Raceway Begins Search For “Infineon Raceway Idol” SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) Infineon Raceway and 98 Rock FM in Sacramento are giving race fans the chance of a lifetime with the first “Infineon Raceway Idol” competition. Aspiring singers now have a chance to sing the national anthem at pre-event ceremonies during the Big O Tires Racing Season at Infineon Raceway, including the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, presented by Supercuts (July 30), and the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend. For NASCAR weekend, the anthem will take place prior to the start of the Blue Lizard Suncream 200 NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series, on Saturday, June 24. Other major events include: · Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts (May 20-21) · Infineon Technologies Cougar Mountain Classic–cycling (July 15) · Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma (Aug. 26-27) To enter the contest for the Infineon Raceway Idol, contestants can simply submit an MP3 recording of their best version of the national anthem to [email protected] no later than April 14. The list will be narrowed down to 20 singers, who will audition live at Infineon Raceway on Saturday, April 29, before a panel of judges. Up to eight different fans will be selected to sing the national anthem at Infineon Raceway in 2006. In addition, winners will receive full-weekend event credentials and VIP suite passes. For more information on this contest, please visit www.krxq.net. All submissions must include an MP3 version of your anthem, name, address, age, daytime telephone number and cell phone number.

KAWASAKI RARING TO GO AT JEREZ SEASON OPENER After a long but successful winter test programme spanning four months and three continents, the Kawasaki Racing Team return to the Jerez circuit in Andalusia, Southern Spain this weekend for the opening race of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship season. It was at this circuit 12 months ago that Shinya Nakano secured his best result of 2005, bringing his Ninja ZX-RR home in fifth place. One year on and the Kawasaki rider returns to Jerez to race the all-new version of Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-RR, and with his sights set firmly on a podium finish. Nakano has good reason to be confident of a strong result in Sunday’s 27-lap Spanish Grand Prix, having posted the third fastest time overall during the IRTA test at Jerez less than two weeks ago, where the top three positions were filled by riders on Bridgestone tyres. Nakano’s teammate, Randy de Puniet, has been a revelation during testing, surprising many with the speed at which he’s adapted to the demands of riding Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine. The 25-year-old rookie capped an extensive winter test programme by finishing fifth fastest overall during the IRTA test at Jerez earlier this month. And while de Puniet is the first to admit that he still has much to learn about racing in MotoGP, he arrives in Jerez determined to mark his race debut in the premier class with a strong performance throughout practice and qualifying, followed by a good result in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. Jerez is one of the most popular events on the MotoGP calendar, with more than 200,000 spectators packing into the circuit over the course of a race weekend. Both Nakano and de Puniet cite the 4.423 km Jerez circuit as one of their favourites, due in equal parts to the technical nature of the track and the thrill of the high-speed final section. Shinya Nakano: #56 “Hopefully we will be able to carry on the momentum from the IRTA test here two weeks ago, building up throughout practice to end Saturday with a good qualifying position. Qualifying is important this weekend for two reasons; firstly this is a difficult track on which to overtake, so the closer you are to the front of the grid the better, and secondly because it is Harald Eckl’s 50th birthday on Saturday and it would be nice to give him something extra to celebrate! We proved during the IRTA test that both the new Ninja ZX-RR and our Bridgestone tyres work well around this circuit, so I’m confident that we can put in a strong performance on Sunday. If everything comes together on the day, I think a podium finish is a realistic target for us.” Randy de Puniet: #17 “After a successful overseas test schedule, and finishing fifth fastest here at the IRTA test, my feeling with the Ninja ZX-RR is good coming into my first MotoGP race weekend. But I am not fooling myself, I know I am still on a steep learning curve and that racing is very different to testing. My final position this weekend is less important than continuing to do a good job on the bike, and putting in a strong performance during practice, qualifying and the race. Testing has been good, but now I’m looking forward to Sunday and making my MotoGP race debut aboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR.”

