The Brno Circuit is one of the most famous venues in World Championship racing that made the successful transition from the original road circuit to a permanent circuit, that has hosted the Championship since 1987, apart from one year in 1992. In spite of the number of curves and esses, which would lead one to think that this was a slow circuit, Brno is the sixth fastest in the World Championship with an average speed of 163.7 Km /h. The winding nature of the circuit is balanced by the great width of the track. The distance of 15 metres from one side of the track to the other allows the riders to take a racing line which makes the corners more open than they actually are. In addition there is relative parity between left and right-handed corners, six and eight respectively, so the tyres to be used are manufactured symmetrically and perform evenly throughout the lap. A crucial aspect to racing at this circuit, with eight esses around the track, is setting the suspension and chassis so that the bike is light and nimble. To enable this, it is important to set the bike up with as lower centre of gravity as possible, and with steering settings with short play to change direction quickly. Furthermore, since there are no excessively fast corners it is not necessary to find a big degree of stability in the front end of the bike. Suspension settings are not a particular problem since there are no real bumps on the track surface. Given the many esses, five of the eight of which are practically fast chicanes, stiff springs are used to withstand the forces that the bike is put under in these changes of direction. In the front suspension, we must pay particular attention to corner number ten as it comes after a sharp descent of five per cent and will be the point where there is most movement in the front. This corner is at the lowest part of the circuit. The engine settings are critical at this circuit. On the one hand the engine must give a smooth power delivery from 0% to 15% throttle. The corners are very long and the throttle is opened early on in the corner with the bike leaning, so the smoothness of the delivery is crucial to ensure a high speed on the following straight. However, on the other hand, this smooth delivery must not prejudice maximum power delivery since the sharp climbs (there is nearly one kilometre of continued ascent with an inclination of seven and a half per cent) mean that the engine must deliver full power to achieve high speeds during this climb. In normal circumstances the gearbox uses five gears where the first is only used for the race start. All other gears are used and must be set so that the engine revolutions are situated in the maximum power delivery zone. We must pay special attention to the second gear since, with the exception of the first and last corners which are taken in third gear, all other corners are taken in second. The importance of the second gear is underlined by the fact that 60% of the lap is taken in this gear. Since this is a balanced circuit, with the same number of left and right-sided corners, the tyres used are symmetrical and do not tend to cause too many problems. Only in years when it has been excessively hot have there been problems with the temperature in the rear, and on certain occasions, in corners like number one where there is a lot of bike lean, has chattering arisen.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Tommy Hayden comes to Virginia International Raceway on the weekend of Aug. 26-28, closing in on a rare feat in AMA road racing. The oldest of the three racing Hayden brothers could wrap up his second straight Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei title. Winning back-to-back Supersport championships would be a major accomplishment that only two riders Doug Polen and Miguel Duhamel have been able to accomplish in the history of the series. Hayden’s path to the number one ranking in the series has been one of speed and gritty determination. The Owensboro, Ky., native won three of the first six rounds and when he wasn’t winning he finished runner up. But then he suffered a crash in the Repsol Superstock race at Laguna Seca and broke his right hand. It looked doubtful that he would be able to race that weekend’s Supersport round, but Hayden’s crew fabricated a special throttle grip out of fiberglass and foam, with a palm rest so he wouldn’t have to bend his wrist as much and he was able to manage a sixth-place finish. The day after Laguna Seca, Hayden had surgery on the hand. He returned to Mid-Ohio last month and despite still riding with a modified throttle and racing glove, Hayden battled for the lead and ultimately finished second to his brother and Kawasaki teammate Roger Lee Hayden. On the winners’ rostrum after the race Hayden’s hand was shaking from the exertion. It was one of the gutsiest performances of the season and helped preserve his lead in the championship. “I was fortunate to have a bike that was so good that I could run up front at Mid-Ohio even without being 100 percent,” Hayden said. “Hopefully at VIR my hand will be healed enough that I can ride to my full potential. I’d still like to win another one of these things before the season is over.” Even though the top five in the series – the Haydens, Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo, Suzuki’s Ben Spies and Aaron Gobert, also of Yamaha – all still have a mathematical chance to win the title, realistically it’s down to the two Hayden brothers. Roger Lee is 36-points behind his older brother in the series. He knows his outlook for the title is not very good, but he would like to close out the season on a roll. “I had some bad luck early in the year that cost me any real shot at the championship,” Roger Lee said. “I’m happy I’ve been able to charge all the way back to second behind Tommy in