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Action Fund Supports AFM Effort To Deploy Soft Barriers At Infineon Raceway, Which During Future AMA Nationals Will Be Placed Where Vincent Haskovec Crashed

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Action Fund Supports AFM Effort To Deploy Soft Barriers At Infineon Raceway, Which During Future AMA Nationals Will Be Placed Where Vincent Haskovec Crashed

AFM AIRFENCE FUND GAINS SUPPORT FROM ROADRACING WORLD

AFM, the American Federation of Motorcyclists, announced today that their efforts to improve motorcycle safety at Infineon Raceway have received a boost from the Roadracing World Action Fund, which will provide 10 AirFence Bike modules to the AFM for use at motorcycle races and trackdays.

Kevin Smith, President of the AFM, said “It’s gratifying to have the Roadracing World Action Fund support our goal of making Infineon Raceway safer for motorcycle racers and riders. The AFM has taken the first step, but we need support such as this from the motorcycling community to make it succeed.”

Donations for the AFM AirFence Fund are still needed to offset the $80,000 cost of purchasing the AirFence Bike modules. More information is available at the AFM Web site, http://www.afmracing.org, or by calling Kevin Smith at 408-896-6505. All funds will go toward purchasing the modules, with the goal of having them in place for the 2006 season. AirFence Bike modules are not inflated, but have an internal foam frame that is designed to keep the modules working even after an impact. The AFM plans to make the system available for rent to all motorcycle users of Infineon Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point) and to use the proceeds to maintain the modules and purchase additional modules.

Founded in 1954, the AFM is America’s oldest organization dedicated solely to motorcycle roadracing. It remains one of the largest amateur roadracing organizations in the United States, with over 1300 entries common at many races, and is the only one to hold races at three California tracks: Infineon, Thunderhill, and Buttonwillow.

More, from another press release issued by AFM:

AFM RAFFLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR AIRFENCE AT INFINEON

AFM, the American Federation of Motorcyclists, will hold a benefit raffle during their October 2 raceday at Infineon Raceway. The raffle will raise funds toward buying AirFence Bike modules to improve motorcycle safety at Infineon Raceway, formerly known as Sears Point.

Kevin Smith, President of the AFM, said “Raising $80,000 is the biggest fundraising effort ever made by the AFM, but it has to be done. Our Club races at Infineon four times a year, and our riders go to several trackdays as well. Infineon Raceway has made huge improvements in safety over the last few years, but there is still not enough runoff room in several turns. No one else has stepped forward to provide extra protection there for club racers or track days, so we feel this is something our Club has to do. AFM racers spend millions of dollars a year to support our industry, and now we need some of that returned by getting donations for the raffle.”

Donations can be arranged through Greg Creech, AFM Rider Representative, via e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at 650-430-6160. Raffle ticket 5-packs ($20) can be purchased via PayPal using [email protected], or $5 single tickets at all AFM events.

All the funds will go toward purchasing 600′ of AirFence Bike modules, with the goal of having them in place for the 2006 season. AirFence Bike modules are not inflated, but have an internal foam frame that is designed to keep the modules working even after an impact. The AFM plans to make the system available for rent to all motorcycle users of Infineon Raceway.

Founded in 1954, the AFM is America’s oldest organization dedicated solely to motorcycle roadracing. It remains one of the largest amateur roadracing organizations in the United States, with over 1300 entries common at many races, and is the only one to hold races at three California tracks: Infineon, Thunderhill, and Buttonwillow.

Roger Lyle Adds Track Date At Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit

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Roger Lyle Adds Track Date At Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit

There are two remaining Motorcycle Excitement Track Days at Summit Point Raceway. On Friday September 23 and NEW date of Thursday October 6 (before CCS), racers and sport bike riders are welcome on the new Shenandoah circuit. This is the MOST track time and FUN for your money! Riders can test and tune their bikes with hours of quality track time complete with instructors, cornerworkers and a staffed ambulance. Get an advantage on your competition and come out and learn this new track with 17 turns, uphills, downhills, 2 sets of esses and 5 straightaways! Once you learn the layout, comfort and fun factor into a very enjoyable day at Summit Point. Tell your boss now that you will be sick (of work) those days and load up the truck, bike, and crew and come on out to the country. The new Shenandoah circuit has a cafe, showers, electricity, and restrooms in the paddock. Racers and riders who have ridden the new track love it for the smooth, grippy asphalt, and the many challenges that the layout has to offer. For more info and sign-up form, please e-mail [email protected] or call 301-933-2599. Tell your friends about this! Ride safe and have fun!

Cascade Tracktime Starts Hauling Racebikes To Away Events

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Cascade Tracktime Starts Hauling Racebikes To Away Events

Cascade Tracktime Announces New Transport Service from the Pacific Northwest Cascade Tracktime is pleased to announce our new transport service. This service is designed to provide safe and secure transport of the rider’s motorcycle, gear, stands, and spares/tool kit, to and from the finest race tracks throughout North America. All this at a fraction of the cost of getting there yourself or with a buddy. The transport trailer is capable of hauling up to 26 bikes and is set up similarly to the transporters used by factory road race teams. Some of the ammenities include: 20’x40′ fully enclosed canopy, heat and ac, pit scooter, tool assortment, and much more. Save money with no unnecessary days off of work just for travel time. You’ll have more time for family and work, so you’ll have more fun at the track. For example, roundtrip transport from Portland, OR, to Willow Springs Raceway is just $239. Just bring your bike and gear to us, we’ll transport it to the event, you fly in like a rockstar, ride, then we return your bike and gear in a few days. If you live along the way to an event, we will accomodate you with pick-up and drop-off points. We will be announcing the 2006 schedule once completed. Stay tuned for some more exciting announcements from Cascade Tracktime. Visit www.cascadetracktime.com for more details.

Honda Introduces 2006 Sportbike Line-up In Las Vegas

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Honda Introduces 2006 Sportbike Line-up In Las Vegas

