Jason Perez, the 2005 AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year, is back in the U.S. after a deal to race in the FIM European Superstock Championship fell through. Perez left for Europe in February, planning to race in the 2006 European Superstock series with HP Racing Suzuki. Perez rode the team’s Pirelli-shod GSX-R1000 racebikes at several tests in Spain and Italy. But by mid-April Perez and the HP team manager still hadn’t agreed to contract terms, and had reached an impasse in negotiations. Perez returned to the United States on Thursday, April 20. Within a week of being home, Perez purchased Aaron Gobert’s 2005 Graves Yamaha YZF-R1; on Thursday Perez worked on getting the bike dialed-in for this weekend’s AMA Superbike race at California Speedway. Perez now plans to race in the entire AMA Series, and he plans to finance his AMA program using club race contingency winnings.

AMA Supersport Championship leader Roger Hayden may race his factory Kawasaki ZX-6RR this weekend at California Speedway even though he suffered a dislocation and double fracture of his lower right leg less than one week ago. “He’s going to do his absolute best to try and ride,” Hayden’s Crew Chief Dan Fahie told Roadracingworld.com Thursday in the paddock at California Speedway. “Whether he can ride or not, I don’t know, and I don’t think Rog even knows. I think his foot will decide. What I can tell you is me and my guys will be ready to do out best to help him ride.” Hayden suffered the injury in a crash during the April 23 AMA Superbike race at Barber Motorsports Park. On Monday, April 24, Hayden had surgery at the hands of famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting to screw and plate his fractured tibia and fibula back together. As he told Roadracingworld.com in an April 25 interview, Hayden is scheduled for a check up with Dr. Ting tomorrow, Friday, in Fremont, California, near San Francisco. The results of that check-up will tell Hayden whether it is possible for him to try and ride at California Speedway or how long he may be out of action.

Just six months after the first MotoGP race at the Istanbul Park circuit, the world’s premier motorcycle race series is back on the Europe-Asia border for round three of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship. The Grand Prix of Turkey will hope to repeat the successful event from last year, which saw young gun Marco Melandri win his first ever MotoGP race. Melandri was back in Turkey today, and was joined in a pre-event press conference by championship leader Loris Capirossi. Whilst Melandri will hope to boost his disappointing start to the year with his first podium, Capirossi will be hoping to build on his successful start to the year, which has seen him take a first and third places at the opening two races. The Ducati rider will race at the track for the first time, having missed the 2005 event through injury. He made a couple of laps on a paddock scooter today in order to familiarise himself with the Istanbul Park circuit, which is generally acknowledged as one of the most popular racetracks on the 17-round calendar. One of the riders to disagree with that assessment in the press conference was reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi, who admitted this isn’t one of his favourites. However despite this fact Rossi finished second in last year’s race, and arrives to the track in fine form, having scored his first victory of the year, and first win in four races. In what will be his 100th MotoGP race, Rossi currently sits in fourth place in the championship and will hope to close the fourteen-point gap to compatriot Capirossi. Casey Stoner won the 250cc race at Istanbul Park last year, and after taking pole position in Qatar the young Australian will be aiming to collect his first MotoGP podium. In the press conference he admitted to having recovered from the illness which affected him in the Middle East, whilst hoping his the base set-up which worked so well there will serve him well in Turkey. Whilst the riders met the press, other MotoGP riders took the traditional Thursday pre-GP culture excursion, which this time took place along the rolling waters of the Bosphorus which separates east and west Istanbul. MotoGP riders Sete Gibernau, Kenny Roberts Jr and Jose Luis Cardoso were joined by 250cc’s Roberto Locatelli and 125cc championship leader Alvaro Bautista as they took to the river by boat to soak up the Turkish atmosphere with a music and dance display provided by local performers. During the excursion the riders were taken along the river route, which cuts through the city to join the Marmara and Black Seas, enabling them to take in the sites of historic Istanbul including the Haghia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. There was also the chance to see the wondrous site of Topkapi Palace, the crown of the Ottoman Empire. As on the river, back in the paddock the day was one of sunny conditions and high temperatures, with a light breeze to keep the air fresh. The Turkish paddock welcomed several hospitality units for the first time today, to create a genuine racing atmosphere before practice gets underway tomorrow morning at 9am local time, with the races taking place on Sunday.

