Japanese riders target home glory as MotoGP launches Asian triple The teams, staff and riders of the MotoGP World Championship convened in the paddock of the Twin Ring Motegi circuit today after filtering west from the Czech Republic onto Japanese shores over the past two weeks. The Grand Prix of Japan gets underway on Friday and is the first of three consecutive races for the series on Asian shores as the 2005 campaign prepares for its traditional end of season climax with a gruelling trip across three continents. Just six rounds remain in total, with the Japan, Malaysia and Qatar triple to be followed by visits to Australia, Turkey and, finally, the Valencia circuit in Spain, giving reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi several opportunities to retain his crown. The first comes this Sunday when the Italian simply needs a top-two result to secure the title, whilst his 132-point advantage at the top of the standings means a lower finish could suffice depending on the results of other riders. “The advantage we have in the championship means that I can ride at each of the remaining six rounds without pressure and try to win every race,” observed Rossi today. “That is the way it has been all season. The championship victory is really near and we have a great advantage. As at every race, we will try to fight for the victory in Motegi. That is the thing I like the most and this will be my main aim on Sunday, even though this track doesn’t suit my style very well.” Whilst Rossi has finished outside the top two only once from the eleven rounds so far this season, on the occasion of his first visit to the Laguna Seca circuit in the United States, his destiny is anything but certain at Motegi, a circuit he earlier admitted is “not the ideal place for a party.” Two riders who would disagree with that theory are Makoto Tamada and Shinya Nakano. The Japanese pair enjoyed the highest point of their respective careers in last year’s race, with Tamada clinching a clear victory over Rossi, his first in the MotoGP class, and Nakano leading Kawasaki back to the podium for the first time in over two decades to trigger joyous celebrations for the home crowd. Things have not progressed as well as Tamada would have hoped after that breakthrough victory, with a wrist injury early in the season putting paid to his hopes of a consistent challenge, but he said today that he was hopeful of recapturing his best form at his home race. “I have been waiting anxiously for this race,” commented Tamada. “Finally my home Grand Prix, where I desperately want an excellent result. It will not be easy given the high level of my rivals but I would really like for things to go back in the right direction for me and for luck to be on my side.” Nakano’s season has been more encouraging, qualifying regularly in the top six and boasting a best finish of fifth in the opening race at Jerez. However, the former 250cc race winner at Motegi is looking to better that performance and even match his result from last year. “I’m chasing my best result of the season, I want to show the potential of the Kawasaki team,” said Nakano, who will be boosted by an upgraded engine specification for the Ninja ZX-RR machine as well as a sell-out grandstand of “Green Team” fans. “The latest engine parts have improved top end power, with more over-rev, and we have also found a good balance with bottom-end power, which is very important at Motegi. My podium last year is a very nice memory but everyone is going much faster now – even a top four result will not be easy.” Nakano added that he was “99% certain” that he would be extending his contract with Kawasaki for another season, on a day that Loris Capirossi also announced a new one-year deal with Ducati. Gunning for home glory in the 250cc class are former Japanese national champions Hiroshi Aoyama and Yuki Takahashi, who both made their names as Grand Prix wildcards on a career path being followed this weekend by their younger brothers Shuhei and Kuoki. “We have been racing against each other since we were boys, our brothers also, we are very good friends and so are our families,” said Aoyama, whose Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa currently leads the series by 59 points from Casey Stoner. “Obviously the pressure is higher at Motegi my brother is racing against me, everybody around me wants me to win and so do I but I feel comfortable with pressure and it motivates me even