The July 14-16th CRA Race Weekend Will Be HOT!! There will be red hot racing on the track and just plain hot everywhere else. Mid 90’s are expected for the CRA’s third race weekend of the season, July 14-16. Even Minnesota can get this hot, so bring plenty of cold beverages with you! This premier weekend will be hosting the second endurance race for our seasonal series and our usual smorgasbord of sprint races from Supersport to full GP racing. Contingencies are being offered by Honda, Yamaha, all the tire manufacturers, and other well known aftermarket race names. We’re also conducting our New Rider School again this July. If you’ve got a race-ready bike and have considered trying your hand at road racing, come on up and join the fun! Racers, spectators, and our always outstanding volunteer work staff will be on hand and continually looking for more enthusiasts to add to the club membership and racing camaraderie in general. For more info please visit the CRA website, ~http://www.cra-mn.com~ See you there!! Future CRA race weekends: August 25-27 September 15-17

THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS TO PERFORM ON SATURDAY OF RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX Yamaha, HSBC and GE to Present the Post-Race Concert At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca MONTEREY, Calif. (July 11, 2006) Spectators attending the second day of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca July 21-23 can end their day with one of the world’s hottest new alternative rock bands, as Yamaha and its financial partners HSBC and GE present The All-American Rejects. The concert will take place on Saturday, July 22 from 5 7pm, soon after the conclusion of the day’s on-track activities. The All-American Rejects, with a short U.S. stop sandwiched between tour dates in Canada and the UK, reached #6 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart with their current album, “Move Along”. Their current single, the title track from the album, has followed their first hit “Dirty Little Secret” into the top 10 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart. The concert will occur on a temporary stage in the Yamaha Marketplace on the second day of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. The band won’t take the stage alone as Yamaha Factory MotoGP star Colin Edwards will entertain the crowd with his t-shirt gun and various other antics prior to the start of the show. “This is just another great event for motorcycle fans to enjoy during this fantastic weekend of activities” said Bob Starr, Corporate Communications Manager for Yamaha Motor Company. “And having our financial services partners, HSBC and GE Commercial Distribution Finance help out is just another testimony to the overwhelming enthusiasm of the industry for this event.” A number of spectator amenities have been announced to improve the 2006 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. A new traffic flow plan is in place to help increase the positive fan experience. Highlights of the plan include all general admission parking off-site, with spectators transported via shuttle bus; a motorcycle-only entrance; and increased staffing and directional signage. Additionally, the number of concession stands has been increased dramatically, the official souvenir store will now be housed in an 8,000 square foot tent in Yamaha Marketplace, and more and better-located restrooms will be available throughout the facility. More information is available at www.laguna-seca.com. Tickets are on sale now for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s 50th Season of Racing including the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 21-23, the 33rd Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races August 18-20 and the Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series October 20-22. Tickets and more information are available by calling (800) 327-SECA or on-line at www.RedBullUSGrandPrix.com.

(These original, copyrighted photos may not be copied, cut and pasted, posted or otherwise published in any form. If you want to discuss these photos on a BBS or other Internet site, post a link instead.) These photos from the April 23 AMA Superbike National at Barber Motorsports Park show that crashed motorcycles moved Airfence fronting a steel barrier and a tire wall before Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden hit it. There has been recent speculation that the Airfence moved upward when Hayden himself hit it, allowing him to slide underneath and break his leg against the tire wall. The photos, taken by Noah Bowman, show otherwise. The track plans to move the barrier back and to install a gravel trap, which should help keep bikes and riders from reaching the barrier in the future.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP ready for Sachsenring’s twists and turns Rizla Suzuki MotoGP arrives in Germany this weekend for round 10 of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship, with both its riders eager to continue their recent run of good form. John Hopkins heads to the technical German track on the back of four consecutive top-10 finishes, looking to improve on his current 10th position in the Championship table. Chris Vermeulen secured his best dry qualifying position last time out at Donington and was looking for a strong finish, until a racing incident with Colin Edwards ended his challenge. The rookie Australian will be visiting Sachsenring for the first time and is hoping to learn the tricky circuit quickly, and to challenge for a high placed finish. Sachsenring is the shortest European track on the MotoGP calendar at only 3,671m long. Its tight and twisty nature means that outright speed is not so much a contributory factor to a good result, but smooth power delivery and correct tyre choice will be vital on this technical anti-clockwise track. Sachsenring is situated 100km from Dresden and will attract another huge crowd, with over 200,000 people expected to attend over the race weekend. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will take to the track on Friday for two free practice sessions, followed by a further free session on Saturday morning and qualifying in the afternoon. The 30-lap betandwin.com Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland will get underway at the earlier time of 12.30hrs local time (10.30GMT) on Sunday 16th July. Paul Denning Team Manager: “We are heading to Sachsenring in a positive spirit and look forward to turning our recent excellent qualifying performances into good finishes. It has been great to see the Rizla Suzukis running near the front and we need to continue to work hard on maintaining tyre durability in order to improve the results further. Bridgestone are fully committed to success, and this track has been kind to them in the past, so we are optimistic. The nature of the track should also suit the GSV-R’s excellent handling characteristics. “John is determined to get a good result here despite very bad memories of last year’s big crashes. We are expecting him to rise to the challenge the best riders are fast at all the circuits and John is now firmly in that group! “Chris has never seen Sachsenring before but hopefully he’ll gel with the track layout early on and get into a quick rhythm as soon as possible. Both riders will be working hard to do their best and put on a good show for Suzuki Deutschland and its many guests.”

