Friday’s World Supersport Qualifying Results: 1. Sebastien CHARPENTIER, Honda, 2:08.683 2. Michel FABRIZIO, Honda, 2:08.757 3. Broc PARKES, Yamaha, 2:09.662 4. Katsuaki FUJIWARA, Honda, 2:09.679 5. Fabien FORET, Honda, 2:09.792 6. Kevin CURTAIN, Yamaha, 2:09.837 7. Stephane CHAMBON, Honda, 2:09.883 8. Alessio CORRADI, Ducati, 2:10.090 9. Arie VOS, Honda, 2:10.151 10. Matthieu LAGRIVE, Suzuki, 2:10.241

Friday Afternoon World Superbike Qualifying Results: 1. James TOSELAND, Ducati, 2:04.742 2. Troy CORSER, Suzuki, 2:04.835 3. Karl MUGGERIDGE, Honda, 2:05.136 4. Chris VERMEULEN, Honda, 2:05.445 5. Lorenzo LANZI, Ducati, 2:05.594 6. Steve MARTIN, Foggy Petronas, 2:05.793 7. Max NEUKIRCHNER, Honda, 2:05.822 8. Andrew PITT, Yamaha, 2:05.908 9. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, 2:05.921 10. Gianluca VIZZIELLO, Yamaha, 2:05.968 11. Noriyuki HAGA, Yamaha, 2:06.145 12. Ivan CLEMENTI, Ducati, 2:06.235 13. Chris WALKER, Kawasaki, 2:06.474 14. Sebastien GIMBERT, Yamaha, 2:06.520 15. Regis LACONI, Ducati, 2:06.691 16. Marco BORCIANI, Ducati, 2:06.711 17. Lorenzo ALFONSI, Yamaha, 2:06.734 18. Jose Luis CARDOSO, Yamaha, 2:07.031 19. Ben BOSTROM, Honda, 2:07.077 20. Pierfrancesco CHILI, Honda, 2:07.111 21. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:07.118 22. Mauro SANCHINI, Kawasaki, 2:07.627 23. Jurgen VD GOORBERGH, Suzuki, 2:07.662 24. Giovanni BUSSEI, Kawasaki, 2:07.723 25. Alessio VELINI, Ducati, 2:07.921 26. Garry MCCOY, Foggy Petronas, 2:09.341 More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Yamaha Motor Italia riders Andrew Pitt and Noriyuki Haga prepared for Sunday’s two Superbike World Championship races at Assen, The Netherlands, with a strong showing on the first day of practice. After ending the morning’s free practice in first and third place, the R1 riders ended the afternoon’s qualifying session with Pitt eighth fastest and Haga in 11th, despite both men working towards finding a good race setting rather than seeking the fastest outright lap time. Australian Pitt was in the top three of the time sheets for the majority of the session, only to be shuffled back late on. Having opted to use his softer qualifying tyre to set his fastest lap early in the one hour session, the 29-year-old used the remainder of the session to work on race settings. Haga, a race winner at the last two rounds, once again decided to concentrate on race settings and did not use a qualifying tyre in today’s sessions. Despite this, the Japanese ace headed the timesheets for the first 20 minutes and ended the day 11th, 1.4 seconds from pole sitter James Toseland (Ducati). Haga was happy with his day’s work and is likely to test an evolution of the R1 engine tomorrow. Yamaha Motor France riders Sebastien Gimbert and Norick Abe endured contrasting days at Assen. Gimbert showed a return to his best form to end the day in 14th. The Frenchman has suffered a dip in form since a mid-season injury but full fitness and some developments to the front braking system on his R1 saw him regain confidence and improve his pace. Abe, however, was left scratching his head at a lack of rear end grip that saw him finish the day down in 21st position. Final qualifying takes place tomorrow (Saturday) morning, with the grid positions for Sunday’s races decided in the afternoon’s superpole session. Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) “We thought that there was a chance of rain during the session so we used the qualifier right at the beginning. It wasn’t a bad lap but the qualifier didn’t seem to give that much improvement over the race tyres we used in the morning. In the end the rain didn’t come so we spent the rest of the hour working on race set-up. In that respect it’s good. We’re able to run consistent times on the race tyre and I’m feeling good about the race on Sunday. I just hope that tomorrow we can get a better lap in on the qualifier.” Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) “Today I worked only on the race settings and did not use the qualifying tyre. Basically the bike is already good and we are trying things to make a better set-up. Tomorrow we also have some new parts to try which should give more performance.” Massimo Meregalli (Yamaha Motor Italia – Team Coordinator) “Although our positions today are not so special I think that we are making good preparations for the race. Both riders were very fast in the morning session but in qualifying I think Andrew chose to use his soft tyre too early while Noriyuki decided not to use a qualifier and concentrate on the race setting. He has already decided on the race tyre and I am sure that we will make further progress tomorrow.” Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France) “I am very happy because we found a good solution with the braking of the bike. We tried some things with the front brake and now the stability under braking is much better. This is good for the confidence and I was able to put in some good laps. Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France) “Today I have a problem with no rear grip. Even on the qualifying tyre we have wheelspin everywhere. Tonight we must work to find a solution and make the superpole qualifying.” More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: TROY READY TO ROCK AT THE NEW ASSEN! Troy finished the first day of Assen qualifying with the second quickest time and is ready to rock tomorrow. His time of 2:04.835, was less then a tenth of a second behind provisional pole man James Toseland (Ducati), but that was achieved on a bike that was suffering a bit of wheelspin in the afternoon qualifying session. Third fastest today was Karl Muggeridge (Honda) with Chris Vermeulen (Honda) fourth. TROY – 2nd, 2:04.835 Well it’s been pretty much OK today and I wasn’t pushing hard at all. We made some good improvements to the gearing and suspension in the afternoon, but I felt we were suffering a bit of wheelspin throughout the day and it was the same on race or qualifying rubber. I think the grip level is going to improve over the weekend, so I am not too concerned. Having said that, the tyre were pretty consistent throughout the day. Assen had always been one to the tracks I really look forward to and it is a real ‘riders’ track. But the new changes to the circuit have ruined the flowing nature of the track and that’s a real shame. The chicane after the back straight has made the track less fun to ride – for me anyway – and it especially affects the final part of the lap. I had a real ‘moment’ this afternoon when I went straight on at the chicane instead of through it. I had to take to the gravel and I nearly crashed because the ripples in the gravel are so high! There is no need for them to be be like that, so I am hoping that they will rake the gravel and flatten it out a bit. Then, most riders would be able to keep upright and rejoin the track. I have never won at Assen before, so I am hoping to change that this weekend. More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Rizla Suzuki on the learning curve at Assen JURGEN van den Goorbergh spent the first day of practice and qualification at the ninth round of the World Superbike Championship at Assen in Holland easing himself back into racing and learning about the performance of his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 race bike. The 35-year-old Dutch ace is making his World Superbike debut racing at his home circuit as a wild-card entry. After a three-month break from motorcycle racing, he spent today getting to grips with the cut and thrust of World Championship level competition and how best to maximize performance given the control tyre regulations in the World Championship. Jurgen lapped the 3.726-mile long Assen TT circuit less than three seconds shy of provisional pole position to record the 23rd fastest time of the day. He completed 32 laps during two hours of track time, spending a lot of time in the pit garage making changes to the Rizla Suzuki to suit his riding style. Suzuki WSB regular Troy Corser ended the day second fastest with his team mate Yukio Kagayama in ninth place. Ducati’s James Toseland is on provisional pole position. There is a one-hour qualifying session tomorrow morning followed by a practice session and then Superpole at 4pm (CET) for the 16 fastest riders to determine the grid for Sunday’s races. British Eurosport will broadcast all the action from Superpole and both races. Robert Wicks, Rizla Suzuki Team Manager: “It’s important to bear in mind that this is the team’s first event using the control tyres and we need to be realistic about how quickly we can make progress, particularly in terms of getting the complete package that Jurgen feels comfortable with. He’s also had only one brief opportunity to test the race bike at Silverstone. “That said, Jurgen has been very complimentary about the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 and every time we have made a change to the bike he has felt an improvement and set a faster lap time. We hope that trend continues tomorrow. Jurgen has a massive fan base here in the Netherlands and I’m certain he will do everything possible to secure a good result at his home circuit.” Simon Green, Rizla Suzuki Team Co-ordinator: “We changed the settings on the front forks and rear shock and Jurgen’s comment at the end of the day was the bike balance was good. The bike is performing well and the more he rides and learns about it and the control tyres, the quicker he is becoming. “After a three month break from racing Jurgen has deliberately eased himself back into the saddle. He knows he can go quite a bit quicker than he has so far and is one of the few riders who has not yet tried a qualifying tyre – when he does, we expect it will improve his lap time quite considerably. “Our target for tomorrow is to get into Superpole and then take our chance from there. It’s not going to be easy as the pace is very quick, but the team is in good spirits and enjoying being part of the World Superbike paddock, albeit as a one-off visit.