AMA PRO RACING AND MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE ANNOUNCE UNIQUE FORMAT FOR SUPERBIKE SHOOTOUT PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 14, 2006) — Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, AMA Pro Racing and TrueSports, Incorporated, owner of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, have created a unique format for the 2006 Superbike Shootout at Mid-Ohio. The AMA Superbike Championship finale, which will be held Sept. 30 Oct. 1 at the Lexington, Ohio road course, will feature three heat races, a last chance qualifier (LCQ) and a consolation race. The heat races and LCQ will be intense, 5-7 lap sprints that give fans the thrill of watching a variety of different riders battle for a win. The top five riders from each heat race and the LCQ will make up the grid for the exclusive 20-rider final. Riders who do not qualify for the main event will compete in a Superbike Consolation Race. The top 10 finishers in the consolation race will be awarded 21st through 30th-place points for the event. All support class grids will be determined by timed qualifying. “Mid-Ohio approached us about the idea of making this event special,” said AMA Pro Racing Road Race Series Manager Ron Barrick. “After soliciting the input of the road race advisory committee, this unique and exciting format is what we arrived at. Not only will it be a lot of fun, it will give a new generation of Superbike fans the opportunity to see what heat races and last chance qualifiers are all about. It has been 16 years since AMA Pro Racing last used heat races to determine Superbike grids for the final at regular series races.” “This will be a great change of pace and present the teams and riders with challenges most of them have never faced,” Barrick added. “Getting the opportunity to watch three heat races and the excitement of a last chance race will also give the series a whole new twist without compromising the integrity of our championship and points system. And the winner of the consolation race will get a big boost in recognition over what a 21st-place finish would normally provide, which is another big bonus.” “We’re pleased with the format for the Superbike Shootout,” said TrueSports, Incorporated President Michelle Trueman-Gajoch. “When we announced this event, we wanted it to be truly distinct. Our partners at AMA Pro Racing shared that vision and created something we think fans and competitors alike will find fun and exciting.” All of the Superbike qualifying races will be held on Saturday. The consolation and Mid-Ohio Superbike Shootout will be run on Sunday. In addition to five Superbike races, the weekend also will feature AMA Supersport, Superstock and Formula Xtreme events. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is one of the classic circuits on the AMA Superbike Championship schedule. Since 1983, the track has hosted one of the series’ best attended events. In addition to the season finale, Mid-Ohio will continue to host its traditional Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire AMA Superbike Doubleheader on August 4-6. To show their commitment to racing, TrueSports, Incorporated and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in addition to hosting a second weekend of AMA Superbike racing, have undergone extensive facility improvements during the off-season, including a full-track repaving and the addition of a motocross facility. Tickets for the Mid-Ohio Superbike Shootout are available now by calling 1-800-MID-OHIO or logging on to www.midohio.com. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a 2.4-mile, 15-turn permanent road racing circuit in Lexington, Ohio. Located 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland near Mansfield, the track has been called the most competitive in the U.S. and annually hosts a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional riders and drivers. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, TrueSports, Incorporated is a privately held motorsports entertainment enterprise. The company owns and operates Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School, and promotes a wide variety of motor racing, driver instruction, corporate, and family entertainment events throughout the year. 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.

Very positive tests Sébastien Gimbert was 11th during the tests at Misano, in the middle of a group of fast riders. Norick Abe was 19th (less than 2 seconds from Troy Corser who was in second position) in front of his team mate Shinishi Nakatomi. The Team Yamaha Motor France Ipone prepared as well as possible the next Misano race that will take place on June 25. “Our team has done a good job”, says team principal Martial Garcia. “The engine is now easier to use for the riders. Regarding the top speed, we are now in the middle of the result page, which is kind of logical for standard bikes with kits. Now our riders have more comfort when they use the engines of our R1s.” Sébastien Gimbert was only 15 hundreds of a second behind Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) at Misano, and he is in front of fast riders like Fabien Foret, Alex Barros, Michel Fabrizio et Steve Martin. Sébastien Gimbert : “Everything went well. The Team Yamaha Motor France Ipone did a great job on the engine which is now easier to use because it delivers its power with a more progressive way. I am racing the next 24 Hours of Le Mans on April 22 and 23, so I did not want to take chances. It is why I did my best time with reasonable caution. For instance, by the end of the test session, I worked to have a better set up for the bike when most of the riders were looking for quicker times. We have good settings for the chassis. We never had any problems during these two days of testing. The beginning of this season was not easy, but I have new hopes for the Misano race.” Norifumi Abe : “This track is not of my favourites. I did the best I could and I am sure that my results will be better for the next race.” Shinishi Nakatomi : “This is my first time at Misano and this track is not easy to learn. The part with three consecutive curves on the left is a bit complicated. This test session has been very positive and I am looking for good results for the June 25 race.” The Team Yamaha Motor France Ipone wishes a very good and quick recovery to Pierfrancesco Chili, who unfortunately had a fracture of the pelvis. We hope to see back with us as soon as possible the grand old man of Superbike. And congratulations to David Checa (back from injury) for his 9th position in Supersport. Results : 1. Bayliss (Ducati) 1m33.317s; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 1m33.824s; 3. Haga (Yamaha) 1m33.870s; 4. Lanzi (Ducati) 1m33.933s; 5. Walker (Kawasaki) 1m33.984s; 6. Laconi (Kawasaki) 1m34.085s; 7. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1m34.181s; 8. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m34.266s; 9. Xaus (Ducati) 1m34.315s; 10. Pitt (Yamaha) 1m34.469s; 11. Gimbert (Team Yamaha Motor France Ipone) 1m34.618s”¦ 19. Abe (Team Yamaha Motor France Ipone) 1m35.574s; 20. Nakatomi (Team Yamaha Motor France Ipone) 1m35.684s World Championship standings: 1-Bayliss (75 points), 2-Toseland (74), 3-Corser (63), 4-Barros (55), 5-Pitt (45)”¦12-Abe (14), 21-Gimbert (3) Misano stats Practice record (2002): 1’33.525 Troy Bayliss (Ducati) 156.280 kph 2005 Yamaha Motor France practice times: Norifumi Abe: 1’37.534 / 25th and Sébastien Gimbert: DNS Lap record (best race time 2002): 1’34.913 Troy Bayliss (Ducati) 153.990 kph Round 3 of the Superbike World Championship: Valencia (Spain) April 23 More, from a press release issued by Team Klaffi Honda: After the official test at Misano the whole team was absolutely contented with the results. Alex Barros and his crew focused on the set-up of his Klaffi Honda Fireblade and the new aerodynamic package. This modification of the aerodynamics is a further technical improvement of his bike. Many of his competitors tried to set some unique fast laps. But Alex knows: “You win a race in the second third of the heat. Therefore I always try to simulate race conditions when we are testing the bike. I choose the ideal race tyre for the track and I work a lot with the experts from Showa to optimize the suspension. The two days at Misano were very busy but successful.” Team Manager Klaus Klaffenböck: “Alex was the 10th fastest after the two-days-test but there are different conditions in a race. How fast Alex really is shows his top speed. With 290,7 km/h he was second after Xaus. So let’s wait for the upcoming race at Valencia.” More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing: Mixed fortunes for FPR pair in Italy Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Craig Jones and Steve Martin experienced mixed fortunes on the final day of the second official World Superbike test at the Italian circuit of Misano. Craig, on his first visit to the circuit, slashed nearly two seconds off yesterday’s time to finish the two-day test in 25th, less than 1.5 seconds behind his Australian team-mate. Steve had been 10th in the opening session, just half a second separating him from fourth place. However, an afternoon of technical frustration brought a premature end to his test and robbed him of the chance to perform race simulations as he ended the test in 15th. Troy Bayliss, with a lap of 1:33.317, again set the pace for a near-full field, missing only James Toseland, his injured team-mate Karl Muggeridge and Frankie Chili, who fractured his pelvis and ribs in a high-side yesterday with a lap of 1:33.317. Craig said: “That was probably my best day on the PETRONAS FP1 and this test has been very positive. We have made good progress after finding a good base set-up yesterday. The bike is turning better than it was in Valencia and that has given me more confidence. That is important because sometimes you can get lost by making wholesale changes. I was able to get down to 36.5s on race tyres and, although I probably still need to find another 1.5 seconds, I feel I would have been able to go some way towards that if we had had another day here and I only used the poorer of the two qualifying tyres. I was faster than some fairly quick guys through some sectors. I can see the light now and hopefully it’s not too far away.” Steve said: “It was a very frustrating afternoon as I missed more than half of the final session through engine issues. It’s clear that the competition has come on a lot so we won’t really know where we are at until the race here. If I had been able to use another qualifier in the afternoon I would probably have gone faster but I am pushing right on the limit. It would have been better to have finished the test on a more positive note but at least we are confident we have a pretty good set-up for next week’s race at Valencia.” Day two times, Superbike World Championship official test, Misano, Italy: 1 Bayliss 1:33.317; 2 Corser 1:33.824; 3 Haga 1:33.870; 4 Lanzi 1:33.933; 5 Walker 1:33.984; 6 Laconi 1:34.085; 7 Nieto 1:34.181; 8 Kagayama 1:34.266; 9 Xaus 1:34.315; 10 Pitt 1:34.469; 15 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:34.862; 23 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:1:36.135 More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Haga Third Fastest and Top Yamaha Rider At Misano Misano Adriatico, Italy 13/4/2006 Noriyuki Haga was once more the fastest Yamaha qualifier at an official SBK test, and had he not found another rider in his path when running qualifying rubber in the final afternoon session, he may even have had the chance to improve his 1’33.870 best. Troy Bayliss (Ducati) was once more the rider leaving a test session with the fastest time, a new track record 1’33.317. Haga, who had tested new triple clamps and rear suspension linkages on his R1, decided not to continue in the very last moments of the two day test, thanks to the residue left on the track surface after an oil spill at the first corner. He thus had to rely on his best time from the morning session, rather than the final one. Haga’s team-mate Andrew Pitt was a top ten rider on his R1, working steadily through revised engine mapping and also losing out on a final chance to set a faster time than his 1’34.469. Times in general were tight, with 14 riders covered by just over a single second, from second to 15th place. A strong ride in the final session from Sebastien Gimbert, on his Yamaha Motor France Ipone R1, put him 11th fastest, a particularly fine performance from a rider who had not ridden at Misano for 11 years. Norick Abe continued to find Misano a difficult challenge on his Yamaha Motor France Ipone R1, with his efforts to go faster often met by stubborn resistance on the tight and twist Misano layout. World Superbike rookie Shinichi Nakatomi was 20th out of 27 riders at Misano, during his first visit to the Italian circuit, which forms the venue for round six of the championships on 25 June. Noriyuki Haga – Yamaha Motor Italia “The balance of the bike was good today and I decided to test a soft tyre. I found Kagayama in front of me but without that happening I think I could have set a lap time closer to Bayliss. When the circuit got covered in oil and then cement dust we decided to stop, so I could not use a soft tyre in the afternoon session.” Andrew Pitt – Yamaha Motor Italia “It would have been nice to be further up the list but I just didn’t put