DE PUNIET TO RACE FOR KAWASAKI IN 2006 Randy de Puniet will step up to the MotoGP World Championship in 2006 with the Kawasaki Racing Team, after agreeing terms with the Japanese factory squad at Phillip Island this weekend. De Puniet will race an all-new model of the 990cc Ninja ZX-RR, which is currently under development by Kawasaki engineers in Japan. 24-year-old de Puniet is one of the emerging young stars of the 250cc category, and his elevation to the MotoGP ranks strengthens the Kawasaki Racing Team as they enter their fourth full season of MotoGP competition. De Puniet will make his debut on the Ninja ZX-RR at the official test session following the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix in November. De Puniet, from Andresy in France, is a five-time 250cc GP winner with his most recent success coming with a superb victory in the rain-soaked British Grand Prix at Donington in July. Since joining the 250cc championship at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2001, de Puniet has scored nine pole positions and 22 podiums to back-up his five race wins. As a 17-year-old, de Puniet made his 125cc debut in 1998 as a wild card at his home race, the French Grand Prix. Randy de Puniet “Moving up to MotoGP with Kawasaki is a fantastic opportunity for me; it’s like a dream come true. I know it’s not going to be easy next year, a MotoGP machine is very different to the 250cc two-stroke bikes that I’m used to, but I’m very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. I know I’m facing a steep learning curve next year, but I think that working with such an experienced team will help a lot during my debut MotoGP season. It’s difficult to say what I can expect in terms of results, as I have not ridden the bike yet, I will have a better understanding of my potential after the Valencia test. I hope that during my debut year I will be able to get closer and closer to the front runners as the year progresses.” Harald Eckl: Team Manager “With Randy we have a young, up and coming rider who has already proved his potential with race wins and podiums in the 250cc World Championship, which is always ultra-competitive. He faces a steep learning curve next season, but I know that he will work hard to make the most of this opportunity with Kawasaki. It will be a challenge for the team to get Randy up to speed quickly on the Ninja ZX-RR, but I have every confidence, both in him as a rider, and also in the team he will be working with.”

250cc Grand Prix Race Results: 1. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 25 laps, 39:18.195 2. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, -0.027 second 3. Jorge LORENZO, Honda, -8.674 seconds 4. Hector BARBERA, Honda, -24.838 seconds 5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, -24.868 seconds 6. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, -24.872 seconds 7. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, -37.274 seconds 8. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, -47.013 seconds 9. Alex DEBON, Honda, -56.602 seconds 10. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, -56.747 seconds 11. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, -69.126 seconds 12. Dirk HEIDOLF, Honda, -69.796 seconds 13. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, -69.830 seconds 14. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -74.472 seconds 15. Andrea BALLERINI, Aprilia, -74.497 seconds 26. Casey STONER, Aprilia, -21 laps, DNF crash 250cc GP World Championship Point Standings (after 14 of 16 races): 1. PEDROSA, 264 points 2. STONER, 213 points 3. DOVIZIOSO, 171 points 4. AOYAMA, 154 points 5. PORTO, 152 points 6. LORENZO, 134 points 7. DE PUNIET, 130 points 8. Alex DE ANGELIS, 129 points 9. BARBERA, 99 points 10. GUINTOLI, 75 points

125cc Grand Prix Results: 1. Thomas LUTHI, Honda, 23 laps, 38:00.352 2. Tomoyoshi KOYAMA, Honda, -2.663 seconds 3. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, -2.665 seconds 4. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, -2.673 seconds 5. Mika KALLIO, KTM, -2.860 seconds 6. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, -2.945 seconds 7. Gabor TALMACSI, KTM, -2.950 seconds 8. Angel RODRIGUEZ, Aprilia, -3.386 seconds 9. Sergio GADEA, Aprilia, -10.546 seconds 10. Alexis MASBOU, Honda, -10.551 seconds 125cc GP World Championship Point Standings (after 14 of 16 races): 1. LUTHI, 224 points 2. KALLIO, 212 points 3. TALMACSI, 165 points 4. SIMONCELLI, 156 points 5. PASINI, 147 points 6. Fabrizio LAI, 123 points 7. Julian SIMON, 115 points 8. Manuel POGGIALI, 102 points 9. FAUBEL, 100 points 10. Tomoyoshi KOYAMA, 93 points

