AMA MEETS WITH EPA TO DISCUSS STREETBIKE RULES PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that its Government Relations team met with federal Environmental Protection Agency officials this week to discuss motorcycle-emissions regulations. AMA Vice President for Government Relations Edward Moreland, AMA Washington Legislative Assistant Peter Nonis and AMA Legislative Affairs Specialist Imre Szauter met with EPA technical officials at the agency’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Monday, February 13, seeking clarification on current EPA regulations related to “kit” and “custom” motorcycles. Kit bikes are motorcycles typically built by individuals using off-the-shelf components, while custom bikes are generally show bikes built by a business and sold to a customer. “Even though these regulations governing motorcycle emissions were approved a couple years ago, there’s been a lot of misunderstanding surrounding them,” Moreland said. “The regulations themselves are complex and difficult to summarize, and many attempts to explain them have been incorrect. We wanted to have in-depth discussions with EPA officials so we know exactly what these new regulations mean for American motorcyclists.” Under the regulations, a person is allowed only one kit motorcycle in their lifetime that is exempt from meeting EPA emissions requirements. For custom motorcycles, a builder may create and sell up to 24 bikes a year that don’t meet EPA emissions requirements, but those machines must be labeled as exempt and are show bikes that only rarely may be ridden. Before the EPA adopted these new rules in 2004, it was illegal for anyone to ride any street motorcycle built in 1980 or later that didn’t meet EPA emissions requirements. The EPA rules adopted in 2004 require new road motorcycles sold nationwide beginning with the 2006 model year to meet strict emissions standards adopted earlier by California. The first phase of the California standards went into effect in 2004, with a second tier scheduled to go into effect in 2008. The EPA adopted the same standards but with a two-year delay, meaning the first phase took effect this year, and the second phase will take effect in 2010. New motorcycles sold in California beginning with the 2004 model year, and nationwide beginning in 2006, may not emit more than 1.4 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide. The California standard gets tougher in 2008, with a limit of 0.8 grams per kilometer of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide. The federal standard that goes in effect in 2010 is the same. When the EPA issued its final rules, the provisions related to kit and custom bikes were new, which the AMA notes also has led to the confusion surrounding them. All major motorcycle manufacturers’ streetbikes meet federal 2006 emissions standards, and several manufacturers’ products already meet the 2010 standards. The AMA actively voiced motorcyclists’ concerns to the EPA from 2001 through 2004 as the federal agency worked to put together the new EPA emissions requirements. The AMA will continue to voice motorcyclists concerns to the EPA, and seek clarification on the rules.

International designer fashionwear company GAS, recognised worldwide by its familiar double rainbow logo, has secured the coveted title sponsorship for the British round of the MotoGP World Championship by signing a deal with commercial rights-holders Dorna Sports earlier today. It represents the first time that the innovative fashion brand will take on full title sponsorship of a MotoGP event, which includes the rights to lend its name to the race. As such, the ninth round of the MotoGP World Championship 2006 will be named the GAS British Grand Prix, and will take place at the iconic Donington Park circuit on July 2nd. GAS, represented by Mr Claudio Grotto, Founder, Chairman and CEO, has grown from being an independent retailer in the 1970s into an international fashion manufacturing house, and is the personal sponsor for several MotoGP riders and teams. With its new role as a MotoGP title sponsor to add its portfolio in the sport, the GAS company now embarks on one of its most ambitious and exciting sponsorship projects to date.

MotoGP Academy announces 2006 plans Six young talents hailing from Europe and Asia will be aiming to take their first steps on the path to a successful motorcycle road racing career in Spain this year thanks to the latest plans unveiled by the MotoGP Academy. Newcomers Scott Reading, 13 (Great Britain,) Jonas Folger, 12 (Germany), Takaaki Nakagami, 14 (Japan) and Isaac Viñales, 12 (Spain), have been selected to join the project by MotoGP Academy Director Alberto Puig and Sports Co-ordinator Raul Jara after impressing during private tests at Valencia in December. The quartet of new recruits will join existing students Danny Webb, 15, and Kev Coghlan, 17 (both Great Britain), who enter into their second year with the scheme, and all six riders will contest the 125cc Spanish Championship (CEV). The youngsters will be looking to follow in the footsteps of last year’s success story Bradley Smith, who clinched victory in the final three rounds of the CEV, missing out on the title by a single point, and who will this year make his full debut in the 125cc World Championship. The MotoGP Academy is an initiative created by MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports to foment and foster young motorcycling talents and to provide them with a platform by which to progress into the MotoGP World Championships. The academy offers the youngsters specialist training in the many facets of the sport, which include such diverse areas as psycho-physical preparation, racecraft and language learning. The riders will begin their programme with four days of preseason training and medical tests at the academy headquarters in Barcelona during the first days of March. They will stay on a temporary basis at the Blume Residence, which boasts excellent facilities and an experienced group of doctors and sport physiotherapists. Their first track test is scheduled for March 27-28 at Albacete, with the opening round of the CEV taking place at the same circuit on May 7. Webb is also pencilled in to make his Grand Prix debut this season and could make as many as three wildcard appearances in the 125cc World Championship.