it together on a qualifying tyre. On race tyres the bike was good and we improved it a lot. The bike is much the same as Valencia, which is a good thing. We don’t need to change it much now, which is what we’ve been looking for for a while. We tuned in the electronics a bit more, to make it even easier to open the throttle earlier. It was all pretty good.” Sebastien Gimbert – Yamaha Motor France “All the team worked very hard and the bike was very good compared to the races in Qatar and Australia. For me it was not so hard to get the bike working well here and set some fast times around the circuit. I am very content with the progress and the good work we have all made.” Norick Abe – Yamaha Motor France “We tried out many things. Last year I raced here and it was the first time for me. It was the worst race of the year, and this time it still felt no good. So maybe I don’t like this track. Step-by-step we did better than before, but compared to most other riders it was not so good. Despite that, I think we are two seconds better than last year. The tyres are much better than last year as well. But I would like to forget this Misano test and just get to Valencia.” Shinichi Nakatomi – Yamaha Motor France “I have never been here before so it was important to test and make a race set-up for when we come back in June. It is a very different track, with three fast left hand corners onto the back straight. We worked a lot, and I did 162 laps to learn the circuit better.” Massimo Meregalli – Team Coordinator Yamaha Motor Italia “We had a plan and we got all out work done, the only thing we could not do was to go out at the end on soft tyres, because of the dust on the track. But the test was good. The only question mark we have now is the temperature of the track when we return for the race in June. We hope that for the race the bike’s performance, which was very good here, is the same.” OFFICIAL SBK TESTS WSB: Circuit: Misano Adriatico Circuit Length: 4.060km Temp: 16ºC Weather: Sunny Lap Record: 1′ 34.913 (Troy Bayliss, 2002) Fastest Lap Ever: 1′ 33.317 (Troy Bayliss, 2006) Date: 12-13 April 2006 Classification: Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. 1st Qualifying 1 T. Bayliss Ducati AUS 1′ 33.317 2 T. Corser Suzuki AUS 1′ 33.824 3 N. Haga Yamaha JPN 1′ 33.870 4 L. Lanzi Ducati ITA 1′ 33.933 5 C. Walker Kawasaki GBR 1′ 33.984 6 R. Laconi Kawasaki ITA 1′ 34.085 7 F. Nieto Kawasaki ESP 1′ 34.181 8 Y. Kagayama Suzuki JPN 1′ 34.266 9 R. Xaus Ducati ESP 1′ 34.315 10 A. Pitt Yamaha AUS 1′ 34.469 11 S. Gimbert Yamaha FRA 1′ 34.618 12 F. Foret Suzuki FRA 1′ 34.660 13 A. Barros Honda BRA 1′ 34.683 14 M. Fabrizio Honda ITA 1′ 34.852 15 S. Martin Petronas AUS 1′ 34.862 19 N. Abe Yamaha JPN 1′ 35.574 20 S. Nakatomi Yamaha JPN 1′ 35.684 Parkes quickest ever at Misano Misano Adriatico, Italy 13/4/2006 Yamaha Motor Germany rider Broc Parkes finished the second official test of the 2006 WSS season at the top of the timing sheets, with a new Supersport circuit record of 1’36.411 to his credit. His team-mate Kevin Curtain was fourth quickest, having set his fastest lap on the first day of testing, concentrating most of his efforts on machine set-up in preparation for the Misano WSS race in June. In addition to the regular set-up work on the all-new R6 machine carried out by the team, new and existing specifications of Pirelli control tyres were worked through by both Yamaha Motor Germany riders, with Parkes pleased to see the return of his favourite front tyre at this test. Yamaha Team Italia rider Gianluca Vizziello was an impressive third fastest overall, his best of 1’36.892 set in the very last of four Supersport sessions. He was one of three riders under the previous circuit best of former Yamaha rider Simone Sanna during the last session of the Misano test. Christian Zaiser (Ducati) was second fastest, with Vizziello’s team-mate, Massimo Roccoli, sixth. Broc Parkes – Yamaha Motor Germany “On top today and happy. The bike was awesome. The main difference for me today was the front tyre, that and getting to know the bike a lot better. At the end of last year we had a particular front tyre that I really liked but for some reason it was not in the allocation for the first races, but for me, as soon as I get it, I can go. This is also a pretty enjoyable track to ride around.” Kevin Curtain – Yamaha Motor Germany “This was a very good test for us, and we made the bike a lot better than it was last time we rode. We worked through heaps of stuff on the bike and a whole lot of front and rear tyres. There are no prizes for pole position at a test so I am not bothered about setting the fastest time. The main thing was improving the whole package, and we did that.” Gianluca Vizziello – Yamaha Team Italia “Today’s performance was the result of some very good development work. At the first two races of the year we had not had the bikes for very long, so most of the engine work was done just before the Valencia tests. Then is Spain we must have tried about ten different settings on the suspension, to find the best. We have put all the best parts together now and the bike was great at this test. I like Misano very much and the whole team did a very good job.” Official Misano Test WSS Circuit: Misano Adriatico Circuit Length: 4.060km Lap Record: 1′ 37.924 (Katsuaki Fujiwara, 2003) Fastest Lap Ever: 1′ 36.411 (Broc Parkes, 2006) Date: 12 – 13 April 2006 Temp: 16ºC Classification: Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Best Time 1 B. Parkes Yamaha AUS 1′ 36.411 2 C. Zaiser Ducati AUT 1′ 36’507 3 G. Vizziello Yamaha ITA 1′ 36.892 4 K. Curtain Yamaha AUS 1′ 36.927 5 K. Fujiwara Honda JPN 1’37.339 6 M. Roccoli Yamaha ITA 1′ 37.372 7 G. Nannelli Ducati ITA 1′ 37’483 8 Y. Tibero Honda FRA 1′ 37.682 9 D. Checa Yamaha FRA 1’37.745 10 A. Aldrovandi Honda ITA 1’38.238 11 M. Sanchini Yamaha ITA 1′ 38.433 12 G. Leblanc Honda FRA 1’38.553 13 S. Chambon Kawasaki FRA 1’38.719 14 J. Brookes Ducati AUS 1’38.756 15 T. Tunstall Hoinda GBR 1’38.775 16 M. Berger Kawasaki FRA 1′ 39.214 17 M. Praia Honda POR 1’39.385 18 L. Nedog Ducati SLO 1’39.585 More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: TROY HAPPY. Troy left Misano circuit knowing that he and the team had done a good job and that it had been a productive two days. Although he couldn’t quite finish the fastest rider overall, he and the team know what they have to do before the next outing. Misano is known as a ‘twins’ circuit , so chasing the factory Dukes was always going to be a tough challenge. And it was a factory Ducati, with Troy Bayliss on board, that set the fastest lap of the two days. Troy finished second and all the top fifteen went under the official lap record! TROY Another good test and