MotoGP paddock buzzing in Jerez on eve of 2006 season With the first race of the season taking place this Sunday at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain, the whole MotoGP paddock came together for first time in 2006 for what promises to be yet another fantastic year of action in the world’s premier motorcycling series. The highlight of the day came when the top riders faced the media for the opening press conference of 2006, with reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi pitted against the reigning 250cc World Champion Dani Pedrosa for the first time, albeit without their bikes. The duo, whose head-to-head was just one of the themes of the conference, were joined by John Hopkins, Shinya Nakano and Sete Gibernau as they all spoke about Sunday’s Gran Premio betandwin.com de España World Champion Valentino Rossi was the first in line for questioning, and gave an answer to those who doubted his whether he was motivated this season, “I am”¦ I hope that I am,” commented the Yamaha rider, before remaining upbeat about the vibration problems which have been a recurring theme of his Yamaha team’s preseason. “We have had just 10 days to fix the problem, which is usually something that appears in Barcelona but instead occurred in Jerez. The Japanese engineers have been trying to sort it, and we have new tyres for this purpose.” Meanwhile, although many expect him to challenge this season, Dani Pedrosa reiterated at the press conference that he needed time to get used to his Honda. “It means a lot to be here in Spain, but it’s better to be here amongst the top riders, I have wanted this ever since I was young. I am still getting used to the MotoGP machine, but I have a good opportunity to do things I like in life, so that makes me pleased.” Another home favourite Sete Gibernau is also looking for glory in a new team this season, and the former championship runner-up eulogised those behind him at Ducati in his drive for success, “One thing I’ve learnt through the years is that a team wins, not just the rider. I need to be surrounded by people who are focused on pushing for the championship, and I have that here at Ducati.” Before the riders made it into the press conference three of their peers, Chris Vermeulen, Toni Elias and Randy de Puniet, all headed to the Gonzalez Byass sherry bodega to sample the local Tio Pepe speciality, on which Jerez’s worldwide fame was built. Vermeulen in particular will be glad that he is riding the new Suzuki GSV-R for the World Championship, and not the 1880 Penny Farthing which resides in the bodega, and which he took a ride around on. After taking a look at the world’s largest weather vane, the riders all signed a barrel of sherry produced especially for the Grand Prix, before taking turns to pour and taste a small sample. However, they assured that they would be all in a fit state to ride in tomorrow’s free practice. Today also saw the traditional MotoGP family photos, in which all riders from the three categories posed in full leathers on the grid. Of particular interest was the appearance of 250cc rider Michele Pirro, who attended the event on crutches despite having been ruled out of the Gran Premio betandwin.com de España. Tomorrow’s practices begin at 9am with 125cc, whilst the MotoGP season gets underway at 10am. The latest news, reports and action can all be found by following the link to motogp.com.

FIRECRACKING JEREZ SIGNALS START OF RACING After one of the most intense pre-seasons ever, the MotoGP field now gets down to the even more serious business of racing at one of the best of 17 tracks in front of a crowd of 150,000 race fans from all over Europe and beyond. Jerez, the traditional curtain-raiser, is here again and promises fireworks on and off the track. Honda has a powerful rider line-up in the premier MotoGP class, a blend of youth and experience in the 250cc category and a roster of hard-charging hotshots in the 125cc class, the youngest of whom is 15-year-old British kid Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda RS125R). But the crowd’s focus this weekend will be on Spanish hero Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC211V). Dani is just 20-years-old and already a 125cc and twice 250cc World Champion. Five of the seven Honda riders contesting the MotoGp class are under 25-years-old part of Honda’s policy of backing youthful talent to the maximum in the cauldron of Grand Prix racing. Dani makes the step up to MotoGP this year and there is a huge anticipation of his debut in the class at a ‘home’ track. He has shown well in testing and his measured approach to this first race is a signal of his intent to upset the established order. He has the talent and the team support to succeed at this tricky track and beyond. The circuit presents a challenge on two fronts; rider rhythm is vital and front tyre grip at a premium. Laid out among natural contours, Jerez was built in 1986 and hosted its first Grand Prix the following year. It has never been off the Grand Prix calendar since a measure of the quality of racing it