Meeting FIM MSMA – FGSport A meeting was convened at the initiative of FIM President, Mr Francesco Zerbi at the FIM headquarters in Mies on February 3 last, in order to discuss the future of Superbike rules Messrs Guy Maitre (FIM CEO), Paolo Flammini (FGSport General Director), Suguru Kanazawa (MSMA President), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA Secretary General), Claude Danis (FIM/CCR President), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Sports Director), Oriol Puig Bulto (FIM/CTI President) and Fabio Fazi (FIM/CTI Vice-President) attended the meeting. The FIM would soon convene the representatives of MSMA and FGSport to another working meeting. Representatives of 3 or 4 Federations organising an important Superbike National Championship will also be invited to take part in this meeting in view of conforming to a unique Superbike rulebook. Participants in this work would ensure that the technical rules were harmonised in order that the motorcycles on the market having a number of different cylinders could compete together in perfect fair-play. The technical rules for this Championship would have to make sure that the machines remained as close as possible to the production model. Once these rules have been established, the FIM, FGSport and MSMA would commit themselves to having these rules respected and not to support events that would not abide by these rules.

PATENTED COUNTER-ROTATING BRAKE ROTORS IN DEVELOPMENT Fort Myers, Florida Inventor Robby Kasten is proud to introduce new technology for motorcycles that can eliminate speed-related steering effort while increasing stability. Imagine a 1000cc superbike that turns easier at speed than a 125 Grand Prix bike. With Counter-Rotating Brake Rotors, steering effort can be the same at 20 mph as it is at 200 mph, while eliminating the possibility of tank slap. This new, patented technology is in the last stages of prototype development and is set for testing in March of 2006. “This is an exciting time for us,” said Kasten. “Soon, for the first time ever, we will be riding a motorcycle that changes lean angle almost effortlessly, regardless of speed. The system is very stock-looking, which was intentional. It will be bizarre enough when people see the rotor spin backwards.” Solid Design Solutions, Inc. of Coral Springs, Florida was hired for development of the first fully functional prototype, and has done a superb job in meeting all of the goals set by Robby Kasten, the inventor. The services of Eagle Machine, who develop parts for land speed record holders, have also been enlisted in the project. For more information, please visit www.reverserotatingrotors.com or contact Robby Kasten at 239-281-2903. Link to patent: ~http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,918,467.WKU.&OS=PN/6,918,467&RS=PN/6,918,467~

DUCATI NORTH AMERICA STARTS NEW YEAR POSTING LANDMARK 80 PERCENT SALES INCREASE FOR JANUARY 2006 Cupertino, CA February 15, 2006 – Ducati, the Italian motorcycle company world famous for crafting high-performance race, street, and touring bikes, announced a record-breaking start to 2006, posting an 80-percent sales increase for the month of January. The strong sales numbers generated by Ducati North America are a bright spot for the global motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati Motor Holding, with the North American subsidiary continuing to find success. This comes from the introduction of the retro-inspired SportClassic line-up and the new Monster S2R 1000. This summer they will debut their most powerful naked bike ever, the highly anticipated Monster S4Rs. After reestablishing their superbike dominance in North America with the successful introduction of their red-hot 999R flagship in 2005, Ducati North America took their growth to all-time highs by exploring untapped market segments with several other new bikes. By expanding their popular Monster line-up with the powerful and affordable Monster S2R and Monster S2R1000 introductions, Ducati North America dispelled the notion they were only a superbike manufacturer. Their work introducing the easy-riding Multistrada 620 only affirmed the company’s new commitment to growth. “The 999R introduction showed that Ducati is and always will be about crafting high-performance racing bikes,” says Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America. “But Ducati is also proving we can build our Monster line-up with the successes of the S2R, S2R1000, and the upcoming Monster S4Rs. We’re really enjoying the momentum we’ve experienced early this year from these bikes and our popular SportClassics. There’s no doubt 2006 will be a year to remember here at Ducati North America.” Ducati North America’s landmark year in 2005 and successes early in 2006 are evidenced by a 56-percent overall increase in total Ducati sales for the last six months according to data published by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). Other notable statistics include Ducati North America eclipsing fellow European brands BMW and Triumph in on-highway sales and market share for the month. Solid growth in sales of their 501-750cc sport bike category also posted an impressive 140-percent gain compared to the same time last year.