a very productive one. We made another little step forward and have got loads of information and ideas to take with us for the next time out. I worked quite a lot on the suspension and tried a different rear pivot and link. I also tried a different front end geometry – one that I’ve never tried before on this bike – and I was surprise how good the feeling was. The track has kept consistent over the two days (which is not always the case) and that’s been a bit of a bonus. Also, we’ve had no clutch problems here! I tried the new ‘big’ 200 tyre from Pirelli and think it could be an improvement. It’s got better side grip when you’re on full lean. It’s a little harder work changing direction, but I don’t feel it’s losing us any time – just harder work! There have been no real dramas, though I did take to the gravel this afternoon! In the tight right-hander opposite the pits, I think I must have got a ‘neutral’ and the bike just kept going on, when I should’ve had a gear. I had to straighten it up and take to the gravel and just managed to stop before the tyre wall. it was a close thing, bit no big deal really. See ya. Results (2-day) 1 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 143 laps, best lap 1:33.317, 2 TROY CORSER (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 140 laps, best lap 1:33.824, 3 Haga (J-Yamaha) 111 laps, best lap 1:33.870, 4 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 127 laps, best lap 1:33.933, 5 Walker (GB-Kawasaki) 117 laps, best lap 1:33.984, 6 Laconi (F-Kawasaki) 145 laps, best lap 1:34.085, 7 Nieto (E-Kawasaki) 130 laps, best lap 1:34.181, 8 YUKIO KAGAYAMA (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 141 laps, best lap 1:34.266, 9 Xaus (E-Ducati) 134 laps, best lap 1:34.315 10 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha) 122 laps, best lap 1:34.469

MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA ANNOUNCES TRAFFIC PLAN FOR RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX Plan Will Allow Better And Quicker Entrance and Exit To The Largest Event In Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca History MONTEREY, Calif. (April 14, 2006) The Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) announced today a traffic plan for improving the flow of vehicles and spectators in and out of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 21-23. 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. The plan will immediately limit the number of automobiles permitted on-site at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca by providing free off-site parking at Cal State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) located near Monterey just off of Highway 1. From there, all spectators will be shuttled by bus onto Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca through the South Boundary Road entrance. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will continue to allow spectators to enter with personal belongings (cameras, backpacks, personal coolers, etc.), but these must be able to sit on the riders lap. “Our first goal was to reach a solution that limited the number of automobiles on-site, and the shuttle bus system should allow us to do that efficiently. The parking is conveniently located just off of Highway 1, and will remain free of charge,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/General Manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “This is a system that works well for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament, and should help us eliminate some of the traffic strain both into the facility and throughout the community during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.” All motorcyclists will be provided free parking at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Wolf Hill, traditionally the automobile parking area at spectator events. Motorcycles will enter and exit on Barloy Canyon Road, located off of Reservation Road in Marina. No automobiles will be allowed to enter or exit on this road. “Part of the charm of a MotoGP World Championship event is that, by its nature, it becomes the largest motorcycle gathering many people will ever witness. We wanted to ensure that continued,” Campbell said of continuing motorcycle parking on-site at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “We hope this will encourage even more of our avid motorcycling base to ride to the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.” “We’ve pledged to improve our efficiency at the admission gates; if spectators, particularly those traveling by motorcycle, can assist us by having their tickets easily available we’ll make the entry process as painless and enjoyable as possible for everyone at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.” The only automobiles on-site will be those with parking passes, such as those purchased through Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in hospitality packages or teams, media and officials. These automobiles will be able to enter through one lane of South Boundary Road (shuttles will be entering in the same direction in the opposite lane) until 2:00 p.m. each day, at which point the traffic flow will be reversed and the same automobiles will exit on the same road. Teams, media and officials will enter and exit the main gate through Highway 68. A limited number of general public on-site parking passes for Wolf Hill parking are available through Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, at a weekend price of $50. These passes are available for advance purchase only. Additionally, as with all events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, spectators will be able to ride for free on MontereySalinas Transit (MST). A shuttle schedule for MST on event weekends, including bus stops on the Monterey Peninsula and in Salinas, will be available at www.mst.org. “One of our main goals for the 2006 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix was to dramatically improve the traffic situation during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix,” said Campbell. “We strongly believe we’ve accomplished that. Now we can continue to grow and improve the MotoGP experience for all involved.” Tickets for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s 50th Season of Racing, including the U.S. Sports Car Invitational featuring the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series May 5-7, 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, are on-sale now. More information on the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is available at www.redbullusgrandprix.com. Tickets and more information is available by calling (800) 327-SECA or on-line at www.laguna-seca.com.

