header weekend at Mid-Ohio on Saturday afternoon. This Superbike victory is Spies’ ninth of the season. Teammate Mat Mladin joined Spies on the podium in second place, while Aaron Yates came home in fourth. “The Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 has just been working so good,” said Spies, who extended his lead in the points chase with this win. “The bike and the Dunlop tires made my job easy this weekend. I want to thank Suzuki and my crew for doing such a good job and it’s great to see Yoshimura Suzuki one-two on the podium again.” Earlier in the day, Saturday’s final qualifying session saw Spies break last year’s track record when he posted a fastest lap of 1:24.917 and captured his sixth pole position of the season. Teammate Mladin was gridded next to Spies on the front row of the grid in second place, thanks to a best lap time of 1:25.442. Yates qualified a few spots back in fourth position with a 1:25.899 lap time. “The race is going to be tough,” predicted Spies after taking pole. “It was kind of rough yesterday because we had provisional pole but it wasn’t that easy at all. We went out today on a pure race set-up and did about seven laps within the pole lap so that was good.” The afternoon’s 26-lap race was a good one for Spies, who got a great start on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 and pulled out ahead of the field. He’d created a good-sized gap when a rider went down and a red flag was thrown. After the re-start, it took Spies a lap to get back into first place, but once he regained the lead the young Texan held it until the race’s end. “Today was really tough,” reiterated Spies. “In the first start, I just hammered and got a pretty good gap. After the red flag, we put on new tires and I just went out and gave 110 percent until I had nothing else to give. Right now, we’ve got the championship lead, the Suzuki is comfortable and the bike is running really good. We just need to keep running up front and winning races.” For teammate Mladin, the first start was not the best. Even so, the defending AMA Superbike Champion rode a strong race and moved quickly through the field to slot into second place. After the red flag, he got a better start and was in second position within a few laps. “I was trying hard and doing the best I could,” said six-time AMA Superbike Champion Mladin. “Ben’s doing a great job and we’re kind of playing catch-up right now. There are a couple of spots on the track where Ben’s making up time and we need to work on those spots. We know we have to win races so we’ll go back and do a little homework and see what we can come up with for tomorrow.” Yates also got a good start at the first of the race and ran up front before settling into fifth position. After the red flag, the laid-back Georgian settled into a strong fourth place. “This race was better than most this year,” said Yates of finishing in fourth. “I hated to see the red flag because I had a good groove going and had started making up time on the leaders. I was right there and looking forward to a good race to the end and then we had to start all over. Overall, it was a pretty decent ride and now we’ll make a few adjustments to make the Suzuki better for tomorrow.” Mat Mladin, Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, #1 2nd Place AMA Superbike 2nd Place — Overall Ben Spies, Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, #11 1st Place AMA Superbike 1st Place — Overall Aaron Yates, Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, #20 4th Place AMA Superbike 5th Place — Overall More, from a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati: TOUGH DAY FOR BOSTROM AND HODGSON IN OHIO Lexington (Ohio) 5 Aug 2006: Ben Bostrom and Neil Hodgson fought through a difficult day at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday. Both Parts Unlimited Ducati riders had to pit, which ruined their chances at another podium for the Ducati 999 Superbike. Although both riders mounted a challenge on Saturday, their final results didn’t reflect their competitiveness. Ben Bostrom vaulted to a strong second place in the 26-lap race before a minor technical issue slowed him and caused him to pit. Ben was able to return to the track and perform at a very competitive level, turning in strong lap times despite heavy traffic. “I felt it was a bit dangerous for me to continue on, so I pulled in,” said Bostrom, who finished in 20th place officially as he took the checkered flag. “Hopefully, our run of bad luck is over now. We were up to second in the race before our problem and things were going well. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be today and we had to pit. After the red flag, it was quite scary charging through the field on the restart. I’m looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow to show what we can do.” Hodgson was classified 16th despite pulling into the pits after the red flag for a repair to his machine. The brief stop happened on the warm-up lap for the restart. After a technical issue with the bike was repaired, he rejoined the field. “It didn’t go very well for us, really. It was a bad day for us,” said Hodgson. “We had a technical problem, and I had to pull in. We’re hoping for a better day on Sunday. Today was very frustrating for the whole team.” “Despite the gremlins we had today, we’re looking forward to competing again in tomorrow’s race,” said team manager Tom Bodenbach. “Ben’s lap times in the beginning of the race and after the restart showed he can be competitive. Neil and his crew are working on some changes they think will help get him up to the front, too.” Tomorrow’s race begins at 3:00 PM local time.

