Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies, 20, took the first AMA Superbike race win of his career Saturday under an unusual set of circumstances at California Speedway. Due to red flags, Saturday’s Superbike was started three different times, and each time Mat Mladin took charge on his GSX-R1000 and started building a lead. On race lap 21, however, Mladin, who had a seven-second advantage, suddenly slowed and stopped with mechanical problems. Neil Hodgson inherited the lead on his Ducati Austin 999 — a small lead over Spies and his teammate Aaron Yates. Hodgson, who has been suffering flu symptoms all weekend, led to the last lap with Spies furiously looking for a way past the whole time. As the last-lap battle was shaping up, Hodgson made a mistake and ran wide, opening the door for Spies, who had to ride around machine problems of his own during the final segment of the race. Yates also came past Hodgson to take a close second behind his teammate. Hodgson recovered in time to salvage third. With the victory, Spies takes over the AMA Superbike Championship lead, but Mladin remains in contention thanks to the point advantage he built during the first three races of the season and the bonus points for earning pole position at California Speedway and leading the most laps in Saturday’s race. Saturday’s AMA Superbike Race Results: 1. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 28 laps 2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, -0.665 second 3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, -2.977 seconds 4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, -13.137 seconds 5. Eric Bostrom, Ducati, -15.968 seconds 6. Jake Zemke, Honda, -30.562 seconds 7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki, -31.772 seconds 8. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, -39.183 seconds 9. Marty Craggill, Suzuki, -39.217 seconds 10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, -55.455 seconds 11. Jake Holden, Suzuki, -56.485 seconds 12. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, -65.141 seconds 13. Geoff May, Suzuki, -65.530 seconds 14. Lee Acree, Suzuki, -70.059 seconds 15. Eric Wood, Suzuki, -79.963 seconds 16. Scott Jensen, Suzuki, -80.671 seconds 17. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, -86.646 seconds 18. Clint McBain, Suzuki, -1 lap, -26.723 seconds 19. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, -1 lap, -28.036 seconds 20. Brent George, Suzuki, -1 lap, -32.173 seconds 21. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, -1 lap, -32.172 seconds 22. Mark Ledesma, Honda, -1 lap, -34.163 seconds 23. Matt Lynn, Suzuki, -1 lap, -49.587 seconds 24. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki, -1 lap, -78.149 seconds 25. David Bell, Suzuki, -1 lap, -78.576 seconds 26. David Sanders, Suzuki, -1 lap, -78.639 seconds 27. Mike Sullivan, Yamaha, -1 lap, -90.765 seconds 28. Peter Holzinger, Suzuki, -2 laps 29. John Haner, Suzuki, -2 laps, -5.406 seconds 30. Cory West, Suzuki, -6 laps 31. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, -7 laps, DNF, mechanical 32. Jeremy Toye, Honda, -23 laps, DNF 33. Heath Small, Yamaha, -23 laps, DNF, crash 34. Larry Pegram, Honda, -28 laps, DNF 35. Jeff Tigert, Honda, -28 laps, DNF, crash 36. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki, -28 laps, DNF, crash 37. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, DNS 38. Jason Curtis, Suzuki, DNS AMA Superbike Championship Point Standings (after 4 of 17 races): 1. Spies, 123 points 2. Hodgson, 120 points 3. Mladin, 115 points 4. Yates, 114 points 5. Duhamel, 105 points 6. Eric Bostrom, 95 points 7. Craggill, 82 points 8. Acree, 70 points 9. Rapp, 68 points 10. Haskovec, 67 points More, from a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin: HODGSON WITHIN THREE POINTS OF CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AFTER FONTANA PODIUM (FONTANA, CA, April 30) Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Neil Hodgson came very close to his first ever AMA Superbike win on Saturday at California Speedway, finishing a close third after leading the race on the final lap. Hodgson, despite an illness, fought for the win before running his Ducati 999 wide in turn three. The 2003 World Champion regrouped to take third position, 2.977 seconds behind the winner. Eric Bostrom showed his return to form and finished fifth on his 999 after leading the race in the early stages. Hodgson, who still maintains second in the series standings after four races and has been on the podium for three of them, explained what happened on the last lap after the exciting but chaotic race. “Honestly, I went through the chicane at the start of the last lap a gear too high. I couldn’t do anything about it but it catapulted me into the next turn. I braked where I had been for every lap, but I was going maybe five miles