the standings. Kawasaki is one-two, so that shows you what kind of bike they have. Even though it looks like Tommy’s going to win the championship, if I could go out winning the last two rounds I’d still be pretty happy.” Jason DiSalvo became the fourth rider to win a Supersport race this year with his victory at Laguna Seca. The young Yamaha rider from New York State has nothing to lose from his distant third in the standings. He promises to go all out to win at VIR. “I won the race last year and it would be nice to win it again,” he said. Damon Buckmaster is another former winner in the lineup for VIR. The likable Australian never seemed to fully recover from a hard pre-season crash and comes into this year’s race ranked 10th in the points. He’s looking for a ride for next season, so watch for Buckmaster to lay it all on the line this race. Jamie Hacking, the 2003 AMA Supersport champ from Denver, N.C., is expected to make his return to racing at VIR. Hacking, who rides for Yamaha, has been unable to race since May after a bicycling accident resulted in two dislocated elbows. It’s contract time and a lot of riders will be looking to impress at VIR. Attack Kawasaki’s Ben Attard is coming on strong of late. The Australian scored his first Supersport podium at Mid-Ohio. Chris Peris and Robert Jensen are two other privateers hoping to move to a factory, or factory support squad next year and could sneak up with a podium finish at VIR. The AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Champioship presented by Shoei will be televised nationally on SPEED Channel, Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 12 p.m. Eastern. You can also follow the race via live timing and scoring on www.amasuperbike.com. For additional information on the race call (434) 822-7700 or visit www.virclub.com. About AMA Pro Racing AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the THQ AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Motocross Championship, the AMA Superbike Championship, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

BACK TO WORK FOR KAWASAKI AT BRNO The Kawasaki Racing Team returns to work after a four week summer holiday, with factory riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann fully refreshed for this weekend’s Czech Republic Grand Prix. The race, at the classic and fast 5.4 km Brno circuit, is the 11th round of the MotoGP World Championship. It is the first of a hectic schedule of races that will see seven events conducted in 11 weeks to close the season at Valencia on November 6. Motivation is high in the Kawasaki squad, with Nakano eager to back-up his outstanding sixth place finish at last months German Grand Prix. For Hofmann, the restart of the season is an opportunity to show his full potential after a run of misfortune. Both riders spent time with family and friends during the holiday break, a rare opportunity given the unrelenting travel demands of the MotoGP season. Hofmann spilt his time between his home in Switzerland and chasing the summer sun by visiting his father who lives on the Costa Blanca in Spain. And that meant an opportunity to keep up his fitness with regular outings on his high-performance Kawasaki jet ski – an 800c powered stand-up model. Nakano was keen to maximise his three week holiday, and a welcome break away from racing, with time at home in Japan. He flew from Tokyo directly back into Prague enroute to Brno for this week’s race. Nakano is in a positive frame of mind, upbeat about continuing his string of impressive results – eight top ten positions out of ten races. The 27-year-old Japanese rider believes that his recent sixth place at the Sachsenring, and the response of Bridgestone to his tyre requests, can be the platform for a strong second half of the season. Nakano is targeting a visit to the podium before the final race at Valencia in November. The Brno circuit, critical on front-end tyre and chassis performance with its fast chicanes and downhill curves, has a lap average speed of 163 kph (101 mph), making it a classic riders circuit. Shinya Nakano: #56 “Brno is more a classic style of track, long and fast, not a computer model and I like it very much – it’s very challenging for a rider. With the right set-up a rider can make a difference at Brno, I learnt this from my 250cc days, and the latest ZX-RR specification gives me a lot of confidence. Also Bridgestone made a strong step forward at the German GP especially with race distance tyre life. After the holidays it is like a new start and my aim is some more top five results, even the podium. Why not? I started the season with fifth at Jerez and I know the potential of the ZX-RR and the Bridgestone tyres are improving so that is my goal.” Alex Hofmann: #66 “I’m already in training for 2007 and the 800cc rules, that was my excuse for spending so much time on the jet ski! I also did a lot of mountain biking in Switzerland, so I’m ready to go for the final part of the season. My aims are simple; to show the full potential of myself and the ZX-RR and take it to the maximum. I had some strong expectations at the beginning of the season, but a lot of things happened that were out of my control. It’s a fresh start now, I’m hungry for some better luck and strong results.” Harald Eckl: Team Manager “Brno is the start of a very busy period for the Kawasaki Racing Team and we are ready for the challenge of maintaining our third place in the Constructors’ Championship. After the race the team will test for two days with the latest development parts from Japan and with our tyre partners Bridgestone. So that’s a heavy, five day work load for our riders and technicians. While Shinya continues to show he is one of the fastest riders in the championship I’m hoping that the bad luck for Alex is now over, and he can show what he is capable of.”

