CONFIDENCE HIGH AS KAWASAKI HEAD FOR MUGELLO Kawasaki Racing Team riders, Shinya Nakano and Randy de Puniet, arrive in Mugello for this weekend’s Gran Premio d’Italia Alice determined to put the disappointment of Le Mans behind them. Although de Puniet’s race ended at the first corner in Le Mans, where he was the innocent victim in a chain reaction started by Valentino Rossi’s overtaking manoeuvre on the entry to the new chicane, the 25-year-old Frenchman heads to Mugello full of confidence after an impressive performance during practice and qualifying for his home Grand Prix. De Puniet suffered some ligament damage to his back in the Le Mans crash, but returns to racing at Mugello fully fit, after undergoing treatment on the injury in Paris immediately after the French Grand Prix. For Shinya Nakano the Italian Grand Prix has proved a difficult race in the past. The fastest crash ever recorded in MotoGP two years ago was followed by a hard fought tenth place in the race last year, but Nakano arrives this time around confident that the new Ninja ZX-RR will be better suited to the 5.245km, ultra-fast Mugello circuit. Nakano will be aided in his quest for a strong performance in Sunday’s 23-lap Gran Premio d’Italia Alice by a new fairing on his Ninja ZX-RR, designed specifically to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of Kawasaki’s MotoGP machine. Designed by Kawasaki engineers in Japan, in conjunction with the same Institute of Technology involved with aerodynamic development of both aircraft and the famous Japanese bullet train, Sinkansen, the new fairing should offer some advantage along Mugello’s 1100 metre main straight, where aerodynamic efficiency can have a big impact on top speed. Randy de Puniet: #17 “I remember nothing about the Le Mans crash, but it was very disappointing not to finish in my home Grand Prix. I suffered some ligament damage in my back, but this is now okay and I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike at Mugello. Despite the crash at Le Mans I am confident ahead of this weekend’s race. In France we made some big steps with the bike, as could be seen by my lap times in practice and qualifying, and I hope that we can continue at the same level this weekend in Italy. I like the Mugello circuit a lot, and I think we can put in a good performance here this weekend.” Shinya Nakano: #56 “In the past this has been a difficult race for us, but the same can be said of Le Mans, and I think our practice and qualifying performance in France shows that the new Ninja ZX-RR is a definite improvement over the old. For this reason I think we arrive in Mugello with more confidence of a good result that in previous years. Mugello is a real high-speed circuit, where braking points are critical to a fast lap, but you also need to find a good rhythm around the fast turns here. If you find a good set-up during practice and qualifying then racing here is really enjoyable. But, if you fail to find a set-up you’re comfortable with then you know that Sunday’s race will be real hard work! We will run a new fairing on our Ninja ZX-RR machines this weekend, which should offer some advantage along Mugello’s long main straight, where outright top speed is important.”

Yesterday afternoon in a meeting between all parties, a provisional agreement was reached for the organisation of the MotoGP Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini which would take place at the Misano Adriatico circuit. Present at the meeting were Carmelo Ezpeleta – CEO of Dorna Sports, MotoGP commercial rights holders, Paride Andreoli – Minister for Tourism and Sport in San Marino, Andrea Gnassi – Tourism and Sport Delegate for the Province of Rimini, Mariano Spinarelli – President of Santamonica SpA and Umberto Trevi – Administrative Delegate for Santamonica SpA . The announcement of the agreement came during a press conference following the meeting. The agreement between Dorna and the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini will be for a duration of five years (2007-2011) and will see a long-term economic investment from all three public and private parties involved in the project. The public investment will contribute to the acquisition of the event and to its promotion, whilst the private sector will supply the funds to perform the necessary track improvements and to sustain the massive organisational challenge that such an event requires. Statement from Paride Andreoli – Minister for Tourism and Sport in San Marino “It is a very important day for the Republic of San Marino, because today sees the culmination to a process which began four years ago with the first meetings between the Secretary of State for Tourism and Sport and Dorna. We are delighted to be joined by two partners, the Province of Rimini and the Autodromo Santamonica, with whom a strong bond and constructive spirit has been formed, crucial to reaching our objective. The