American Honda introduced its 2006 sportbike line-up during its dealer convention in Las Vegas, Nevada Wednesday. Leading the way is the CBR1000RR, which Honda claims has been given a boost in horsepower, a reduction in weight and sharper handling. The 998cc (75.0 x 56.5mm, bore x stroke) liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline four-cylinder engine gets a new combustion chamber shape (which increases the compression ratio from 11.9:1 to 12.2:1), new cylinder head porting, new intake valves (still 29.0mm, the exhaust valves also remain 24.0mm), double valve springs on the intake valves (versus single springs), a new intake camshaft, a higher redline, a less-restrictive ram air intake screen and a lighter, freer-flowing center-up exhaust system. Wheelbase has been shortened from 55.7 inches to 55.2 inches thanks, in part, to a decrease in the rake (from 23.8° to 23.45°) of the inverted 43mm HMAS/Showa forks. Trail has gone from 102mm to 100mm. The forks’ settings will be re-calibrated, and the linkage of the Showa/HMAS Pro-Link rear suspension has been changed. The twin-spar, aluminum alloy frame and aluminum swingarm remain the same, but the dual front brake rotors have grown from 310mm to 320mm in diameter. The close-ratio, six-speed, cassette-style transmission is also said to have received improvements. In addition to the exhaust system, weight has been reduced with a magnesium left engine cover, a new subframe and new bodywork. However, the dry weight of the revised, $11,299 (up from $10,999 in 2005) machine was not announced. The VFR800FI/VFR800FI ABS Interceptors’ engine management systems get new CPUs that engage the VTEC variable valve timing system (changing the 781cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90° V4 from two-valve to four-valve operation) at 6400 rpm instead of at 7000 rpm and with a smoother power transition, according to American Honda. The sport tourer also gets a host of cosmetic changes, including: clear turn signal lenses, a new face for the tachometer, a new finish for the under-seat mufflers and new colors. The big news for the CB600F6 “599” ($7399) is new, inverted 41mm Showa/HMAS forks (which come with a new triple clamp and steering stem) to improve handling and a new front fender, mini fairing, instrument cluster and gold finish on the brake calipers (front and rear) to complete the new look. The bike is still powered by a liquid-cooled, 599cc (65.0 x 45.2mm, bore x stroke; 12.0:1, compression ratio) inline, four-cylinder engine that breathes through 34mm flat-slide CV carburetors and a four-into-two-into-one high-mount exhaust system and is mounted as a fully-stressed member in a square-tube, mono-backbone frame. Honda calls its new, non-street-legal NSF100 the “ultimate road racing starter kit.” The mini-machine is powered by a 99cc (53.0 x 45.0mm, bore x stroke; 9.4:1, compression ratio), air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine that is claimed to produce 8.7 horsepower at 9500 rpm and 5.6 lbs.-ft. of torque at 7000 rpm. The NSF100 also features a five-speed transmission, a twin-spar frame, conventional forks, a box-section swingarm, an under-seat exhaust, 12-inch alloy wheels, disc brakes front and rear, a wheelbase of 42.15 inches and a “semi-dry” weight of 164.9 pounds. The NSF100 will be available by special order for $4999. Other models that were not significantly revised but that will return in 2006 include: RC51, CBR600RR, CBR600F4i, 919 and ST1300/ST1300 ABS.

Hotel Situation For U.S. GP At Laguna Seca May Get Worse

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Hotel Situation For U.S. GP At Laguna Seca May Get Worse

This summer hotel operators in Monterey County, California were caught a little off-guard. For the most part, they underestimated the demand for hotel rooms surrounding the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, leading to overbookings, guests with confirmed reservations being bumped to other hotels and an investigation by the Monterey County District Attorney’s office. Hotel operators appear prepared for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, however, as readers of this website have reported 100-200% rate increases for the same room at the same hotel they stayed in during the 2005 U.S. GP, mandatory minimum-length stays and full payment at the time of the reservation. Still, many popular hotels in the area are quickly filling up for next year’s Grand Prix. And things may get even worse, in terms of hotel availability — and traffic, because the date of the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix, July 21-23, is also the traditional date of the California Rodeo Salinas, in nearby Salinas, California. 2006 will be the 96th year of the rodeo and because of scheduling obligations to the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association (PRCA) and television networks that cover the event, like ESPN and OLN, the rodeo’s date will not change, according to Barbera Balentine, sponsor coordinator of the California Rodeo Salinas. The 2005 U.S. GP was held in early-July, but the 2006 Grand Prix date was moved to July 21-23 as part of a ripple effect of schedule changes prompted by the World Cup of soccer going to Germany in 2006. “That’s a big deal in Europe, and a big deal here to be fair,” said Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca spokesman Reece White. “That pushed the Formula One schedule around a little bit — their North American tour is now about two weeks later, and that pushed it back into our weekend, which in turn pushes the Dorna schedule around a little bit. The new U.S. GP date “is basically where it fits in (Dorna’s) schedule, both in terms of their schedule and TV coverage, which I think has a lot to do with it not only here but on a worldwide level,” continued White. “It just comes down to that’s when it fit into Dorna’s MotoGP schedule, and, unfortunately, we don’t have a large amount of input into that.” White told Roadracingworld.com that the track is aware of the conflict with the rodeo and Laguna Seca management is coordinating with rodeo organizers, who estimate 80 percent of their attendance (45,815 over four days in 2004) is local, meaning they may or may not require lodging. For those still looking for accommodations for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Travelcraft has rooms available with three-night minimum stays for about $200/night, thanks to its long-term contracts with its partner hotels. Travelcraft can be reached at (800) 258-0755.

Corser Looking To Get Back On The Podium At Lausitzring

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Corser Looking To Get Back On The Podium At Lausitzring

World Superbike Championship leader Troy Corser is looking for a better result at this weekend’s 10th round at the Eurospeedway, Lausitz in the former East Germany. In last weekend’s round at Assen, Corser missed out on a podium for the first time this season, so he is looking forward to improvement at Lausitz. For team mate Yukio Kagayama, the German track will once again be new territory and he will have to learn the circuit before he can start his attack. The last time the Superbike World Championship was there was in 2002 and then Ducati rider Troy Bayliss did the double. Neither Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders took part in the race that year but Corser has raced at Lausitz before: In 2001, he was fifth in race one and seventh in race two on an Aprilia. Troy Corser: “It feels like a long time ago that I was at Lausitz so I guess I will have to start all over again. I don’t remember it being a difficult track so I don’t think it is going to take a long time to learn. I know that some of our competitors have already tested there this year so we are going to start at a disadvantage, but I don’t think it is going to be so bad. Back-to-back races are always tough on the team but I have a great bunch of guys working away behind me so I am looking forward to getting back on the podium and maintaining my series lead.” Yukio Kagayama: “Lausitzring will be yet another new circuit for me to learn, but, as l I learn circuits pretty quickly, I don’t think it is going to be too much of a disadvantage. I spoke to Troy about it and I don’t think that it is a technically-difficult track to learn. I have had some problems in recent races so I am hoping that Lausitz will be a change of luck for me. I made some predictions in the last race at Assen and they didn’t work out. This time I will wait until Sunday night before talking about the race.”