2006 ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP New season starting for the Endurance World Championship Assen (Holland) Pirelli is approaching a new Endurance World Championship season, after the great result of last year both in the Championship and in the Master of Endurance. And the Master of Endurance represents the first news of this season, as now the thrilling 24H of LeMans and the Bol d’Or are part of the World Championship, for the Final result, instead of being apart like last years. A quick look to the entry list of this Championship shows immediately something interesting: the GMT94 Team with whom Pirelli has won the World Title and the Master of Endurance in the past seasons is again into the list, but not as Permanent Team as they won’t race all the rounds. After an endless job during the past seasons Pirelli can count on a product of outstanding performances, able to face all the different rounds and different conditions: sun and rain, day and night! More than this? As in SBK Pirelli is moving from the old concept of prototyping for racing, and this is one of the key factors that convinced many riders to choose Pirelli, so that there won’t be a “first class” and a “second class” tyres for them. This 2006 season is starting with half the grid fitting Pirelli, and there’s no better result for engineers and technicians than having riders’ trust. An interesting season for sure, with a demanding calendar (7 races with the popular 8h of Suzuka) for riders and technicians. Pirelli will bring an average 2000-2500 tyres for every race, in order to face its riders’ needs together with the wild cards’, that will be many. Last but not least, is quite interesting to notice that not everybody will use the 16.5″ tyres, but also some 17″ will be there fighting. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE CALENDAR: Assen 500km – 17 April (Netherlands) Le Mans 24 Hours – 22/23 April (France) Albacete 8 Hours – 20 May (Spain) Zolder 6 Hours – 18 June (Belgium) Suzuka 8 Hours – 30 July (Japan) Oschersleben 24 Hours – 12/13 August (Germany) Bol D’Or 24 Hours – 16/17 September (France) More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Racing: Team Suzuki Press Office April 14, 2006. Six-time World Endurance Champions Suzuki Castrol will start its title defence at the opening round of the 2006 series at Assen, Holland on Bank Holiday Monday. The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team – Keiichi Kitagawa, Mathieu Lagrive and Vincent Phillipe – spearhead a full field of 42 teams aboard their GSX-R1000 Suzuki for the first of seven championship rounds that will include one faraway race in Suzuka, Japan. The Le Mans, France-based squad take to the track on Saturday for a full day of free practice and qualifying on the new, redesigned circuit, before Monday’s four-hour race, which gets underway at 13.45 local time. The Assen 500km race will be the first international event to be held on the new 4.5 km circuit that features a modified northern loop at the end of the start-finish straight with the Haarbocht curve. The track now kinks right through Madjik, loops right again through Ossebroken and then rejoins the old circuit at Strubben. Event schedule: Saturday: 08.00: Free Practice. 11.00: Free Practice. 14.00: 1st Rider Qualifying. 14.30: 2nd Rider Qualifying. 15.00: 3rd Rider Qualifying. 17.20: 1st Rider 2nd Qualifying. 17.50: 2nd Rider 2nd Qualifying. 18.20: 3rd Rider 2nd Qualifying. Monday: 10.25: Warm-Up. 13.00: Start Procedure. 13.45: Start of Race (110 laps/ 501km).

USGPRU’s plan to allow 12-year-olds to compete on 125cc and 250cc GP bikes was derailed when CCS changed ownership and the insurance carrier decided to treat CCS as a new business instead of an existing business with a claims history it could refer to when setting coverage limits. As a result, the insurance carrier declined to issue insurance for any riders under age 16 and the kids were banned from USGPRU races held in conjunction with CCS events. But riders under age 16 can still compete in USGPRU races held in conjunction with events put on by other sanctioning bodies, including OMRRA in Oregon, CMMRA in Southern California, CMRA in Texas, AMA Sports in Ohio, UtahSBA/MoM in Utah and the Parts Canada Superbike Series in Canada. USGPRU races where kids 12-16 can compete this season are listed here: Reno – done May 19-21 — Shannonville, Canada (eh) (Parts Canada Superbike Series) May 20-21 — Portland Int’l Raceway, OR (OMRRA) June 3-4 — Streets of Willow, CA (CMMRA) Sept 9-10 — Oak Hill Raceway, TX (CMRA) Sept 23-24 — Mid-Ohio, Ohio (AMA Sports) Oct 20-22 — Miller Motorsports Park, Utah (MMP) More info is available from USGPRU at (650) 776-6225, [email protected], ~http://www.usgpru.net~ .