challenge begins now however, and that means working closely together to promote the event and at the same time offering a place which we call “The Land of Motorsport”. For the Republic of San Marino it’s a privilege to join the exclusive circle of countries who boast the three most important motorsports events: Formula 1, MotoGP and Superbike.” Statement from Andrea Gnassi – Tourism and Sport Delegate for the Province of Rimini “Today is really a very important day. The MotoGP World Championship, along with Formula 1 is the biggest event in world motorsport. The Riviera will be in view for the whole world to see. Our objective is to transform this enormous international event into a virtual tourist product linked to the passion of the motorcycling world. Alongside San Marino and the Autodromo Santamonica we have work hard to achieve this objective. Now we have to push hard to promote it and to commercialize it along with many other parties in the territory. Our area, with the sea, the hills and its natural vocation as the land of motorcyclists, is the perfect scenery for an event which will make the Riviera di Rimini one of the main protagonists.” Statement from Umberto Trevi – Administrative Delegate for Santamonica SpA . “Our company is firmly dedicated to bring the most important motorcycle event on the calendar back to the Autodromo di Misano for many years to come. Now there will be a great deal of effort needed to develop the event, with the participation of all institutions, who from this moment will need to solve all the issues concerned with the complex and multidimensional needs of MotoGP as regards the territory and its infrastructures. Santamonica Spa, thanks to the tireless collaboration from the Misano Adriatico Community, will start works immediately, which in time for the event will give us a ‘new’ circuit, with the track completely renovated and which will see racing in a clockwise direction, opposite to the current running of it. In thanking the Republic of San Marino, the Province of Rimini and Dorna, we must not forget the massive investment and extraordinary organizational processes that our company must undertake with the hope, or certainty that with the presence of a large number of fans from the 2007 event, it will be demonstrated how our land and our circuit are the perfect match between passion and emotion, and which will show the positive aspects of a public-private partnership in the strategic development of our community and the whole country.” Statement from Carmelo Ezpeleta – CEO Dorna Sports “It is also an important day for Dorna, because after several meetings, firstly with Minister Andreoli and then with the other parties, we have made the agreement which will allow us to propose to the FIM to insert the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini on the official 2007 calendar, to take place at the Autodromo Santamonica di Misano. With this move we have satisfied a strong demand, both on riders’ and fans’ behalf to have another MotoGP event in Italian territory.”

PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI’S HODGSON TO FIGHT FOR REPEAT ELKHART LAKE VICTORY Elkhart Lake (Wisconsin): Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is the site of this weekend’s AMA Superbike doubleheader and the Parts Unlimited Ducati team will return to the track for the eighth and ninth races of the year. Riders Neil Hodgson and Ben Bostrom will compete on their Ducati 999 Superbikes at the 4.0-mile circuit, considered one of the best in America. The Road America circuit boasts each type of turn, from slow 90-degree bends to long sweepers to high speed sections. There are long straights which allow for drafting, including the run to the start-finish line that has seen a considerable number of close finishes in the 50-plus years of racing at the circuit. Several Ducati-mounted riders have won at Road America over the years, including Doug Polen, Pascal Picotte, Anthony Gobert, and Neil Hodgson. Hodgson won in Elkhart Lake last season with a thrilling ride in the wet. Neil braved a torrential downfall to win on his Ducati 999 Superbike, using his skills to tame the mighty L-twin horsepower in what he described as the worst conditions he has raced in during his illustrious career. “Last year was a great win for the team and me, but I hope it stays dry this time,” laughed Hodgson, the 2003 World Champion. “The test at Utah went well for us, too. I’m not sure exactly how much of that will translate to Road America because no two circuits are exactly the same. I do like the Road America track and am looking forward to the races.” Ben Bostrom says he is more confident after the successful test at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Bostrom was quickest at the test and says he and the crew benefited greatly. “It was good to get the track time, to try some different settings on the 999 that we really don’t have