9-11 Memorial Ride Planned This Sunday In Southern California

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9-11 Memorial Ride Planned This Sunday In Southern California

FOURTH ANNUAL 9/11 PATRIOT RIDE PARADES TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR Sunday, September 11th, 2005 PLEASE JOIN US AS THE NATION REMEMBERS 9/11 (Los Angeles), Calif.- Quick Throttle Magazine and Freedom’s Flame Memorial Foundation are thrilled to present their Fourth Annual 9-11 Patriot Ride this Sunday, September 11th to the Los Angeles County Fair 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768. The tragic events from 9/11 will not only be remembered for the terrorist attack resulting in tremendous loss, but for the heroic and courageous spirit that united the American people for the days, months and years that have followed. It is this spirit that has been captured by the non- profit organization, Freedom’s Flame, offering an exceptional exhibit to raise funds for the development of the Freedom’s Flame memorial to be built in Southern California and New York City. This moving exhibit made of 16 tons of steel from the World Trade Center, offers a tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 with artifacts from The Pentagon, the Pennsylvania crash site of Flight 93, and a Recovered NYC Fire Truck that served at Ground Zero. The event will begin on Sunday, September 11th with Quick Throttle Magazine’s 4th Annual 9-11 Patriot Parade. Riding from 10 different Harley-Davidson locations in Southern California to the Parade staging area at Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737, motorcyclists will then be able to accompany the Freedom’s Flame Memorial Exhibit for the 16 miles from the 210W freeway to the LA County Fair in Pomona. At approximately 11:00am, the Freedom’s Flame massive memorial exhibit will be transported on two flat bed trucks into the City of Pomona accompanied by thousands of motorcyclists from around Southern California. Freeway overpasses are expected to welcome firefighters with their trucks as well as Patriotic Americans waving their flags proudly. The Patriot Ride continues inside the Fair with a ceremony at the Lagoon area, behind the Clock tower, with special guest speaker Bill Spade a surviving fire fighter from Rescue Co. 5 Staten Island, NY. “I’m in staircase C leading people out when a loud thunderous noise like numerous trains approaching a subway station occurs. I close the door to the hallway and we are all in the staircase. Outside the noise is deafening. “No, this thing can’t be collapsing,” I think. Will rubble soon be coming down the staircase and trap us there? It lasts for what seems like a minute then, complete darkness.” Hear more of Bill’s story of heroism for yourself. She may have interviewed you at last year’s Love Ride with Quick Throttle TV, you may have heard her singing on the Quick Throtte website Patriot Ride movie Or maybe you are a reality TV fan and watch the hottest show on Television right now, Rock Star INXS. Daphna Dove, one of the 15 contestant chosen to be the lead singer of INXS will be signing our National Anthem! Hear a glimpse of Daphna at www.quickthrottlemag.com If you read Quick Throttle’s September issue, you know all about the “Secret Weapon” Bike. Now you can see it live in the air conditioned Quick Throttle/Freedom’s Flame Memorial Booth – Building #4. Come meet the guys from CA Boss Hoss and the builder of that bike, Eddie Paul. We are also featuring Phat Choppers’ Freedom Bike. With real hand grenades attached, this bike is a one of a kind! For further information please contact Quick Throttle Magazine at 888-770-9866 , 949-677-2453 or www.quickthrottlemag.com or Freedom’sFlameMemoria [email protected] or www.freedomsflame.us About Freedom’s Flame Memorial Foundation Freedom’s Flame Foundation is a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation established to build two identical memorials as a remembrance of the brave firefighters, police officers, paramedics and civilians who exhibited tremendous courage in the face of tragedy on September 11, 2001. The bi-coastal memorials, one for the West Coast and one for New York City, are a unique statement of America’s response to 9/11. The memorials are the design of William Lecky who is nationally known as the designer and architect of the Korean Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The sculptor is Lawrence Noble who produced the San Bernardino County Peace Officers Memorial, “Officer Down” and “Holding the Line”, one of the sculptures for the California Fire Fighters Memorial. The 9/11 Memorials were originally conceived by Dennis L. Stout, former District Attorney of San Bernardino County. The Foundation has sixteen tons of steel from The World Trade Center, one of four remaining Fire Trucks that served at Ground Zero, a piece of the outer wall where Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, and pieces of Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville Pennsylvania. These artifacts have appeared at The Nixon Presidential Library and at the pre and post parade events of the Rose Parade. About Quick Throttle’s Patriot Ride Quick Throttle Magazine is one of the widely circulated Free Motorcycle Magazine with a national presence and a local focus. Quick Throttle’s nine regional editions all concentrate on their local motorcycle scene and are available in motorcycle dealerships throughout the country. As one of the largest philanthropic groups in the country, motorcyclists wanted to show their unity and support for the families of those lost in the tragedy of September 11th. With that in mind, the idea of the 9-11 Patriot Ride developed. The Patriot Ride allows the readers of Quick Throttle the chance to show the unity of the biker community with the 4th annual 9-11 Patriot Ride. The first Patriot Ride began in 2002 with almost 1,000 motorcycles, all riding in the name of one of the lost victims. Converging on the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA where all viewed the moving wreckage, artifacts from the disaster, and heard the words of Harry Witser, one of the few survivors of the 9-11 tragedy. Proceeds from the ride were donated to The Freedoms Flame Memorial fund. We continued this tradition annually with 2004 bringing us to Fender Museum in Corona where 2,300 riders celebrated freedom through music. www.quickthrottlemag.com WHAT: FOURTH ANNUAL 9-11 PATRIOT RIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS: When: This Sunday, September 11th 8:00am Patriot Ride begins at 10 Harley-Davidson Dealerships 10:00am Registration at Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 11:00am Patriot Ride Parade on the 210 Freeway to LA County Fair Parking Lot 17 12:00pm ENJOY THE FAIR FESTIVITIES 1:00pm Fairgrounds are releasing limited complimentary Concert tickets 2:00pm 9-11 Ceremony begins at Lagoon, behind the Clock tower. QUICK THROTTLE/FREEDOMS FLAME BOOTH INSIDE BUILDING #4 8:00pm Concert Crosby, Still and Nash- General Adm WHERE: Staging: Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 Just down the street from last year’s staging area. Note: We can not stage at Central Park due to church services on Sunday mornings. Ceremony: LA County Fair 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 -Lagoon Area behind Clock Tower. Take the Yellow Tram from Parking Lot 17 -QT/Freedom’s Flame BOOTH – Freedom Bike and the Secret Weapon Bike Building #4 HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS: HOW MUCH: TICKET PRICE: $30 Rider Ticket $25 Passenger Ticket TICKET INCLUDES: -Parade -Ticket to LA County Fair -Parking Pass for Secured Event Parking at the Fair -Commemorative Ride Pin -Crosby, Stills and Nash Concert for General Admission only This means you will have to wait on line for tickets at the fair. Or you can purchase your reserved seat for $22.50 Tickets on sale now thru www.ticketmaster.com or www.lacountyfair.com or call 909-622-2220 Pre-Registration on www.quickthrottlemag.com or call 949-388-3695 or by calling Skip Fordyce Harley- Davidson at 800-HAWGFIX LOS OSOS HIGH SCHOOL & LA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS PRE-REGISTRATION PACKETS NOT RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 10th will be at WILL CALL at LOS OSOS

Kawasaki Donates Cash, Utility Vehicles To Hurricane Relief Effort

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Kawasaki Donates Cash, Utility Vehicles To Hurricane Relief Effort