A private Superbike test held Tuesday at California Speedway was interrupted when a crew member suffered an irregular heartbeat and had to be transported to a local hospital by the only ambulance on site. Testing was delayed while Yoshimura Suzuki’s Rhett Lougheed was transported; the ambulance returned to the track about an hour later, and testing continued. Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin, Aaron Yates and Ben Spies were joined at the test by American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel.

MORE SATISFACTION FOR THE DUCATI XEROX TEAM AS BAYLISS SETS NEW UNOFFICIAL BEST LAP IN MISANO TESTING! Misano Adriatico (Italy), Thursday 13 April: Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) followed up his stunning performance at Valencia two weeks ago with another dominant display in more than nine hours of FGSport-organised World Superbike tests at Misano Adriatico. The two days of action at the Santamonica circuit have concluded the two tests that split the second and third round of the championship. The 37-year-old Australian took another half-a-second off the time he set yesterday to leave the Santamonica circuit’s unofficial best Superbike lap at 1m33.317s. This is two-tenths quicker than Troy’s lap record from 2002, which was also the last time the current championship points leader raced here. “Everything went pretty good again today, the only problem we had was someone spilt some oil on the track and that interfered with my only long-run that I was in the middle of, but it wasn’t a big deal because the track’s going to be a bit different when we come back” declared Bayliss. “In the last 15 minutes I tried a qualifier and went a bit faster than what I did this morning. I thought I could have dipped into the 32s but it didn’t quite happen. We left here in good spirits and now we move on to Valencia, which we’re quietly confident about especially after the tests a couple of weeks ago”. In fourth position after yesterday’s session, fourth again at the end of two days; Bayliss’s young team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi made a major step forward towards the end of the test, setting a best time of 1m33.933s, almost one second quicker than yesterday. “Today I managed to make a clear step forward, even though in the afternoon with the race tyre I had a bit of difficulty. We were unable to finish all the scheduled programme because of the red flag that made us lose some time” declared Lanzi. “We were going to make some big changes, but we were unable to do so. I put on a qualifying tyre and the feeling with the bike was excellent, but unfortunately I made an error at the Quercia and almost crashed. However I am happy with my time, even though I know we still have to improve a lot”. World Superbike resumes its championship trail next week in Valencia, Spain with round 3 of the series, while the Misano round is scheduled for June 25th. TIMES: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m33.317s; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 1m33.824s; 3. Haga (Yamaha) 1m33.870s; 4. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m33.933s; 5. Walker (Kawasaki) 1m33.984s; 6. Laconi (Kawasaki) 1m34.085s; 7. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1m34.181s; 8. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m34.266s; 9. Xaus (Ducati) 1m34.315s; 10. Pitt (Yamaha) 1m34.469s; etc. More, from a press release issued by FGSport: 2006 SBK CORONA EXTRA SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP® SBK™ OFFICIAL TEST MISANO 12th and 13th APRIL 2nd DAY TEST Misano, Thursday 13 April 2006 BAYLISS DIPS UNDER THE CIRCUIT RECORD AT THE SEASIDE BAYLISS SCORES A 1’33.317 TO TOP TESTING YET AGAIN Once more the 2001 World Champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) dominated the time sheets in World Superbike testing, taking a new track record at Misano Adriatico with a 1.33.317 lap, set in the final session of the two-day test. With only half an hour to run on day two, drama afflicted the last session when an oil spill around turn one stopped the track action for cleaning, with the residual cement dust left on the circuit affected some riders’ ultimate best times. Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) set the second fastest lap of the test, half a second from Bayliss, with Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) moving up the order on the second day to take third place overall. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) made the factory Ducati team’s short run down the A14 Autostrada from Bologna more worthwhile with the fourth best time of the two days. KAWASAKI RIDERS FORM A FAST TRIO The three-rider PSG-1 Kawasaki squad were so closely matched in their single flying laps that Chris Walker, Regis Laconi and Fonsi Nieto could only be separated by 0.197 seconds, with Walker fifth fastest the last man inside the 1.33 barrier. Such was the closeness of the test in general that second to 15th places were separated by just over one second. Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) rounded out the top eight (despite not improving his times in the final session), closely followed by the privateer Sterilgarda Berik Ducati of Ruben Xaus and the Yamaha Motor Italia machine of Andrew Pitt. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France Ipone) hopped up the order in the final session, scoring 11th place overall, making him top rider in his three-man team. Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France Ipone) was 19th fastest at a circuit he has shown no real liking for. FORET TO THE FORE AS BARROS IMPROVES Former Misano WSS race winner, Fabien Foret (Alstare Engineering Corona Extra Suzuki) continues his SBK learning curve at a high pace, setting 13th best time at Misano, and heading up the former MotoGP race winner, Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda). Barros enjoyed some improved engine specs at Misano, giving him increased confidence for the next championship round at Valencia, on 23 April. With his team-mate Pierfrancesco Chili out through injury, Michel Fabrizio (DFX Honda) went 14th on his home circuit. On the final day he was joined in the DFX garage by Gianluca Nannelli, who set 37 laps and finished the final session 24th out of 27. Steve Martin once more proved his worth to the Petronas team with 15th best time, just over a second slower than second placed Troy Corser. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Broc Parkes left the two day Misano Supersport test with his name at the top of the standings, and an impressive new circuit best of 1’36.411 in his pocket. As the development teams worked their way through a new selection of control Pirelli tyres, the LBR Ducati of Christian Zaiser continued its strong day one form to take the second fastest lap of all, heading up Yamaha Team Italia rider Gianluca Vizziello and Parkes’ team-mate, Kevin Curtain. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Megabike Honda) went fifth fastest overall as he recovers from a broken wrist, putting him one place ahead of Vizziello’s team-mate, Massimo Roccoli. ROUND THREE BECKONS The third round of the Superbike and Supersport championships take place at Valencia, Spain, between 21 and 23 April. More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Racing: Suzuki’s World Superbike Champion Troy Corser set the second fastest time during the two-day WSBK test at Misano in Italy that ended today. Corser and team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra team mates Yukio Kagayama and Fabien Foret all came away from the circuit upbeat after productive sessions aboard the new 2006 GSX-R1000. The fastest time was set by Troy Bayliss with Kagayama eighth and Foret 12th. Misano’s Superbike lap record was set in 2002, but today the top 15 all went quicker! Troy Corser: “I think these two days have been very productive and we’ve made another step forward. We’ve worked a lot on suspension and I tried a different rear pivot and link and also some front end changes as well and I feel we made a significant improvement. The track has been pretty consistent over the two days and the grip level has stayed more or less the same throughout. We haven’t had any clutch problems – well none that I can think about anyway – so that’s been good news as well. “I tried the new big ”200′ tyre from Pirelli and I quite liked it. On full lean the side grip is better. It’s a little slower changing directions – not so much losing time – but harder work for me! Misano has always been a ‘twins’ circuit, so we knew that we’d be chasing Bayliss around here. His bike seems to have just a little extra punch out of the slow turns – it’s just the nature of a twin and we can’t do too much about that – but we’ll work on other areas to compensate.” Yukio Kagayama: “I’m happy with the way the tests have gone and we have done much good work. Here at Misano, I concentrated on working on the engine. We tried different settings and mapping etc. and I also tried a development engine – an engine with some new parts – this afternoon. I think it has good potential but we need to do more work on it. At the moment I prefer my bike from the morning. We made a good set-up for it and I had a good feeling with it. These two days, I had no problems and no crashes, so this makes me feel happy.” Fabien Foret: “I am very happy because we have done a good job on the bike during these two days and now I have a good feeling with the bike. At the last test in Valencia I was able to do some good laps, but I was not consistent. Here, I’ve done some good laps and they have been much more consistent. I’m now feeling that I’m riding a Superbike not a Supersport bike and although I’m not at 100% yet, it’s getting closer. “Of course, I am still learning this bike, but everything is starting to come together. I followed Yukio for a while this afternoon and I could see where I was losing ground and it made me think about what to do next time out. After this test, I have a much better idea of what I feel, what I want and what I would like. And, most of all, I have enjoyed myself!” Results (2-day): 1 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 143 laps, best lap 1:33.317, 2 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 140 laps, best lap 1:33.824, 3 Haga (J-Yamaha) 111 laps, best lap 1:33.870, 4 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 127 laps, best lap 1:33.933, 5 Walker (GB-Kawasaki) 117 laps, best lap 1:33.984, 6 Laconi (F-Kawasaki) 145 laps, best lap 1:34.085, 7 Nieto (E-Kawasaki) 130 laps, best lap 1:34.181, 8 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 141 laps, best lap 1:34.266, 9 Xaus (E-Ducati) 134 laps, best lap 1:34.315 10 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha) 122 laps, best lap 1:34.469, 12 Fabien Foret (F-Alstare Engineering Corona Extra) 156 laps, best lap 1:34.660. More, from a press release issued by Pirelli: FGS OFFICIAL TESTS MISANO, ITALY 12/13 APRIL 2006 13 April, Misano, (Italy) Two days of official testing for riders from the Superbike and Supersport classes heralds the return to the European racing season. Before Round Three in Valencia, however, a theatre of another kind had to be experienced. Once more the Pirelli development teams were supplied with new material to test, to continue the non-stop development of new tyres for future races. The rest of the paddock concentrated their efforts on set-up the forthcoming Misano race in June. Once more the Adriatic riviera circuit did not let us down when it comes to providing a good base for testing operations, and once more race and absolute lap records fell in each class. It started when Troy Bayliss, using the new Pirelli Diablo Superbike race tyres, knocked on the door of the absolute lap record, even on the first day, despite the rains from the previous evening making for imperfect early track conditions. He then beat the absolute track record using qualifiers on day two. Exciting times once more in testing as Corser followed close behind but that was not the only good news: the evolutionary products brought to the test by Pirelli have been confirmed by the riders’ comments and Pirelli goes back home with good information and important feedback for the development needs of the championship. In Superbike the riders were called to test: 1 front, 2 rears, and a new qualifier, which Bayliss used to set a new track best of 1’33.317. For Pirelli