The Yamaha/Graves Motorsports Yamaha and Kawasaki factory road race teams are scheduled to open a two-day test today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey, California. Yamaha and Kawasaki were among several teams which tried to test at Laguna Seca in January only to have one of their two days rained out. According to the Weather Channel, weather conditions on the Monterey Peninsula are currently good and the forecast for Thursday does not call for any precipitation. This will be the last test for Kawasaki and Yamaha before they open the 2006 season at Daytona International Speedway. Counting back to tests conducted in October and November of 2005, both Yamaha and Kawasaki will have more tests during the 2006 season than race events.

2006 Schedule: *Denotes GP Moto Cup Race-1 Sprint Only held during full track day **Denotes Premiere GP Moto Cup Race Day½Track Day AM- GP Moto Cup Racing PM 3/10-VIR NORTH * Danville, Va. 4/2-VIR PATRIOT Danville, Va. 4/3-VIR NORTH Danville, Va. 4/8-POCONO EAST Long Pond, Pa. 4/9-POCONO EAST * Long Pond, Pa. 4/15-BEAVERUN Wampum, Pa. 4/16-BEAVERUN* Wampum, Pa. 4/16-POCONO EAST Long Pond, Pa. 4/24-SUMMIT POINT* Summit Point, WV 4/28-VIR NORTH* Danville, Va. 5/1-MT. TREMBLANT Montreal, Qe 5/2- MT. TREMBLANT Montreal, Qe 5/5-SHANNONVILLE LONG Summit Point, WV 5/6-SHANNONVILLE LONG Summit Point, WV 5/7-POC EAST Long Pond, Pa. 5/7 POC NORTH Long Pond, Pa. 5/13-SUMMIT POINT SHENANDOAH Summit Point, WV 5/14-SUMMIT POINT SHENANDOAH Summit Point, WV 5/15-SUMMIT POINT Summit Point, WV 5/19-BEAVERUN Wampum, Pa. 5/26-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, WV 5/25-POCONO FUSA Long Pond, Pa. 5/27-VIR SOUTH Danville, Va. 5/28-VIR SOUTH Danville, Va. 5/29-VIR NORTH * Danville, Va. 6/5-BEAVERUN Wampum, Pa. 6/11-SUMMIT POINT JC Summit Point, WV 6/12-SUMMIT POINT* Summit Point, WV 6/19-BEAVERUN Wampum, Pa. 6/22-POCONO FUSA ** Long Pond, Pa. 6/25-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, WV 6/26-SUMMIT POINT SHENANDOAH Summit Point, WV 6/29-POCONO WEST Long Pond, Pa. 6/30-POCONO EAST * Long Pond, Pa. 7/1-SHANNONVILLE NELSON Shannonville, On 7/2-SHANNONVILLE LONG Shannonville, On 7/3-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, WV 7/4-SUMMIT POINT Summit Point, WV 7/8-MOSPORT Bowmanville, On 7/9-MOSPORT * Bowmanville, On 7/14-POCONO E Long Pond, Pa. 7/16-SUMMIT POINT JC Summit Point, WV 7/17-SUMMIT POINT ** Summit Point, WV 7/28-POCONO FUSA * Long Pond, Pa. 7/29–VIR SOUTH Danville, Va. 7/30-VIR SOUTH Danville, Va. 7/31-VIR NORTH Danville, Va. 7/31-NHIS Loudon, NH 8/5-VIR PATRIOT Danville, Va. 8/6-VIR PATRIOT Danville, Va. 8/6-SUMMIT POINT JC Summit Point, WV 8/7-SUMMIT POINT Summit Point, WV 8/11-POCONO FUSA Long Pond, Pa. 8/12- BEAVERUN Wampum, Pa. 8/13-BEAVERUN Wampum, Pa. 8/20-SUMMIT POINT JC Summit Point, WV 8/21-SUMMIT POINT ** Summit Point, WV 8/25-POCONO WEST Long Pond, Pa. 8/26-POCONO WEST Long Pond, Pa. 8/27-POCONO EAST * Long Pond, Pa. 9/4-VIR NORTH** Danville, Va. 9/9-POCONO EAST Long Pond, Pa. 9/14-POCONO FUSA Long Pond, Pa. 9/23-BEAVERUN Wampum, Pa. 9/24-BEAVERUN* Wampum, Pa. 9/25-SUMMIT POINT Shenandoah Summit Point, WV 10/2-VIR NORTH* Danville, Va. 10/2-SUMMIT POINT Summit Point, WV 10/6-POC WEST Long Pond, Pa. 10/7-POCONO EAST Long