(Birmingham, AL)- McGraw Insurance Services, one of the country’s leading motorcycle insurance providers, will be the presenting sponsor for the 2005 Honda Superbike Classic at the Barber Motorsports Park April 22-24. “We are thrilled to be able to collaborate with McGraw Insurance Services on this event,” said Brett Collins, VP of Zoom Motorsports. “We look forward to the third annual AMA Superbike Championship and feel that McGraw Insurance Services shares Mr. Barber’s vision and passion when it comes to Motorsports.” “We are pleased with the opportunity to be a part of the Honda Superbike Classic at the Barber Motorsports Park,” said Brian Weaver, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “On behalf of the McGraw Group of Companies, we invite all motorcycle enthusiasts and dealers to learn more about our companies by visiting our website at www.mcgrawgroup.com. To receive a motorcycle insurance quote log on to www.ridewithmcgraw.com/hsc or contact our offices at 1-800-6MCGRAW.” The McGraw Group is best described as a family of companies. This privately-owned company boasts several entities under its umbrella. McGraw Insurance Services, founded in 1976, started out providing motorcycle dealerships with customer insurance needs. Today, McGraw continues that service in addition to managing independent insurance agents and brokers by acting as the exclusive affiliated program administrator for Pacific Specialty Insurance Company, one of the nation’s leaders in providing coverage for recreational products like motor homes, boats, motorcycles, personal watercraft, etc. In the 90s, the McGraw Group expanded to offering property insurance through independent agents and brokers. Over the last decade, the McGraw Group has added a premium finance loan administrator, Pacific Loan Administrators and an independent motorcycle and personal watercraft service contract provider, Western Service Contract Corporation which also provides a motorcycle dealers extended service programs. Three day tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the gate. Single-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $35 in advance, $40 at the gate. Children 12 and under admitted free with paying adult. Paddock access passes are $10 for the weekend in advance, $20 at the gate. Camping and motor home sites are available. For more information, call Southtix at 1-800-240-2300 or log on to www.barbermotorsports.com for the complete 2005 Barber Motorsports Park spectator schedule.

AMA Pro Racing has announced that Todd Eagan has been named Series Manager for the AMA Supermoto Championship. Eagan replaces Chris Bradley who left AMA Pro Racing in January. Prior to his promotion, Eagan held the position of Race Manager. In his new role, Eagan will have responsibility for managing the championship including race operations as well as rider, sponsor and manufacturer relations. Eagan will report directly to AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth. In making the announcement, AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Director of Communications, Kerry Graeber said Eagan was the perfect choice for the job. “Todd has been a part of our AMA Supermoto operating staff since the series was launched in 2003,” said Graeber. “Todd’s involvement and contribution have been a key part of the initial success of this series. As we move into the 2005 season, we’re looking for Todd to aggressively manage the championship so it can reach its full potential.” Eagan welcomes the challenge. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to manage the AMA Supermoto Championship,” said Eagan. “We’re moving into our third year with this series and we expect to see increased rider involvement, fan interest and sponsor interest, especially since we announced the new class structure for 2005.” In March AMA Pro Racing announced the addition of a 250 class (Supermoto Lites) to join the premier 450 class (Supermoto) and 490+ class (Supermoto Unlimited). Additionally, it was announced that each round would now feature two Supermoto finales. The Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge, which features youngsters between the ages of 12 and 15 racing on identically-prepped Honda CRF150Fs, will also be back. Graeber said 2005 is a pivotal time for the emerging championship. “We have had some growing pains with Supermoto in its first two years,” acknowledged Graeber. “However, in spite of some tough challenges, we’re very optimistic about this form of racing. We’re seeing increased manufacturer interest in terms of supporting riders and teams as well as providing contingency dollars. Also, sponsor interest remains strong.” Graeber pointed to Red Bull’s continued interest as an example. “Red Bull will return as title sponsor of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto A-Go-Go championship finale,” confirmed Graeber. “This year we’ll move that event to the streets of Reno and if the overwhelming success of last year’s event was any indication, this year will be huge.” Eagan will be based in AMA Pro Racing’s West Coast office. The appointment is effective immediately. In addition to his role in the AMA Supermoto Championship, Eagan has been a contributing writer and performance tester for Cycle Word and its annual Sportbike magazine. Eagan is a third generation motorcyclist who has been riding since the age of four and competing in flat track and road racing since age eight.

Superbike & Supersport World Championships, Superstock Cup Changes to the Rules for the 2005 season: speed in the pit-lane The Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Paolo Flammini (FGSport), Claude Danis (FIM) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), in a meeting held in Phillip Island on April 3, unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing Superbike & Supersport World Championship and Superstock Cup Regulations (for application as from April 22 next) : SPORTING REGULATIONS 1.19 Ride Through Procedure “¦The rider must respect the speed limit (Art. 1.22.14), in the pit lane”¦ 1.22 Behaviour During Practice and Race 14) A speed limit of 60 km/h will be enforced in the pit lane at all times during the event. Riders must respect the speed limit from where the sign 60 km/h is placed up to where the sign 60 Km/h crossed out is placed”¦. 18) Overtaking is not permitted in the pit lane from where the sign 60 km/h is placed up to where the sign 60 Km/h crossed out is placed. Any rider found to have overtaken during the practice will be subject to a fine of US$ 170.-. Any rider who overtakes in the pit lane during a race will be penalised with a ride through. The Race Direction must communicate the offence to the pit of the rider after having received the information from the Official in charge.

