Torrance, California: American Honda is pleased to officially announce its lineup of factory road race team members for 2006, as well as the roster of Erion Honda team riders for the coming season. Team Honda’s Red Riders are led by 12-year Honda veteran Miguel Duhamel, a man whose accomplishments are legendary; his 86 career AMA wins make him the winningest road racer in AMA history. Joining Duhamel on the factory squad is teammate Jake Zemke. Zemke moved up to the factory Honda team in 2005, having a strong year aboard the factory Honda-tuned CBR1000RR Superbike and a CBR600RR in the Formula Xtreme series. Zemke proved to be a title contender in his second full Superbike season, and he continues to be a front-runner at every venue. For 2006, the American Honda team will commit its racing efforts almost exclusively to the Superbike championship assault. With the exception of the Daytona 200, in which American Honda will field two CBR600RR Formula Xtreme machines in the hands of Duhamel and Zemke in defense of its 2005 victory, Team Honda will focus all of its energies on returning the Superbike championship to the Honda fold by way of the newly revamped 2006 CBR1000RR. Another familiar face returns to the American Honda team in 2006 as Team Manager–Ron Heben. Heben is an industry veteran who worked in Honda’s road racing program in the early 1990s. In his new role, Heben will oversee the day-to-day operation of the team and guide the ongoing in-house R&D program at American Honda. Beginning in 2005, American Honda took on a more active role in co-developing the big CBR along with HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) and this program continues in 2006 with ongoing performance enhanced racing parts support from HRC to assist American Honda in developing machines purpose-built to the AMA’s Superbike racing guidelines. As American Honda focuses its efforts on the AMA Superbike championship chase in 2006, Erion Racing will fly the Honda Wing in defense of Honda’s two consecutive Formula Xtreme titles with two proven winners: former AMA Superstock champions Josh Hayes and Aaron Gobert. Both men will ride modified CBR600RR race bikes in the Formula Xtreme class, and both will compete in the Superstock class on the thoroughly revised 2006 CBR1000RR. Four men, three classes; look for Honda to show everyone the way to the checkered flag in 2006. The AMA season begins in Daytona Beach, FL during Motorcycle Speed Week, March 8-11, 2006.

Greg Avello a long-time competitor in the Formula USA (now ASRA) Thunderbike and former Buell Lightning Series classes is proud to announce that Badger Motorsports is joining the team as a primary sponsor. Badger Motorsports brings to the table a very knowledgeable staff consisting of Jason D’Amico, Service Manager, Kevin Van Engen, General Manger, and owners Bill “Billy Buell” Eckert and his wife Paula. Their expertise will be a big asset to Greg as he competes in the ASRA Thunderbike National Championship on his Buell XB12R. D’Amico, a former Buell Lightning competitor and teammate to Avello, will be in charge of technical support for the Buell at Badger Motorsports’ 10,000 sq. ft facility located in Menomonee Falls, WI on Hwy 74 just west of US Hwy 45. Look for the Badger Motorsports sponsored #21 Buell in the season opener of the ASRA Thunderbike Championship at Daytona on March 3-5th. See you in Daytona”¦We’re Back!

