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.

Round Two of RRSW/CCS this weekend! Round two of the Roadrace Southwest/ Championship Cup Series is this weekend at Firebird International Raceway East Course in Chandler, AZ. The rain has finally come and gone, while all the accumulated rubber has been washed away. Forecasters are calling for warm sunny days, perfect time to watch some racing. Will the lap record fall yet again? Is a tire war set, with new vendor AZ Trackday selling Bridgestones alongside Racers Edge Michelin and Jim Cox Racing Dunlop in the paddock? You will have to come see for your self! We have the most payout in the southwest with new money just added for amateurs, plus enormous contingency support. Check www.roadracesw.com for directions, pre-entered riders and other important information. Gate fee just $10 after noon on both days. Roadrace Southwest Inc. is a private affiliate of Championship Cup Series with races at four tracks in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. For contact information, forms, news, rulebooks and gossip, see the website.

Wild card entries for the Gran Premio betandwin.com de España The wild-card riders who will race in the Gran Premio betandwin.com de España, scheduled on the circuit of Jerez de la Frontera on March 26 next, are the following: 250cc class 6 – Álex Debón (SPA-Aprilia) 31 – Álvaro Molina (SPA-Aprilia) 40 – Sinan Sofuoglu (TUR-Honda) 66 – Hans Smees (NED-Aprilia) 125cc class 76 – Iván Maestro (SPA-Honda) 77 – Daniel Sáez (SPA-Aprilia) 78 – Hugo Van den Berg (NED-Aprilia) 80 – Esteve Rabat (SPA-Honda)