KAWASAKI KICK-STARTS EMPLOYEE DONATIONS DRIVE WITH $200,000 CONTRIBUTION TO HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF $100,000 worth of MULE™ utility vehicles also included as all U.S. Kawasaki companies pledge to match employee donations. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) today announced an employee donation drive in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort that reaches workers at the various Kawasaki companies operating in the United States. Under the banner of “Kawasaki Cares 2005,” each of the companies will match, dollar-for-dollar, unlimited employee contributions made through Sept. 30. All funds raised are to be given to the American Red Cross for distribution in the disaster zone, as that organization deems appropriate. Helping to kick-start the fund-raising efforts, KHI made an initial donation of $150,000 while the Kawasaki Good Times Foundation contributed $50,000. The company is also advising the American Red Cross that it is making available MULE™ utility vehicles, valued at $100,000, to support the efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. According to Kawasaki executives, many employees approached the company to request a matching program similar to that which was implemented following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, when the company and its employees raised nearly $300,000. Given the special circumstances of the tragedy in the gulf states, Kawasaki felt the inclusion of their unique, maneuverable utility vehicles was an appropriate addition to the contributions package.

WERA’s National Endurance Series Will Race Into The Night This Weekend At Nelson Ledges

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WERA’s National Endurance Series Will Race Into The Night This Weekend At Nelson Ledges

WERA National Series Brings Night Racing to Nelson Ledges GARRETTSVILLVE, Oh. The WERA National Series heads to Nelson Ledges in Ohio this weekend for round nine of the season, and endurance teams are busy getting their bikes ready for the series’ first night racing in five years. The weekend’s schedule includes the six-hour WERA Dunlop National Endurance Series race on Saturday, September 10. The green flag flies at 4:00 p.m., giving racers the added challenge of shifting from daytime to darkness. Because of the late race, the day’s schedule has been altered to begin at 11:30 a.m., with a “siesta” at 3:00 instead of the usual lunch break. The championship points lead went to Team Velocity Racing after their victory at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway two weeks ago, but Vesrah Suzuki still has the most wins this season and is not far behind in points. This is the closest championship the series has seen in recent years, and the pressure is on both teams as they prepare for Nelson Ledges. Last year at Nelson, Vesrah led five of the six hours and finished with a staggering 11-lap margin of victory. Team Velocity led the first hour, but a crash in hour five set them back and they eventually finished 11th. The battle for the Mediumweight Superbike and Lightweight Superbike class championships are close, too. In Mediumweight, Red Star leads defending champions Army of Darkness by just 35.66 points. Lightweight is also close, with only 38.3 points separating Blue Ridge Performance and The Notorious P.I.G. Sunday’s schedule, which also starts later than usual in deference to the endurance racers, will include the WERA Michelin National Challenge Series sprint races, which begin at 12:30 p.m. The eleven races will each be ten laps long. The series regulars, including Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey and Mark Junge, racked up a number of wins last year at Nelson Ledges, but Larry Denning showed up and set a new track record during the day’s racing. After the majority of the National Challenge Series wins during round eight at Talladega went to riders who only make occasional series appearances, the regular competitors will be anxious to get back to winning. More information about WERA and driving directions to Nelson Ledges can be found online at www.WERA.com.

Ducati Previews This Weekend’s World Superbike Event In Germany

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Ducati Previews This Weekend’s World Superbike Event In Germany

TOSELAND (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) TAKES ASSEN FORM TO EUROSPEEDWAY – LANZI STEPS IN FOR INJURED LACONI Lausitz (Germany), Thursday 8 September: Just seven days on from a splendid Assen World Superbike race weekend, the championship roars back into action in the former East Germany, the venue for the tenth round being the spectacular Eurospeedway tri-oval close to Dresden. Reigning champion James Toseland showed a great turn of form on the Dutch track with some extraordinarily aggressive racing and two podium finishes that move him up one place in the championship standings to fifth. His team-mate for this weekend will be the 23 year-old Italian Lorenzo Lanzi, who steps off his Scuderia Caracchi Ducati 999RS and onto the Ducati Xerox Team 999 F05 after Régis Laconi was declared unfit to race following medical checks in France this week. “I was really happy with the whole Assen weekend, unfortunately I didn’t win the races but I was consistently fast and it was nice to ride the bike aggressively how I like to ride it and battle with the other guys” declared James. “Two podiums and I moved up one place in the championship. After a disappointing season like this one, if I can finish in the top 3 it will have been a great second-half of the season effort and that’s my main aim. “I’ve raced here before at the Lausitzring but it’s nearly always rained!” he continued. “The July testing, both in the dry and the wet, went quite well and we also have a good wet setting if it does rain. I’m looking forward to the race here, now I just have to do what I did at Assen!”. Lorenzo Lanzi sees his temporary promotion to the factory Ducati Xerox Team as an opportunity to bring home another positive result in his debut World Superbike season. After a difficult start, his performances on the satellite team 999RS have taken an upturn in the last eight races, in which he has never placed outside the top 10. His best result this year is fifth in race 1 at Misano Adriatico. “I am happy to return to the factory Ducati team after a year” declared Lorenzo, “and for that I have to thank sponsor GA who have allowed me to race in the colours of the Ducati Xerox Team and obviously Ducati Corse for selecting me to replace the unfortunate Régis Laconi. They are expecting me to do well and this is something that gives me great pleasure. “In my opinion the Lausitzring is not really suitable for bikes” continued Lanzi, “but I’m happy with the fact that I went well on the circuit in the July tests, when I set third-quickest time, and I hope to improve now I am on a factory bike. There shouldn’t be that many differences between the 999RS and the F05 because even the RS has enabled me to do some good races. My results have improved over the last few rounds even though I still have to learn how to do Superpole because at Assen I missed a great opportunity to start further up the grid. However I need to learn, it’s my first year in World Superbike and this race will also help me to do that”. THE CIRCUIT: World Superbike will mainly race on the tight and twisty infield section of the Eurospeedway, but the circuit also uses two of the tri-oval’s straights in its overall length of 4.265 km. Built over an open-cast coal mine, the circuit can hold up to 130,000 spectators in the massive grandstands. This year’s race will mark the third time the World Superbike Championship has been to the Eurospeedway. The previous rounds were held in 2001 and 2002 and the four races saw just two winners – Troy Bayliss (three times for Ducati) and Colin Edwards (one for Honda). The pole positions both times went to Ducati, Neil Hodgson in 2001 and Bayliss the following year, while Ducati is the only manufacturer to have recorded a fastest lap on the German track. CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after 9 of 12 rounds): Riders – 1. Corser (Suzuki) 370; 2. Vermeulen (Honda) 284; 3. Laconi (Ducati Xerox) 214; 4. Haga (Yamaha) 203; 5. Toseland 197 (Ducati Xerox); 6. Kagayama (Suzuki) 187; etc. Manufacturers – 1. Suzuki 379 ; 2. Honda 300 ; 3. Ducati 293; 4. Yamaha 244; 5. Kawasaki 145; 6. Petronas 25. STATISTICS: Lap record: Xaus (Ducati) 1m39.679s (2002). Qualifying record: Corser (Aprilia) 1m40.212s (2001). Superpole: Bayliss (Ducati) 1m39.395s (2002). Race distance: 2 x 24 laps/102.360 km/h.