a chance to try during a hectic race weekend. For us, it’s on now. We feel we can be much more competitive,” said Bostrom, the 1998 AMA Superbike champion. “I’ve never been that lucky at Elkhart before, but we feel good about things.” Getting Bostrom and Hodgson plenty of track time in recent weeks should help the team’s fortunes, says Team manager Tom Bodenbach. “We had the Fontana and Infineon races, then the test in Utah. The boys have been able to ride pretty much every week for a while and that’s good,” said Bodenbach. “This weekend, we’ll try to see how what we’ve learned translates to Road America. We’re excited about competing.” The AMA schedule calls for 16-lap Superbike races on Saturday and Sunday. The Circuit: Located in the Wisconsin countryside, the 4.0-mile (6.43 kilometer), 14-turn Road America circuit is in many ways a European-style track. There are several long straights for the powerful Superbikes to reach top speeds, each with a 90 degree turn at the end that prove to be great passing zones. Road America also features turns like The Carousel and The Kink, which was altered several years ago to improve safety. AMA Superbike points (after seven races): 1. Ben Spies, Suzuki 257 2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki 227 3. Miguel Duhamel, 198 4. Neil Hodgson, Parts Unlimited Ducati 183 5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki 179 6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki 173 7. Ben Bostrom, Parts Unlimited Ducati 168 8. Jake Zemke, Honda 156 9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki 148 10. Larry Pegram, Honda 133

Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore and Steve Rapp and Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich gave rides on GSX-R1000s to members of the local media and V.I.P.s with the Champ Car series during a joint media day Wednesday at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The media event was a cross-promotion of this weekend’s AMA Superbike event at Road America and the Champ Car event at the Milwaukee Mile. It included a press conference with Pridmore, Rapp, Ulrich and Champ Car drivers Nelson Philippe and Will Power and rides in the Champ Car series’ Ford Mustang pace cars (with Champ Car’s normal pace car drivers at the controls), rides as passengers on sidecar rigs and rides on Pridmore’s STAR School Suzukis and Ulrich’s two-seat Superstock racebike. Media attendance at the event was light, but Pridmore had the opportunity to give John Pipines, Sports Director for WITI FOX-TV Milwaukee, a one-lap ride. “I just had the ride of my life,” Pipines told Roadracingworld.com. “It gives you such appreciation to go out with a professional (like Pridmore).” Ulrich gave several guests rides, including Champ Car pace car driver Kelly Williams, “The Face of Champ Car” Brandi Latimer and Champ Car racers Philippe and Power. All came away with excited comments and a new respect for motorcycle road racing, but Philippe and Power said they felt an even greater appreciation and stronger attraction to the sport. “It was really a lot of fun,” said 19-year-old Philippe, who drives a Ford/Cosworth-powered Lola for CTE Racing – HVM. “To be honest with you, the braking did not impress me, because it is around the same thing we do. Maybe we brake a little more. But the acceleration, you can’t compare. I don’t know how much the bike weighs. Compared to the car, the power-to-weight ratio is amazing. The acceleration is pretty amazing. It made me want to own a bike. I want to go and race with them now. I rode with him, but now I wish I could ride by myself. I used to do a little bit of riding, so it makes me want to go out.” “It was good, good fun,” said 25-year-old Power (who drives a Ford/Cosworth-powered Lola for Team Australia and is currently ninth in the Champ Car Championship) after rides with Rapp and with Ulrich. “I really enjoyed it. I think I’m going to have to get a bike now. I’ve got to do it myself. It was really, really good. “In our cars, you get a lot of braking G(-force)’s, but these have acceleration G’s. Being a passenger you have to hold on, so I guess you exert more energy. And I’m not used to not having anything around me.” Power pointed out that having Ulrich’s teammate Robertino Pietri ride his GSX-R1000 Superstock racebike in close proximity enhanced the experience. “It was good to have the other bike out there, too, just to get the experience of what it’s like when they race,” said Power. “He came up and brushed past me at maximum speed on the straight. That was a bit scary, but it was good fun.” Ulrich’s team has been doing media rides using two-seat racebikes for about five years. Because Pridmore is holding a STAR-school session at the track next week and the Jordan team’s race shop is located relatively nearby, Road America asked the Jordan team to also participate.