Sunday Morning MotoGP Practice Times: 1. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:30.211 2. Carlos CHECA, Ducati, 1:30.400 3. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:30.472 4. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:30.495 5. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:30.521 6. Marco MELANDRI, Honda, 1:30.546 7. Colin EDWARDS, Yamaha, 1:31.041 8. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:31.065 9. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:31.186 10. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:31.837 11. Toni ELIAS, Yamaha, 1:31.933 12. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:31.954 13. Chris VERMEULEN, Honda, 1:32.103 14. Olivier JACQUE, Kawasaki, 1:32.711 15. Ruben XAUS, Yamaha, 1:33.060 16. Roberto ROLFO, Ducati, 1:34.193 17. James ELLISON, Blata, 1:35.213 18. Franco BATTAINI, Blata, 1:35.533

Honda maintains the rage in Michelin Superbike Josh Brookes and Adam Fergusson made it a second consecutive quinella for the factory Joe Rocket Honda team in race two of the Michelin-backed Superbikes at the 2005 Polini Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Brookes (CBR1000RR) continued his perfect weekend with a hard-fought 0.097sec win over Fergusson (CBR1000RR), while Jamie Stauffer (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R) was also in the thick of it in a signature Phillip Island drag to the finish line. The immensely gifted Brookes, who hopes to continue his motorcycle racing ascension in the 2006 World Supersport title, also broke his one-day-old lap record in race two, with the benchmark now standing at 1:34.763. That’s a time which would have seen Brookes qualify for this year’s MotoGP race. Fergusson (1:35.166) and Jamie Stauffer (1:35.198) also went under Brookes’ old lap record. After the field settled down in race two, a four-bike rolling scrum was soon at the pointy end of the field Brookes, Fergusson, Jamie Stauffer and polesitter Daniel Stauffer (Yamaha YZF-R1). The decisive moment came at the start of lap three, when Brookes moved from fourth to first in one fell swoop the reward for a superb slipstreaming effort. From that moment, he didn’t relinquish his hold on the No. 1 position, despite vigorous attention from his main pursuers. Meanwhile, Daniel Stauffer again faded in the last few laps, although he still had six seconds to spare over Glenn Allerton (Team Suzuki GSX-R1000). Privateers Scott Charlton (Active Electrical GSX-R1000), Nick Henderson (Dudley Hotel CBR1000RR), Wayne Maxwell (BP ZX-10R) and Shannon Etheridge (Nova Honda CBR1000RR) then followed in quick succession, ahead of Shannon Johnson (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1), who is riding with three broken ribs after a recent supermoto spill. Three-time national champion Shawn Giles (Team Suzuki GSX-R1000) only lasted one lap before retiring with an electrical problem. Brookes completes Michelin Superbike whitewash Just minutes after being taken out in the final Supersport race, Honda wiz Josh Brookes (Joe Rocket CBR1000RR) has hit back with a vengeance to complete a clean sweep of the Superbike races at the 2005 Polini Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. In another blanket finish around the classic 4.448km circuit, the irrepressible Brookes again proved too strong for teammate Adam Fergusson (CBR1000RR) and Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jamie Stauffer (ZX-10R). Brookes’ perfect scoreboard is the second time in three years that a rider has gone undefeated in the Superbike support races at Phillip Island, after Suzuki’s Shawn Giles overcame all-comers in 2003. Moreover, Brookes has now won nine of the past 11 Superbike and Supersport races he has contested at Phillip Island, stretching back to the opening round of the Australian championship in April. The third Superbike race was quite a staid affair compared to the earlier hitouts, with changes in position kept to a minimum. The eight-lapper got underway with eight-time World Superbike winner Anthony Gobert (CBR1000RR) out in front, but only after he had cheekily jumped the start from the fifth row of the grid. Officials immediately ‘handed’ him a 10-second penalty, and his sixth place finish on the track was eventually corrected to a 12th place in the official results. With Brookes, Fergusson and Jamie Stauffer well ensconced at the business end, Daniel Stauffer (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1) again slotted into a secure fourth, while Giles (Team Suzuki GSX-R1000) and Shannon Johnson (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1) were keeping things willing in the battle for fifth. That eventually fell in favour of Giles, who leads this year’s national championship over Brookes with one round remaining back at Phillip Island from November 12-14. In the final standings, Brookes finished on a flawless 75pts, from Fergusson (66), Jamie Stauffer (56), Daniel Stauffer (55) and Glenn Allerton (Team Suzuki GSX-R1000, 42). Aitchison wins after a late bout of friendly fire Yamaha’s Mark Aitchison (Fraser Motorcycles YZF-R6) has won a sensational third and final DENSO Supersport race at the 2005 Polini Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix after Honda teammates Josh Brookes and Adam Fergusson crashed on the final lap. Brookes (Joe Rocket Honda CBR600RR), who won the opening two races yesterday, was leading on the final circuit when Fergusson (CBR600RR) ran too deep at Turn 10 and cannoned into his off-sider. Despite the bingle, both riders were able to remount and complete the distance, with Brookes in 10th and Fergusson 14th. Up front, a delighted Aitchison won his second national-level race of the year by 0.025sec over Josh Waters (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-6RR), with dual Australian dirt track champion Chris Seaton (Cosway Kawasaki ZX-6RR) in third. Aitchison also had cause for a double celebration, because the win guaranteed him overall honours in the DENSO Supersports on 63pts, ahead of Brookes (61), Waters (60), Seaton (53) and Bryan Staring (Allect Racing CBR600RR, 40), who crashed out of second position in the final stoush. Actually, the high attrition rate among the ensemble cast in race three opened the door for some other riders to shine, including teenager Jason O’Halloran (Rocket Racing CBR600RR), Craig McMartin (Ducati Sydney 749R) and Shaun Geronimi (Sydney Mesh & Steel YZF-R6), who finished in positions 4-6. It was a timely return to form for O’Halloran, who was third in the opening two Aussie title races in early April.