Saturday’s AMA Superbike race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was red flagged after 16 of 26 scheduled laps due to two crashed bikes down at the edge of the racetrack in the Keyhole. The two bikes belonged to Taylor Knapp and Jason Pridmore. Pridmore picked up his bike, with the help of cornerworkers, and rode away from the scene. Knapp’s condition was not known at post time. When the race was stopped, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies had a 9.6-second-and-growing lead. Mat Mladin, Miguel Duhamel, Jake Zemke and Aaron Yates were battling for second place. Pridmore was running alone, about five seconds behind the group racing for second and about six seconds ahead of Neil Hodgson. Seven seconds back and closing was Tommy Hayden. Roger Hayden was ninth and holding off Steve Rapp and Jake Holden. Ben Bostrom pitted on lap nine and rejoined one lap later. The race will be restarted. If it is ruled that Pridmore caused the crash, he will be forced to restart from the back of the grid. It appears that the time between the red flag and the restart will be very short.

Pro Honda Oils AMA Supersport Championship Presented by Shoei Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio August 5 Qualifying Results: 1. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R6), 1:27.954 2. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R600), 1:28.190 3. Michael Barnes (Suz GSX-R600), 1:28.229 4. Ben Spies (Suz GSX-R600), 1:28.334 5. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.503 6. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:28.659 7. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), 1:29.075 8. Damon Buckmaster (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:29.739 9. Blake Young (Suz GSX-R600), 1:29.937 10. Garrett Carter (Yam YZF-R6), 1:30.008 11. Chris “Opie” Caylor (Suz GSX-R600), 1:30.128 12. Tony Meiring (Suz GSX-R600), 1:30.212 13. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 1:30.268 14. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6), 1:30.513 15. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), 1:30.645 16. Tyler McDonald (Yam YZF-R6), 1:31.014 17. Alastair Seeley (Yam YZF-R6), 1:31.539 18. Barrett Long (Yam YZF-R6), 1:31.908 19. Scott Ryan (Yam YZF-R6), 1:32.147 20. Gustavo Laya (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:32.427 21. Jimmy Wood (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:32.437 22. Shea Fouchek (Suz GSX-R600), 1:32.633 23. Brandon Parrish (Suz GSX-R600), 1:32.873 24. Chris Siebenhaar (Suz GSX-R600), 1:33.703 25. Scotty Van Hawk (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:34.112 26. Joseph Ford (Yam YZF-R6), 1:34.459 27. Ryan Clay (Yam YZF-R6), 1:34.875 28. Mike Shreve (Yam YZF-R6), 1:34.924 29. Johnny Rock Page (Yam YZF-R6), 1:35.300 30. Super Dave Rosno (Yam YZF-R6), 1:35.441 31. Jessica Zalusky (Kaw ZX-6RR), 1:35.693 110% of fast time = 1:36.749 Did Not Qualify: 32. Simon Kowalski (Yam YZF-R6), 1:37.324 33. Mike Radke (Yam YZF-R6), 1:41.997 34. Pascal Picotte (Yam YZF-R6), no times More, from a press release issued by Pirelli: Pirelli Takes Half of the Supersport Front Row at Mid-Ohio On Saturday, at the AMA Superbike event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, racer Geoff May stepped up his speed in Superstock, moving higher on the charts from his fourth-fastest time in Friday’s practice to second fastest, and taking the credit of being the first bike of the day to get into the 1:26s. May jumped to the top of the leader board late in the practice session, with his M4 EMGO Suzuki GSX-R1000 on a set of Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slicks, holding the top spot until the last few minutes when Jamie Hacking joined him in the Superstock 1:26 club. In Saturday’s Supersport practice, M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Michael Barnes and Geoff May were third and sixth fastest, respectively. Also grabbing a top ten spot in Supersport practice was Michael Beck on his Graves Motorsports-sponsored YZF-R6, using the same Pirelli Diablo SuperCorsa Pro DOT race tires as Barnes and May. In Supersport qualifying May was second fastest and Barnes was third fastest, giving Pirelli half of the Supersport front row for Sunday’s final. In the red-flag interrupted Formula Xtreme practice, Michael Barnes was second fastest on his M4 EMGO Suzuki GSX-R600. Barnes improved over his Friday practice and qualifying, moving up from his fifth and sixth of those sessions, on his Pirelli SuperCorsa Pro tires. In the FX race, run on Saturday afternoon, Barnes finished fifth after a race-long battle with Aaron Gobert for fourth. In final Superbike qualifying, John Haner rode his Millennium KWS Suzuki GSX-R1000 to a spot on the third row for the Mid-Ohio Superbike double header. Haner recorded a time of 1:26.917, earning the inside position on row three, in ninth. Haner’s teammate, Matt Lynn, also cracked into the top 15. In Superbike Race One, Lynn and Haner battled with other leading privateers, finishing tenth and eleventh, respectively.