provides. Jerez makes demands in all areas of machine set-up with short, medium and long straights, uphill and downhill braking areas, and two second-gear hairpins. But the biggest test is whether a rider can make a series of consistent, flowing laps in race conditions when the ideal lines through turns on this 11m wide circuit may be occupied by rivals. Bikes have to be stable to cope with bumps on the entries to key turns. Under hard braking, the undulations into turn one at the end of the start/finish straight can pose problems and another tight right-hander at the end of the back straight is a challenge too especially as these are recognised ‘passing places’. The longest straight is only 600m long making a high top speed less of a requirement than at other tracks. Jerez also boasts one of the most spectacular run-ins to the finish line two 100mph right turns, with rear wheels spinning-up, and then desperate braking into the final tight left where many a race has been won and lost, often amid fierce controversy. Last year’s run-in between Rossi and Gibernau being a prime example. Although most eyes will be on Dani in the MotoGP race on Sunday, his team-mate Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) enjoyed a strong finish to his 2005 season and the popular American will be aiming to begin where he left off in 2006 with a win. He said, “I can’t wait for the season opener I’m really excited about the first race. As if the racing isn’t enough, the Jerez crowd gets into the whole thing and that place really goes off. I love racing in Spain, and Jerez is a good track. Everybody involved in the Repsol Honda Team has worked really hard and we’ve got a committed group of guys here. I hope to reward them for all their efforts over the winter. We are going to bring all we’ve got!” Dani Pedrosa’s pre-race utterings are perhaps less gung-ho, but laden with just as much intent. “I’m longing to begin the season and Jerez is the best place to do it,” said Dani. “The atmosphere is very special, particularly for Spanish riders. My first aim is to finish the race and then to finish as high as possible. Races are always different to testing and I’ve never competed with these guys yet.” Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V), who finished as World Championship runner-up last season, said, “I can’t wait to get out onto the track at Jerez, it’s technical and flowing and I like it a lot. There is so much expectation for the start of the Championship and it’s guaranteed to be a real spectacle. Jerez will be a very combative race with so many riders in the right shape to challenge for a win. And I’m ready for it. I can already feel the adrenaline.” His team-mate Toni Elias (Fortuna Honda RC211V), who celebrates his 23rd birthday on raceday, is ready to shine at last in the big class with a ride on the coveted RC211V. He said, “Finally the testing is over and the Championship is starting. Over the winter we worked a lot, keeping a philosophy of taking small steps forward. I tried to remain calm and focused to try and understand the bike and adapt it to my style without just going for a lap time at all costs. I’ve covered a lot of distance, I now feel more comfortable on the bike and my race rhythm has improved.” Kenny Roberts (Roberts KR211V), who rides a chassis of his team’s design powered by Honda is ready to restart his stalled career this year and the 2000 World Champion is eager to prove himself at the highest level again. He said, “We’ve made good progress. I’m much more comfortable on the bike now and feel I have a better balance. Up until now have been making big changes to make improvements but now it’s just small things. Generally I’m happy with everything the team has done. We can see the future is bright, there’s lots more to come.” Casey Stoner (LCR Honda RC211V) is another rider who, like Dani, has graduated to the MotoGP class this year. The Aussie recently underwent micro-surgery on a shoulder injury and now has to prove he has the pace to figure in races. The young Aussie said, “Now I can start the season knowing my shoulder is fixed and just concentrate on riding. But I don’t have any big expectations for Jerez and the early races of the season. The Spanish GP will be really be like a test session for me to get the feel of the Honda V5 again, after missing much of the winter testing. I won’t be 100% race fit but it’s a long season, and a learning year for me, so I have time on my side.” Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) has it all to do after a disappointing 2005. Honda has kept faith with the determined Japanese rider and he will be going all-out to repay that loyalty with a series of strong showings from race one. “This is the year when all our hard work should pay off,” said Tamada. “We are all more motivated than ever to make sure we perform to the best of our abilities and achieve the results we know we are capable of.” The 250cc class looks wide open now that 2004 and 2005 World Champion Dani has vacated the grid for MotoGP. The smart money is on the super-experienced Sebastian Porto (Repsol Honda RS250RW) to take his first World title this year after 11 uninterrupted seasons and seven wins in the class. But that would be without factoring the new blood into the equation. Former 125cc World Champion Andrea Dovizioso (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) impressed in his debut 250 season last year and after a third overall cannot be ruled out of the running for the title. He has yet to win a race but his consistency has been superb. His team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Humangest Racing Honda RS250RW) is now a known, and rapid, quantity after his debut in 2005. Similarly, Porto’s team-mate Shuhei Aoyama (Repsol Honda RS250RW), the reigning All-Japan 250cc Champion will not be short of speed and hungry for a win in a debut season. Porto said, “Our pre-season has not been that good, but I fully trust in the Honda technicians and I’m sure that we’re going to change the situation soon. I haven’t got the least doubt that we’ll find the way to be back on the top. I’m used to these situations because there are always problems to overcome. I’m optimistic and hope to have a good start to the 2006 season this weekend.” His team-mate Aoyama, 2005 recipient of the prestigious Honda Racing Scholarship, said, “I’m looking forward to the races, but I know that this is going to be a difficult year for me, because I hardly know any of the circuits. Jerez, for example, is a very nice circuit but also complicated and difficult. The three tests days two weeks ago were quite good but I would have liked to be more competitive. I hope to make a step forward this weekend and respond with a good result for the team and all those who support me.” Dovizioso said, “I’m really confident and motivated about the coming season. We’ve worked hard during the winter tests focusing on finding the best set-up of the bike. We had some unexpected problems on the set-up of the bike that I’m sure we are going to solve this week.” Reigning World 125cc Champion Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) remains in the class to defend his hard-won title against his chief rival and runner-up from last season Mika Kallio (KTM). But as ever there will be a horde of riders equally determined to deny Luthi a second consecutive title. Among them will be three times winner in 2005 Gabor Talmacsi (Humangest Honda RS125R) who was KTM-mounted last year, and Fabrizio Lai (Seedorf Racing Honda RS125R) who finished sixth overall. Luthi, who broke a collar-bone in the pre-season, said, “I’m OK, no problem with my collar bone. I will go to the Clinica Mobile on Thursday, just for a check up. It was not a big problem for me to miss the IRTA test at Jerez because we had a private test at the track at the end of January. I was in contact with the team during the Jerez test and Sandro, my team-mate, was fast so I’m happy.” Many eyes will be on 15-year-old Bradley Smith (Repsol Honda RS125R) in his rookie year. Smith said, “It’s all happened so fast but I’ll take it in my stride and not get carried away. This will be a massive learning year for me and it will be almost be like going back to step one. It’s been quite nice going back to school and some normality after winter testing. My school has told me they’re happy for me to go and do it, although I don’t think they fully understand Grand Prix racing.”

TOP TEAMS GRAVITATE TO SPAIN FOR OFFICIAL TEST – FAVOURITE TESTING VENUE ATTRACTS GREAT INTEREST After the first two long-haul rounds of the 2006 World Superbike Championship have been completed, the entire World Superbike circus returns to Europe for the start of the second phase of the 13-round/26-race campaign. In preparation for the first European round at Valencia the forthcoming official test, at the same venue, will allow teams from Superbike, Supersport and 1000cc Superstock classes to try out their latest equipment and race set-ups, allowing them to compete at the highest level on race weekend, 21 to 23 April. Valencia, justified in its assertion to be a circuit and a stadium, is a highly popular testing venue, for official and private tests. Its 4.005km layout provides a vast array of slow corners, plus some ultra-fast sweeps and rapid changes of direction. CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS ALL HEADING TO SPAIN The importance of the forthcoming official test can be gauged by the fact that the roll call of participating riders and teams is a virtual mirror image of the permanent entry list, with 28 Superbike competitors on their way to the Iberian Peninsula. Heading up the bunch are the top three in the current championship standings, and in a close battle for the lead thus far Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) is a mere one point ahead of Winston Ten Kate Honda rider James Toseland. Each of these riders has won a single race in 2006; with the other two races having been taken by 2005 champion Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), currently third overall. All of the top trio have been World Superbike champions in seasons past, but in what