SUZUKI CUP QUALIFYING RESULTS: SV1000: 1. Tray Batey, 1:30.372 2. Mark Junge, 1:31.707 3. Cale Swinger, 1:33.863 4. Tim Birdsong, 1:34.033 5. Brad Duncan, 1:34.937 6. Russell Masecar, 1:36.159 7. Arnold Hastings, 1:37.676 8. Gary Schiling, 1:42.115 GSX-R1000: 1. Chris “Opie” Caylor, 1:26.830 2. Matt Lynn, 1:26.875 3. Brian Stokes, 1:27.214 4. Mike Smith, 1:27.389 5. Ben Thompson, 1:27.756 6. Byron Barbour, 1:28.006 7. Ty Howard, 1:28.349 8. Reuben Frankfield, 1:28.608 9. Scott Carpenter, 1:28.689 10. Logan Young, 1:28.753 11. Shawn Conrad, 1:29.938 12. Rich Molinaro, 1:32.386 13. Arnold Hastings, 1:33.877 GSX-R600: 1. Chris “Opie” Caylor, 1:28.353 2. Mike Smith, 1:29.638 3. Ty Howard, 1:29.924 4. Ryan Elleby, 1:30.029 5. Chris Siglin, 1:30.323 6. Keith Marshall, 1:30.327 7. Scott Jackson, 1:30.579 8. Giovanni Rojas, 1:30.601 9. Reuben Frankenfield, 1:31.103 10. John Jacobi, 1:31.272 11. Derek Keyes, 1:31.744 12. Daniel Parkerson, 1:31.995 13. Telly Steimel, 1:32.010 14. Brandon Parrish, 1:32.046 15. Justin Marm, 1:32.126 16. Andy Feuersthaler, 1:32.157 17. Josh Smith-Moore, 1:32.440 18. Troy Meikle, 1:32.846 19. Jimmy Wood, 1:32.982 20. Skip Salenius, 1:23.723 21. David Weber, did not ride in qualifying GSX-R750: 1. Mike Smith, 1:28.329 2. Brian Stokes, 1:28.396 3. Ty Howard, 1:28.409 4. Chris Siglin, 1:28.695 5. Ryan Elleby, 1:28.758 6. Reuben Frankenfield, 1:29.533 7. Ben Thompson, 1:29.601 8. John Jacobi, 1:29.645 9. Shawn Conrad, 1:29.851 10. Robert Jensen, 1:30.101 11. Chad Lewin, 1;30.182 12. Andy Feuersthaler, 1:30.362 13. Michael Garofalo, 1:30.619 14. Scott Carpenter, 1:30.772 15. Justin Marm, 1:31.173 16. Dustin Meador, 1:31.175 17. Troy Meikle, 1:31.370 18. Billy Ethridge, 1:32.360 19. Chad Dupree, 1:33.495 20. Joe Hayes, 1:33.843 21. Arnold Hastings, 1:34.530 22. Mark Brereton, 1:34.539 23. Skip Salerius, 1:35.631 24. Jeffrey Agnes, 1:35.783 25. Tray Batey, did not ride in qualifying 26. Brandon Parrish, did not have a scoring transponder on bike 27. Shannon Ball, did not ride in qualifying 28. David Weber, did not ride in qualifying SV650: 1. Brian Suffridge, 1:36.774 2. Jimmy Wood, 1:37.115 3. Chris Parrish, 1:37.351 4. Dustin Dominguez, 1:37.973 5. Ricky Ford, 1:38.063 6. Tim Birdsong, 1:38.083 7. Kris Wall, 1:38.155 8. Russell Masecar, 1:38.863 9. Tim Brewer, 1:39.325 10. Van Salt, 1:39.418 11. Steve Brunton, 1:39.425 12. Thomas Williams, 1:40.325 13. Gary Schiling, 1:42.843