MotoGP bounces back at Brno for Gauloises Grand Prix Ceske republiky The MotoGP World Championship returns from its traditional summer break this weekend as the tenth round of seventeen takes place at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic. One of the longest-standing venues on the calendar, Brno first hosted Grand Prix racing back in 1965 on a 13.94km long road circuit, which was later reduced in length before being removed from the series altogether for safety reasons. The modern circuit has been in use since 1987 and retains some of the unique characteristics of the high-speed road layout, combining fast corners and sweeping camber changes with a host of up-to-date safety features that make it one of the most spectacular racetracks in the championship. After dominating the first half of the season, reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi heads to Eastern Europe with a host of new records in sight but just one clear goal in his mind. With eight race victories already to his name this year, the Italian needs just two more to seal the title for the fifth successive season. Rossi cannot guarantee the championship this weekend but a repeat of his first ever Grand Prix win at this circuit on a 125cc machine back in 1996 would equal his tally of nine wins from last season a record for Yamaha. Success on Sunday would also see Rossi become the first rider in history to score nine wins in a season on five occasions and would move him clear of Mike Hailwood in third place on the all-time Grand Prix winners’ list. With Rossi holding a 120-point advantage over Marco Melandri at the top of the standings, the biggest ever margin after ten rounds in the history of the series, the battle for the World Championship title is almost over. However, the fight for second place is still very much alive, with four riders currently separated by as many points. Whilst Melandri has been Rossi’s closest challenger since the second round of the season at Estoril, his early season form has stuttered in recent weeks and the Italian youngster will have to be back to his best if he is to hold firm this weekend. Melandri became the youngest rider ever to compete in a Grand Prix when he made his debut at Brno as a 15-year-old in 1997 and he has since won three times there in the 125cc and 250cc classes. Melandri’s Honda team-mate Sete Gibernau is also a former Brno winner, having clinched victory ahead of Rossi in the MotoGP race last year to avenge defeat to the Italian by just 0.042 seconds the previous season. The Spaniard lies just a single point behind Melandri and will be desperate to score his first win of the season at Brno after handing victory to Rossi with a mistake on the final lap of the last round at Sachsenring before the summer break. Colin Edwards, who has been second to Rossi in the form charts over last four rounds, lies a further point behind Gibernau in fourth place whilst the same margin separates the American from Max Biaggi, the most successful rider at the current Brno circuit with seven victories in all classes. The MotoGP lap record at Brno was set last season by Alex Barros, who crashed out of the race when battling in the lead group. Along with Nicky Hayden, the Brazilian is one of only two riders other than Rossi to win a race this season yet both riders are outside the top five in the championship standings. It presents an interesting conundrum for the other riders, who may be forced to choose between pushing for that elusive first victory of the season or consolidating with a run of consistency that should be enough to guarantee the runner-up spot in the championship. Also competing this weekend will be MotoGP veteran Nobuatsu Aoki, who will join regular Suzuki riders John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts as a wildcard. Hopkins is confident of riding after undergoing an operation on the broken foot injury he sustained at Sachsenring although he will not be at full fitness. However, it looks certain that Shane Byrne will not ride this weekend after it was announced by KTM that they will cease to supply engines to Proton Team KR with immediate effect. Byrne, who has a contract with KTM, could be replaced by his British compatriot Jeremy McWilliams on the team’s 2004 version V5 machine. Dani Pedrosa’s victory in the ninth round of the 250cc World Championship at Sachsenring stretched his lead at the top of the standings to 50 points over Casey Stoner. The Spaniard and the