Bridgestone aims to bounce back in Sachsenring Tuesday 11 July 2006 Bridgestone plans a return to form at this weekend’s German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring following a disappointing round in Donington just over a week ago. After the non-stop, back-to-back triple-header of Catalunya, Assen and Donington in recent weeks, Moto GP is torn from its brief respite to continue the second half of this season’s captivating championship at a relentless rate with the Sachsenring event immediately followed by the second consecutive US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. Bridgestone heads to Germany buoyed by its performance around the tight, twisty 3.671km track last season when Shinya Nakano crossed the line in sixth place a mere 4.5s from race winner Valentino Rossi after a two-part race which was restarted when John Hopkins crashed out on the fifth lap. Sachsenring’s asymmetrical composition of ten left-hand corners and four right-handers places a particular stress on the left side of the tyres throughout the thirty-lap race. Meanwhile, the right side of the tyre will be in need of more immediate grip levels, especially through the middle section of the lap, as lack of track contact exposes the tyre to a significant temperature drop. As riders negotiate a right-hander after a series of left-hand turns, right edge grip becomes crucial to maintain momentum over the lap. Bridgestone will be relying on a continuation of its impressive run of unbroken front row qualifying slots this season – the only tyre manufacturer still to hold this record in 2006. Overtaking possibilities around Sachsenring, one of the shortest and slowest laps of the year, are not abundant and qualifying prowess can often be rewarded with strong race results. Shinji Aoki, Assistant Manager Motorcycle Race Tire Development: “After a string of difficult circuits, I am happy to go to Germany knowing what a good job Shinya and Kawasaki were able to demonstrate last year. To finish 4.5s from the race winner was quite an achievement and his sixth place did not really do that justice, but this year, I am confident we can enjoy similar competitiveness. “The track offers quite good grip but the disparity between the number of left and right handers is something that we have had to work on. All of our tyres for this race have been developed with this in mind. “The weather in Germany continues to be hot and sunny and the forecast looks set for more of the same, so we will be bringing a new higher temperature medium compound tyre for this weekend’s race. This is not a new design as such, more an evolution from the existing family of high temperature compounds we used earlier in the season. “Similarly to Assen, qualifying will be important because there are not many passing opportunities at Sachsenring. If we can secure our tenth consecutive front row grid slot and ensure all Bridgestone riders are at the sharp end of the grid, we definitely have a good chance of converting that into good race results. Between the grid and the chequered flag, though, we must also successfully manoeuvre the first corner, which last year caused the retirement of three of our riders! If we can manage all of that, then a podium is certainly within our grasp.” Bridgestone’s 2005 German Grand Prix Race Results Pos. Rider Motorcycle Race Time Gap P6 Shinya Nakano Kawasaki 35m08.991s +4.557s P9 Loris Capirossi Ducati 35m27.923s +23.489s P11 Kenny Roberts Suzuki 35m46.533s +42.099s N/C Carlos Checa Ducati 5m40.304s +21 laps N/C Olivier Jacque Kawasaki Did not start second part of race N/C John Hopkins Suzuki Did not start second part of race N/C Alex Hofmann Kawasaki Did not start second part of race