Pond, Pa. 10/8-POCONO EAST* Long Pond, Pa. 10/13-POCONO NORTH Long Pond, Pa. 10/16-SUMMIT POINT** Summit Point, WV 10/30-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, WV 11/13-VIR NORTH Danville, Va. Pre-registration is strongly advised. Space is limited. All dates are subject to change [email protected] GP MOTO CUP RACE SERIES 2006 3/10-VIR NORTH * Danville, Va. 4/9-POCONO EAST * Long Pond, Pa. 4/16-BEAVERUN * Wampum, Pa. 4/24-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, WV. 4/28-VIR NORTH* Danville, Va. 5/6-SHANNONVILLE LONG * Shannonville, On 5/26-SUMMIT POINT* Summit Point W.V. 5/29-VIR NORTH * Danville, Va. 6/22-POCONO FUSA ** Long Pond, Pa. 6/25-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, W.V. 6/30-POCONO EAST * Long Pond, Pa. 7/3-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, W.V. 7/9-MOSPORT * Bowmanville, On. 7/17-SUMMIT POINT ** Summit Point W.V. 7/28-POCONO FUSA * Long Pond, Pa. 8/21-SUMMIT POINT ** Summit Point, W.V. 8/27-POCONO EAST * Long Pond, Pa. 10/2-VIR NORTH * Danville, Va. 10/8 Pocono East* Long Pond, Pa. 10/16-Summit Point ** Summit Point, W.V. 10/30-SUMMIT POINT * Summit Point, Va. *Denotes GP Moto Cup Race held during full track day **Denotes Premiere GP Moto Cup Race Day½Track Day AM- GP Moto Cup Racing PM Pre-registration is strongly advised. Space is limited. All dates are subject to change [email protected]

Ducati Hypermotard voted the best design trophy winner of 2005 by the Motorcycle Design Association Bologna, February 2006: The Motorcycle Design Association, a group of designers and professionals from within the two-wheel industry worldwide, has voted the Ducati Hypermotard, designed by Pierre Terblanche, as the best overall motorcycle design trophy winner for 2005. This award follows on from the ‘Best of Show’ award that was given to the Hypermotard during the Eicma Show in Milan last November, one of the most important shows worldwide for the motorcycle sector. In winning the best overall design award, the Hypermotard scored 50% more votes than the runner-up, the Yamaha MT-05. The Design Trophy was awarded for the first time in September 2001; since then, every year, over 70 top professionals from the worldwide design sector are called upon to vote for the best motorcycle design. The jury, made up of designers as well as representatives of the press and the main motorcycle manufacturers, gather to chose the winners in five categories, and then nominate the Motorcycle Design Trophy for the best overall motorbike design. Ducati Hypermotard takes the power, the pleasure and the performance of a supermotard bike to a new extreme and interprets it in Ducati’s unmistakable style. With 100 horsepower and just 175 kg of dry weight, it is still just a concept, but considering its success so far, it could easily become part of the prestigious Ducati range. Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. The Company produces motorcycles in six market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster, Sport Touring, Multistrada and the new SportClassic. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, Japan and North American markets. Ducati has won thirteen of the last fifteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.ducati.com.