Australian have enjoyed contrasting fortunes at Brno in the past, with Pedrosa taking victory in the 125cc event on the way to the title in 2003 a race Stoner missed after injuring himself in practice. Stoner also crashed on the second lap of last year’s minor category race but the teenager has found a new level of consistency in the 250cc class this season and has scored points in every round since crashing out of the opening race at Jerez. Outside the top two, last year’s winner Sebastián Porto will be looking to celebrate his 150th Grand Prix appearance with another victory whilst riders such as Randy de Puniet, Alex De Angelis and Hiroshi Aoyama have all hit form in recent weeks. Meanwhile, rookies Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso will be hoping to repeat their performances from last season’s 125cc race, when the Spaniard took victory by just 0.036 seconds after passing the Italian in the final corner. Thomas Lüthi arrives at the tenth round of the 125cc World Championship season on top of the standings but with the dubious record of never having managed to score any points in three previous visits to Brno. Mika Kallio trails the Swiss rider by just three points after being awarded victory at the Sachsenring when the race was red-flagged due to a crash for Manuel Poggiali. The former World Champion escaped unhurt and will be fit to make his 100th Grand Prix start this weekend as the only rider on the 125cc entry list to have previously finished on the podium at Brno.

MotoGP restarts at Brno From the shortest, tightest and twistiest circuit on the World Championship calendar, the MotoGP riders move on to one of the longest, widest and fast-flowing tracks around, with a twenty-five day rest period behind them. On Friday morning the MotoGP group will have to forget about their recent holidays and get straight on the pace at the Brno circuit, the eleventh round of the championship. The Camel Honda team’s duo of riders are both full of motivation to get a good result in the Czech Republic, a track where Alex Barros knows how to go quick he holds the official lap record but where he will want to get rid of the demons that have haunted him since he crashed out of second place, seven laps from the end of last year’s race. Equally impressive in Brno is his team-mate Troy Bayliss, who took a podium finish there in 2003 and has a great desire to get out of his run of bad luck, and show the progress he has made on board the Honda over the last few months. Sito Pons Camel Honda “These few weeks of vacation have allowed us to recharge the batteries after a really hard first-half of the championship and before a frenetic second-half, which kicks off with Brno, and then sees six races in two months. I’m delighted to be going back to the Czech Republic, a track and a country which I both really like and I am confident that our two riders can do a good race there. Before the break, and ignoring Troy’s bad luck I the races, both of them showed they are riding quick and working well with the team, so I hope that this can be translated into success in the Czech Republic.” Alex Barros #4: “I spent the holidays in Brazil with my family, but now I’m ready to get back on the bike. In the last three races before the break we always got the bike well prepared for the race, and managed to be fast and competitive, so even though I might not have the best memories from Brno, I’m confident that I can go well there and I will travel there with that aim in mind. It’s the sort of track you have to ride clean, be fast in the corners and where the engine power delivery is very important. Normally the tyres aren’t worked as hard as at Sachsenring as long as it’s not too hot, but that is something you really have to bear in mind. I’m not worried though because I’m sure that whatever happens, Michelin are perfectly equipped to deal with any eventuality.” Troy Bayliss #12: “Three weeks off is not enough to get back to Australia with the whole family, so we all stayed on in Monaco with a few friends over. It has been a relaxing period, and gave me the chance to forget about the last couple off races. I really like Brno, and got on the podium in my first ever race there, but I’m not expecting a good result just because of that. In the last races we haven’t demonstrated the steps forward we have made with the bike, but it doesn’t mean we haven’t been making them. With a little bit of luck we can do well in the next few races, beginning with Brno.”