more. Last year my best race was at Motegi and now I am even more experienced and better prepared so I hope to be fighting for victory.” Whilst local stars seemingly hold the key to potential success for Honda at their own purpose-built circuit in the MotoGP and 250cc class, Swiss youngster Thomas Lüthi has come a long way to impress factory bosses as he looks to strengthen his grip on the 125cc World Championship. Lüthi currently leads by eight points from KTM rival Mika Kallio as he aims to end a record sequence of 49 races without rider taking consecutive wins in the class. More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: LORIS CAPIROSSI AND DUCATI TEAM UP AGAIN IN 2006 Motegi (Japan), Thursday 15 September 2005 – On the eve of the Grand Prix of Japan, the twelfth round of the 2005 MotoGP season, the Ducati Marlboro Team wishes to announce that its collaboration with Loris Capirossi has been confirmed for the 2006 season. At the Czech Republic GP, held at Brno at the end of August, the rider and Ducati Corse management dealt with the issue of contract renewal, and a couple of subsequent meetings were all that was required to define the terms of the agreement, which has now been reached, to the evident satisfaction of both parties. After three years of constructive and successful collaboration, Loris and Ducati are now looking to the future with renewed optimism and with exactly the same enthusiasm that has characterized their rapport since the debut of the Desmosedici and of the Ducati Marlboro Team with the Italian rider in November 2002 at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. The accord helps to strengthen the only all-Italian partnership in the MotoGP World Championship, a partnership that has been capable of taking on the large Japanese companies right from the start. Together, Ducati and Capirossi have experienced moments of great joy and satisfaction, as well as overcoming the inevitable difficult moments, in a partnership that has thrilled ‘Ducatisti’ all over the world. “I am extremely satisfied that we have reached an agreement with Loris for next season” commented Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing Director. “He is a real fighter, a courageous rider with the heart of a lion, and in addition he knows the Desmosedici and our method of working inside out. After years of experience in the world of racing, he has been capable of maturing even more with us and has adapted his riding style to the evolution of the bike and to the new Bridgestone tyres: I believe that this is truly a great asset. Loris has given us numerous unforgettable moments, like the victory at Barcelona in 2003, which came just six races after the Desmosedici’s debut, and together we have continued to work with the same commitment as always, even in moments of difficulty. Passion, determination and an ability to never give up are the characteristics that link Loris to Ducati and I am sure that this pairing is destined to give even more satisfaction to our fans”, concluded Domenicali. “I am very pleased with the mutual respect that there has been in this period between Ducati and myself” declared Loris Capirossi. “Of course I cannot deny the fact that I have also had other interesting offers but having seen the creation of this project and this bike right from the start, this made me reflect a lot. As a result I am convinced that the best solution is to continue with Ducati, a decision that makes me really happy. We discussed many interesting points, especially from a technical point of view, and we will try to continue to develop the Desmosedici in view of the 2006 season and to finish this season on a high note. Bridgestone are confirming their excellent work with us. They have also been working hard for the Motegi race, which is vitally important for them, and I am sure that we will continue to improve together. To have another season with Ducati is an honour and a great satisfaction for me and we will for sure give everything to achieve success as we always have done in the past”.

Fastrack Riders will be combining their Level I and Level II groups at California Speedway on Friday, September 23rd so there will be two Level III or Racer Groups on Friday only. Riders must call 877-560-2233 to register. Fastrack is doing this to accommodate the racers who want to get practice time on the AMA Track before the Sunday, September 24th WERA West Sportsman Series / USGPRU races.