DISALVO AND HAYES BATTLE IN AMA LOCKHART-PHILLIPS USA FORMULA XTREME Hacking, Yates and DiSalvo lead the way in Repsol Lubricants Superstock PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 27, 2006) — The typical pattern in the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series is for two riders to separate from the pack and have a great battle for the title. The last few seasons it was Miguel Duhamel and Jake Zemke taking the championship to the wire. Before them it was Jason Pridmore versus Zemke, or John Hopkins vs. Damon Buckmaster and so on. While it’s certainly early in the year, the 2006 series seems to be taking on a familiar tone as Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo and Josh Hayes, of Erion Honda, emerge as the title contenders. The series moves to California Speedway on Saturday, April 29, for round three. DiSalvo took over the lead in Formula Xtreme after winning last Saturday at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. Hayes is a scant three points behind DiSalvo by virtue of a pair of runner-up results. The leading duo has already put distance on the rest of the Formula Xtreme class. Aaron Gobert, teammate to Hayes, heads up the best-of-the-rest category. The Aussie is 15 points behind DiSalvo. DiSalvo seems to enjoy the strategy it takes to beat his crafty rival. “It was tough to get by Josh last week at Barber,” DiSalvo said. “He was getting great drives out of the corners so I had to come up with a creative plan to pass him. We’ve got some ideas on what we can improve on the bike for Fontana, but I know it’s going to be a good battle.” Hayes says he’s beginning to see what it’s going to take to be successful in AMA Formula Xtreme this year. “We’re essentially riding the same motorcycle as last year,” Hayes explained. “The pace has definitely increased. We have some new players in the game this year. Everyone’s going faster. We have a bike that’s pretty well developed. I think for us to find more speed, we’re going to have to be really creative, and come up with some new ideas on how to do that. We’re just going to have to work really hard.” Joining the fray for the first time this season in Alabama was Kurtis Roberts. Roberts joined Team M4 EMGO Suzuki as a replacement rider for an injured Michael Barnes. Barnes came back earlier than expected, but the team kept Roberts on board and he rewarded them with a strong third-place finish in his team debut. Roberts is a two-time Formula Xtreme Champion and shows signs of moving up to challenge DiSalvo and Hayes’ dominance of the class. It’s a three-way fight for the lead in the AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series. Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking leads the chase, but only six points total separate Hacking from third place teammate Jason DiSalvo. Sandwiched between the two Yamaha riders in the points is none other than defending champ, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates. Hacking is playing the consistency game in the beginning of the series. “It’s early in the season so it’s nice to be still leading the points, but it’s still too early to be thinking about points right now,” Hacking explained. “Right now is just finishing consistent and top three. We’ll take this decent finish, and go to Fontana and see if we can’t rack up some more.” Yates made a late race charge to win last week in Alabama. The Georgian racing veteran is taking a very matter-of-fact approach to trying to defend his title. “Just like before the season started,” Yates said. “Same outlook. We’re going out there to go hard and keep the bike on two wheels, and try and come out with some wins and win the championship.” DiSalvo is the defending Fontana Superstock winner so he could be primed to move up from third in the standings. The Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme and Repsol Lubricants Superstock races are part of California Speedway’s Suzuki Superbike Challenge that runs April 28-30. For ticket info call 1-800-944-RACE or visit www.californiaspeedway.com The Fontana Superstock final will be televised nationally on SPEED at 5 p.m. EST Tuesday, May 2. About AMA Pro Racing AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

Agencies appointed to promote Isle of Man TT in 2006 – new Motorsport Development Manager also appointed The Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure has appointed a new agency to develop the commercialism of the TT, re-define the branding and promote the races to a wider audience. The department has also appointed Paul Phillips to the position of TT and Motorsport Development Manager. Signature Sponsorship has been appointed to manage commercial and sponsorship contracts for The Isle of Man TT for a period of three years from 2006 to 2008. Signature Sponsorship (IoM) Ltd. is an independent sponsorship and event management consultancy, with specialist divisions in sponsorship consultancy and managing global events. Signature has extensive experience in sponsorship, event and hospitality management in Formula 1 motorsport for Shell and Fosters as well as playing a significant role in Moto GP and the World Superbike Championships with Ducati. Signature will work closely with the department of Tourism and Leisure in the setting up, negotiating and account management of all of the commercial contracts associated with the event. They will be to looking to generate new commercial opportunities and increased revenue and investment for the TT and the Island. M Louise Wilson, CEO of Signature Sponsorship commented: “The TT races is the most exciting road race in the world and Signature will be looking to maximise the potential revenue opportunities associated