an hour faster and I couldn’t get it stopped. The tires were shot at that stage, on the last lap of a hard race. You just try to drift it into the corner; I was just a passenger and the race was over. I couldn’t believe what happened and I was devastated. That’s racing and I’ve done it before and I’ll probably do it again one day. We’ve all done it, we all push hard and it’s not easy.” While Hodsgon was disappointed in missing an opportunity to share a victory with the Ducati faithful, his effort in the 28-lap race stopped twice for red flags is to be commended. “I was actually sick in my helmet about race distance,” said Hodgson. “Yesterday I felt like death. Today I felt a hundred times better but I don’t feel good. I’m hoping to get a good night’s sleep and feel better tomorrow.” For the team, the long-term goal of the AMA championship remains in sight, even if an opportunity for a win eluded them today. “It was very exciting at the end. Neil was doing a tremendous job of riding his heart out. He tried to do his best to keep the other riders behind him, he just went in a little too hot and missed the turn,” said team manager Tom Bodenbach. “We’ve had faith we could do it, but maybe this is a little proof.” Eric Bostrom took the lead at the start and diced with the frontrunners. “All weekend long, we’ve gone quicker with less effort but in the race I didn’t have quite the speed everyone else had. We had a great start in the first part of the race before the red flags. I went into the lead for a little while. I just wish we could maintain that speed. We’ll definitely try something tomorrow to get some more grip.” Tomorrow’s Superbike race begins at 3:00PM local time. Fontana Race Results — 1. Spies (Suzuki) 2. Yates, (Suzuki) 3. NEIL HODGSON (PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN 999) 4. DuHamel (Honda) 5. ERIC BOSTROM (PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN 999) AMA Superbike Points (After 4 of 17 races) 1. Spies (Suzuki) 123, 2. NEIL HODGSON (PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN 999) 120 3. Mladin (Suzuki) 115, 4. Yates (Suzuki) 114, 5. DuHamel (Honda) 105, 6. ERIC BOSTROM (PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN 999) 95 More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies won the first AMA Superbike race of his career and Team Suzuki’s 70th AMA Superbike victory at the California Speedway circuit in Houston – the young Texan taking advantage of a mechanical failure by his team mate Mat Mladin and a last-lap miscue by Ducati’s Neil Hodgson. Mladin, the winner of the opening three rounds, looked to have the race in the bag as he led by 7.1 seconds with eight laps to go. But things went wrong and the Australian appeared to have clutch troubles that put him out of the race. That left a great battle to the finish with Hodgson, Spies and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates going to the bitter end. With one lap to go, Hodgson led by a fraction, but it all went wrong on the entrance to turn three, the Brit running wide and allowing both Suzukis to go underneath him and Spies won by just .666 of a second. The win puts Spies into the championship points lead with 123 points to Hodgson’s 120. Mladin is third with 115 points, one clear of Yates. Spies said, “This is one of my stronger tracks and I knew my first shot at a win would be here. I also know I’m going to get better as the season goes on, so hopefully I can keep getting better at every track we go to. Just the way things worked out, it was kind of a weird win, but it was still a win and I’ll take it. I’m really happy.” Spies was followed to the chequered flag by his Suzuki team mate Aaron Yates, who picked up his second Superbike podium finish of ’05. Five-time Superbike champ Mladin looked like a good bet to pick up his fourth consecutive win, but the determined rider was forced to drop out of the lead deep into the race after encountering mechanical problems. Despite the Australian’s misfortune, his team mates proved they were more than capable of picking up the slack. Second-placed Yates said: “We were pushing hard and we had a good race going — I’m sure everybody enjoyed it. It’s great for Suzuki to be one-two.” Suzuki-mounted riders filled out half of the top ten: In addition to winner Spies and runner-up Yates, Jordan Motorsports’ Steve Rapp, Mat Mladin Motorsports’ Marty Craggill, and Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec finished eighth, ninth, and tenth, respectively. Haskovec also earned a trophy for Suzuki on the day by finishing third in the 60k Formula Xtreme final aboard his powerful GSX-R600. It was the Czech Republic native’s second straight podium finish in the class. MPT Racing’s Danny Eslick and EMGO-backed Chris “Opie” Caylor joined Haskovec near the top of the results sheet. Eslick finished fourth, while Caylor came home sixth.

