American SportBike Night announces our annual Daytona 200 RaceWatch gathering on Saturday, March 11, at the East Bay’s premier sports bar Ricky’s. Ricky’s is an outstanding sports bar, where many large-screen TVs will present complete AMA racing coverage, beginning 8am with live Superbike race; continuing 9:30am with tape of Thursday’s Flat Track event; and concluding with 10:30am live 65th running of the Daytona 200 F/X race. American SportBike Night, founded in late 1998 by a trio of committed Buell riders, is a very informal assortment of Northern California Buell and Sportbike enthusiasts [all makes/models are represented] who get together monthly to swap stories, exchange tech-tips, find out what is new in racing and streetbike technology, and engage overall in family-friendly behavior. American Sport Bike Night isn’t a club. There are no membership dues or meeting fees – nothing to sign or fill-out. All riders and their guests are welcome. Ricky’s chefs’ full breakfast menu will be served – lunch items become available 10am, in time for the pre-200 Mile warmup. Directions to Ricky’s can prove demanding, so visit his website for particulars from your direction: ~http://www.rickys.com/about/contact.cfm~ A post-race 2-lane twisties ride departs Ricky’s 1pm destination will be determined by participants during Victory Circle coverage. For additional information, visit ~http://americansportbikenight.com/~

AMA WOMEN’S CONFERENCE TO FEATURE MOTORCYCLE-SKILLS DAY AT ROAD ATLANTA — Nationwide becomes Platinum Sponsor — PICKERINGTON, Ohio – The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that the 2006 AMA/FIM International Women & Motorcycling Conference presented by Harley-Davidson & Buell will feature its first-ever motorcycle-skills day, conducted by the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School at Road Atlanta Raceway. The conference will be held June 30 through July 3, 2006 in Athens, Georgia. The optional motorcycle-skills day, scheduled for July 3, will be limited to the first 100 pre-registered participants, for an additional fee of $150. With the guidance of professional instructors, riders can learn the secrets of smoother, safer street riding, in the controlled environment of a closed road circuit, from a former world champion motorcycle racer. Participants in the motorcycle-skills day also may rent a motorcycle and riding gear from the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School. Availability is limited. For more information, call 1-800-849-7223 or visit www.schwantzschool.com. The AMA also has announced that Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, which offers motorcycle insurance through its Rev & Ride coverage, will be a Platinum Sponsor of the 2006 AMA/FIM International Women & Motorcycling Conference presented by Harley-Davidson & Buell. The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) is the title sponsor of the conference, and Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Buell is the event’s presenting sponsor. Also contributing support as primary sponsors are American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; American Suzuki Motor Corporation; Biker Ally Magazine; BMW Motorrad USA; Cycle World of Athens; Ducati North America; FrictionZone Magazine (East and West editions); G-Line; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School; Memphis Shades; Motorcycle Mechanics Institute; Open Road Magazine; Road Atlanta; RoadRUNNER magazine; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. The 2006 AMA/FIM International Women & Motorcycling Conference presented by Harley-Davidson & Buell will feature a slate of guest speakers and seminars; demo rides, free to conference participants, from BMW, Buell, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha; and array of new-product vendors; guided and self-guided tours of the Athens region; live entertainment, and a motorcycle-skills day with the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School at Road Atlanta. Athens was chosen as the site of the 2006 event for its excellent facilities, and for its proximity to great motorcycle riding. The AMA is working closely with its conference partners — Motor Maids, Women in the Wind, Women on Wheels, Women’s International Motorcycle Association-USA, Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation, Femmoto, Ebony Angels, and MXGirls.com — to plan the conference. The first three AMA Women & Motorcycling Conferences were held in 1997, 2000, and 2002. Nearly 700 women and men attended the 2002 conference, from nearly every U.S. state and several foreign countries. The 2006 conference is expected to draw 1,000 enthusiasts. For more information about the 2006 AMA/FIM International Women & Motorcycling Conference presented by Harley-Davidson & Buell, or to download a registration form, visit www.womenandmotorcycling.com or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.