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Team Suzuki Corona Extra’s World Superbike Championship leader Troy Corser took things steadily on the first day of qualifying at Assen but still managed to post the second quickest time, less than a tenth-of-a-second behind provisional pole-setter James Toseland on a revamped circuit he feels isn’t as ‘much fun as it used to be.’ Corser’s team mate Yukio Kagayama was here three years ago in a MotoGP race, so had to start learning the track all over again: Assen circuit has a new layout since last year and most riders took their time finding the best way round the 5.997 kilometre track. He ended the day with the ninth fastest lap and is looking forward to further improvement tomorrow. Troy Corser – 2nd, 2:04.835: “The changes have ruined the flowing nature of the track – from the new chicane onwards – and so it’s not such fun to ride as it used to be. Today I had quite a bit of wheelspin, both on race and qualifying rubber, but I think the track’s grip level is going to improve so I’m not that worried about it at the moment. We made quite a big step forwards from the morning to the afternoon session, mainly to do with the gearing and a bit of suspension work. I had a bit of a ‘moment’ this afternoon when I went straight on instead of though the chicane, but I managed to keep it all upright ok and carry on. ” Yukio Kagayama – 9th, 2:05.921: “I was here three years ago but I have forgotten everything I knew about the track. There may be some changes from last year, but they don’t affect me at all! It is so important to know this circuit very well because there are many difficult corners. Once you know them well you can shave off time and make good laps. Today we mainly worked on the gearing because the bike was working well. This morning I was 14th, this afternoon ninth, so my aim tomorrow morning is top six, then front row after Superpole”¦ and then podium in race one and a win in race two! This is my plan.” The event sees the racing return of Dutchman Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh after a three-month lay-off. The 35 year old, who secured a wild-card entry aboard a British Superbike Championship Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000, took a provisional 23rd position. More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: MIXED FRIDAY AT ASSEN FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM – TOSELAND TAKES OVERNIGHT POLE, LACONI CRASHES TWICE Assen (Netherlands), Friday 2 September: Friday’s first qualifying session at Assen produced mixed fortunes for the Ducati Xerox Team pairing of James Toseland and Régis Laconi as they line up for the ninth round of the World Superbike Championship. On great form throughout the one-hour session, Toseland produced a superb last-minute effort on his Xerox-backed Ducati 999 to grab the overnight pole from points leader Corser (Suzuki) and the Honda duo of Muggeridge and Vermeulen. “I felt pretty comfortable this morning and we haven’t made any changes to the bike, it was pretty good already” declared Toseland. “We just wanted to do more laps because it was good enough to go faster with the setting we had and we didn’t want to change anything. We just tried a couple of rear tyres, the front’s working pretty well and we’ve already found a rear. It’s Friday afternoon and I’m ready to race! There haven’t been many problems all year with the bike set-up to be honest. We haven’t really changed much on the bike and now it’s going as it should do. “The new bits on the circuit are a bit tricky because you are used to going that fast down the back straight and scaring the hell out of yourself to now having to brake really hard for that right-hander and every lap you want to take it 5 mph too fast and you go wide. But luckily there’s plenty of space to go wide and you have to get a judgement for it. But it hasn’t spoilt it, Assen is still Assen and I still love it here” concluded Toseland. Despite being on the pace, Laconi had a difficult afternoon session, the Frenchman twice crashing at the same point and ending up in the Clinica Mobile with a gashed right elbow, which had to have eight stitches put in, and lacerations down his lower left leg. No bones were broken in the incident but the mobility of Laconi’s arm will be reviewed in the morning to see if the Frenchman is in a position to continue the weekend. “The first crash came when I lost the front, I haven’t done that for a long time” commented Laconi in the Clinica Mobile. “The second crash was