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.”

Folch Yamaha (Noyes-Salom-Salom) Wins Six Hours of Almeria by Five Laps Folch Yamaha, Spain’s top endurance racing team for many years, opened defense of their Spanish Endurance title with a convincing victory at record pace at the Circuit of Almeria. Team leader Kenny Noyes was joined by the Salom brothers, Antonio and David, and the trio took their Michelin-shod Yamaha R1 to a five-lap victory over the Motobox Yamaha team of Pitarch-Segarra-Segarra. The Kawasaki Autoferro team of Perez-Perez-Gil was third, nine laps back of the winners. The second Folch entry of Hervas-Cabana-Lara were running second to their team mates when they were forced to retire with a blown head gasket. Team owner Josep Folch has not yet decided on his final line-up for the two machines he is entering in the World Endurance round scheduled for Albacete on April 20-21. “We found two problems with our winning R1 at Almeria, plus the gasket problem on the second bike, so we have work to do.” said Folch. “The lead bike had a problem with the quick-change rear hub that we found during qualifying and during the race we lost a couple of laps replacing a gear lever, a problem caused by a mistake I made in designing the new linkage. We’ll have both problems sorted out before the next national at Albacete on April 30 and we are gearing up to make a real run at the World Championship round at Albacete on May 20-21. So far we have been third and second in the Eight Hours of Albacete World Championship rounds that we have finished. We were second last year with Noyes, Ribalta (who has gone to Motorrad Suzuki) and Cabana. This year we are going to use only two riders in the World Championship race, the two fastest, Noyes for sure”¦he set a lap record here in 1.41.0 in practice and was the fastest rider in the race every time out, and probably Josep Monge. Monge is still recovering from a badly broken wrist and we decided to send Kenny out this time with the two Salom brothers, both young riders who performed well. When it comes to the 24 Hours of the Circuit of Catalunya, we’ll go with Noyes, Monge and Salvador Cabana. We want to win the 24 Hours again, because last year we hit un-flagged oil with two hours to go when we were leading and we were only able to finish second to Catala Suzuki.” Noyes’ next ride will be in the Valencia round of the World Supersport Championship on April 23, where he replaces David Checa on the GMT94 Yamaha R6 for Yamaha France. “This was a good tune-up for the season,” said Noyes. “But for the World Endurance round we are going to have to run road race pace for the whole eight hours. I have to forget about the R1 for a while and concentrate on the R6. The only way to keep concentration in a six hour race when you have such a big lead is to keep a steady, fast but safe pace. Even though the safety car was on the track twice this year and did not go out at all last year, we broke the record set last year.” Results Six Hours of Almeria (Round Run of Spanish Endurance) 1. Folch Yamaha YZF-R1 (Noyes-Salom-Salom) 200 laps 6:01.12.6 2. Motobox Yamaha YZF-R1 (Pitarch-Segarra-Segarra) 195 laps 3. Autoferro Kawasaki ZX-10R (Perez-Perez-Gil) 191 laps Starters 20 teams Finishers 15 teams

FPR pair on track in Italy The opening day of the second official World Superbike test at Misano, Italy, provided more encouragement for the Foggy PETRONAS Racing pair of Steve Martin and Craig Jones. Although the cool conditions did not resemble those expected for the June race, Steve was able to run two race simulations and finished the day 11th fastest of a near-complete World Superbike field. However, spots of rain towards the end of the afternoon session prevented the Australian, from using a qualifying tyre and finishing further up the standings. Team-mate Craig Jones, on his first outing at the circuit, made steady progress throughout the day and finished with a creditable time of 1:37.999, only just over half a second slower than Steve’s fastest time in the races here last year. Steve said: “We had a nice safe day and, although it is a pity we weren’t able to use a qualifier, I am more concerned about finding a setting for the race than doing fast times during these two days. I was also able to test an engine specification with a lighter crankshaft and, while there was no noticeable difference, I did go faster on that bike by around half a second.” Craig said: “I was happy to do more than 80 laps and my times came down gradually throughout the day. I hit a bit of a brick wall mid-way through the afternoon session but conditions were not too great then and times were dropping. I like the circuit as it has lots of flowing corners and the very fast corner on to the back straight and I am hoping to start tomorrow where we left off today as I think it is now just a case of getting more track experience. But I am still learning more about the bike with every