is proving to be an unprecedented year for competitive entries, a groundswell of talent is waiting to make its first mark on the list of 2006 race winners. BARROS’S PROGRESS SET TO CONTINUE Alex Barros missed out on the previous unofficial round of Valencia tests, shortly before the start of the season, making his first visit to the popular Spanish venue on his Klaffi Honda CBR1000RR another important step in his Superbike career. He knows the circuit layout intimately, having been a permanent fixture in MotoGP until recently, and this should contribute to making his latest testing task somewhat less stressful than it could be. On the podium twice in Australia, Barros should be a good bet to post fast times at Valencia. PITT AND HAGA READY FOR THE EUROPEAN STAGE Australian Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) and his Japanese team-mate Noriyuki Haga have each scored podium finishes in the 2006 series already, and each now looks to the Valencia tests to polish off their preparations and mount an attack on the top step of the podium. The Italian based Yamaha team faces pressure from two Italian riders in the current championship table, with rookie SBK inductee Roberto Rolfo (Ducati SC Caracchi) and former WSS star Michel Fabrizio (DFX Honda) just behind both are heading to Valencia for the tests. The current championship top ten also features the still-recuperating Ruben Xaus (Ducati Sterilgarda Berik) and the top Kawasaki rider on show thus far, Fonsi Nieto (Team PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse). TALENTED STARS ENSURE ROCK HARD MID ORDER Such is the current championship competitiveness that even proven race winners in 2005, Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) and Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), nestle just outside the top ten at present. The Valencia test will be an opportunity to iron out the last of the early season wrinkles for riders like Lanzi and Kagayama, while a return to Europe, and the stability this brings to race preparations, is expected to settle many of the early-season wobbles experienced by riders such as Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda), Max Neukirchner (Ducati Pedercini) and Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse). Also in attendance at Valencia will be Chris Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse), plus the Petronas pairing of Steve Martin and SBK rookie Craig Jones, with the latter two aiming to perfect the set-up of the unique three-cylinder machine after two rounds at comparatively fast circuits. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP An impressive 31 riders will be in attendance for the World Supersport section of the forthcoming test in Spain, a total that includes the reigning champion and current championship leader, Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) plus his closest challenger Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany). First and second respectively in each race so far, Charpentier and Curtain can expect another clutch of riders to make the jump to potential winning pace after testing at Valencia. The great pace and consistency shown by Robbin Harms and Johan Stigefelt (each operating from under the overall Stiggy Motorsports Honda umbrella) puts them third and fourth respectively. Podium finishes have already come for young Turk Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda) and Broc Parkes (Yamaha Motor Germany), but each has also scored a DNF. Josh Brookes has made the most of the available power and handling of his Ducati SC Caracchi 749, and on his testing return to Valencia, he should be able to gauge accurately what lies ahead in terms of development. SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP Possibly the most exciting prospect at the forthcoming tests is the form of the new batch of 1000cc Superstock class competitors, many of whom will be competing for the first time in this series. With the exit of much of the previous powerbase of Superstock talent (most being promoted to Superbike and Supersport) this year’s title could well be at least as closely contested as the previous season’s, in which six different riders scored at least one race win. Riders like Alessandro Polita (Team Celani Suzuki) are already established but an influx of new names and teams, on a wide variety of machinery, makes for an incredibly cosmopolitan class in 2006. At Valencia, we will get the first chance to see how the likes of 2005 European 600 Superstock Champion Claudio Corti (Team Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha) performs on a larger machine, while Jason Perez (HP Racing Suzuki) makes his mark for the USA. Riders from 12 nations will be at Valencia, proving how much of a career boost this series is to younger riders with international ambitions. MISANO TEST NEXT APPOINTMENT FOR SBK™ After the Valencia test, another official practice session takes place before the third round of the championship itself in Spain. Misano is the next venue on the testing trail, on 12 and 13 April.