exactly the same place, the second curve, but this time I was coming out of the pits on my first lap, not even going fast, when I opened the throttle and the bike went away and high-sided me. I remained under the bike sliding down the tarmac, the bike was on top of me all the time. I’ve got a big hole in my elbow where they’re stitching me up and lacerated my leg and little toe. We’ll just have to see how I feel tomorrow morning.” TIMES: 1. Toseland (Ducati Xerox) 2m04.742s; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 2m04.835s; 3. Muggeridge (Honda) 2m05.136s; 4. Vermeulen (Honda) 2m05.445s; 5. Lanzi (Ducati SC) 2m05.594s; 6. Martin (Petronas) 2m05.793s; 7. Neukirchner (Honda) 2m05.822s; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 2m05.908s; … 15. Laconi (Ducati Xerox) 2m06.691s. More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi: DEBUT PRACTICE DAY AT ASSEN NANNELLI CRASHES, BUT LANZI MAKE THE TEAM SMILE On the modified Assen circuit debut practice day in an unusual warm weather, with 22°C air temperature and 73% humidity. The practice started in a bad way for Scuderia SC Caracchi, with a bad crash for Gianluca Nannelli during the morning free practice session; the bike slided suddenly and the rider highsided landing badly on the track unconscious. In the clinic controls Nannelli has been declared free of bad dameges, but he didn’t take part of the qualifying practices in the afternoon. After a final control tomorrow morning the doctors will declare Nannelli fit or unfit to race for Saturday’s qualifying. “It has been a bad crash”. commented Gianluca Nannelli when he was back in the paddock. “I’m quite dazed, but no bad dameges. Outing the last chicane the bike slided and I’ve been highsided. I don’t know why, people which have seen the accident described it like an early opening of the throttle, but looking at the data recording it looks that is not that the cause. It’s a pity because I was running very well, also if it was just the first part of the session. I hope tomorrow to be able to practice and, very important, to be able to ride as I like.” Later Lorenzo Lanzi bring once more the smile in the team, recording the fifth fastest time in first qualifying session with a time of 2’05.594 and was just one tenth of second off the provisional front row full of factory riders. But Lanzi focused himself in the setting for the demanding Dutch circuit and not looking for a fast lap. “We tried several different solutions for the set up, also with finished tyres.” said at the end of the session Lorenzo Lanzi. “I believe that we got a good setting solution. Looking at the fast lap I’ve done it quite easily, but in just a second there are ten riders and it’s easy to make a prevision for a big fight tomorrow to keep the best grid positions. At the end I’m quite satisfied, during the morning’s session I practiced always with the same tyres set to find a good handling with finished tyres and we find a good setting looking a group battle during the final part of the race. Now we look with the team how to organize the qualifying work tomorrow morning.”

The Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School (KSSS), based at Road Atlanta, hosted 24 “children in crisis” from the Eagle Ranch group home Thursday, September 1. The children got to tour the Yoshimura Suzuki transporter, meet riders Mat Mladin, Aaron Yates and Ben Spies and four very lucky children got to take several laps of Road Atlanta on the back of a GSX-R750 piloted by KSSS instructor Tray Batey. Eagle Ranch previously visited Road Atlanta, one of many motivational trips the home takes its best children on every two weeks. During that tour, the children got to visit the KSSS school and meet Schwantz and Batey, which excited the children. Based on that experience, Road Atlanta’s Brian Skuza and Marnie Lincoln invited Eagle Ranch back for the Suzuki Superbike Showdown and for the two-seater rides. The best of the best children were outfitted in Dainese leathers, boots, gloves and Arai helmets from the KSSS gear inventory, strapped to Batey with a special harness and taken for full-speed laps of the track, reaching speedometer-indicated speeds exceeding 170 mph on Road Atlanta’s long back straightaway. “They think it’s incredible,” Eagle Ranch Director of Education Wade Pearce told Roadracingworld.com. “We’ve already got some saying they’re going to earn it next year. I think the big thing is going over 150 mph. They can’t believe that. They’re just excited. It’s been incredible. It’s a huge motivator, even on the kids who haven’t earned it, because the kids come back to the school excited.” KSSS does not market two-seater rides to students but occasionally students “who just aren’t getting it” ride on the back of Batey’s bike, according to Schwantz, who called Batey the school’s “most efficient” two-up rider.

Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden led the first AMA Supersport practice with a time of 1:26.267, just off Tommy Hayden’s 2004 lap record of 1:26.082. Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert crashed during the session and was transported by ambulance to the infield medical center. Gobert was seen getting out of the ambulance under his own power, before receiving assistance to walk into the medical center. It appeared as though he was limping heavily. Update: According to Graves Motorsports Yamaha Team Owner Chuck Graves, Gobert crashed in turn seven during AMA Supersport practice Friday morning at Road Atlanta, badly dislocating one of his toes. He was transported to a local hospital to receive a pain injection before the toe could be re-located. More details will be reported as they become available. Provisional Friday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times: 1. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:26.267 2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:26.637 3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:27.100 4. Ben Attard, Kawasaki, 1:27.490 5. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.650 6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:27.650 7. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:28.200 8. Chris Peris, Yamaha, 1:28.378 9. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:28.495 10. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:28.768 11. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:29.188 12. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:29.363 13. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, 1:30.102 14. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:30.364 15. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:30.702 16. Chris Siglin, Suzuki, 1:30.806 17. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:30.937 18. Giovanni Rojas, Suzuki, 1:31.353 19. Armando Ferrer, Yamaha, 1:31.481 20. Victor Chirinos, Yamaha, 1:31.644 21. Scott Jackson, Suzuki, 1:31.768 22. Derek Keyes, Suzuki, 1:31.780 23. Grant Riggs, Yamaha, 1:31.873 24. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha, 1:31.996 25. Keith Marshall, Suzuki, 1:32.157 26. Shea Fouchek, Suzuki, 1:32.353 27. Brandon Parrish, Suzuki, 1:32.950 28. Chad Lewin, Suzuki, 1:33.355 29. Justin Filice, Honda, 1:33.484 30. Tristan Schoenewald, Honda, 1:33.629 31. Skip Salenius, Suzuki, 1:34.858 32. Johnny Rock Page, Yamaha, 1:35.225 33. Michael Morgan, Suzuki, 1:35.290 34. Jason Moss, Yamaha, 1:35.415 35. Lindsay McGregor, Yamaha, 1:36.671 36. Mark Brereton, Suzuki, 1:36.921 37. Mark Kittel, Honda, 1:37.477 38. Ivan Garza, Suzuki, 1:39.965 39. Aaron Eldridge, Kawasaki, 1:42.579

Texas-based privateer racer Heath Small will ride in place of injured Jake Holden on the Pirelli-backed Lion Racing Suzuki team during the AMA Superbike Championship event at Road Atlanta. Holden suffered two serious crashes at Virginia International Raceway, falling in turn one during the August 27 AMA Superbike race and then running into the back of Jason Pridmore at the kink in the front straightaway and crashing at 165 mph during the August 28 Superstock event. Holden broke bones in his right foot and left hand but will sit out mainly due to the concussion he suffered in the second crash. “I just don’t want to put him jeopardy,” said Lion Racing Suzuki team owner Carry Andrew, who added that Holden also hit his head in his August 27 crash. Holden flew to his home in Washington Tuesday, August 30. Andrew said putting Small on his bike fulfilled his obligations to his sponsors and gave Small a chance to showcase his talent. Small will ride in Superstock and Superbike at Road Atlanta. Small usually races Pirelli-shod Yamahas and has competed in all four AMA road race classes in 2005. Lion Racing Suzuki’s John Haner will continue to race for the team at Road Atlanta.