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 31, 2006) — The following information is in response to recent media reports regarding the status of traction control rules in AMA Superbike AMA Pro Racing remains committed to the enforcement of all rules specified in the AMA Superbike Championship Rulebook. As stated on page 36 of the 2006 rulebook, Telemetry and Traction Control are prohibited (Section E, General Equipment Standards, subsection 23). AMA Pro Racing technical staff will continue to perform routine pre- and post-race technical inspection of selected equipment. Any machine suspected of utilizing prohibited traction control devices is subject to impounding for further technical evaluation at AMA headquarters (Section C, Equipment Offenses and Penalties, subsection 2, page 61.) AMA Pro Racing also remains committed to the proactive governance of new and emerging technology as it relates to its racing disciplines. The newly formed AMA Racing Standing Committee will evaluate such technology on an ongoing basis and provide strategic counsel to the AMA Board of Directors. Additionally, as part of AMA Pro Racing’s new rulesmaking procedures announced in February, all new rules and changes to existing rules will be scrutinized by discipline-specific rulesmaking committees before being forwarded to the AMA Board of Directors for ratification. Any changes to traction control regulations fall under this procedure.

Pfeifer Wins Big in Vegas! Well three CCS Southwest races anyway! Jack Pfeifer on his Pirelli equipped Kawasaki ZX10R created quite a stir with the regular CCS competitors who attended the races on the Las Vegas classic course when he won the Unlimited GP race on Saturday and in doing so breaking the Unlimited GP race win streak of Mark Ledesma who had gone undefeated this season at all the previous CCS Southwest rounds held so far this year. Jack was unable to follow up with another win during Sunday’s double-header event. Jack said he had chosen the wrong compound rear tire and knew from lap two that it wasn’t going to happen again, but Jack was just as happy to finish second and seemed to be overjoyed just being at the races. Jack also won both Unlimited Supersport races of the double-header weekend. Competing on his Kawasaki ZX6RR and starting from the back of the grid Jack finished the weekend with two 2nds and a 3rd in Middleweight Supersport and Superbike.

MONTEREY, Calif. (May 31, 2006) Only one week remains to register for the additional allotment of paddock passes recently released for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 21-23 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, featuring the MotoGP World Championship and the AMA Superbike Championship. Continuing through Tuesday, June 6 at 5:00 p.m. (PST), motorcycle fans may register for up to 6 paddock passes, equal to the number of general admission tickets that person has purchased. At the conclusion of the registration period, orders will be drawn and filled randomly until the allotment of paddock passes has been sold. All entries will require a valid credit card to enter the selection process. The card will not be charged, however, until that purchaser has had their reservation slip selected. The random selection process will bring the total number of paddock passes sold equal to the 2005 event, the largest event in the history of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Entries may be made on-line at www.laguna-seca.com/paddockpasses or during normal business hours at (800) 327-SECA. Only one entry per person, per address, per credit card will be accepted. Duplicate entries will void all previous entries by that individual. Entries will be drawn at random beginning at 9:00 a.m. (PST) on Wednesday, June 7 by an Independent Contracted Auditor. Complete rules are available at www.laguna-seca.com/paddockpasses. 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 also help to increase the 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.

Team Motorrad Suzuki Motorrad has decided today to revoke the contract of the Australian rider Anthony Gobert. During the present season the rider has not performed at the expected level in the Spanish National FX championship, and, as a result, after various consultations with suppliers and sponsors. It has been decided to dissolve the contract that united the parties. The Coronas Suzuki Motorrad team wished Anthony Gobert every success in his professional and personal future. The team, although currently competing with four riders, two in FX and two in Supersport, is negotiating the possibility of including an additional rider in its FX structure. This rider would take Gobert’s place and have at his disposition the support and material originally designated to the Australian. Although the conversations are at an advanced stage, there will not be time to resolve the matter prior to the Jerez round of the Spanish National Championship to be held on June 10 and 11.