positive confirmation also came for the “Big tyre” of 200 section, which was debuted at the Misano race in 2005, and will be tested once more at Pirelli’s own Lausitz and Brno tyre tests, but only by the development teams. It was not only sizes, but important affirmations were made in regard to front compounds, while for the new carcass, different feedback was experienced and thus it will be tested again in Endurance and National racing before it makes a return to the World Superbike paddock. In the final Misano analysis, Bayliss headed up them all, followed by Corser, Haga, Lanzi, Walker, Laconi, Nieto, Kagayama, Xaus, Pitt… Also in Supersport the tests proved to have a good outcome, and there were records broken in both race and qualifying senses each using race tyres. The tyres went on to prove the speed of Parkes, riding a Yamaha R6 which proved both its current abilities and its true overall potential. Close behind was the Ducati 749 of Zaiser, promoted during this test to be the official Ducati development rider. Also promoted at the test was a new front carcass and rear compound, which Curtain used to make an impressive long run. At the end of the two days Parkes was ahead of Zaiser, Vizziello, Curtain, Fujiwara, Roccoli, Nannelli, Tiberio, Checa, Aldrovandi…

Hawk looking for strong weekend at Thruxton Round 3 – 14th, 16th and 17th April After the appalling weather at Donington Park last weekend Hawk Kawasaki are hoping that conditions will be kinder to them this weekend (14th, 16th and 17th April) at Thruxton Race Circuit, Hampshire. With poor results at the second round, Hawk are eager for six strong finishes at the third round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. With a large crowd expected at the 2.4 mile circuit over the Bank Holiday weekend the three riders, Dean Thomas (33), Craig Coxhell (23) and Peter Hickman (19) are aiming high. Coxhell, however, is carrying an injury that he sustained after crashing at Donington. He will be gritting his teeth and fighting through the pain barrier. The young Australian suffered a broken collarbone after high siding during the wet race at Donington whilst in fifth position. All three riders are looking to improve on their results from last weekend and Team Manager Stuart Hicken is hoping for a crash free weekend. The Hawk team are working hard in the short period of time to ensure the Kawasaki ZX10’s are ready for racing at Thruxton. Sheffield based Dean Thomas commented “Things certainly can’t be any worse than what they were at Donington and they can only get better this weekend at Thruxton. I really enjoy the circuit and got some pretty good results there last year. There are still some changes to be made on the Kawasaki but we are gradually moving in the right direction and things are progressing.” Coalville rider Coxhell said “This weekend is certainly going to be difficult for me due to my injury. Thruxton is the hardest and bumpiest circuit on the BSB calendar and it’s certainly going to test my strength but I need to get some more Championship points. I’ve been having intensive physio and laser treatment on my collarbone and it’s beginning to feel a little better. It might be a blessing that we now only have one qualifying session this year to enable me a little more time to heal.” The youngest rider in the squad Peter Hickman is keen to get out on the Hawk bike again saying “Every weekend I seem to be getting a feel for the bike and learning more each time I go out on track. I was unlucky not to finish in the points at Donington but that is my main target this weekend. I’m really enjoying my time, but the season is going so quickly already.” For more information on the weekend’s racing please see www.hawkkawasaki.co.uk Please note there is no track activity on Saturday 15th April. 2006 British Superbike Calendar: – Round 3 – 14 17 April Thruxton, Hampshire 21 April Official BSB Test Oulton Park Round 4 – 29 Apr 01 May Oulton Park, Cheshire Round 5 – 19 21 May Mondello Park, Southern Ireland Round 6 – 02 04 June Mallory Park, Leicestershire Round 7 – 16 18 June Snetterton, Norfolk 05 06 July Official BSB Test Croft Round 8 – 14 16 July Knockhill, Scotland Round 9 – 21 23 July Oulton Park, Cheshire Round 10 – 11 13 August Croft, North Yorkshire 17 August Official BSB Test Cadwell Park Round 11 – 26 28 August Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire 31 August Official BSB Test Silverstone Round 12 – 15 17 September Silverstone, Northamptonshire Round 13 – 29 Sept 01 Oct Brands Hatch, Kent More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Team Suzuki Press Office April 13, 2006. Thruxton is Rizla Suzuki’s home circuit that boasts a 112mph+ average lap speed, making it the fastest circuit the British Superbikes visit and a fact the team will be hoping to use to its advantage at the third round of the Championship this weekend. The 2.35-mile track boasts a 200mph straight and traditionally delivers close and exciting racing. Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and James Haydon are hoping the high-speed nature of the track will play to the strengths of the ultra-fast GSX-R1000 which has led through the speed traps at each of the previous two rounds. The ex-airfield track in Hampshire is situated less than 45-minutes from the Rizla Suzuki team headquarters at the Crescent Performance Centre in Verwood, Dorset. The team is expecting strong home support in the crowd when the racing starts on Bank Holiday Monday, April 17th at 13:30. Shakey Byrne: “At Brands Hatch and Donington Park, the GSX-R1000 has been a missile and I’ve been either fastest or close to it through all of the speed traps. “Add that base speed to my growing confidence in the bike as well as a lot of home fans supporting the team and we will come out fighting at Thruxton this weekend. I believe we can challenge at the front.” James Haydon: “After the rain, hail and cold temperatures of the last two rounds I’m really hoping for better weather this weekend it makes the racing more exciting and enjoyable for riders and spectators alike. “We made a breakthrough with set-up at the last round and we are getting stronger every time we ride the bike. The podium is my target for Thruxton.”