This past weekend (March 17 – 20) I went down to Las Vegas, Nevada to take part in two track days with Fastrack riders at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We had a great two days of riding, but unfortunately on Sunday evening in the Orlean’s Hotel & Casino parking lot my truck was broken into and they stole our trailer with all our bikes and gear in it. We have filled reports with LVPD, but I have a gut feeling that is not going to get our stuff back. I’m hoping that you folks, being in and around the motorcycle industry could help us out by posting this email and pictures and keeping an eye and ears out for any of our stuff. The motorcycles are unregistered race bikes from Canada (see description below), so I presume they may possible show up at a race track some time, or they may be stripped and parted out (e-bay, classifieds, etc.). If you hear or see of anything that you think may relate to this, could you please be so kind as to contact me (Clint McBain)? Clint McBain ph 1.403.287-9711 hm ph 1.403.999-3546 cell [email protected] Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you think may be able to watch for or provide additional information on these items. Thank you so much for your assistance, I truly appreciate it. Stolen Items: * 1 2005 Suzuki GSXR 1000 K5 (in race bike trim) Frame serial # JS1GT76AX52100904 Engine serial #104258 Description – This is a Blackfoot Team Suzuki Canada race bike prepped to Canadian National Superbike Rules. It has Sharkskins bodywork painted blue, white & black, decaled with HJC, Alpinestar, Hindle, Parts Canada, Motorex, Pirelli, Sunstar, Blackfoot, Suzuki decals. All the decals are clear coated onto the bodywork. The tail section is a white solo seat with 2 layers foam for a seat and # 9 on each side. Front cowl is blue with #9 in black and “Clint” just under the windscreen on booth sides. The parts on the bike are as follows: – Brembo master cylinder and pump with short brake lever, remote adjuster from left handlebar side. – New (2006) Galfer 310mm waved rotors with recessed grooves, black carriers & black buttons – Steel braided brake lines covered in black sheathing (they look like Kevlar lines) – “Attack” triple clamps – “Attack” handlebars with black renthal grips – “Attack” rearsets and pedals – Aim lap timer, mounted on alluminum plate fastened to triple clamp – Black Vortex fuel cap – Ohlins rear shock w remote preload adjuster, .95 spring – Custom made swing arm pivot +2mm, alluminum color – 520 gearing (44 rear sunstar sprocket) – Yoshimura alluminum oil catch can fastened to back of motor – Hindle titanium exhaust system – “FUEL” GPS Data receiver under seat cowl (small dark grey plastic box with two leads) This is a prototype unit and not on the market yet. – Dynojet quick shifter – Wheel bearings are blue – 17 inch stock wheels – stock rear subframe, & front cowl stay – Ohlins steering damper mounted up front under stock gauges – gold alluminum bolts throughout. * 1 2005 Suzuki GSXR 600 (in race trim) Frame serial # JS1GN7CA752102558 Engine serial # 127584 Description – This is also a Blackfoot Team Suzuki Canada race bike. It has Sharkskins bodywork painted blue, white & black (similar to stock layout lines), it has crash damage to bodywork only on right lower fairing. Similar in appearance to the GSXR 1000 mentioned above. Front fork tubes are coated with a black coating, and compression adjuster is turned with a 3mm allen key, not the stock blade screw driver one. – Brembo master cylinder & pump, with normal length lever and remote adjuster on left handlebar – “Attack” triple clamps – “Attack” handlebars with Renthal soft (grey) motocross grips – Ohlins rear shock – Custom made rear suspension linkage and dog bones – “Attack” rearsets and pedals – 520 gearing 15/45 – Micron lap timer – Steel braided lines – No rear brake reservoir, just a hose with a red alluminum banjo bolt for a cap – Ohlins steering damper mounted below stock gauges – aftermarket rear subframe – alluminum * 6′ x 12″ enclosed trailer – Shuttle 2000 Serial # 2T9EA4HD5U1057536 Alberta Plate # T71537 – faded white fibreglass with black Dura guard on front for rock protection, small (9″ tall x 15″ long) “Racing” decal on top left & right back corners. – “V” Nose – Single axle, Barn style rear doors, man door on right side with deadbolt lock (like a house lock) – Black & white checker floor * Suzuki 3500 Generator – Gas Powered (looks a few years old, on wheels) * 2004 Pinarello Road Bicycle Shimano components, bright yellow with black lettering and clip in pedals , 21″, yellow handlebar tape, Polar heart rate monitor, Speedo sensor. * 2000 Cannondale Road Bicycle White with blue lettering * Riding Gear – Alpinestart GP perforated suit, size 42, Blue, Black, White, “McBain” across upper back hump. Suzuki name on forearms, Blackfoot on thighs, Parts Canada, Hindle, Motorex, Suzuki, HJC patches – Alpinestar Supertech Roadrace boots NEW, Black, size 41 – Alpinestar GP Pro gloves, Blue, white, size large (2 sets) – HJC AC12 Helmet, Red, grey, black, Blackfoot decals (small) , size XS, tinted visor with tear off posts – Joe Rocket suit with “Tomlinson” across back. Red, Black & White – Alpinestar Supertech Roadrace boots, Black – Alpinestar GP Pro Gloves, Red, white * Spare Parts – Allimunum wheel balancer & Alluminum bead breaker – 5 gal. portable air tank – New set Bickle tire warmers with digital thermostat , Blue w black cords – 2 sets Black rims complete with rotors – 7 sets tires, 5 Dunlop sets, 2 Pirelli sets – Attack rearsets complete set – Attack replacement bars and renthal grips – 4 plastic bins of misc. stock Suzuki parts (GSXR600 & GSXR1000), fasteners, gaskets, etc. – 2 front Hindle bike stands – 2 rear Hindle bike stands – 1 Hands free roll-on front stand – 8 Drawer Red toolbox, filled with metric tools – 1 plastic toolbox (22″ x 12″) no handle, assorted tools inside – 2 sets of alluminum Sunstar sprockets (41 – 46 tooth) – 15′ x 10′ Blue Suzuki Easy-Up tent. – 1 set SportBike tire warmers , Black – Brembo Front brake master cylinder, pump & lever – 4 VP 5 gallon fuel jugs, Grey coolers, pit chairs, etc

Over $10,000 was raised recently at CherrypickerRacing.com Daytona Party sponsored by Riders-Choice. The money raised through our auction will be donated to the Canadian Roadracing Safety Fund. So far, our contributions to the fund over the past three years tops $25,000. “The C.R.S.F. faces large yearly costs to operate.” said party organizer John Brundl. “We’re glad to do our part to help make our race tracks safer.”

CCS Southwest Region racer Ray Hymer and his racer son Steven have been arrested and charged with stealing motorcycles, according to local news reports. According to local sources, the Hymers usually raced SV650 Suzukis in various lightweight classes. Read more here: ~http://ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=165117~ ~http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0321stolencars-ON.html~