McWilliams Prepares For Daytona 200 By Honda Irish Rider Shakes Down Buell At Daytona International Speedway DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 2, 2006) — Jeremy McWilliams took his first laps around the historic Daytona International Speedway 2.95-mile road course on Thursday during the Team Hammer riding school as the Irishman prepares for next week’s Daytona 200 By Honda motorcycle classic. McWilliams, a three-time Irish Champion and 250 GP and Moto GP veteran, participated in the riding school as he learns the ins and outs of the “World Center of Racing” as well as shaking down the new Buell XBRR. “It’s my first time ever on a banking so it’s quite daunting,” said McWilliams, who along with Pascal Picotte, Mike Ciccotto and Steve Crevier will race in the 65th Daytona 200 By Honda on Saturday, March 11 aboard Buells. “It’s quite different than what I’m use to.” The 41-year-old McWilliams, who’ll compete for Warr’s London Harley-Davidson/Buell of London, is one of the biggest international riders to compete at Daytona in a number of years and interest is high among American racing fans to watch such a highly respected rider race against many of the leading AMA stars. McWilliams’s participation in Thursday’s Team Hammer day at DIS is two-fold as he tries to learn both the track and the bike. “It’s just trying to get to know the track,” said McWilliams, who was joined by Picotte during Thursday’s Team Hammer day. “That’s one big thing to overcome. You’re coming to race at Daytona, it’s a plus if you know where you’re going. Because I’ve never ridden banking, getting use to hitting the banking as hard as I need to hit it. “This bike is also very different than what I’m use to. The maximum RPM is about 8,500. So I’ve got to change my style quite a bit. Jumping on this bike from what I know is quite a big step all around. The guys are working as hard as they can to make the changes that I need to make it easier for me.” Running in the prestigious Daytona 200 By Honda is something that McWilliams has always wanted to attempt. He has watched the prestigious race plenty of times on television hoping one day he would get the opportunity to compete at DIS. “It’s one of those races that you can’t really ignore,” said McWilliams, a native of Carmoney, Northern Ireland. “You see it all around the world and it is one thing I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to take part in the 200. “(The track) actually looks a little bit different on TV than it does when you’re out on the motorcycle. It’s a little tight and twisty in the infield. I believe they’ve changed it a little bit from what I remember. The surface is in good condition. It’s just quite tricky. I’m sure it’s going to make for interesting racing during a long race like Daytona because there’s a lot of track to get by. The fast sections are awesome. I really enjoy the fast sections.” As far as expectations for the four Buell dealer teams entered in next Saturday’s Daytona 200 By Honda, McWilliams says it’s too early to tell how strong the motorcycle will be. “The first thing is we would like to go 200 miles. Secondly, I’d like to be up there somewhere,” McWilliams said. One of the major issues McWilliams will have to overcome is all the travel in the next few days. He’ll fly back to Italy on Friday as he is developing a different motorcycle and then plans to return to Daytona by Monday. “Trying to avoid the jet lag is the difficultly,” McWilliams said. Tickets for the 65th Daytona 200 By Honda are available at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Editorial Notes: McWilliams, along with over one hundred other licensed racers, particpated in practice sessions organized by the Team Hammer Advanced Riding Schools & Track Rides. Practice session took place in between regularly-scheduled school sessions. McWilliams did not take part in the Team Hammer Advanced Riding School, as implied by the press release above. Further, McWilliams’s first laps of Daytona International Speedway did not happen Thursday, as reported above. McWilliams tested a Buell XB-RR at Daytona in early-December. Also contrary to the press release above, Pascal Picotte did not ride a Buell Thursday and will not race a Buell XB-RR in the Daytona 200. Picotte’s team, Picotte Performance, is supporting Deeley Harley-Davidson/Buell Canada of Vancouver’s rider Steve Crevier in the Daytona 200. In addition to McWilliams, Crevier and Ciccotto, Rico Penzkofer will race a XB-RR Firebolt in the Daytona 200 for Buell Hannover of Hannover, Germany.