Los Angeles, CA Aprilia makes it to the top of the podium after over one year of Ducati dominance in BOTT Heavyweight and Formula Twins classes at WSIR (Willow Springs International Raceway) this past weekend. Ademar Nunes (#48) rode the Spectrum Motorsports-prepped RSV1000R to three podium finishes after having a problematic previous month at WSIR. Bike owner and Mechanic Mr. Amauri Nunes [Ademar’s Brother] commented: “We switched to Michelin tires last month and due to the rain we had absolutely no track time for testing before racing. This month, friendly weather allowed for a reasonable amount of testing and we got the wins we wanted.” This weekend was Nunes’ first time using 16.5-inch rims on the Aprilia. He added: “The Michelin 16.5s had a lot more corner grip than I am used to and we only had time to focus on a steering problem I was experiencing in three areas of the track. We have it almost resolved but I was forced to patch for the time being by adjusting my ride position. Spectrum and my brother should be able to resolve it by next month and then I can focus on the increased lean angles that the tire offers.” Cold windy conditions stimulated a high number of unfortunate crashes at the WSMC event and the Nunes brothers hope that the fallen racers have a good and quick recovery. More, from another press release: MOROSO MOTORSPORTS PARK March 18-19, 2006 Under clear skies with great racing weather, the MIVA/Superbikes & Ski race team had a relatively successful weekend at Moroso Motorsports Park (Palm Beach), winning a couple races, placing on the podium multiple times and leaving as points leaders in a number of regional classes. And no one fell, which is always a good thing. The Fort Myers Harley-Davidson/Buell is receiving an exhaust modification and new swingarm and will return to action at the Jennings GP event in May. The Track: Moroso Motorsports Park is located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The track is 2.25 miles with 13 turns of mixed up, patched and bumpy pavement. The track hosts drag racing (oiling down the drag strip) and auto racing (braking bumps and tearing up corners), making motorcycle racing at Moroso all the more interesting. Due to a couple of deaths in the 90s they added 3 chicanes (quick left/right or right/left transitions) designed to slow down track speeds. While not a high-speed track like Daytona, the modifications were deemed necessary at Moroso as there are concrete walls and light poles, tire barriers and an alligator-infested canal that you can end up in (none this weekend). The end result is a bumpy hodge-podge of corners that we race in blistering heat, humidity and usually “liquid sunshine”. But, as in all racing, all competitors race under the same conditions, so we don’t bitch about it too much. You can see the track at http://www.morosomotorsportspark.com The motto at this track is “Moroso: Tastes like Chicane”. RESULTS: Steve Hill: 2/1/4/2 Matt Sewell: 4/4/3*/4 Scott Robertson: 5/4/2/2/1 (hey, I get better with age!) #81 Steve Hill: 2/1/4/2 Steve continued his winning ways by finishing on the podium 3 times in 4 races. Steve won Amateur Formula 40, took second in Amateur GT Lights and Amateur Lightweight Supersport, and fourth in Amateur Lightweight Superbike. “My most exciting moment”, by Steve Hill: “I battled for the lead the entire length of my GT Lights race. After a great start, I picked off a couple of riders and tucked in behind the Amateur class leader, a big guy on a big Ducati. The Duc had a major horsepower advantage over me and was much faster in the straights but I could easily catch him in the corners. We traded the lead multiple times with me passing on the inside and outside of the turns. But despite my best efforts that big Duc kept motoring by on the straights. I knew my best chance for a win was to pass him in the right-hand turn 11, hold him off on the short straight between 11 and 12, square off 12 for a good run to the finish and the checkered flag. Unfortunately as I drove by him around the outside of that right turn my front tire “tucked” and slid, killing my momentum (and scaring the crap out of me). I had to back off to save the bike from crashing and he got by me on the inside as we exited turn 11 onto the short straight. I couldn’t gather enough of a drive to catch him entering turn 12 and he beat me to the finish line by a bike length. I think I need a Ducati…” #191 Matt Sewell: 4/4/3/4 Matt “Crash” Sewell did not crash for the second race weekend in a row, causing us to reconsider his nickname. We would go back to “Young Gun” but it’s been overused. Send me suggestions. Matt had a decent weekend with a string of 4ths in Amateur GTU, Amateur Middleweight Supersport and Amateur Middleweight Superbike. In Amateur