WELCOME BACK TONI Cautious return for Toni Elias at Sachsenring dopo after three weeks out with a fracture to his left shoulder. After his brilliant podium at Donington Park on July 2, Marco Melandri arrives in Germany in good spirits and improving physical shape. A week-long break following three straight races has given him crucial time to rest and recover strength but also to undergo further tests on the injuries he sustained in that horrific crash at Barcelona. In particular, Marco underwent important examination at the clinic run by Dottor Porcellini, the orthopaedic shoulder specialist that operated on his collarbone and shoulder in 2003. The results have shown up a compound fracture to the right collarbone next to the sternoclavicular joint. Three weeks on from the incident Marco is recovering and is over the most critical phase but the pain continues and the Italian must try top move his right arm as little as possible, avoiding closing it across his front. His team-mate Toni Elias will have a more cautious approach, meanwhile, as he returns to the track after himself being injured in a practice crash at Assen, which left him with a fractured left shoulder. After being forced to miss out on the Dutch and British rounds, the Spaniard is still suffering but will try to return to action on the RC211V. MARCO MELANDRI: “It was nice to be back on the podium just two weeks after the accident. Donington was a real achievement for me and I pleased because Barcelona hasn’t affected me – I still have the desire to fight and my racing spirit is still intact. Now we have to race at two very interesting tracks. The Germany-United States double will be tough but I hope to be able to tackle it at my best. Sachsenring is a peculiar circuit but i like it because it is technical. The setting of the bike has to be perfect at this track and as far as riding technique is concerned you have to be very careful to control the throttle without being too aggressive. The week break has given me chance to recover but also to find out more about why I’m in so much pain with my right shoulder. The examination I underwent (X-ray, CAT and magnetic resonance) have shown up a fracture to the right collarbone next to the sternoclavicular joint. That explains the intense pain I was in at Assen and Donington. I’ve already spoken with both Doctor Porcellini, the specialist who operated on my collarbone in 2003, and Doctor Costa about continuing the physiotherapy. The worst is over but I still have to try to move my right arm as little as possible.” TONI ELIAS: “I’m happy to come back after a forced three-week break at home. It’s been a tough period because the shoulder has been really painful. It hurts every time I move my arm and I can’t even rest properly because it is even painful when I lay down. I’ve tried to recover as quickly as possible by having two sessions with the physiotherapist each day. I want to race even though I am aware it will be very difficult and painful. I don’t know how the shoulder will react to the demands of the bike at a circuit like Sachsenring, which has a lot of left corners – the injured side. I feel motivated – crashes and the recovery period always make you stronger and that is the way I feel.” THE TRACK Located around 100km south of Dresden, in the former East Germany, Sachsenring has hosted racing on the surrounding street circuits since the 1920s. The final 500cc Grand Prix on the long 8.6km track took place in 1972 and was won by Giacomo Agostini. In 1996 a new track was built near the town of Chemnitz and it has been modified slightly over the years in an attempt to make it a little faster. The latest changes were made in 2003 but the German circuit remains one of the slowest on the calendar. Throttle control is crucial at Sachsenring given that the MotoGP bikes can only use full power for 10-15% of the lap. The bike has to be agile in order to cope with the demands of the first half of the track, which is slow and tortuous. MARCO MELANDRI: “The secret is to control the gas without being too aggressive.” TONI ELIAS: “Sachsenring is a slow and tortuous track. I’m still suffering from the effects of the fracture on my shoulder. For sure the amount of left corners – ten to be precise – will put my condition to the test.” Sachsenring Constructed:1996 Latest modification:2003 Length:3.671 m Width: 10 m Pole: Left Right corners: 4 Left corners: 10 Longest straight: 780 m MotoGP race: 30 laps – 110.130 km RECORD: Circuit record: 2005 Gibernau (Honda) 1’23″705 Pole position: 2005 Hayden (Honda) 1’22″785 Race 2005: 1st Rossi (Yamaha) 2nd Gibernau (Honda) 3rd Hayden (Honda)