with the event’. As part of their remit, Signature has led a PR agency competitive pitch and London based PR company The Media Foundry has been appointed. The agency will focus on generating increased press coverage in the national and lifestyle press, as well as ensuring continued positive press in the traditional bike media. The agency will also be charged with running the press office during the races. The account will be lead by Simon Crellin, formerly a resident of the Isle of Man and someone familiar with both the races and the Island. The Media Foundry has widespread sport, leisure and tourism experience and this year is running a UK Home Nations football tournament for under 13’s on behalf of Tesco. The Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure has also appointed Paul Phillips to the position of TT and Motorsport Development Manager. Paul has worked alongside Richard Quayle for the past twelve months as Rider Liaison Officer for the TT Races, during which time he has been responsible for a sustained period of change and development. Paul’s key role will be to develop the TT and Motorsport on the Island in consultation with the key stakeholders and service providers to help raise the profile and quality of the TT, and other Motorsport events, to world class standard. As well as the duties of the Rider Liaison post, the job will also include having overall administrative control of the TT. This includes controlling the budgets to ensure its long-term future and working with the media. David Cretney, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, commented: “With the return of established teams from British Superbike and representatives from World Superbike in attendance for the first time, as well as strong representation from all four Japanese manufacturers, this year’s races are expected to be the most exciting for many years. These appointments will mean that we are maximising the commercial opportunities associated with the races”.

Hawk confident for Oulton Park Bennetts British Superbikes Round 4 The three Hawk Kawasaki riders are heading for the picturesque track of Oulton Park, Cheshire this Bank Holiday weekend (29th April 1st May), for round four of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. Dean Thomas (33), Craig Coxhell (23) and Peter Hickman (19) and looking forward to tackling the 2.7-mile circuit. Having tested with Thomas at the circuit last week the Hawk Kawasaki Team are confident they have found a good set up for the event. Having scored two consistent top ten finishes at Thruxton over Easter weekend Thomas is keen to get to Oulton to improve his results. A track that he is extremely fond of, the Chesterfield based rider commented “Oulton is one of my favourite circuits and I’m feeling confident as we head there this weekend. We had a good test last Friday and managed to get a set-up on the ZX-10 which I felt comfortable with, we had a reasonable amount of changes to make during the day but had it nearly right by the end of the three sessions.” Fellow Australian Craig Coxhell is still recovering from the injury he sustained at Donington Park at the beginning of April. Despite this Craig will be riding at Oulton this weekend having missed the last round due to the pain, he is hoping that the injury will not be disturbed again at the Cheshire circuit. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike again, I was certainly in a lot of pain at Thruxton and Stuart did the best thing by with-drawing me from the race, to avoid further injury. I have been having intensive physiotherapy on both my shoulders and also lazer treatment, in a hope to speed up the healing process. I’ve not ridden at Oulton for a while so I will be using the weekend to learn the track and get the Kawasaki handling well round there. Like Dean I want to get some strong results as I need some more Championship points” Coxhell said. Rookie rider Peter Hickman is still aiming at scoring his first British Superbike points saying “I really want to get into a rhythm this weekend and be consistent, aiming for that top 15 finish. I’ve had a few crashes since the season started and hoping now I’ve got that out my system. I was running really well at Thruxton and I felt really happy with the bike. Things are certainly progressing and I’m learning more each time I go out on circuit which is also giving me confidence.” More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne was fastest in last week’s official Oulton Park test and the Rizla Suzuki rider going to the fourth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at the circuit this Bank Holiday Monday aiming for podium results. The 29-year-old Zurich resident won the hearts of the Superbike fans by coming from the back of the grid at the last round and carving his way dramatically through the field to take fifth and eighth. He knows he can improve on those results if he can qualify near the front and is promising to give it his all in front of what is expected to be a bumper holiday crowd. Rizla Suzuki’s James Haydon has consistently been fast during practice and qualification and is planning on showing that form in both of the races at the picturesque and technical 2.69-mile Cheshire circuit that suits his aggressive riding style. Superbike racing starts at 14:00 on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1st. Team Manager Robert Wicks said: “Oulton Park’s fast flowing turns and demands for courage from the competitors match Rizla Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 and riders perfectly. It is a spectacular woodland-surrounded circuit which lends itself to dramatic racing and our aim is to be at the sharp end this Bank Holiday Monday.”