SETE GIBERNAU ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY The MoviStar rider continues with ultrasound and anti-inflammatory treatment as he aims to be back at his best at Estoril this weekend MoviStar Honda MotoGP rider Sete Gibernau is fighting back to fitness after returning home from Jerez with a muscular injury in his right shoulder, suffered as a consequence of the incident at the end of the race involving Valentino Rossi. Even though the initial medical report compiled by Josep Antón Gutiérrez suggested that his participation in the second round of the season was ‘doubtful’, Sete is confident that he will be back to full fitness in time for the first qualifying session of the Portuguese Grand Prix. Gibernau yesterday underwent a full check on the shoulder, which has undergone surgery on two previous occasions, and was diagnosed with a capsular injury to the joint linking his upper arm and shoulder blade, affecting the tendon of his upper back muscle. According to Gutiérrez the injury requires: “rest and anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment, as well as functional rehabilitation.” The rider is combining anti-inflammatories specific to tendon recuperation with two daily sessions of ultrasound in order to accelerate his recovery from an injury that, in normal circumstances, would require two weeks of treatment. “I’m feeling very highly motivated for the next Grand Prix and all I’m thinking about is recovering as well as possible over the next three days in order to continue in the same vein that we have started the championship,” commented Sete. “It’s a shame there isn’t a spare week between the two races but I’m confident this will have a minimal effect on our work.”

Supersport Cup contender Shoesmith takes up the TT challenge Thirty two year old Paul Shoesmith will make his debut at this years Isle of Man TT Races in the Supersport class. Shoesmith is one of the leading competitors in the British Supersport Cup Championship, which runs concurrently with the National Supersport series in the British Championship, and after two rounds, he currently holds onto second place in the overall standings. Shoesmith is an experienced campaigner who last year took part in the inaugural Superstock Cup Championship finishing third overall. By day Paul runs the infamous Speed Freak Track School and is also involved with best friend Jamie Whitham’s signature Track School. Former TT star Mick Grant is overseeing Paul’s racing career at present, where he rides an ex Fabien Foret R6 Belgarda Yamaha machine, and will be heavily involved in his TT effort. Speaking about making his TT debut Paul said: “I have been a regular visitor to the Isle of Man for years to watch the TT and to ride the circuit on a road bike. Racing at the event has always been at the back of my mind and with all the changes the meeting is currently going through, now seems like a good time to make my debut when the event as a whole is on the up. I have the full support of Jamie (Whitham) and Mick (Grant) will be on the Island the whole time with me, so hopefully I’ll be able to learn a lot from both of them. There’s not long to go now, and I can’t wait to get out there.” TT Team and Rider Liaison Officer Richard Quayle added: “I met Paul at the recent British Superbike meeting at Brands Batch where he finished third in his race. I was well impressed by the way he is building up to the TT, and he seems to have the perfect attitude towards learning the TT circuit. He has bags of experience, a good team, a more than professional set up, and with Mick Grant advising him, he should be able to more than hold his own on his TT debut. It is a boost for the event to have another regular from the BSB paddock competing at this years TT, and hopefully next year there will be even more.” David Cretney MHK, Minister for the Department of Tourism and Leisure and Chairman of the TT Co-ordinating Committee said: “Whilst there has been a lot of focus on the International riders in our entry recently, it may have been we were neglecting recruiting riders closer to home. But this year with Les Shand, Gus Scott and now Paul Shoesmith all confirmed in this year’s entry list, along with the stars already signed up, we have begun to make inroads into that situation. I am sure Paul will turn out to be a formidable TT rider, and it is great to see former riders of the calibre of Mick Grant still involved with the event, and giving something back to the sport. I am very pleased that Mick himself will be taking part in the TT 2005 Classic Nostalgia Weekend, commencing with the Lap of Honour on Friday 10th June.”