HOME GP FOR THE GERMAN ALEX HOFMANN The German ALEX HOFMANN is back on the DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP06 “Sat.” of the Team PRAMAC D’ANTIN MOTOGP, after two races in the Official Team as a substitute rider of the injured Sete Gibernau. He will “race at home” his national GP in Germany, on the Sachsenring Circuit. A very important date for ALEX HOFMANN that is actually very enthusiast and wants to get a good result more than ever, in front of his public. His Team mate as well, the Spanish JOSE LUIS CARDOSO, wants to get more points for the general classification of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship, after the ones he obtained at Catalunya and Donington. The round in Germany is the tenth of the season and will be followed by the U.S. Grand Prix, reserved to the MotoGP class, on the 23th July at Laguna Seca. The first session of free practice will be on Friday 13th July, at 10.00 a.m.. LUIS D’ANTIN (Team Manager): “After two races with the DUCATI Official Team, ALEX HOFMANN is back with us for his Home GP. We are aiming at a good result here, it’s very important for the Team and I’m sure that HOFMANN will make a great race in front of his public. With JOSE LUIS CARDOSO we will make the maximum to go on making good things after the quite good race in England, to keep on improving more and more”. ALEX HOFMANN #66: “I’m very enthusiast, to race at Sachsenring is always a great emotion! The track is quite small and very slow, it’s not one of the most beautiful but it’s one of the most special, the atmosphere is simply fantastic. It’s great to race in front of so many supporters, thousands of them already arrive on Friday to show their passion for the motorcycling world. I can’t wait to ride on track, it will surely be a very special weekend for me and for the whole Team. About the experience I had the opportunity to live with the Official DUCATI, I would like to thank again all the people that trusted me for this occasion. In the meanwhile it seems like DUNLOP has done some improvements and I hope it will allow us to make a good result here in Germany, I really expect something good as it is my home race and I don’t want to deceive my fans”. JOSE LUIS CARDOSO #30: “I have many good memories of Sachsenring, I made great races on this circuit and I really like its track. I can’t wait to make the first practice, especially after the improvements we made in the last race. We will see what will happen, I am very enthusiast and I really want to make a good result. I will work very hard with my Team during the whole weekend”. CIRCUIT DETAILS The Sachsenring Circuit was built in 1996 to avoid the numerous car and bike races that were done in the public roads in the area around the town of Chemnitz from 1920 until 1990, that had become too dangerous through such a densely populated area without enough security conditions for all the riders. The track is situated five miles west of the German town and has been mainly used as a driver training centre and road transport safety. It hosted MotoGP for the first time in 1998 and, since then, many improvements have taken place, including a drastic layout enhancement in 2001. Numerous tight corners make this track one of the slowest on the calendar but there is never any shortage of close racing action. Longest straight: 780m Wide: 10m Pole Position: Left Direction: Unclockwise MotoGP – Circuit Record: 1’23.705 (Sete Gibernau – 2005) MotoGP – Fastest Lap: 1’22.756 (Max Biaggi – 2004) 2005 MotoGP Race: 1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 3. Nicky Hayden (Honda)

Additional information is now available on the death of Steve Young, father of racer Blake Young, Saturday night. According to American Suzuki’s Morgan Broadhead, Steve Young was driving home to Wisconsin following Blake Young’s participation in the late-running AMA Dirt Track Amateur Nationals in DuQuoin, Illinois; Steve Young was accompanied in his Ford Excursion by one of Blake Young’s friends, while Blake Young drove in a separate vehicle. About 150 miles from DuQuion, both vehicles pulled over. Blake Young decided to get a hotel room for the night, while Steve Young decided to continue towards home. Steve Young’s Expedition later crashed in a single-vehicle accident and rolled several times; Steve Young may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Blake Young’s friend in the vehicle with Steve Young was not seriously injured. A viewing is set for Tuesday, July 11 at 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. with a funeral scheduled for Wednesday, July 12 at 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., at Gunderson Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716. Cards and flowers may be sent c/o the funeral home.

EDWARDS AND HAGA REUNITE FOR SUZUKA EIGHT-HOUR Yamaha has finalized its plans for round five of the 2006 Endurance World Championship, the Suzuka 8-hour race held at the Japanese circuit on 30 July. A three-team entry will be headed by the YAMAHA BLUE RACING team, which will feature riders Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga riding a specially prepared YZF-R1 SP. The event will mark a reunion of the rider pairing which won the event in 1996, when they rode a Yamaha YZF750SP. Edwards is currently riding a Yamaha YZR-M1 for the factory’s MotoGP team and is seen as one of the most consistent riders in the class. The American has won the Suzuka 8-Hour three times and the Superbike World Championship in 2000 and 2002. Haga is currently second in the Superbike World Championship, where he competes on a Yamaha YZF-R1 for the Yamaha Motor Italia squad. It will be Haga’s first entry in the 8-hour since 2001. The other two factory-supported entries are the YSP Racing Team sponsored by PRESTO Corporation and Team Cha-llenger. The YSP Racing Team sponsored by PRESTO Corporation will enter the pair of Katsuyuki Nakasuga, who is competing this season in the JSB1000 class of the All Japan Championships, and Shinichi Nakatomi, who rides for Yamaha Motor France in the Superbike World Championship. Team Cha-llenger will enter with riders Norihiko Fujiwara, who has ridden in the 8-hour almost every year since 1992, and Nobuyuki Osaki, a Japanese supersport championship competitor. Many of the Endurance World Championship regulars will also make the trip to Japan, including Yamaha Austria Racing Team and Yamaha Phase One Endurance, who are currently second and fifth in the championship.