Motor Sports Stars, including IRL’s Wheldon, NHRA’s McClenathan, Highlight Speed-Fest at Infineon Raceway SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) “” Race fans were able to rub shoulders, watch remote control car racing and even take a hot lap around the world-famous 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course with some of the biggest names in motor sports at Infineon Raceway’s Speed-Fest on Monday under rainy skies in the Sonoma Valley. Speed-Fest, which is the first of three promotional events designed for race fans as Infineon Raceway gears up for the upcoming Big O Tires Racing Season, attracted more than 300 race fans under blustery conditions, as well as the Indy Racing League’s Dan Wheldon, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup’s David Stremme, NHRA’s Cory McClenathan, Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series’ Scott Pruett and the AMA Superbike Series’ Jake Zemke. The drivers took part in a formal press conference in advance of the upcoming motor sports season at Infineon Raceway, but that wasn’t all. They also swapped paint during a remote control car racing stunt, signed autographs for fans and even gave 75 lucky fans a lap around the world famous road course. The laps were given in exchange for fans donating one pint of blood to the American Red Cross, which held a blood drive on Monday at the raceway. The festive day was particularly appealing for Stremme, a NASCAR rookie who had never seen the Sonoma Valley road course prior to Monday. He enjoyed getting the feel for the course while piloting fans around the circuit. He’ll return for the Dodge/Save Mart 350 weekend, June 23-25. “Scott (Pruett) took me out and gave me a few pointers on the track but you really don’t feel it until you get out there yourself,” said Stremme, driver of the No. 40 Coors Light and Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Dodge. “This place is pretty neat, especially with the tight corners and elevation changes. It’s going to be a challenge (in June).” “The laps were really fun, and not just because of the track but he (Stremme) made everything comfortable for everyone,” said John Seratt, a race fan from San Rafael who attended the event on Monday. “He made driving the track look easy; it was a great event.” It wasn’t a challenge for Pruett, who has raced in Sonoma several times over the years, but this will be his first time at Infineon Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 01 CompUSA Lexus for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. This will mark Grand-Am’s first event in Sonoma when they share the weekend with the IRL at the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, Aug. 25-27. “This is a great place and we’re real excited to come out here with the Grand Am Series,” said Pruett, a resident of Auburn in the Sacramento area. “I remember coming out here about 10 years ago and this wasn’t the most desirable place, but so much work has been done here. It’s one of the top facilities in the country and the race fans are going to really like this series. It’s pretty exciting when that many cars (45-60) get on the track at one time.” Wheldon, the defending IRL IndyCar® Series champion and defending Indy 500 champion, was the star of the day, among both media and race fans, who braved rainy conditions. Wheldon, who will drive the No. 10 Target car for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2006, began his season with a victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona (Grand-Am Series) in January. “This track is a challenge, that’s best thing I can say about it, and drivers like challenges,” Wheldon said. “I think I speak for all the drivers (in the IRL) when I say we can’t wait to come out here. It’s a great racetrack and the fans have also been great.” Wheldon gave 25 fans the thrill of their lives on Monday, driving them around the serpentine circuit at speed in a street car. “He (Wheldon) was very professional. I really enjoyed driving with someone who goes left and right,” said Bill Shepard, a race fan from nearby Vallejo. “He answered everyone’s questions and seemed very personable. It was my first time out for this event and I’m looking forward to next year.” McClenathan, who drives the Carrier Boyz FRAM Boost Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA POWERade circuit, also showed he can do more than drive a straight quarter-mile. He, too, gave race fans laps around the road course and even spent a good deal of time riding around Infineon Raceway’s 16-turn, three-quarter mile karting track. McClenathan returns to Infineon Raceway on Saturday for the 4th annual NHRA Tour de Charity, which gives fans the chance to compete against NHRA stars like McClenathan, Ron Capps and Gary Scelzi in a full day of karting. Slots are still open for race fans and proceeds benefit Speedway Children’s Charities; email [email protected]. “I always have a ball here, and while I know I can go pretty fast in a dragster, I can also drive a kart pretty well, too,” McClenathan said. “It was great to hang out with the fans today, and I’m looking forward to the karting day on Saturday with Ron and Gary.” Zemke, a native of San Francisco, will ride the Honda CBR1000R when the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, visits Sonoma, May 19-21. Zemke, who placed 11th in the Superbike points battle in 2005, said the CBR1000R is 14 pounds lighter this year, which could be helpful. “The bike is definitely improved, but not redesigned,” he said. “We struggled a bit last year and were 11th in points but I’m looking for better things in 2006, and I’m looking forward to coming out here. At a time when we worry about dangerous tracks, this is one (track) that has become one of the more safer tracks over the last few years.” Speed-Fest is the first of three events for Ignition Tour 2006, designed to build momentum for race fans entering the upcoming season at Infineon Raceway, which begins May 12-14 with the Ferrari Challenge. Other upcoming Ignition Tour events include the NHRA Tour de Charity (Saturday) and Two-Wheel Thunder (March 17). Two-Wheel Thunder will be held during AMA motorcycle testing and is FREE to the public. For more information, visit www.infineonraceway.com.