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005 ROUND 12 – GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN, MOTEGI 14 SEPTEMBER 2005 – EVENT PREVIEW KAWASAKI TEAM PRIMED FOR HOME RACE AT MOTEGI The Kawasaki Racing team are targeting a season-best result at their home race, the Japanese Grand Prix, at Motegi this Sunday. The assault will be led by home hero Shinya Nakano, a class act who delivered a memorable third place podium result aboard a Ninja ZX-RR in this race just one year ago. Nakano, 27, opened the championship with a superb fifth place in the Spanish GP at Jerez and has been impressively fast ever since that first race. Boosted by the positive results at recent test sessions, both Nakano and German teammate, Alex Hofmann, are in a confident mood in advance of the 12th round of the MotoGP World Championship. Sunday’s race will be conducted under the full glare of Kawasaki’s management and staff, plus a boisterous band of Japanese fans with a specially allocated “Green Team” grandstand already sold out. Four hours of practice and qualifying with give Nakano and Hofmann an opportunity to complete final evaluation of the latest specification Ninja ZX-RR in advance of Sunday’s 24-lap race. At recent test sessions at Brno and Autopolis (in Japan) an upgraded engine specification has shown improved top end power, at increased engine revs, while maintaining bottom-end acceleration. Like Kawasaki, Motegi is a home race for leading Japanese tyre brand Bridgestone, who are eager to repeat their outstanding 2004 race result – victory with Makoto Tamada and third with Nakano. Bridgestone’s latest generation of increasingly competitive race rubber with improved grip and endurance, plus their winning experience at Motegi, will be a key factor. Both Nakano and Hofmann have enjoyed a two-week break since last month’s busy Brno race and test schedule, although Nakano has had little time to relax. The popular Japanese rider is in big demand for promotional, media and sponsor obligations, which must be balanced against his motivation to deliver a strong race performance in his home event. But Motegi is a happy hunting ground for Nakano, who won his first grand prix (250cc) here in the 1999 and his five-year-old 250cc lap record, set in 2000, still stands. The Twin Ring Motegi complex is a convoluted combination of 4.8 km road circuit and high-banked Indycar oval. Despite its length the GP circuit is notoriously stop-go, with six extreme braking points with short corners linked by drag-strip straights. Shinya Nakano: #56 “I’m chasing my best result of the season, I want to show that fifth in Jerez, or even higher, is the potential of the Kawasaki team. The latest engine parts have improved top end power, with more over-rev, and we have also found a good balance with bottom-end power, which is very important at Motegi. My podium last year is a very nice memory but everyone is going much faster now – even a top four result will not be easy. Tyres will be critical and Bridgestone have been working very hard, I’m sure we will have something special for this race. I understand the Motegi track very well and combined with the latest engine and chassis parts I’m confident the ZX-RR will be very competitive.” Alex Hofmann: #66 “Motegi is always a special race for our team but I enjoy it, the atmosphere is great and the track a different challenge with the very heavy braking and tight corners. The work at our recent tests appears positive for Motegi – more stability under braking and some impressive tyre options from Bridgestone. Grip under acceleration and endurance will be critical this weekend and I’m sure Bridgestone will have the answers. No doubt there will be plenty of focus on Kawasaki’s efforts this weekend and I’m eager to show the full potential of the Ninja ZX-RR and contribute to what I hope will be our best team result of the season.” More, from a press release issued by Team Honda Pons: FEATURE – JAPANESE GRAND PRIX – 18/09/05 MOTEGI PONS SPREADS HONDA’S WINGS AT MOTEGI World Champion Valentino Rossi suffering three successive defeats at the same circuit by the same MotoGP team. Next you will be telling us you saw a Yeti running out of the woods that overlook the Motegi circuit in Japan and that Norway won the Eurovision Song Contest. I did make up the Yeti and Norway stories but Rossi’s demise for the last three years, thanks to the considerable efforts of one team, is absolutely true. The stage of this most unlikely trilogy is situated high in the hills, some 100 kilometres north of Tokyo in Japan at the Motegi race track that was only built just eight years ago. For the last three years as Rossi has steamrollered the opposition into submission, one team has stood up to the Italian at the home of their Constructer. Team