session and am not too far off the point when I can start pushing for lap times.” Day one times, Superbike World Championship official test, Misano, Italy: 1 Bayliss 1:34.460; 2 Nieto 1:35.253; 3 Corser 1:35.274; 4 Lanzi 1:35.355; 5 Kagayama 1:35.641; 6 Haga 1:35.911; 7 Pitt 1:35.926; 8 Xaus 1:35.966; 9 Fabrizio 1:36.036; 10 Borciani 1:36.075; 11 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:35.608; 25 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:37.999 More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: BAYLISS QUICKEST FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM IN DAY 1 OF FGSPORT OFFICIAL TESTING AT MISANO ADRIATICO Misano Adriatico (Italy), Wednesday 12 April: Troy Bayliss again set the pace for the Ducati Xerox Team on the first day of a two-day FGSport official test at the Santamonica circuit in Misano Adriatico. Championship leader Bayliss, who had not raced at the Misano circuit since 2002, powered around in a time of 1m33.814s, just three-tenths of a second off his best lap of four years back and seven-tenths of a second quicker than Troy Corser (Suzuki). “On the last exit we had some spots of rain so it wasn’t worth trying to improve in the last few laps” declared Bayliss. “Overall we had a very good day, I haven’t been to Misano since 2002 so everything went OK and I felt comfortable on the bike just like I have been recently. Pretty much the first exit I got straight into good times this morning, and just continued testing a few tyres for Pirelli today and doing a little work on the bike, but honestly we haven’t changed it too much. Towards the end we did some really good laps on the race tyre just two three tenths slower than what I qualified on in 2002 so getting into the 33s on the race tyre was really good. The track is in a good condition, it’s maybe a bit bumpier since the last time here. Tomorrow I think I can go a few tenths quicker on the race tyre and maybe do a 32.9 if everything goes well.” Team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi set fourth quickest time today on the second 999F06, the 24-year-old Italian ending up just a fraction slower than Fonsi Nieto (Kawasaki) after 62 laps. Fourth quickest time is not bad and I am quite happy with the way things went” declared Lanzi. “I encountered traffic in the last few laps, the most important ones, because everyone was out on the track trying to improve, but I don’t want this to be seen as an excuse. We tried a few new things on the bikes and tomorrow we will continue with the development work. I only tested rear tyres today but we did a lot of work on the bike set-up and the tyres I’ll leave to the end in view of the race here in June. The track was good this morning but in the afternoon it got a bit worse and there were a few drops of rain towards the end”. TIMES: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m33.814s; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 1m34.522s; 3. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1m34.752s; 4. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m34.819s; 5. Haga (Yamaha) 1m35.096s; 6. Fabrizio (Honda) 1m35.131s; 7. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m35.160s; 8. Xaus (Ducati) 1m35.208s; 9. Laconi (Kawasaki) 1m35.405s; 10. Foret (Suzuki) 1m35.586s; etc. More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: BAYLISS BESTS THE COMPETITION ONCE MORE – 2001 CHAMPION SETS EARLY PACE AT MISANO TEST Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) came close to breaking his own outright SBK Misano circuit record on the first of two days of Superbike testing at the 4.060km circuit on the Adriatic coast, as he proved to be the only rider under the 1’34 barrier all day. His best first day lap of 1’33.814 beat the next fastest SBK regular by fully 0.7 of a second. That rider proved to be 1996 and 2005 World Champion Troy Corser (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki), putting in a late fast lap as the first light spots of rain started to fall, albeit temporarily, and to no great detrimental effect. NIETO ON FORM ON DAY ONE Spanish rider Fonsi Nieto and his PSG-1 Kawasaki were more than welcome additions to the upper echelons of the first day’s rankings, in an eventual third place on the stopwatches. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) gave the locals something to cheer about, finishing fourth fastest on his factory Duke. The top five was rounded out by Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia), trying out the latest engine-mapping developments on his YZF-R1. The CBR1000RR of SBK rookie Michel Fabrizio made it five different machines in the top six positions, at a circuit he knows well. The top Petronas FP-1 triple belonged to Steve Martin, one place outside the top ten, and a second faster on race tyres than last year’s similar performances. BIG FIELD AT MISANO TESTS Twenty-six riders tested at Misano, with the only big names missing those of Winston Ten Kate Honda’s James Toseland and Karl Muggeridge. Muggeridge will be forced to miss the Valencia SBK round on April 23, thanks to compression injuries to two of his vertebra. Experienced Italian rider, Giovanni Bussei, will replace Muggeridge for that race but the Aussie is expected to return at Monza, for round four of the 2006 series. Another Honda rider, Pierfrancesco Chili, had the extreme misfortune to suffer a highside crash in the morning Superbike session, breaking his pelvis and two ribs on the exit of the Variante Arena chicane. The 41-year-old rider is expected to take some considerable time to recover from his injuries, and is currently in Riccione Hospital. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) proved to be the quickest rider in the middleweight class on day one, with a 1’36.927 lap. His early pace proved to be less than a tenth slower than the best ever, and was almost matched by his team-mate, Broc Parkes (Yamaha Motor Germany). Riding a Ducati SC Caracchi, in Kopron Edo Racing colours, Gianluca Nannelli only needed the afternoon session to post the third fastest time, a 1’37.483, only just ahead of Gianluca Vizziello’s Team Italia Yamaha. Josh Brookes continued his learning year in the Ducati SC Caracchi squad 17th fastest, having to sit out the afternoon session due to technical issues. Current championship leader Sebastien Charpentier and his Winston Ten Kate Honda team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu did not test at Misano. More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi: FIRST TEST DAY AT MISANO Started today at Misano’s Santamonica circuit the last general test session for Superbike and Supersport scheduled by FG Sport. It has been a full day for SC Caracchi Team riders, in order to find a good setting looking both at next championship race at Valencia next April 23 and San Marino round to be held on this track next June. Unforeseeable weather in this first day, with some very light shower not even to water the track, and more bad for the psychological point of view as for the track grip. In Superbike Roberto Rolfo, away from Misano since 1997, focused his job in the basic set up, postponing to tomorrow all fast lap attempt. Rolfo completed during the two sessions of today a total of 74 laps, recording a fastest lap time in 1’36″369 during the afternoon session. “Also if today we focused our job for the set up I can’t say to be satisfied for the recorded lap time.” declared Roberto Rolfo at the end of the day “However I believe we found a good set up, so I’m quite satisfied and for tomorrow we could look for a faster lap time. I’m away from Misano for about 8 years, so I’ve been forced also put in the memory the track that I like anyway. With the set up defined in the last session the bike has a good handling and the engine is powerful, here too we recorded the third top speed in the speed trap, very close to the leader.” The greatest new in Supersport has been the return of Gianluca Nannelli in the team. The Floentine rider closed his partnership with the team which started the season and contested the first two rounds and now, together with Stefano Caracchi, is studying the possibility to finish the season on the SC Caracchi 748R. Slacked by an electric trouble during the morning, Nannelli practiced only in the afternoon recording a very good 1’37″483, third fastest of the day, just half a second behind the leader. Nannelli rode a total of 28 laps and was quite satisfied at the end. “The package of the 748R is very improved as to last year bike.” said Gianluca “The handling is better and better, the engine is easier to manage and is very fast, we recorded the maximum top speed of the day. In the morning we had an electrical defect, but then the guys made a fantastic job and the bike was perfect. At the moment I can’t say if I’ll be able to ride at Valencia on the 749R; I would like to have the possibility to end the season without troubles, seriously and not to act as a stop gap as has been in all the proposal I’ve had in the last days. I hope to stay in this team, where I know everyone and I know as they operate. If I’ve been so fast here in Misano, that’s not my preferred circuit…” Josh Brookes has not been able to get a good result, with a fastest lap time of 1’40″337 after 39 laps, and at the end of the day he was looking very disappointed. Quite close to the Australian rider score is Luka Nedog, who recorded 1’40″490 and is quite satisfied. “Today we made a great work.” said the young Slovenian “This track is new for me, so at the beginning I focused to learn it. That’s a circuit where to be fast looks easy, but where is very difficult to be actually very fast. Today I cover a total of 53 laps. During afternoon session I improved my lap time, running very close, just 15 hundred of second from my teammate score. Tomorrow we’ll define the final set up and we’ll se to get a good result.”