Action Fund Supports AFM Effort To Deploy Soft Barriers At Infineon Raceway, Which During Future AMA Nationals Will Be Placed Where Vincent Haskovec Crashed

AFM AIRFENCE FUND GAINS SUPPORT FROM ROADRACING WORLD

AFM, the American Federation of Motorcyclists, announced today that their efforts to improve motorcycle safety at Infineon Raceway have received a boost from the Roadracing World Action Fund, which will provide 10 AirFence Bike modules to the AFM for use at motorcycle races and trackdays.

Kevin Smith, President of the AFM, said “It’s gratifying to have the Roadracing World Action Fund support our goal of making Infineon Raceway safer for motorcycle racers and riders. The AFM has taken the first step, but we need support such as this from the motorcycling community to make it succeed.”

Donations for the AFM AirFence Fund are still needed to offset the $80,000 cost of purchasing the AirFence Bike modules. More information is available at the AFM Web site, http://www.afmracing.org, or by calling Kevin Smith at 408-896-6505. All funds will go toward purchasing the modules, with the goal of having them in place for the 2006 season. AirFence Bike modules are not inflated, but have an internal foam frame that is designed to keep the modules working even after an impact. The AFM plans to make the system available for rent to all motorcycle users of Infineon Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point) and to use the proceeds to maintain the modules and purchase additional modules.

Founded in 1954, the AFM is America’s oldest organization dedicated solely to motorcycle roadracing. It remains one of the largest amateur roadracing organizations in the United States, with over 1300 entries common at many races, and is the only one to hold races at three California tracks: Infineon, Thunderhill, and Buttonwillow.

More, from another press release issued by AFM:

AFM RAFFLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR AIRFENCE AT INFINEON

AFM, the American Federation of Motorcyclists, will hold a benefit raffle during their October 2 raceday at Infineon Raceway. The raffle will raise funds toward buying AirFence Bike modules to improve motorcycle safety at Infineon Raceway, formerly known as Sears Point.

Kevin Smith, President of the AFM, said “Raising $80,000 is the biggest fundraising effort ever made by the AFM, but it has to be done. Our Club races at Infineon four times a year, and our riders go to several trackdays as well. Infineon Raceway has made huge improvements in safety over the last few years, but there is still not enough runoff room in several turns. No one else has stepped forward to provide extra protection there for club racers or track days, so we feel this is something our Club has to do. AFM racers spend millions of dollars a year to support our industry, and now we need some of that returned by getting donations for the raffle.”

Donations can be arranged through Greg Creech, AFM Rider Representative, via e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at 650-430-6160. Raffle ticket 5-packs ($20) can be purchased via PayPal using [email protected], or $5 single tickets at all AFM events.

All the funds will go toward purchasing 600′ of AirFence Bike modules, with the goal of having them in place for the 2006 season. AirFence Bike modules are not inflated, but have an internal foam frame that is designed to keep the modules working even after an impact. The AFM plans to make the system available for rent to all motorcycle users of Infineon Raceway.

Founded in 1954, the AFM is America’s oldest organization dedicated solely to motorcycle roadracing. It remains one of the largest amateur roadracing organizations in the United States, with over 1300 entries common at many races, and is the only one to hold races at three California tracks: Infineon, Thunderhill, and Buttonwillow.

Roger Lyle Adds Track Date At Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit

There are two remaining Motorcycle Excitement Track Days at Summit Point Raceway. On Friday September 23 and NEW date of Thursday October 6 (before CCS), racers and sport bike riders are welcome on the new Shenandoah circuit. This is the MOST track time and FUN for your money! Riders can test and tune their bikes with hours of quality track time complete with instructors, cornerworkers and a staffed ambulance. Get an advantage on your competition and come out and learn this new track with 17 turns, uphills, downhills, 2 sets of esses and 5 straightaways! Once you learn the layout, comfort and fun factor into a very enjoyable day at Summit Point. Tell your boss now that you will be sick (of work) those days and load up the truck, bike, and crew and come on out to the country. The new Shenandoah circuit has a cafe, showers, electricity, and restrooms in the paddock. Racers and riders who have ridden the new track love it for the smooth, grippy asphalt, and the many challenges that the layout has to offer. For more info and sign-up form, please e-mail [email protected] or call 301-933-2599. Tell your friends about this! Ride safe and have fun!

Cascade Tracktime Starts Hauling Racebikes To Away Events

Cascade Tracktime Announces New Transport Service from the Pacific Northwest Cascade Tracktime is pleased to announce our new transport service. This service is designed to provide safe and secure transport of the rider’s motorcycle, gear, stands, and spares/tool kit, to and from the finest race tracks throughout North America. All this at a fraction of the cost of getting there yourself or with a buddy. The transport trailer is capable of hauling up to 26 bikes and is set up similarly to the transporters used by factory road race teams. Some of the ammenities include: 20’x40′ fully enclosed canopy, heat and ac, pit scooter, tool assortment, and much more. Save money with no unnecessary days off of work just for travel time. You’ll have more time for family and work, so you’ll have more fun at the track. For example, roundtrip transport from Portland, OR, to Willow Springs Raceway is just $239. Just bring your bike and gear to us, we’ll transport it to the event, you fly in like a rockstar, ride, then we return your bike and gear in a few days. If you live along the way to an event, we will accomodate you with pick-up and drop-off points. We will be announcing the 2006 schedule once completed. Stay tuned for some more exciting announcements from Cascade Tracktime. Visit www.cascadetracktime.com for more details.