Honda Pons have brought a temporary but certainly refreshing halt, to Rossi amazing assault by winning the last three MotoGP Grands Prix at the 4.801km circuit that was built and is owned by Honda. Alex Barros, Max Biaggi and Makoto Tamada have all stood on the top step of the Motegi victory podium proudly listening to their country’s national anthem while one man has stood alongside each time. Team Principle Sito Pons knows all about winning both from the saddle and from the pit wall, but even the articulate Spaniard finds it hard to actually pin point the reasons for his team’s domination of Motegi for the last three years – not that he’s complaining. “I think the fact that Motegi is the home of our Constructer Honda must have given us wings,” said a smiling Pons, as he checked the considerable achievements of his team in Japan for the last three years. “It’s difficult to explain just why we have been so successful in Motegi. Of course we always try to do our very best in Japan which is such an important race for Honda and our sponsors but we also put in the same effort and dedication at all the other MotoGP venues.” That first win for the team three years ago was probably the most dramatic in a season of transition between 500cc two-strokes and 990cc four-strokes. Throughout a very tough season, Barros and Loris Capirossi had battled gallantly against the odds on the ageing two-strokes against the mighty new 990cc new boys on the block, until round 13 of the title chase at Motegi. The Honda Pons team were given one of the new all conquering RCV 211 four-strokes for the very first time. One bike and two riders, it was an agonising decision by the team who would ride the new machine. After much deliberation it went to Brazilian Barros. The performance by both riders, one in joy and the other in disappointment, in the 24 lap race not only was testimony to their skill and commitment but also to the man management skill of the Team Principle. From the very first practice session on Friday morning, Barros bonded with the RCV Honda more like an old friend rather than a new acquaintance. He qualified on the second row of the grid and in the race took full advantage of others misfortunes to make it the perfect debut and wondering just what might have happened if he’d ridden the machine earlier in the year. Barros won the race from Rossi with over 1.6 seconds to spare while team-mate Capirossi was stung into frantic action after his rejection. Screaming among the four-strokes, the tough little Italian qualified on the front row in third place and repeated the performance in the race to finish on the podium, in front of some of the four-strokes he so wanted to ride. Max Biaggi joined the team in 2003 together with new title sponsors Camel and the former 250cc World Champion crossed the line in first place for the first time of the season at Motegi. Just under three months earlier, Biaggi won the British Grand Prix although he actually crossed the line in second place but was awarded the victory when Rossi, who’d crossed the line first, was penalised 30 seconds for overtaking under yellow flags. Biaggi’s 24 lap victory at Motegi was much more clear-cut. Biaggi, who’d started from pole, took the lead on the third lap and proceeded to pull away from the opposition headed by Rossi, who was nearly three seconds adrift at the finish. There was plenty of drama behind him with Makoto Tamada being disqualified from third place after a collision with Sete Gibernau on the last lap. One year later Tamada returned to his homeland and gained ample revenge. Tamada had joined Biaggi at Camel Honda in 2004 and secured his first grand prix victory at Rio in Brazil, riding the Bridgestone shod RCV. He returned home to Motegi absolutely bursting with confidence which was soon clear for all, including the opposition, to see. He dominated qualifying, won the race with nearly three seconds to spare from Rossi and also established a new lap record. Not a bad weekends work for Tamada who’d left Motegi the previous year without even a hint of that trademark smile. This weekend Rossi only has to finish second in the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi to win his seventh MotoGP title. There is little doubt that the brilliant Italian will retain that World crown but at Motegi? I’ll be looking out for that Yeti and checking on Norway’s progress at Eurovision before I make any predictions but don’t rule out Camel Honda if you take note of previous form. More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing: Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi 16, 17, 18 Sept 2005 HONDA STARS REVVED-UP FOR STRONG HOME SHOWING Honda’s MotoGP men are ready to give the factory the results it deserves at its ‘home’ track here at Motegi. Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V) and Marco Melandri (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) currently lie second and third in the World Championship standings. Neither has won a race so far this season and this is the place where they would like to change that. Only 17 points separate the riders in second down to seventh place in the overall points table and the fight is on to secure the coveted runner-up position in the World Championship and to deny the series leader any further victories this year. Sete Gibernau (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) has finished runner-up for the last two years and the Spaniard is determined to get the better of series leader Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) here at Motegi. Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V), who won in commanding style in the United States at Laguna Seca this year, is another man hungry for a win here. Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) tasted success in Portugal earlier this season and the experienced Brazilian is eager to add another victory to his tally of seven premier class wins. He finished second here in 2001 and won here in 2002. Troy Bayliss (Camel Honda RC211V) will not be riding here after injuring his wrist while training on a motocross bike in his native Australia after the Czech Grand Prix. The Aussie is bitterly disappointed but knows that long-time Honda man Tohru Ukawa will be a strong replacement. Ukawa’s best here was a fourth place in 2002 in the MotoGP class, but the Japanese stalwart has since put in many miles testing for HRC. He said, “Motegi has always been a difficult track in races for me, but I now have a lot more experience. I will do my best as always to help Honda and the team.” Ukawa rode for Camel Honda during the 2003 season. Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V), who won here last year, is another rider who needs a good result here at his home track after enduring a difficult season so far, blighted by an early injury. The ‘Twin Ring’ Motegi track, built in 1998, lies 150km north of Tokyo. It is owned by Honda and features a outer ‘Indy” style oval with a regular track in the infield. This features a relatively short 762m main straight, eight right turns, six lefts, with a grippy, smooth and predictable surface. The largely constant-radius, second and third gear turns are linked by medium-length straights. Set-up requires a bike that’s stable both under fierce acceleration and equally severe braking. Front/rear balance and suspension settings are key, and the RC211V’s smooth and predictable power delivery is a real bonus here. The track also features gradient and a spectacular tunnel, although nothing in the way of camber. The back straight is downhill into a tight right-hand bend. And although the main straight is only 0.762km long, the tunnel between turn five and the 130R turn more than makes up for a long main chute in terms of spectacle and rarity value. No other MotoGP track boasts subway sections. Max said, “I qualified okay last year in Motegi but ended the race very early in a big crash on the first corner. This year we need to go well from Friday. We had a good few days testing after the last Grand Prix. I really want to keep the second place in the Championship and I want to show all my fans and my team that we can make it. Japan is always a good track for me and it’s also a good opportunity to meet all my Japanese fans again.” “I’m looking forward to this end part of the season,” said Nicky. “Riding the bike in Japan for a factory Honda rider is a real honour. We left Brno two weeks ago after the race and tests in pretty good spirits. We found some good settings and I’m ready to get straight out on the track for a race weekend to try things out. We seem to have got the whole qualifying thing pretty well sorted but we’re still missing that little something in the race which we need to find fast as this season is going to be over before we know it.” Sete Gibernau said, “The Twin Ring is Honda’s track and for our team it’s important to do well. The part I enjoy the most is the series of corners, four to be exact, which are taken after exiting the first tunnel. The sequence of right corner, left corner and right corner and left corner again are fun to ride, every corner is a bit slower than the one before it. Motegi is very good for the characteristics of our Honda bike. I have had some good races here even if until now I still haven’t had great results.” His team-mate Marco Melandri said, “The Twin Ring is a not very quick track, but it’s a lot of fun. There are many places where you can overtake and many long braking areas. The part of the track I prefer is the one that goes from the corner 130R Mito