The BLATA V6 premiere will not take place in Brno The presentation of the V6 cylinder from the BLATA factory is postponed. We are fully aware, that the motorcycle community has been anticipating any information about the development of our V6 cylinder racing motorcycle, for several months. Therefore, it is very uneasy for us to announce, that the premiere of this motorcycle from the BLATA factory will not participate in the Czech Grand Prix 2005 in Brno. On top of it all, we are forced to postpone the planned introduction of this prototype made for the team WCM and prestigious category MotoGP. Our first focus doesn’t change though. That is to be not only just a engine supplier, but also to create a motorcycle for the team WCM, with which they could stand on the starting grid of the MotoGP race. Pavel BLATA: “The motorcycle physically exists, it is standing on its own wheels. It isn’t complete though, and there is no sense in introducing something, that isn’t finished. “With this, I would like to react on the false information from some media about this entire project. We have completed the chassis, that is the frame and the rear swing arm and also many other components. The majority of the parts of the motor itself are almost all finished as well. We were slowed down during the development, but that is something you can’t avoid when you are working on something completely new. It has happened to us many times, that we have announced the date we will roll out with our project, and didn’t do so. Therefore, I will not set any further dates on when we will present this motorcycle. We are aware of the fact, that this incident may affect our great name in the design area, production and sales of small cubature motorcycles, and worldwide credit of BLATA, but this does not change our plan to finish our ongoing project. I believe that our internal decision will be understood. I am very sad from this whole situation, and I take it as a personal failure. On the other hand, it motivates my employees and myself to bring our intentions that we announced a year ago to the motorcycle world, to an end. During the year we were capable to accomplish a great amount of work. After a year we can say, that we dealt with many problems that we didn’t know of from the beginning, having to do with the development of the BLATA V6. We don’t want to say, that we don’t have any other worries, which are not completely connected to the whole development of this prototype, but in the end these worries showed effect. The BLATA factory isn’t as big, that it could care less about what is going on in the world with its products. We often and more than before, have to confront that our products are being copied. We don’t want to use this as an excuse for our delayed completion of our project, but it is a fact that we would like worldwide manufacturers to realize, because the same to could happen to them. We had to put out a lot of effort to avoid these problems. This of course, takes our attention away from work that should be our priority. Motorcycle business is tough, just like motorcycle sports, and every loss teaches you how to fight better.”

DUCATI INDUCTS THREE FOUNDING MEMBERS INTO NEW HALL OF FAME New North American Hall of Fame announced at Ducati Dealer Meeting Cupertino, CA August 22, 2005 During the annual Ducati Dealer meeting recently held in Chicago, Illinois, CEO Michael Lock announced the formation of a new North American Ducati Hall of Fame. The purpose is to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact in the history of Ducati in North America and who have contributed towards making it Ducati’s number one export market worldwide. The first three founding members are Doug Polen, Eraldo Ferracci, and Bruce Meyers. These three men have been instrumental in the success of the Ducati brand in North America. Doug Polen is recognized for his victories in racing. He was the winner of two consecutive World Superbike Championships in 1991 and 1992 and he brought home Ducati’s first AMA Championship in 1993. A born competitor, Doug is the first American Ducati superstar. Eraldo Ferracci managed a hugely successful Ducati WSBK team, winning the championship in 1991 and 1992 with Doug Polen riding. In both 1993 and 1994, the Fast By Ferracci team won the AMA Championship and put Ducati on the map in the USA. Both charismatic and popular, Eraldo was a Ducati giant in the 1990s. Bruce Meyers is the founder of the famous shop, BCM Motorsports Inc., in New Hampshire. He is a passionate supporter of racing and a hallowed Ducati tuner. As a man known to have or make time for everyone, Bruce’s influence made New England a Ducati stronghold. Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America said, “Since being purchased by TPG in 1996, DNA has been established for nearly 10 years and we felt that the time had come to recognize the individuals who helped build this brand. Bruce, Eraldo, and Doug have been pioneers through some tough years to build Ducati’s modern reputation in North America. We want to recognize them and honor them at DNA headquarters.”