DUHAMEL LOOKS TO SET NEW DAYTONA 200 BY HONDA RECORD PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Miguel Duhamel comes to the 65th running of the Daytona 200 by Honda, the opening round of the AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Saturday, March 11, with a major milestone in his grasp. If the 37-year-old Montreal native, who now calls Las Vegas home, wins the prestigious 200-mile motorcycle road race he will become the first six-time winner in the storied history of the race, which first ran in 1937. Duhamel heads up an impressive list of talented racers who will take to Daytona International Speedway’s motorcycle road course. Duhamel tied the legendary Scott Russell with his fifth victory in the 200 last March. He again has the powerful Honda factory team behind him, but is set to face a deeper field than he conquered a year ago. In addition to Honda’s strong effort, both Yamaha and Buell will field factory or factory-supported squads in this year’s 200. Duhamel has an amazing record in the Daytona 200. He won the race in his first attempt in 1991 as a replacement rider on the Commonwealth Honda squad. He was victorious again in 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2005. He is just happy to have the opportunity to break the record for most Daytona 200 wins. “I was really honored to tie Scott’s record last year,” said Duhamel, the two-time and defending champion of the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series. “It would be great for sure to be the first to win the sixth. Honda has really stepped up with the new CBR600RR and I have the best team in racing so I have a lot of things going in my favor.” Duhamel will not only have to overcome serious efforts from Yamaha and Buell in this year’s 200 miler, he’ll also have his own Honda teammates to worry about. Jake Zemke will join Duhamel on the other factory Honda machine, while Josh Hayes and Aaron Gobert will race factory-backed Erion Hondas. On facing the tough competition this season Duhamel joked, “I’ve got to be honest if they would let me be the only one in the race that would be sweet,” he said. “But there’s no doubt that this year’s 200 is going to be a terrific one for the fans. It’s going to be a really closely contested and tough race.” Yamaha is bringing in the big guns back to the 200 this year in the form of Eric Bostrom and Jason DiSalvo. Yamaha has won more Daytona 200s than any other manufacturer, but the maker’s last victory in the race came in 1998. With Bostrom and DiSalvo Yamaha has a strong pair of contenders. Four Buell dealer teams are entered in this year’s Daytona 200. Buell is hoping to put an American-made motorcycle atop the Daytona 200 podium for the first time since Cal Rayborn won on a Harley-Davidson in 1969. Perhaps as surprising as Buell’s entry in this year’s 200 is the fact that former MotoGP star Jeremy McWilliams is slated to ride with the Warr’s London Harley-Davidson/Buell of London team. The 41-year-old Irishman is one of the biggest international riders to compete at Daytona for a number of years and interest is high among American racing fans to watch such a highly respected rider such as McWilliams racing against many of the leading AMA stars. Buell’s other big name rider is former AMA Supersport and reigning Canadian Pro 600 Sport Bike champion Steve Crevier. He will ride a Deeley Harley-Davidson/Buell Canada of Vancouver entry. Floridian Mike Ciccotto will race the 200 on a Hal’s Harley-Davidson/Buell. Suzuki’s brightest hopes to win the 200 this year will be on the shoulders of Floridian racing veteran Michael Barnes, of Boca Raton and Oklahoman flat tracker turned road racer Danny Eslick. Barnes will race on a M4/EMGO Suzuki. He scored two podium finishes for the team in last year’s Formula Xtreme Series. Eslick, who rides for Matsushima Performance Suzuki, came out of nowhere to finish a surprising fourth in last year’s 200. The Daytona 200 will again feature a number of international entries. In addition to the aforementioned McWilliams, fellow Northern Ireland native Alastair Seeley will race a Team Celtic Yamaha. Rob Frost riding for Chris Dowd Racing Kawasaki and Stu Wilson of the Crewe Van Centre Yamaha team are coming over from the United Kingdom. Slovenia is represented by Bostjan Pintar, Bostjan Skubic and Dejan Senk riding for Inotherm Honda and German Rico Penzkofer is entered for Buell Hannover. SPEED’s live coverage of the 65th Daytona 200 by Honda featuring the AMA Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series will take the green flag starting at 1:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 11. For tickets visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