Provisional AMA Supersport Qualifying Results: 1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:26.672* 2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:26.764 3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:26.925 4. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:27.351 5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:27.473 6. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.690 7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:27.812 8. Ben Attard, Kawasaki, 1:28.535 9. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:28.769 10. Chris Peris, Yamaha, 1:28.982 11. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:29.363 12. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:29.523 13. Matt Furtek, Kawasaki, 1:29.740 14. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, 1:29.918 15. Chris Siglin, Yamaha, 1:30.214 16. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:30.928 17. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:31.489 18. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:31.542 19. Jim Wood, Kawasaki, 1:31.752 20. Justin Filice, Honda, 1:32.407 21. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:32.449 22. Ricky Orlando, Kawasaki, 1:32.640 23. Victor Chirinos, Yamaha, 1:32.640 24. Chad Rolland, Yamaha, 1:32.855 25. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha, 1:32.973 26. Michael Beck, Yamaha, 1:33.361 27. Tim Knutson, Yamaha, 1:33.664 28. Chad Lewin, Suzuki, 1:33.687 29. Jeremy Haiduk, Yamaha, 1:33.872 30. Ryan Hoffman, Kawasaki, 1:33.885 31. Blair Sullenger, Yamaha, 1:33.902 32. Tristan Schoenewald, Honda, 1:34.720 33. Shaun Summers, Yamaha, 1:36.147 34. Samuel Carnibucci, Yamaha, 1:36.397 35. Eugene Bazyl, Yamaha, 1:36.547 36. Raul Padilla, Suzuki, 1:36.934 37. William Clarke, Yamaha, 1:37.165 38. J.C. Gibbs, Yamaha, 1:40.804 *New lap record

Graves Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo dominated AMA Superstock qualifying Saturday at California Speedway with not one but two laps worthy of pole position and a new lap record of the 2.3-mile infield road course. With his first Dunlop qualifier mounted to his YZF-R1, DiSalvo turned a lap of 1:24.723, well under Ben Spies’ old lap record of 1:25.341, turned in 2004. Any question as to the legitimacy of DiSalvo’s time came when he mounted his second qualifier late in the session and lapped at 1:24.688. DiSalvo’s teammate and title rival Jamie Hacking had his first quick lap, a 1:25.5, taken away for cutting the course on the lap prior, but his second quick lap of 1:25.276 counted for the second spot on the grid. Aaron Yates crashed his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 early in the 40-minute Superstock qualifying session, but the Georgian returned to the track on his spare bike in time to record a third-quick 1:25.902. Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden claimed the final spot on the front row with a 1:25.920 on his factory ZX-10R in the closing seconds of the session. Row two of the grid for Sunday’s Superstock race will include Graves Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster (1:26.058), Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Steve Rapp (1:26.219), Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec (1:26.240) and Roger Hayden (1:26.463). Row three will be composed of Geoff May, Aaron Gobert and Lion Racing’s John Haner and Jake Holden. Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results: 1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:24.688 2. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:25.276 3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:25.902 4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:25.920 5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:26.058 6. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:26.219 7. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:26.240 8. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:26.463 9. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:26.656 10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:26.664 11. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:26.992 12. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:27.234 13. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, 1:27.282 14. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:27.336 15. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:27.842 16. Matt Lynn, Suzuki, 1:28.416 17. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:28.938 18. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:29.013 19. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, 1:29.396 20. Brent George, Suzuki, 1:29.429 21. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:29.685 22. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:30.087 23. Michael Beck, Yamaha, 1:31.842 24. Skye Girard, Yamaha, 1:31.855 25. Akira Tamitsuji, Suzuki, 1:31.879 26. John Chen, Suzuki, 1:31.899 27. Reno Karimian, Suzuki, 1:32.098 28. Jeremy Haiduk, Yamaha, 1:32.192 29. Mark Simon, Yamaha, 1:32.701 30. Montez Stewart, Suzuki, 1:32.837 31. Brad Puetz, Suzuki, 1:33.404 32. Steven Weir, Kawasaki, 1:33.797 33. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:33.864 34. Lance Williams, Suzuki, 1:33.891 35. Marcel Graeber, Suzuki, 1:36.040