Honda Introduces 2006 Sportbike Line-up In Las Vegas

American Honda introduced its 2006 sportbike line-up during its dealer convention in Las Vegas, Nevada Wednesday. Leading the way is the CBR1000RR, which Honda claims has been given a boost in horsepower, a reduction in weight and sharper handling. The 998cc (75.0 x 56.5mm, bore x stroke) liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline four-cylinder engine gets a new combustion chamber shape (which increases the compression ratio from 11.9:1 to 12.2:1), new cylinder head porting, new intake valves (still 29.0mm, the exhaust valves also remain 24.0mm), double valve springs on the intake valves (versus single springs), a new intake camshaft, a higher redline, a less-restrictive ram air intake screen and a lighter, freer-flowing center-up exhaust system. Wheelbase has been shortened from 55.7 inches to 55.2 inches thanks, in part, to a decrease in the rake (from 23.8° to 23.45°) of the inverted 43mm HMAS/Showa forks. Trail has gone from 102mm to 100mm. The forks’ settings will be re-calibrated, and the linkage of the Showa/HMAS Pro-Link rear suspension has been changed. The twin-spar, aluminum alloy frame and aluminum swingarm remain the same, but the dual front brake rotors have grown from 310mm to 320mm in diameter. The close-ratio, six-speed, cassette-style transmission is also said to have received improvements. In addition to the exhaust system, weight has been reduced with a magnesium left engine cover, a new subframe and new bodywork. However, the dry weight of the revised, $11,299 (up from $10,999 in 2005) machine was not announced. The VFR800FI/VFR800FI ABS Interceptors’ engine management systems get new CPUs that engage the VTEC variable valve timing system (changing the 781cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90° V4 from two-valve to four-valve operation) at 6400 rpm instead of at 7000 rpm and with a smoother power transition, according to American Honda. The sport tourer also gets a host of cosmetic changes, including: clear turn signal lenses, a new face for the tachometer, a new finish for the under-seat mufflers and new colors. The big news for the CB600F6 “599” ($7399) is new, inverted 41mm Showa/HMAS forks (which come with a new triple clamp and steering stem) to improve handling and a new front fender, mini fairing, instrument cluster and gold finish on the brake calipers (front and rear) to complete the new look. The bike is still powered by a liquid-cooled, 599cc (65.0 x 45.2mm, bore x stroke; 12.0:1, compression ratio) inline, four-cylinder engine that breathes through 34mm flat-slide CV carburetors and a four-into-two-into-one high-mount exhaust system and is mounted as a fully-stressed member in a square-tube, mono-backbone frame. Honda calls its new, non-street-legal NSF100 the “ultimate road racing starter kit.” The mini-machine is powered by a 99cc (53.0 x 45.0mm, bore x stroke; 9.4:1, compression ratio), air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine that is claimed to produce 8.7 horsepower at 9500 rpm and 5.6 lbs.-ft. of torque at 7000 rpm. The NSF100 also features a five-speed transmission, a twin-spar frame, conventional forks, a box-section swingarm, an under-seat exhaust, 12-inch alloy wheels, disc brakes front and rear, a wheelbase of 42.15 inches and a “semi-dry” weight of 164.9 pounds. The NSF100 will be available by special order for $4999. Other models that were not significantly revised but that will return in 2006 include: RC51, CBR600RR, CBR600F4i, 919 and ST1300/ST1300 ABS.

Hotel Situation For U.S. GP At Laguna Seca May Get Worse

This summer hotel operators in Monterey County, California were caught a little off-guard. For the most part, they underestimated the demand for hotel rooms surrounding the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, leading to overbookings, guests with confirmed reservations being bumped to other hotels and an investigation by the Monterey County District Attorney’s office. Hotel operators appear prepared for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, however, as readers of this website have reported 100-200% rate increases for the same room at the same hotel they stayed in during the 2005 U.S. GP, mandatory minimum-length stays and full payment at the time of the reservation. Still, many popular hotels in the area are quickly filling up for next year’s Grand Prix. And things may get even worse, in terms of hotel availability — and traffic, because the date of the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix, July 21-23, is also the traditional date of the California Rodeo Salinas, in nearby Salinas, California. 2006 will be the 96th year of the rodeo and because of scheduling obligations to the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association (PRCA) and television networks that cover the event, like ESPN and OLN, the rodeo’s date will not change, according to Barbera Balentine, sponsor coordinator of the California Rodeo Salinas. The 2005 U.S. GP was held in early-July, but the 2006 Grand Prix date was moved to July 21-23 as part of a ripple effect of schedule changes prompted by the World Cup of soccer going to Germany in 2006. “That’s a big deal in Europe, and a big deal here to be fair,” said Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca spokesman Reece White. “That pushed the Formula One schedule around a little bit — their North American tour is now about two weeks later, and that pushed it back into our weekend, which in turn pushes the Dorna schedule around a little bit. The new U.S. GP date “is basically where it fits in (Dorna’s) schedule, both in terms of their schedule and TV coverage, which I think has a lot to do with it not only here but on a worldwide level,” continued White. “It just comes down to that’s when it fit into Dorna’s MotoGP schedule, and, unfortunately, we don’t have a large amount of input into that.” White told Roadracingworld.com that the track is aware of the conflict with the rodeo and Laguna Seca management is coordinating with rodeo organizers, who estimate 80 percent of their attendance (45,815 over four days in 2004) is local, meaning they may or may not require lodging. For those still looking for accommodations for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Travelcraft has rooms available with three-night minimum stays for about $200/night, thanks to its long-term contracts with its partner hotels. Travelcraft can be reached at (800) 258-0755.

Corser Looking To Get Back On The Podium At Lausitzring

World Superbike Championship leader Troy Corser is looking for a better result at this weekend’s 10th round at the Eurospeedway, Lausitz in the former East Germany. In last weekend’s round at Assen, Corser missed out on a podium for the first time this season, so he is looking forward to improvement at Lausitz. For team mate Yukio Kagayama, the German track will once again be new territory and he will have to learn the circuit before he can start his attack. The last time the Superbike World Championship was there was in 2002 and then Ducati rider Troy Bayliss did the double. Neither Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders took part in the race that year but Corser has raced at Lausitz before: In 2001, he was fifth in race one and seventh in race two on an Aprilia. Troy Corser: “It feels like a long time ago that I was at Lausitz so I guess I will have to start all over again. I don’t remember it being a difficult track so I don’t think it is going to take a long time to learn. I know that some of our competitors have already tested there this year so we are going to start at a disadvantage, but I don’t think it is going to be so bad. Back-to-back races are always tough on the team but I have a great bunch of guys working away behind me so I am looking forward to getting back on the podium and maintaining my series lead.” Yukio Kagayama: “Lausitzring will be yet another new circuit for me to learn, but, as l I learn circuits pretty quickly, I don’t think it is going to be too much of a disadvantage. I spoke to Troy about it and I don’t think that it is a technically-difficult track to learn. I have had some problems in recent races so I am hoping that Lausitz will be a change of luck for me. I made some predictions in the last race at Assen and they didn’t work out. This time I will wait until Sunday night before talking about the race.”