BRNO, A NOT-TO-BE-MISSED CLASSIC Following the summer break, the world motor-racing circus will launch into what looks set to be a particularly demanding second phase of the championship. Team Movistar Honda MotoGP arrives at Brno secure in the knowledge that it is the top Honda team in the championship. Its two riders, Marco Melandri and Sete Gibernau, hold second and third place respectively on the championship leader board. LOOKING TOWARDS BRNO Sete Gibernau will be taking a few weeks of R&R, dividing his time between Switzerland and the sea before hitting the race track again. The second part of the championship begins in Brno, a track that has put the vice-champion of the world on the podium two years running. In 2003 Sete Gibernau came second while 2004 saw him ride to victory in what was one the most memorable races of his career. “The summer break was short but intense. I spent the first week in Turkey then I returned to Switzerland to carry on the physical training. I needed the break to recharge the batteries and to come back to work with full energy. I look forward to racing and having fun in riding the bike. I’m confident for Brno, a circuit that I like. Last year I won on this track and disputed one of my best races of the season. The 2004 triumph on this track together with the good feelings I had during the German GP before the summer break make me look positively. I’m feeling strong physically and mentally. Now we just have to work to get the results.” So onwards and upwards to Brno, then, where Sete Gibernau hopes to repeat last year’s performance one of the most breathtaking of the world championship. SETE GIBERNAU AND THE BRNO CIRCUIT “Brno is one of my favourite circuits because it’s fast and technical and lets you make the most of engine power. The track is characterised by a series of dips and rises, steep uphill sections, sweeping downhill sections, great chicanes, high-speed and low-speed zones. It’s one of the most complete race tracks there is. Another distinct feature is the final section, which has a steep rise with two chicanes – a very slow one and another, faster one that leads into the home straight. But it’s the stadium section I like best, with its double right-hand bend followed by a left-hander. The surface gives good grip. Several places are good for overtaking, but not at the end of the main straight because the corner is a fast one: it’s best to overtake on the next chicane or, even better, the penultimate bend before the rise. I’ve always liked the Brno track: the layout’s great and I’ve always got good results here. My best memory? The 2004 victory, of course!” RESTARTING FROM BRNO The vacation has come at just the right time for Marco Melandri, giving him a well-deserved summertime rest following months of intensive work. “A break was just what I wanted. I just needed to take it real easy and recharge my batteries. So after months of practice and full-on concentration I took a week’s holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos, a place where relaxation comes easy and the people are wonderful.” While still on the island, on Sunday 7th August Marco Melandri celebrated his 23rd birthday together with the inseparable Eddi Bosi and two other close friends. And the party continued in Italy where, on 14th August, Marco celebrated his birthday with all his friends and the members of his fan club at Mirabilandia beach. There was plenty of music and enjoyment. Marco also put in a stint as DJ: it’s no secret that he and his friends have a long-standing passion for deejaying. Needless to say the members of team Gresini were there to have a great night out with their rider. “I’m now readier than ever and can’t wait to race at Brno. I love the track and it holds good memories for me, the best of which dates back to 2002 when I celebrated my sixth consecutive win of the season, the year I took the 250 title”, comments Marco. MARCO MELANDRI COMMENTS ON THE BRNO TRACK “Brno is technical and complete, with frequent uphill and downhill sections, fast curves and some slower sections (especially the mixed zone between bends 6 and 10). It’s tough and tests both riders and bikes to the limit. A good set-up is essential because frame, engine and tyres are all under intense pressure. Here, you need to produce a smooth, clean ride that follows a perfect racing line because the track is very wide. I really like this circuit. It exhilarates the pure power of MotoGP and, like Sepang, is fast and furious, with sixth gear being engaged twice. Wide, with sweeping curves that let you spread the gears between one bend and another, there are plenty of places to overtake too. My favourite tract is the last chicane.” Marco Melandri has already tasted victory at Brno: he’s won three times and has also come second: the wins came in 1998 and 1999 in 125, followed by a second-place result in 2001 (class 250) and the win in 2002 (class 250). THE TRACK – TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS Name of circuit: Brno Built: 1987 Last modification 1996 Length: 5,403 m Width: 15 m Pole position: on the left Right-hand bends: 6 Left-hand bends: 8 Longest straight: 636 m RECORDS: Track record: 2004 Barros (Honda) 1:59.302 Pole position: 2003 Biaggi (Honda) 1:58.769 Race 2004: 1st Gibernau (Honda) 2nd Rossi (Yamaha) 3rd Biaggi (Honda)