KSW Racing will be entering twin Yamaha R6s in this year’s Daytona 200. Anthony Fania Jr. (#84) will be making his 10th start in the March classic. Joey Ford (#177) will be competing in both the 200 and the 600cc Supersport class and will continue in the Supersport class for the 2006 season.

Team SUZUKI MotoGP returns to Europe for Official Tests and Team Launch Team SUZUKI MotoGP will be in Spain for the next two weekends to take part in the traditional season-opening Official MotoGP Tests, as well as announcing its 2006 ‘XRE4’ GSV-R990 an all-new machine for the final season of the 990cc regulations. The tests will be the final opportunities for John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen to find the best settings for their all-new Suzuki GSV-R prototype race bikes before the first race at the end of March. The Suzuki factory and the team’s technicians will be working hard to maximise the new bike’s potential over these 6 days of testing. Hopkins and Vermeulen have both showed huge potential in the pre-season and the two young racers will be hoping to carry that form into the two tests. Hopkins has recorded some very fast times at both of the Sepang tests and has consistently been amongst the top riders. Rookie Vermeulen has also continued to impress with his calm approach, clear feedback and lack of errors. The final day of the Montmelo test, Sunday 5th March, will also include the excitement of a televised, timed 40 minute session at 14.00hrsCET, where every rider will go all out to set the fastest lap-time to win a brand new BMW Z4 Roadster a true ‘winner takes all’ contest! The two test events will be held at Montmelo near Barcelona between 3-5 March and at Jerez in Southern Spain on 10-12 March and will prepare Team SUZUKI MotoGP for the first round of the MotoGP World Championship at Jerez on Sunday 26th March. Team SUZUKI MotoGP will also be holding its Official Team Launch Presentation prior to the Official Test at the Circuit De Catalunya, Montmelo on Thursday 2nd March at 19.00hrs. All members of the media are invited to join Team SUZUKI MotoGP in its hospitality facility for this presentation, which includes the official unveiling and technical specifications of the all-new 2006 Suzuki GSV-R ‘XRE4’. Paul Denning Team Manager: “These two tests are very important for the final development of the new bike and for the riders. It will give us a chance to see where we are in relation to the opposition and to evaluate the progress of the Suzuki GSV-R and Bridgestone’s new tyres in colder European conditions. “The factory has been working flat out since the last test to find extra power and complete an already good package. John is fully fired up to get out there and compete with the best riders he is ready to take the next step, without doubt. If Chris continues on his upward learning curve he will also make his mark we’re looking forward to the tests.”

AMA Pro Racing has just released a Competition Bulletin announcing that for any motorcycle that comes “from the factory with adjustable swingarm pivots as part of the design of the chassis, the use of OEM or comparable aftermarket optional offsets is allowed” in all classes of the 2006 AMA Pro Racing Superbike Championship.

AMA Pro Racing made non-publicized (secret) approval of the use of optional inserts in swingarm pivots for the Kawasaki ZX-6RR in 2003, when the bike first came from the factory with that adjustment capability.

The issue was brought to the forefront during the 2005 season when Yamaha unsuccessfully protested the use of optional swingarm pivot inserts by Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates at the VIR round of the AMA series. But while it did not appear in the rulebook and was never announced, AMA Pro Racing’s technical department had secretly approved use of optional swingarm pivot inserts for the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (which has that adjustment capability). Yates was the first rider to use the non-standard swingarm pivot offsets in AMA Superstock events, starting in May. Other Suzuki riders started using the optional pivot inserts in June while others–including Roadracingworld.com’s Chris Ulrich–didn’t know they were available and legal until August and never actually got to use them in a race.

With its recent re-organization, AMA Pro Racing has said it will end secret rulings and will improve communication with the paddock.

The recent Competition Bulletin is part of that new policy.

For additional information, contact AMA Pro Racing at (614) 856-1924.