9-11 Memorial Ride Planned This Sunday In Southern California

FOURTH ANNUAL 9/11 PATRIOT RIDE PARADES TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR Sunday, September 11th, 2005 PLEASE JOIN US AS THE NATION REMEMBERS 9/11 (Los Angeles), Calif.- Quick Throttle Magazine and Freedom’s Flame Memorial Foundation are thrilled to present their Fourth Annual 9-11 Patriot Ride this Sunday, September 11th to the Los Angeles County Fair 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768. The tragic events from 9/11 will not only be remembered for the terrorist attack resulting in tremendous loss, but for the heroic and courageous spirit that united the American people for the days, months and years that have followed. It is this spirit that has been captured by the non- profit organization, Freedom’s Flame, offering an exceptional exhibit to raise funds for the development of the Freedom’s Flame memorial to be built in Southern California and New York City. This moving exhibit made of 16 tons of steel from the World Trade Center, offers a tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 with artifacts from The Pentagon, the Pennsylvania crash site of Flight 93, and a Recovered NYC Fire Truck that served at Ground Zero. The event will begin on Sunday, September 11th with Quick Throttle Magazine’s 4th Annual 9-11 Patriot Parade. Riding from 10 different Harley-Davidson locations in Southern California to the Parade staging area at Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737, motorcyclists will then be able to accompany the Freedom’s Flame Memorial Exhibit for the 16 miles from the 210W freeway to the LA County Fair in Pomona. At approximately 11:00am, the Freedom’s Flame massive memorial exhibit will be transported on two flat bed trucks into the City of Pomona accompanied by thousands of motorcyclists from around Southern California. Freeway overpasses are expected to welcome firefighters with their trucks as well as Patriotic Americans waving their flags proudly. The Patriot Ride continues inside the Fair with a ceremony at the Lagoon area, behind the Clock tower, with special guest speaker Bill Spade a surviving fire fighter from Rescue Co. 5 Staten Island, NY. “I’m in staircase C leading people out when a loud thunderous noise like numerous trains approaching a subway station occurs. I close the door to the hallway and we are all in the staircase. Outside the noise is deafening. “No, this thing can’t be collapsing,” I think. Will rubble soon be coming down the staircase and trap us there? It lasts for what seems like a minute then, complete darkness.” Hear more of Bill’s story of heroism for yourself. She may have interviewed you at last year’s Love Ride with Quick Throttle TV, you may have heard her singing on the Quick Throtte website Patriot Ride movie Or maybe you are a reality TV fan and watch the hottest show on Television right now, Rock Star INXS. Daphna Dove, one of the 15 contestant chosen to be the lead singer of INXS will be signing our National Anthem! Hear a glimpse of Daphna at www.quickthrottlemag.com If you read Quick Throttle’s September issue, you know all about the “Secret Weapon” Bike. Now you can see it live in the air conditioned Quick Throttle/Freedom’s Flame Memorial Booth – Building #4. Come meet the guys from CA Boss Hoss and the builder of that bike, Eddie Paul. We are also featuring Phat Choppers’ Freedom Bike. With real hand grenades attached, this bike is a one of a kind! For further information please contact Quick Throttle Magazine at 888-770-9866 , 949-677-2453 or www.quickthrottlemag.com or Freedom’sFlameMemoria [email protected] or www.freedomsflame.us About Freedom’s Flame Memorial Foundation Freedom’s Flame Foundation is a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation established to build two identical memorials as a remembrance of the brave firefighters, police officers, paramedics and civilians who exhibited tremendous courage in the face of tragedy on September 11, 2001. The bi-coastal memorials, one for the West Coast and one for New York City, are a unique statement of America’s response to 9/11. The memorials are the design of William Lecky who is nationally known as the designer and architect of the Korean Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The sculptor is Lawrence Noble who produced the San Bernardino County Peace Officers Memorial, “Officer Down” and “Holding the Line”, one of the sculptures for the California Fire Fighters Memorial. The 9/11 Memorials were originally conceived by Dennis L. Stout, former District Attorney of San Bernardino County. The Foundation has sixteen tons of steel from The World Trade Center, one of four remaining Fire Trucks that served at Ground Zero, a piece of the outer wall where Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, and pieces of Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville Pennsylvania. These artifacts have appeared at The Nixon Presidential Library and at the pre and post parade events of the Rose Parade. About Quick Throttle’s Patriot Ride Quick Throttle Magazine is one of the widely circulated Free Motorcycle Magazine with a national presence and a local focus. Quick Throttle’s nine regional editions all concentrate on their local motorcycle scene and are available in motorcycle dealerships throughout the country. As one of the largest philanthropic groups in the country, motorcyclists wanted to show their unity and support for the families of those lost in the tragedy of September 11th. With that in mind, the idea of the 9-11 Patriot Ride developed. The Patriot Ride allows the readers of Quick Throttle the chance to show the unity of the biker community with the 4th annual 9-11 Patriot Ride. The first Patriot Ride began in 2002 with almost 1,000 motorcycles, all riding in the name of one of the lost victims. Converging on the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA where all viewed the moving wreckage, artifacts from the disaster, and heard the words of Harry Witser, one of the few survivors of the 9-11 tragedy. Proceeds from the ride were donated to The Freedoms Flame Memorial fund. We continued this tradition annually with 2004 bringing us to Fender Museum in Corona where 2,300 riders celebrated freedom through music. www.quickthrottlemag.com WHAT: FOURTH ANNUAL 9-11 PATRIOT RIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS: When: This Sunday, September 11th 8:00am Patriot Ride begins at 10 Harley-Davidson Dealerships 10:00am Registration at Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 11:00am Patriot Ride Parade on the 210 Freeway to LA County Fair Parking Lot 17 12:00pm ENJOY THE FAIR FESTIVITIES 1:00pm Fairgrounds are releasing limited complimentary Concert tickets 2:00pm 9-11 Ceremony begins at Lagoon, behind the Clock tower. QUICK THROTTLE/FREEDOMS FLAME BOOTH INSIDE BUILDING #4 8:00pm Concert Crosby, Still and Nash- General Adm WHERE: Staging: Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737 Just down the street from last year’s staging area. Note: We can not stage at Central Park due to church services on Sunday mornings. Ceremony: LA County Fair 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768 -Lagoon Area behind Clock Tower. Take the Yellow Tram from Parking Lot 17 -QT/Freedom’s Flame BOOTH – Freedom Bike and the Secret Weapon Bike Building #4 HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS: HOW MUCH: TICKET PRICE: $30 Rider Ticket $25 Passenger Ticket TICKET INCLUDES: -Parade -Ticket to LA County Fair -Parking Pass for Secured Event Parking at the Fair -Commemorative Ride Pin -Crosby, Stills and Nash Concert for General Admission only This means you will have to wait on line for tickets at the fair. Or you can purchase your reserved seat for $22.50 Tickets on sale now thru www.ticketmaster.com or www.lacountyfair.com or call 909-622-2220 Pre-Registration on www.quickthrottlemag.com or call 949-388-3695 or by calling Skip Fordyce Harley- Davidson at 800-HAWGFIX LOS OSOS HIGH SCHOOL & LA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS PRE-REGISTRATION PACKETS NOT RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 10th will be at WILL CALL at LOS OSOS

Kawasaki Donates Cash, Utility Vehicles To Hurricane Relief Effort

KAWASAKI KICK-STARTS EMPLOYEE DONATIONS DRIVE WITH $200,000 CONTRIBUTION TO HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF $100,000 worth of MULE™ utility vehicles also included as all U.S. Kawasaki companies pledge to match employee donations. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) today announced an employee donation drive in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort that reaches workers at the various Kawasaki companies operating in the United States. Under the banner of “Kawasaki Cares 2005,” each of the companies will match, dollar-for-dollar, unlimited employee contributions made through Sept. 30. All funds raised are to be given to the American Red Cross for distribution in the disaster zone, as that organization deems appropriate. Helping to kick-start the fund-raising efforts, KHI made an initial donation of $150,000 while the Kawasaki Good Times Foundation contributed $50,000. The company is also advising the American Red Cross that it is making available MULE™ utility vehicles, valued at $100,000, to support the efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. According to Kawasaki executives, many employees approached the company to request a matching program similar to that which was implemented following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, when the company and its employees raised nearly $300,000. Given the special circumstances of the tragedy in the gulf states, Kawasaki felt the inclusion of their unique, maneuverable utility vehicles was an appropriate addition to the contributions package.