Friday Morning World Superbike Practice Times From Assen: 1. Noriyuki HAGA, Yamaha, 2:06.376 2. James TOSELAND, Ducati, 2:06.386 3. Andrew PITT, Yamaha, 2:06.495 4. Troy CORSER, Suzuki, 2:06.627 5. Chris VERMEULEN, Honda, 2:06.646 6. Regis LACONI, Ducati, 2:06.785 7. Max NEUKIRCHNER, Honda, 2:07.119 8. Karl MUGGERIDGE, Honda, 2:07.616 9. Chris WALKER, Kawasaki, 2:07.772 10. Steve MARTIN, Foggy Petronas, 2:07.807 11. Lorenzo LANZI, Ducati, 2:07.882 12. Ivan CLEMENTI, Ducati, 2:07.929 13. Gianluca VIZZIELLO, Yamaha, 2:07.964 14. Yukio KAGAYAMA, Suzuki, 2:08.044 15. Pierfrancesco CHILI, Honda, 2:08.317 16. Marco BORCIANI, Ducati, 2:08.355 17. Sebastien GIMBERT, Yamaha, 2:08.676 18. Jurgen VD GOORBERGH, Suzuki, 2:08.780 19. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 2:09.157 20. Garry MCCOY, Foggy Petronas, 2:09.418 21. Jose Luis CARDOSO, Yamaha, 2:09.545 22. Mauro SANCHINI, Kawasaki, 2:10.163 23. Lorenzo ALFONSI, Yamaha, 2:10.196 24. Ben BOSTROM, Honda, 2:10.451 25. Lucio PEDERCINI, Ducati, 2:10.570

HODGSON AND BOSTROM PRIMED FOR ROAD ATLANTA FINALE Braselton, GA (September 1) – The Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team will wrap up their 2005 racing season in the Superbike doubleheader at Road Atlanta this weekend. Riders Neil Hodgson and Eric Bostrom will attempt to add to their four wins and nine podium finishes aboard their 999 Superbikes this season. Neil Hodgson will finish his “rookie” season in AMA Superbike at this race. Hodgson has been on the podium five times, including his win in the wet at Road America. Neil has faced some tough challenges this season, but the former World Superbike champion has impressed everyone with his talent and professionalism, including riding ill at Fontana and getting up to speed quickly at difficult tracks like Daytona. “I’m looking forward to racing at Road Atlanta. We’d like to end the year on a high note and go into the off-season with a positive result,” said Neil. “I enjoyed the test and have some catching up to do because all the other guys have years of experience around the place. I really liked the track.” The highlights of Eric Bostrom’s season have been wins at Pikes Peak, Laguna Seca, and Mid-Ohio, but the Californian wants more. “We didn’t do as well at we would have liked at VIR, but we had a few days to think about it before Road Atlanta,” said Bostrom. “Our test went pretty well and the crew and I are extremely motivated to get good results.” Eric currently lies third in AMA Superbike points. “It’s the last race of the season and the team has worked hard all year,” said team owner Terry Gregoricka. “We’d like to end the year with some good results and finish on a positive note. We’ve won some races this year but the last race is the one you think about most in the off-season, so we’d like to do well. Road Atlanta is a track where it seems like all different makes of Superbikes are competitive, so if you can win one there, it’s a worthy accomplishment.” One Superbike race will be held on Saturday afternoon, with the season finale to follow on Sunday. The Circuit – Road Atlanta is a classic road course, with plenty of elevation changes, tight turns with passing opportunities, and a long straight to showcase top speed. The 12-turn, 2.54-mile (4.09-kilometer) track is located outside of Atlanta, Georgia, in Braselton. Known as a “rider’s track”, the first part of the lap consists of several quick rights and lefts that require the racer to push the bike to the limits in order to save time. The final part of the lap features a long straight, followed by a chicane and the daunting turn 12, a downhill right-hander. AMA Superbike points (after 15 of 17 rounds) – 1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki 471 2. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 450 3. ERIC BOSTROM, PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN 999 382 4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki 377 5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda 341 6. NEIL HODGSON, PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN 999 328

Ford Quality Checked-backed Chris Carr Could Wrap Up AMA/Ford QC Flat Track Championship This Weekend In Springfield But First… Charitable champ sets up auction on his weekly Ford QC/AOL web log http://html.blog.fordflattrack.vpi.net/blog/ to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina FLEETWOOD, Pa., (Sept. 1, 2005) Current AMA/Ford Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned Flat Track Championship series points leader Chris Carr of the Ford Quality Checked Team, on the cusp of wrapping up his seventh AMA/Ford QC Flat Track Championship, came up with a unique idea to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. From Carr on his weekly Ford QC/AOL web log (aka “blog”) was this: http://html.blog.fordflattrack.vpi.net/blog/ Hurricane Katrina & Ford Quality Checked Certified September 1, 2005 at 09:53 am In an effort to lend a hand to the Americans left homeless by Hurricane Katrina, Ford Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned racer Chris Carr is auctioning off a set of his genuine championship race