Heavyweight Supersport Matt ran hard against bigger bikes to finish third and was promptly screwed out of his finish (and regional points lead) by bad officiating. At the risk of pissing off any race officials who may be reading this message, the following is an extremely biased explanation: certain “supersport” classes require the top 3 finishers to report directly to tech inspection to ensure that they are not cheating with highly modified bikes. Seems as though the large number of racers and spectators this weekend left the officials overwhelmed and understaffed when it came to tech. Matt finished 3rd, but was surrounded by Experts and lappers as he completed the race and was unsure of his finish. It happens. Ever conscientious, he pulled in to tech anyway. He told the tech inspector that he thought he had finished 4th but was unsure. The tech inspector told him that if he finished 4th he did not have to tech. Matt returned to the pits, sad and dejected. We later learned that Matt was shown by official scoring as having finished 3rd, but was disqualified FOR NOT REPORTING TO TECH! The good folks at CCS/ASRA were understanding and apologetic, but their tech official had made incomplete notes and their ruling will stand. We know he made incomplete notes because a similar thing happened to Steve in the Lightweight Supersport race (with Scott and another rider as a witness). We love these guys and they all work hard to run a good clean event, so we won’t hold it against them. At least not for too long. The biggest loss here is Matt’s overall points lead in the Heaveyweight Supersport class at the regional level. #91 Scott Robertson 5/4/2/2/1 I had a pretty good weekend, maintaining my regional points lead in Expert Lightweight Formula 40 with a 2nd place finish and winning Expert Lightweight Supersport. I used the GT Lights race for track time on my supersport bike and finished a respectable 5th despite being outgunned by bigger machines. I had a good run and great battle in the Expert Lightweight GP class with Adam Loeffler, finishing just off the podium in 4th position. I finished second in Expert Lighweight Superbike. I should have won this race but a big crash in front of me held me up for too long (details below). In that previously mentioned Expert Lightweight Formula 40 race, fast-guy and “arch rival” (I know he’s reading this) Mark Tenn came from nowhere and passed me while I was playing around with the Heavyweight Formula 40 race leaders. I didn’t even see him coming and got what I deserved for letting those guys slow me down. So far this year Mark and I are 1-1. It doesn’t count in the points race but it sure is fun to have a bud to race with! “My most exciting moment”, by Scott Robertson: I knew I had a good chance to win Expert Lightweight Superbike. Earlier I found that I could beat the guys I thought were my biggest competitors, Todd Keesee and Rob Cole, during the Formula 40 race. So now I expected that my fiercest competitor would be Christopher Boy on his big Ducati powered Bimota. I had a great start from the second row and reached turn 1 in second position just behind Todd Keesee. As we braked and tipped into the fast left turn some fool on a Ducati tried to shove past me on the outside and to the inside of Keesee. He chopped across my front tire and tried to brake waaay too late and too hard on the inside curbing. He locked the tire and lost the front, crashing hard and taking Keesee with him as they crashed together and slid to the outside of the turn. I saw it coming and had to swerve to the right to avoid their tumbling bikes. I was slowly pushed to the outside of turn 1 and into the grass. Thankfully I did not fall. Whew. I returned to the track at the back of the ENTIRE field which included both Expert and Amateur Superbikes as well as the Vintage class that was running behind us, certain that the race would be red-flagged and re-started due to the carnage. I dithered around the first few turns, thinking about the restart and looking forward to a battle – and hopefully a win – against Chris Boy. Long about oh…halfway through the first lap I notice that there are NO red flags. I couldn’t believe it. I was pissed at The Big Duc Fool for screwing up my race (and taking out Keesee) and myself for not charging until I saw red. I put my head down and ran the fastest laps of my weekend, passing all the Vintage, all the amateur and every one of the experts EXCEPT Chris Boy to finish a distant second. I couldn’t even see Chris when I crossed the finish line. Keesee was relatively unscathed but his bike suffered damage. The Big Duc Fool was taken to the hospital. Hope he’s ok. Fool. Crap. Our next race is at Jennings GP in North Florida on April 1-2. Please let me know if you are planning to attend.