SUPERBIKE CLASS TEEMING WITH TALENT AT CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY Suzuki, the reigning champions of the last six AMA Superbike races at California Speedway, will encounter some tough competition during the Suzuki Superbike Challenge this weekend. Several manufacturers, including Honda and Ducati, are positioning their finest bikes in years for contention; while Kawasaki is reintroducing themselves into the Superbike ranks. Combine this machinery, including the dominating Suzuki GSX-R1000, with a group of incredibly talented riders and you get an AMA Superbike battle that is sure to be remembered for years to come. Past California Speedway winners, and Suzuki riders, Mat Mladin and Ben Spies will have to face Miguel Duhamel and Jake Zemke of American Honda Racing, Ben Bostrom and Neil Hodgson of Team Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin and Tommy Hayden of Kawasaki Racing. As the 1995 AMA Superbike Champion, Duhamel finished fifth in the points last year and has finished fifth or better in the final points standings every season since 2001. He finished third in the Daytona opener and placed fourth and second, respectively, during the doubleheader in Alabama last weekend. Duhamel is currently third in the points (-19) and will concentrate solely on the Superbike class this year. He has no doubt that California’s race will be a great event. “I think that (California Speedway) is a great venue, every year it seems to get bigger and I hope to have a good view of it from the first place podium,” said Duhamel in a teleconference. “(The track) is pretty flat with tight radius corners. We’ve seen that before and it’s a pretty safe track. It’s a good design.” Riders Ben Bostrom and Neil Hodgson will jump onto Ducati 999R’s for Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin Racing. Both riders have AMA and World Superbike experience and both have raced with Ducati in the past. Bostrom is a former AMA Superbike champion in 1998 with Honda, and finished runner up to Mladin in 1999, losing only by 10 points. Hodgson is a former World Superbike champion in 2003 and is in his second year of AMA Superbike racing. He finished sixth overall in points last year, and started the season off well with fourth, sixth and fifth place finishes in the first three events of the season, respectively. The Hayden brothers, Tommy and Roger, are petitioning Kawasaki’s return to Superbike competition this year. Tommy has a second Supersport championship under his belt after last season, and Roger Lee was only 19 points behind him. Due to an accident at Barber last weekend, Roger will miss the California race and may be out until June. Tommy, who has three California Speedway victories, has finished fifth, seventh and fifth in the first three races of the season, respectively. “We returned to Superbike because we feel like it’s the most premier class,” said Tommy Hayden. “It’s the toughest class and that’s where the most competition is, and that’s where we want to be. We want to be racing against the best guys and I think that’s a big part of why we made that decision. Now, we have a new machine this year and we have been preparing for it. We’re excited to make that step and so far we’re really happy with it.” The AMA Suzuki Superbike Challenge weekend is shaping up to be quite a battle between these great machines and their pilots. They take to the track April 28-30 at California Speedway. To see all of the rapid, two-wheeled action, call 800-944-RACE [7223] or log on to www.racetickets.com. More, from another press release issued by California Speedway: AMA SUPPORT CLASSES TO COMPETE DURING SUZUKI SUPERBIKE CHALLENGE AMA Supermoto to Hold Season Opener at California Speedway California Speedway’s action-packed Suzuki Superbike Challenge weekend will include AMA Pro Racing’s support classes: Supersport, Formula Xtreme and Superstock. These three great races will accompany the featured doubleheader Superbike races and the AMA Supermoto season opener this weekend. Supersport’s season began at Daytona International Speedway last month when 22-year-old Roger Lee Hayden took home the victory. “I’m pretty happy to leave (Daytona International Speedway) with a good result,” said Roger Lee. “It’s going to be a long year. This class is competitive.” Unfortunately, he broke his leg following a crash in last weekend’s race and is not expected to compete until June. Tommy Hayden was last year’s Pro Honda Oils Supersport Champion. But, because of Kawasaki’s return to Superbike competition, he’s not expected to compete full-time in the Supersport class this season. This leaves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking, Suzuki’s Geoff May and Kawasaki’s Ben Attard and Damon Buckmaster with their eyes set on Gatorade Victory Lane at the Southern California motorsports facility. The Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series started