WERA’s National Endurance Series Will Race Into The Night This Weekend At Nelson Ledges

WERA National Series Brings Night Racing to Nelson Ledges GARRETTSVILLVE, Oh. The WERA National Series heads to Nelson Ledges in Ohio this weekend for round nine of the season, and endurance teams are busy getting their bikes ready for the series’ first night racing in five years. The weekend’s schedule includes the six-hour WERA Dunlop National Endurance Series race on Saturday, September 10. The green flag flies at 4:00 p.m., giving racers the added challenge of shifting from daytime to darkness. Because of the late race, the day’s schedule has been altered to begin at 11:30 a.m., with a “siesta” at 3:00 instead of the usual lunch break. The championship points lead went to Team Velocity Racing after their victory at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway two weeks ago, but Vesrah Suzuki still has the most wins this season and is not far behind in points. This is the closest championship the series has seen in recent years, and the pressure is on both teams as they prepare for Nelson Ledges. Last year at Nelson, Vesrah led five of the six hours and finished with a staggering 11-lap margin of victory. Team Velocity led the first hour, but a crash in hour five set them back and they eventually finished 11th. The battle for the Mediumweight Superbike and Lightweight Superbike class championships are close, too. In Mediumweight, Red Star leads defending champions Army of Darkness by just 35.66 points. Lightweight is also close, with only 38.3 points separating Blue Ridge Performance and The Notorious P.I.G. Sunday’s schedule, which also starts later than usual in deference to the endurance racers, will include the WERA Michelin National Challenge Series sprint races, which begin at 12:30 p.m. The eleven races will each be ten laps long. The series regulars, including Vesrah Suzuki’s Tray Batey and Mark Junge, racked up a number of wins last year at Nelson Ledges, but Larry Denning showed up and set a new track record during the day’s racing. After the majority of the National Challenge Series wins during round eight at Talladega went to riders who only make occasional series appearances, the regular competitors will be anxious to get back to winning. More information about WERA and driving directions to Nelson Ledges can be found online at www.WERA.com.

Ducati Previews This Weekend’s World Superbike Event In Germany

TOSELAND (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) TAKES ASSEN FORM TO EUROSPEEDWAY – LANZI STEPS IN FOR INJURED LACONI Lausitz (Germany), Thursday 8 September: Just seven days on from a splendid Assen World Superbike race weekend, the championship roars back into action in the former East Germany, the venue for the tenth round being the spectacular Eurospeedway tri-oval close to Dresden. Reigning champion James Toseland showed a great turn of form on the Dutch track with some extraordinarily aggressive racing and two podium finishes that move him up one place in the championship standings to fifth. His team-mate for this weekend will be the 23 year-old Italian Lorenzo Lanzi, who steps off his Scuderia Caracchi Ducati 999RS and onto the Ducati Xerox Team 999 F05 after Régis Laconi was declared unfit to race following medical checks in France this week. “I was really happy with the whole Assen weekend, unfortunately I didn’t win the races but I was consistently fast and it was nice to ride the bike aggressively how I like to ride it and battle with the other guys” declared James. “Two podiums and I moved up one place in the championship. After a disappointing season like this one, if I can finish in the top 3 it will have been a great second-half of the season effort and that’s my main aim. “I’ve raced here before at the Lausitzring but it’s nearly always rained!” he continued. “The July testing, both in the dry and the wet, went quite well and we also have a good wet setting if it does rain. I’m looking forward to the race here, now I just have to do what I did at Assen!”. Lorenzo Lanzi sees his temporary promotion to the factory Ducati Xerox Team as an opportunity to bring home another positive result in his debut World Superbike season. After a difficult start, his performances on the satellite team 999RS have taken an upturn in the last eight races, in which he has never placed outside the top 10. His best result this year is fifth in race 1 at Misano Adriatico. “I am happy to return to the factory Ducati team after a year” declared Lorenzo, “and for that I have to thank sponsor GA who have allowed me to race in the colours of the Ducati Xerox Team and obviously Ducati Corse for selecting me to replace the unfortunate Régis Laconi. They are expecting me to do well and this is something that gives me great pleasure. “In my opinion the Lausitzring is not really suitable for bikes” continued Lanzi, “but I’m happy with the fact that I went well on the circuit in the July tests, when I set third-quickest time, and I hope to improve now I am on a factory bike. There shouldn’t be that many differences between the 999RS and the F05 because even the RS has enabled me to do some good races. My results have improved over the last few rounds even though I still have to learn how to do Superpole because at Assen I missed a great opportunity to start further up the grid. However I need to learn, it’s my first year in World Superbike and this race will also help me to do that”. THE CIRCUIT: World Superbike will mainly race on the tight and twisty infield section of the Eurospeedway, but the circuit also uses two of the tri-oval’s straights in its overall length of 4.265 km. Built over an open-cast coal mine, the circuit can hold up to 130,000 spectators in the massive grandstands. This year’s race will mark the third time the World Superbike Championship has been to the Eurospeedway. The previous rounds were held in 2001 and 2002 and the four races saw just two winners – Troy Bayliss (three times for Ducati) and Colin Edwards (one for Honda). The pole positions both times went to Ducati, Neil Hodgson in 2001 and Bayliss the following year, while Ducati is the only manufacturer to have recorded a fastest lap on the German track. CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after 9 of 12 rounds): Riders – 1. Corser (Suzuki) 370; 2. Vermeulen (Honda) 284; 3. Laconi (Ducati Xerox) 214; 4. Haga (Yamaha) 203; 5. Toseland 197 (Ducati Xerox); 6. Kagayama (Suzuki) 187; etc. Manufacturers – 1. Suzuki 379 ; 2. Honda 300 ; 3. Ducati 293; 4. Yamaha 244; 5. Kawasaki 145; 6. Petronas 25. STATISTICS: Lap record: Xaus (Ducati) 1m39.679s (2002). Qualifying record: Corser (Aprilia) 1m40.212s (2001). Superpole: Bayliss (Ducati) 1m39.395s (2002). Race distance: 2 x 24 laps/102.360 km/h.

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