Chris Junge, the 70-year-old father and crew member of Vesrah Suzuki’s Mark Junge, died from a heart attack Friday at his home near Chicago, Illinois. Before retiring, Chris Junge was a corporate pilot. He has been involved in Mark Junge’s racing program since 1993 and at the WERA National Endurance race at JenningsGP earlier this month was the front axle man on the Vesrah Suzuki endurance pit crew. Chris Junge also built the SV1000 engines raced by his son and SV1000 Cup Champion Tray Batey. A viewing has been scheduled for 5:00 9:00 p.m. May 4 at Marsh Funeral Home in Gurnee, Illinois (847) 336-0127, followed by funeral services May 5 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of sending cards or flowers, Mark Junge has asked that donations be made to either the Wegman Fund for injured riders or the Roadracing World Action Fund.

Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times: 1. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:26.806 2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:27.711 3. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:28.801 4. Chris Peris, Yamaha, 1:29.482 5. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:29.552 6. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:29.741 7. Chris Caylor, Suzuki, 1:29.847 8. Matt Furtek, Kawasaki, 1:30.343 9. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:30.385 10. Heath Small, Yamaha, 1:30.577 11. Ryan Andrews, Ducati, 1:31.595 12. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:32.484 13. Justin Filice, Honda, 1:32.720 14. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha, 1:32.813 15. Tim Knutson, Yamaha, 1:33.079 16. Corey Neuer, Suzuki, 1:33.315 17. Victor Chirinos, Yamaha, 1:33.378 18. Craig McLean, 1:34.664 19. Jay Tanner, Yamaha, 1:34.921 20. Armando Ferrer, Yamaha, 1:39.295 21. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, no time

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin continued his perfect 2005 season by claiming his third consecutive AMA Superbike pole position and the bonus Championship point that comes with it in final qualifying Saturday morning at California Speedway. To secure the 40th AMA Superbike pole position of his career, Mladin went faster Saturday, turning a time of 1:23.611, which lowered the lap record of 1:24.184 he set Friday. Mladin told reporters that he used a potential race tire during Friday’s qualifier and mounted a “soft race tire” during Saturday’s session. Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates remained second on the grid based on his qualifying time from Friday, 1:24.327, and said he used Saturday’s session to concentrate on improving his race set-up. Yoshimura Suzuki’s Superbike rookie Ben Spies improved his time from 1:24.715 on Friday to 1:24.386 on Saturday but remains third on the grid. Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Neil Hodgson leapfrogged over teammate Eric Bostrom during Saturday’s timed session to capture the fourth and final spot on the front row. Hodgson said he is suffering from flu symptoms but felt better Saturday, resulting in him recording a 1:24.432, an improvement on his Friday time of 1:25.624. Bostrom will start fifth after he was unable to improve on his Friday time of 1:25.938. Likewise, American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel (1:25.624) and Jake Zemke (1:26.002) could not improve on their sixth- and seventh-fastest times, respectively, from Friday. Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec earned the final spot on the second row with a lap of 1:26.261 on his Pirelli-shod GSX-R1000, the first motorcycle on the grid not rolling on Dunlop tires. Provisional Combined AMA Superbike Qualifying Results: 1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:23.612 2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:24.327 3. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:24.386 4. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:24.432 5. Eric Bostrom, Ducati, 1:24.938 6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:25.624 7. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:26.002 8. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:26.262 9. Marty Craggill, Suzuki, 1:26.336 10. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:26.452 11. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki, 1:26.523 12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:26.763 13. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:26.913 14. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:26.981 15. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:27.022 16. Larry Pegram, Honda, 1:27.022 17. Jeff Tigert, Honda, 1:27.663 18. Clint McBain, Suzuki, 1:27.846 19. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:27.902 20. Cory West, Suzuki, 1:28.020

Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times: 1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:26.792 2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:27.594 3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.020 4. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.099 5. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:28.200 6. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:28.727 7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.747 8. Ben Attard, Kawasaki, 1:29.504 9. Chris Peris, Yamaha, 1:29.780 10. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:29.841 11. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:30.137 12. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:30.877 13. Chris Siglin, Yamaha, 1:30.952 14. Matt Furtek, Kawasaki, 1:31.114 15. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:31.779 16. Jim Wood, Kawasaki, 1:32.294 17. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:32.333 18. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:32.663 19. Justin Filice, Honda, 1:32.920 20. David Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:32.962

Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times: 1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:25.738 2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:26.135 3. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:26.158 4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:26.548 5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:26.814 6. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.001 7. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:27.145 8. John Haner, Suzuki, 1:27.154 9. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:27.233 10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:27.378 11. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:27.475 12. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:27.866 13. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:28.460 14. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, 1:28.577 15. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:28.833 16. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:28.845 17. Brent George, Suzuki, 1:28.888 18. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, 1:28.955 19. Matt Lynn, Suzuki, 1:29.777 20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:30.546

Haydon makes impressive debut for Rizla Suzuki WET but drying conditions did little to dampen James Haydon’s enthusiasm on his debut for Rizla Suzuki at the fourth round of the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park. Haydon recorded the sixth fastest time on the treacherous 2.69-mile circuit during free practice. The wet conditions were challenging for Haydon as he spent time getting to grips with the powerful Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000. He is standing in for John Reynolds at Oulton and Mondello Park as the British Superbike Champion recovers from a broken right leg. Rizla Suzuki ace Scott Smart was seventh and right behind Haydon in practice. He rode well within his limits and is hoping for full dry conditions tomorrow. Honda’s Michael Rutter was fastest. Racing at the fourth round of the British Superbike Championship takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2nd, at Oulton Park in Cheshire. It will be shown live on Sky Sports with a follow-up highlights package broadcast on Channel 4 the following Sunday. James Haydon: “I am learning the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 and building up my speed gradually. The wet weather isn’t ideal for bedding myself in but I did plenty of laps and I felt comfortable on the bike. “I like the throttle response and gearbox on the Rizla Suzuki – I feel completely in control. So far I am really enjoying myself and hope that we can make some good progress tomorrow.” Scott Smart: “I did quite a few laps but there wasn’t much to learn given the wet track conditions. It was damp into the corners and I wasn’t going to take many risks during practice. “We have a plan for tomorrow that includes a bit of set-up work and tyre testing. I just hope it is dry, it’s much more fun when the sun is shining.” Robert Wicks, Team Manager: “James did a sterling job on his debut for the team today, especially when you consider the damp track conditions. He completed a lot of laps, found a comfortable position on his Rizla Suzuki and gave good feedback to his crew. “Scott completed plenty of laps and is optimistic for this weekend, despite suffering from a mild cold. Like us all, he is hoping the weather improves over the weekend and we have a dry and sunny race day.” Practice Times: 1: Michael Rutter (Honda) 1:42.384, 2: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +1.620, 3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +1.935, 4: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +2.630, 5: Steve Brogan (Honda) +3.138, 6: JAMES HAYDON (RIZLA SUZUKI) +3.395, 7: SCOTT SMART (RIZLA SUZUKI) +5.219, 8: Sean Emmett (Yamaha) +5.818, 9: John Laverty (Honda) +6.081, 10: Michael Laverty (Honda) +6.215.