the season with Jake Zemke winning at Daytona and Jason DiSalvo in Alabama last weekend. Last year, Miguel Duhamel acquired the most points to earn the 2005 Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Championship. This season, Duhamel will not compete in FX to concentrate on Superbikes. This leaves the door wide open for DiSalvo, Josh Hayes and Aaron Gobert as the top three in points to show what the FX class has to offer. Hacking won the first Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series race of the season at Daytona while Aaron Yates has recovered from a testing accident to win in Alabama last weekend. DiSalvo will also be a strong contendor in the Superstock class, after securing podium finishes in the first two events of the season. The Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series will be an exciting competition to watch when it rolls into California Speedway for round three. A new addition to the Suzuki Superbike Challenge is the AMA Supermoto Championship. California Speedway has hosted Supermoto events in the past, but this year the riders will earn points for their efforts when they kick-off the Supermoto Championship Series season during the Suzuki Superbike Challenge. The course is going to be the largest Supermoto track ever at California Speedway with larger jumps and longer straightaways for an incredible fan experience not to be missed. Superstar riders such as Jeff Ward, Jurgen Kunzel and the return of Doug Henry on the newly designed Supermoto track will make this a “must-see” event of the weekend. Take these events, combine them with the Superbike doubleheader and the musical entertainment, a huge vendor display area and an extreme BMX, skateboard and in-line skate stunt show the Suzuki Superbike Challenge will be an incredible event that race fans will not want to miss. Tickets are available for the April 28-30 event at California Speedway by calling 800-944-RACE or visit www.racetickets.com.

Canadian Chris Peris will take a break from his full-time ride in the FIM Supersport World Championship to race his Topline Racing/Yamaha Canada YZF-R6 in the AMA Supersport race this weekend at California Speedway. Peris was a true privateer racing on the both the AMA and Canadian National series in 2005 and finished seventh in the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship (with four top-five finishes), 10th in the AMA Supersport Championship (with seven top-10 finishes) and third in the Canadian 600cc Sport Bike Championship (with two race wins), before joining the Moto1 – Bikers Days Yamaha Supersport World Championship effort. In addition to California Speedway, Peris will also race in the AMA events at Miller Motorsports Park, Virginia International Raceway and possibly Road America. He will also race the Canadian National rounds at Shannonville Motorsport Park, Mosport International Raceway, his home race at Race City Motorsport Park and possibly at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, according to his father Fernando Peris. Peris’ Yamaha will be tuned by Willie Vass and Max McAllister at California Speedway, and he will ride on Canadian-series-spec Pirelli tires.

Millennium KWS Suzuki’s John Haner will be out between five to 12 weeks with soft tissue damage to his right shoulder, an injury he suffered in a crash during the AMA Superstock race April 23 at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. “I don’t know how to say exactly what all is wrong, all the medical terms,” Haner told Roadracingworld.com in a telephone call from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting’s Fremont, California clinic Wednesday. “But basically I ruptured the tendon in the front of the shoulder that holds the collarbone and upper arm together, and I tore the rotator cuff in the back.” Haner said he will be attending the AMA races at California Speedway this weekend as a spectator, then on Monday, May 1, he will ride with Jason Pridmore back up to Dr. Ting’s for surgery that will put him out of action until at least the Road America round of the AMA series in early-June. Haner, who finished eighth – beating factory Ducati rider Ben Bostrom — while riding his Superstock-spec GSX-R1000 in the first Superbike race at Barber, suffered the injury when he highsided in turn one while racing for sixth in the AMA Superstock final. “If there was anything positive to come out of this it was really good that they moved that wall back (in turn one), or it could have been really bad. If that wall had still been there I don’t think I would have walked away. So I’m thankful for that,” said Haner. “Plus, I’ve got to give big thanks to Jason Pridmore. He helped me get in touch with Dr. Ting so I could get the proper care and with a lot of my incidentals, like an airline ticket.” Haner added that he did not know if the Millennium KWS Suzuki team would be putting a replacement rider on his GSX-R1000.