Brian Drebber will not work on SPEED Channel’s AMA Superbike commentary team in 2006. “Rick Miner (Senior V.P. Production/Programming and Executive Producer for SPEED Channel) called me last Thursday (October 6) and said, ‘We’ve made a change,'” Drebber told Roadracingworld.com October 14 in the Road Atlanta paddock at the WERA Grand National Finals. “I’m excited because I have all sorts of possibilities, but I am determined to do something different to stay in the (AMA) paddock.” Drebber said he did not know SPEED’s plans but speculated that Ralph Sheheen may announce AMA Superbike races in 2006. Drebber said he will continue to announce auto racing on SPEED Channel.

Gregorio Lavilla, the newly crowned British Superbike Champion, has signed to continue with GSE Racing for 2006 and will partner Leon Haslam in the Airwaves Ducati squad for a second year. Lavilla was highly sought after having had a stunning season, his decision to stay with Airwaves Ducati to defend his title is exciting news for the whole team and for next season’s Championship. The Spaniard today commented on his decision to stay with Airwaves Ducati, “I have decided to stay with the team for one more year in British Superbikes because, having spoken lots to Darrell and Colin, I believe that we can do good things together. This year the atmosphere within the team has been very good and that is very important to me and I know that if I stay with the team we can achieve even more. Next season’s Championship will be good and I want to try to raise the level of it and of course try to win the Championship again.” The Spaniard added his thoughts on next season, “I expect there will be a lot of competition and some tough races but I will be ready for that, the team will be ready for that and the bike will be ready too.” Gregorio joined the Airwaves Ducati team as a late replacement for the injured James Haydon in March. With little or no knowledge of many of the British Superbike Circuits when he joined, he quickly proved himself as one of the best riders and a title contender. Having developed a good relationship with Leon, the team went from strength to strength and would like to continue that into next year. Team Principle Darrell Healey “We are absolutely delighted Greg has decided to stay with us for next year, we appreciate that he is very hot property and I’m sure his decision was not an easy one to make. It’s been our best season ever! After having a year out in 2004 no one could have predicted we would win the championship on our return. We are very proud of our team and the effort they all make”. Team Manager Colin Wright “We have proved to be the strongest team in the Championship, we have enjoyed 33 podium finishes, 8 lap records, only missed out on the podium in one race. Greg and Leon have given us six one two’s resulting in Airwaves Ducati scoring 11 more points than its nearest rival! It’s been a true team effort. For Greg to join us at Brands Hatch in March and then go on to win the championship is outstanding. Now, having secured him for 2006 it’s yet another reason for the team to celebrate.” Ducati Corse Director Paolo Ciabatti also confirmed what bikes the riders will be racing on next year “We are very pleased for GSE Racing, the result was fantastic and we are very happy with their rider line up. I can confirm that we will provide GSE Racing with Ducati 999 F’06 machines, the same as the factory team will use in World Superbike, next season.” With Leon and Gregorio set to race on the most up to date Ducati machinery next season the Airwaves Ducati teams return to British Superbikes in 2006 is likely to be as eagerly anticipated as their comeback at the start of this season. By continuing with the same riders, sponsors and with the help of Ducati Corse, GSE Racing is confident they will successfully defend their Bennett’s British Superbike title in 2006.