to the next variation. The slowest part of the track is the chicane before the downhill straight and here it’s important to be very aggressive during braking and then to really get on the throttle.” Tamada said, “Finally ‘my’ Grand Prix, where I absolutely need an excellent result. It will not be easy with the high level my rivals are at, but I would really like things to go back in the right direction for me and the team. I really like this race and I think the most attractive parts of it are the hard braking at the end of the longest straight. That’s where you can gain or lose most of the time. I’m sure that we’ll have fun, I only ask for fortune to be with me.” Alex Barros said, “I like Motegi, it’s a track where I can look back at some great races, and not just the win in 2002, when I rode this Honda four-stroke for the first time, but also the podium from the year before. Last year’s race was also good for me, because after the first corner incident where lots of riders crashed out, I was in last place, at the back of the group. The whole race was a fight-back for me, and finally I came fourth, just a couple of seconds off the podium, just behind Nakano. We will try to make the most of the team’s experience on this track, so we can have another great race.” Dani Pedrosa (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) leads the 250cc class World Championship by 59 points from Aprilia’s Casey Stoner and the sensational Spanish star is ready to press home his title advantage here. Third-placed Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW) will be looking to take overall second-place from Stoner in the title run-in. Dani’s team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) will be eager to score highly in his ‘home’ race, and his younger brother, who has won three races in the All Japan 250 series, will be riding as ‘wild card’ here. Dani, who won here in 2004, said, “Japan always signals the start of a decisive stage in the season. It is the first of three consecutive races and whether you like it or not the result here can always influence what comes afterwards. I particularly like Motegi. Last year was probably the hardest because it came just after I had an operation for compartmental syndrome and the stitches were still sore. Even so we had a great race and I won so I hope we can get a good result again.” Hiro said, “The Grand Prix of Japan is a special event for me, the most important of the season. I grew up at this circuit and it is a part of my life. I scored my first ever victory at Motegi in the All Japan 250cc Championship, in the year I finished as champion. I spend all season a long way from home but all my friends and family are with me at this Grand Prix. Obviously the pressure is higher at Motegi my brother is racing against me, everybody around me wants me to win and so do I but I feel comfortable.” Dovizioso said, “The next weeks will be very difficult for all riders and teams: five races in 6 weeks are not exactly a child’s play. It will be very important to maintain the mental concentration for a long time and to avoid any physical problems in the first races. The risk is throwing away a lot of points. Last year I won in 125cc class. This year Honda is again the favourite but Pedrosa has the same Honda and one year more experience.” Dovi’s team-mate Yuki Takahashi (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW) who also has a brother racing here this weekend, said, “Motegi is my home race and I have to shoot all my cartridges! Here, last year, I was riding well in my first race in the World Championship and I finished in 5th position”¦ not bad for a wild card. Not only that but I won the All Japan Championship here too. It is the most important race for me and I must keep my concentration.” Young Swiss Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) leads the 125cc World Championship standings and he will be anxious to secure a win for Honda here this weekend and to gain maximum points for himself with just five races to go after this one. Luthi said, “Motegi is okay for me. I like a couple of parts of the track. The downhill into the fast right hand corner is great and there are many stop and go places where you have to use hard braking.” Fabrizio Lai (Kopron Racing World Honda RS125RW), who is currently sixth overall, said, “At Motegi I made my first podium in 2004 (second place with Gilera). This track is particularly favourable to Honda and my hopes are clearly very high for a strong result here.” Both Tomoyoshi Koyama (Ajo Motorsport Honda RS125R) and Toshihisa Kuzuhara (Angaia Racing Honda RS125R) will be bringing their experience of Motegi to bear as they complete their first full seasons of World Championship racing.