IRTA Annual General Meeting Catalunya March 1, 2006. The International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The Association was formed to attend to the interests of all teams, riders and service companies participating in MotoGP racing. IRTA employs several staff members to administer and perform a vast range of duties for the membership. The Committee of IRTA, comprised of team members directly elected by the entire membership, defines the Associations policy. The membership also elects the President of IRTA. Both the President and the Committee have a two-year mandate. Catalunya was the chosen venue for the IRTA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the membership discussed and agreed upon several matters. The Committee presented the 2005 accounts for inspection and the proposed 2006 budget. Team selection was confirmed and ratified and details of the new regulations for 2006 were given to the membership. IRTA Presidential elections were scheduled for the AGM and, for the first time since the foundation of the Association, two candidates for the post were originally proposed; current President Sito Pons and Herve Poncharal, principle of the Tech 3 Yamaha team. However, the election proved to be an unnecessary exercise as Sito Pons announced he felt that after ten years in the role of IRTA Chairman or President it was the appropriate time to step down and allow another qualified member assume the role. In withdrawing his candidature Sito pledge his full support to Herve who was duly elected. Herve Poncharal was elected to the Committee of IRTA in 1997 and has retained his position ever since. A motorcycle road racing stalwart Herve is the team owner of the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team. He also has a solid 250cc grand prix pedigree having contested the quarter litre championship with Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha machinery. The highlight of his 250c career was a World Championship title with Olivier Jacque in 2000. The Committee members paid tribute to departing President Pons thanking the former double 250cc World Champion for his tireless, and fruitful work on behalf of the Association dating back to the 1980s. Despite his success on track as both rider and winning team owner Pons was always on hand to defend and promote the best interests of the IRTA teams and riders. He was elected to the Committee of IRTA in 1986, shortly after the Association was founded. Sito was elected as Chairman of the Committee in 1997 and three years later his candidature for role of President was successful. Sito has been influential in all major developments in world championship racing over recent years representing the interest of the teams in negotiations with Dorna, and as the IRTA delegate to the Grand Prix Commission.

The Utah Sportbike Association, Utah’s largest sport riding club, and sanctioning body of the new Plaza Cycle Masters of the Mountains Championship Race Series at Miller Motorsports Park, will be holding its annual Daytona Viewing and Kickoff Party at the Bohemian Brewery, located at 94 E 7200 S (Fort Union Blvd) in Salt Lake City, Saturday March 11. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and there will be a buffet available for lunch for a very fair price. Get to know your fellow Utah Sport Riders and have a blast watching the events. Spring is coming so kick things off the right way.

Sport Bike Night of Northern California, presented by DUNLOP, ARAI AND ALPINESTARS, are happy to announce our next event. Join us Tuesday night, March 7th from 7pm till 9 pm at Race Place Motorsports, 3130 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento, California. Our special guest for the evening will be DAVE MOSS of Catalyst Reaction Suspension. Dave will be on hand to discuss suspension set up for street, track and racing applications. Dave will also be available to set up your bike on site. Phil Licciardi of SacNuts/Stuntspot.com will perform so amazing bike control stunts indoors on the Kart Track. We will have the usual displays, food, drink and prizes. Come early and stay late racing with us at the giant Indoor Kart facility. For more information, contact Mike Summers at (916) 600-3742. For karting info www.RacePlaceMotorsports.com