leathers. The Powertrip brand leathers, emblazoned with the Ford Quality Checked logo and colors, were worn by Chris in successful AMA/Ford QC Flat Track Championship title run last year. Bidding on the leathers begins at $1,500. All bids – in confidence – can be emailed to: [email protected] The entire amount of the winning bid will be donated to the American Red Cross and earmarked for “Hurricane Katrina relief.” “My heart truly goes out to the people affected by this recent natural disaster,” said Carr. “I’ve been in shock sitting her and reading the paper, watching the images on TV – feeling all along I had to do something. So I’ve decided to donate my ’04 championship Ford Quality Checked team race leathers – the same ones I wore when I clinched the title – to the American Red Cross relief efforts going on in the areas that were most affected by Hurricane Katrina. Again, from my heart, I have got to know a lot of motorcycle people that live in the south, many of whom are big fans of flat track, and this is a way that I can give back to them in a time of need.” Back to racing, Carr enters this weekend’s Springfield (Ill.) Short Track and Mile doubleheader with a 15-point lead (192-177) over rival Kenny Coolbeth, despite crashing this past race at Sedalia, Mo. Carr’s done the math and says that if he can come out of Springfield nine points ahead of Coolbeth, it’s all over. “If I gain nine points on Kenny this weekend, in any combination of finishes, I’ll have a 23-point lead going into Du Quoin (Ill.) and I would win the tie-breaker,” said Carr. But the AMA’s tightest premier division series points chase of the summer will be tricky for Carr this weekend as he has to jump from a short track to the mile this weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Nonplussed, Carr feels he’s at his best when the pressure’s on like it will certainly be this weekend. “Everybody wants to see a close points chase, and I feel dirt track has given that to its fans better than any other AMA property this summer,” said Carr. “I hope to break it open this weekend and clinch it.” Carr will have to open with, admittedly, his weakest flat track event short track. Though he says that his longtime mechanic, Kenny Tolbert, has a more difficult task ahead of him than Carr feels he does. “If anything, this weekend’s races are harder on the crews, the crew chiefs and mechanics,” said Carr. “We riders get to do the fun part.” The contrast of this weekend’s races is like no other in AMA racing. In a four wheel perspective it’s almost like going from a go-kart race to running a NASCAR Cup race the next evening. But for the veteran Carr it’s just a matter of, as he says, “Flipping the switch.” “When it’s time to go, it’s time to go,” said Carr. “It’s not difficult for me or the other riders in the series. Our systems are trained to race and that’s what we do.” Back to the Sedalia, Mo., flat track race, Carr found himself in a hot chase for the leaders, coming back from sixth place on lap two to second place after a red flag restart. But the champ would make a rare mistake, going down in his charge to the top and had to settle for an un-Carr like 13th overall. “I went to put the nail in the coffin and wound up putting it in my thumb instead,” said Carr of his charge. “I was simply going for the win and it didn’t work out. But it wound up being a fortunate night for us despite our misfortune.” The “fortune” Carr speaks of is Coolbeth’s inability to get his bike going for the restart. Coolbeth would finish in 16th place, losing three valuable points on Carr. The current AMA Flat Track champion, winningest active racer in the sport with 70 wins and six AMA Flat Track championship titles, the Chris Carr legend continues. The team returns to action this weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Ill.) for the Springfield Short Track (Saturday) and Mile (Sunday). For more information on Chris Carr, visit his website at www.chriscarr.com

AMA PRO RACING ON TV THIS WEEK (September 1-September 11, 2005) (All times Eastern) AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF (125 class), Spring Creek Motocross Park, Millville, Minnesota Thursday, Sept. 1, 5 p.m. (OLN) AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF (250 class), Broome-Tioga Sports Center, Binghamton, New York Saturday, Sept. 3, 4 p.m. (OLN) AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia (Race 1) Saturday, Sept. 3, 9 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia (Race 2) Sunday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Supermoto Championship, USA International Raceway, Shawano, Wisconsin Sunday, Sept. 4, 5 p.m. (OLN) Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2 p.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF (125 class), Broome-Tioga Sports Center, Binghamton, New York Thursday, Sept. 8, 5 p.m. (OLN) Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. (SPEED Channel) AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF (250 class), Steel City Raceway, Delmont, Pennsylvania (250 class) Sunday, Sept. 11, 4 p.m. (OLN) All times subject to change. Check local listings.