CARTER SWEEPS AT AUTOBAHN Odenton, MD. Budding young superstar, Garrett Carter, completely dominated the field of 26 125GP riders and 18 250GP riders at the USGPRU powered by AlwaysOnline.net East coast championship round at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet Illinois. During qualifying, Garrett set a blistering pace on his Aprilia of 1:31.752, a full second and a half ahead of his closest competitor, Josh Day and his Honda RS125. Ryan Clay had a strong qualifying session on his Stargel-tuned Aprilia and captured the third place position. Many riders were surprised when amateur Canadian rider, Matt Cooper had his best qualifying all year and beat John Hjelm to finish off the front row of the grid. Josh Day came into this 16 lap final round trailing Carter in the Acid Cigar’s 125GP event by a mere 12 points. A win pays out 50 and 40 points for second. So Day would have to win the race and Carter finish third or worse in order to win the regional championship. Day knew what needed to be done and hurled his Honda into the lead. Carter hounded him and was able to overtake Day on lap two. Day held on to Carter’s draft for a few turns, but in the end just didn’t have the winning combination to best the Carter/Aprilia combo. Carter rode a flawless race and stepped away from Day to finish with a 22 second lead. Scott Smallwood battled with John Hjelm early on for third place. Hjelm started fading back into the pack around lap 9 in anticipation of his upcoming 44th birthday. Japanese rider, Nobi Iso, rode a borrowed Honda to an impressive 4th place finish only to be later disqualified for being 2 lbs under the weight minimum. This promoted James Boudreau and Tom Swager up to 4th and 5th place respectively. Canadian Matt Cooper highsided his Honda early in the race but somehow managed to land the bike on its wheels and hang on to the bars. He landed to the side of the bike, and after 2-3 really big steps at race pace was able to get back on the bike and ride it off the track. He returned to the race with damaged fairings and was able to limp the bike in to a 20th place finish. The DialitinTracktime.com 250GP qualifying was a nail-biter as Day set the pole time of 1:30.013 seconds merely .08 seconds ahead of Carter. Day rode consistently all season and only had to finish to clinch the championship. Bill Himmelsbach put in a strong performance as usual to take the third position. And the surprise qualifier, Zachry Lee from San Antonio, Texas turned in his best ever qualifying results to round out the front row. On the drop of the green flag, Lee launched his Honda like his life depended on it and left the field almost standing still. Carter and Day quickly caught and passed Lee and began to check out from the field in what appeared to be a carbon copy of the 125GP race. Day hung onto the back of Carter’s bike for 4-5 laps until his water pump started letting go and he had to slow up and nurse the bike to the finish. Carter rode an outstanding race and finished a solid 17 seconcs ahead of Day. Himmelsbach passed Lee on lap 4 and fellow senior Bruce Lind did the same on lap 5. Lee and Lind had a battle for the rest of the 16 lap event with Lind crossing just half a bike ahead of Lee. Acid Cigar’s 125GP results: 1. Garrett Carter Apr RSR125 2. Josh Day Apr RSR125 3. Scott Smallwood Hon RS125 4. James Boudreau Hon RS125 5. Tom Swager Hon RS125 6. Scott Troutman Hon RS125 7. John Hjelm Hon RS125 8. Jay Pilster Hon RS125 9. Boyd Bruner Hon RS125 10. Craig Babcock Hon RS125 11. Rich Kjar Hon RS125 12. Merle ‘Sandbagger’ Eschman Hon RS125 13. Bruce Lind Yam TZ125 14. Travis Huffman Hon RS125 15. Barry Gilsenan Hon RS125 16. Crystal Campagna Hon RS125 17. Bob Johnston Hon RS125 18. Glen Pison Hon RS125 19. Jeff Permanian Hon RS125 20. Matt Cooper Hon RS125 21. Marc Whitney Hon RS125 22. Brian McLaughlin Yam TZ125 23. Marcus Matthews Hon RS125 24. Patrick McCabe Hon RS125 25. Robert Taylor Hon RS125 DNF Nobi Iso Hon RS125 Dialitintracktime.com 250GP results: 1. Garrett Carter Apr RSV250 2. Josh Day Yam TZ250 3. Bill Himmelsbach Yam TZ250 4. Bruce Lind Yam TZ250 5. Zachry Lee Hon RS250 6. Mark Stiles Yam TZ250 7. Brian Kwak Yam TZ250 8. Mike Wright Yam TZ250 9. Ronald Bounds Yam TZ250 10. JP Bartlett Yam TZ250 11. Kory Gill Yam TZ250 12. Brian McLaughlin Yam TZ250 13. Meghan Stiles Yam TZ250 14. Patrick McCabe Hon RS250 15. Nobi Iso Yam TZ250 16. Chris Manfrin Yam TZ250 17. Ryan Clay Apr RSR125 18. David Matthews Yam TZ250 The 2005 USGPRU National Series sponsors include AlwaysOnline.net, Dialitintracktime.com, Acid Cigars, Roadracingworld.com, Revit Leathers, Bridgestone, Dunlop, EBC Brakes, GPC Moto, Hjelm Motorsports, Ian Emberton Engineering, Motion Pro Cables and Tools, Redline Cycle Imports, Repsol YPF, Rising Sun Cycles, Silkolene, Zambrana Performance, and VP Fuel.