A CHANCE TO CHANGE HISTORY AT ESTORIL. MoviStar Honda riders aim for podium repeat in Portugal The Spanish GP closed its doors on Sunday with the two Movistar Honda riders on the podium. Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri took second and third place in a MotoGP race that will be forever remembered as a ferocious battle between the top two riders in the world, as well as a historic podium for Marco on his Honda debut. In Spain eleven and a half million people followed the spectacular event live on television, 7 million viewers in Italy (34, 43 of the share) whilst many more will be tuning in this Sunday for the second instalment of a seventeen-chapter thriller. With barely any time to rest, the World Championship circus arrives in Portugal this weekend, another major challenge for the MoviStar riders. Only Marco Melandri knows what it is like to step up to the podium there, having made the rostrum on three occasions during his time in the 250cc class, whilst Sete Gibernau finished fourth for the past two seasons. Sete Gibernau is still recovering from the left shoulder injury he suffered in his collision with Valentino Rossi in the final corner at Jerez. The Spaniard will not be 100% fit for Portugal but is confident that the anti-inflammatory and ultrasound treatment he is receiving will take effect by Friday and allow him to take part in the first free practice sessions at Estoril. Marco Melandri now knows that he has the ability to run with the men at the front. Despite not quite matching the electric rhythm set by his team-mate in last Sunday’s race, he showed that he had the necessary pace in every practice and qualifying session and used his head in the race, taking his first podium on the Honda RC211V with the MoviStar Honda MotoGP team. SETE GIBERNAU: “I’m feeling very highly motivated for the Portuguese Grand Prix and the only thing I’m thinking about is recovering as well as I possibly can and continuing in the same way that we have started the championship. It’s a shame there isn’t a week between the races to be in better shape but I’m confident that it will have a minimal effect on our work.” MARCO MELANDRI: “The podium at Jerez gives me a lot of confidence for the next race. We haven’t tested at Estoril this winter but I felt good all weekend at Jerez and I think I can be amongst the fastest riders again. I scored three consecutive podiums at Estoril in the 250cc class but I crashed out in the MotoGP race last year, so hopefully I can get back to scoring good results on the RC211V. The circuit is a bit slow for a MotoGP bike but I like it.” PORTUGUESE GP THE TRACK Circuit: Estoril Grand Prix: Grand Prix of Portugal Inauguration: 1972 Latest modification: 1999 Length: 4,182m Width: 14m Right corners: 9 Left corners: 4 Main straight: 986m More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: DUCATI MARLBORO MEN BUILD STRENGTH FOR ESTORIL Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa had a tough start to their 2005 season last weekend in Spain but are hopeful of a turnaround in fortunes at Estoril. Both men will be stronger than they were at Jerez, their recently sustained injuries having had another few days to heal, and they will race their Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedicis in ‘standard’ form, without the innovative electronic engine-braking control system that they used for much of the weekend at Jerez. “We had a tougher start to the season than we expected,” says Ducati Marlboro Team MotoGP project manager Livio Suppo. “But we know that we didn’t show anything like our true potential at Jerez. Looking at our bike/rider/tyre package we are confident that we will be much more competitive very soon. Winter testing mostly went very well but at Jerez both our riders were carrying injuries and we spent all of practice with our new engine-braking system but didn’t use it in the race due to problems that only emerged during Sunday morning warm-up. At Estoril we will revert to the standard system, which for the moment offers better performance, while our test team will continue to evaluate the new system at Mugello next week. Tyre-wise, we were impressed by Shinya Nakano’s ride at Jerez, he was fast all through the race, proving that Bridgestone is making excellent progress.” Estoril is MotoGP’s slowest track. It is also bumpy and not too grippy, demanding careful set-up work “Estoril is a very twisty circuit, so rapid steering is very important,” says Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli. “We will work to make the bike both easy to handle and stable. Normally these two contrasting characteristics aren’t easy to achieve together but with careful work on suspension it is possible.” CAPIROSSI: ‘TURN FIVE IS ONE OF THE BEST’ Loris Capirossi goes into this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix still hurting from the left ankle injury he sustained at Jerez last Saturday. The Ducati Marlboro Team man rode to a gritty 13th place in the Jerez race and will be aiming to finish higher up the order this Sunday. “At least my ankle will be stronger than last weekend,” says the Italian. “Estoril will still be tough though, it’s a tight and bumpy track, so it’s very physical. Other than that it’s quite a nice circuit, with a long main straight which should be good for us. It’s also got one of the greatest corners in MotoGP, turn five, which you attack at 230kmh. It’s a lot of fun, when you get it right! Apart from my injury I’m fairly happy with things so far. This year’s bike is much better than last year’s, much more balanced. The tyres are also improving – at some tracks they are already competitive, at other tracks we need to do a little work. The main thing is that we already have a very good working relationship with Bridgestone, they’re good people and they work very hard.” CHECA LOOKS FORWARD TO ESTORIL’S CONTRASTS Carlos Checa will also be riding injured this weekend. Last month the Ducati Marlboro Team rider crashed in testing and suffered a dislocated left shoulder, an injury that takes time to fully heal. “The shoulder made it difficult for me to hold a line at Jerez, but I’ll be stronger at Estoril,” says Checa, who scored his first MotoGP pole at the 2002 Portuguese GP. “The most interesting thing about Estoril is its contrasting layout – some sections are very, very fast while others are very, very slow. The chicane is so slow you could probably be quicker through there on a paddock scooter! You work towards a compromise set-up that works well through all sections but you focus on getting the bike right for the fast parts, because that’s where you make most time, and work at the slow parts yourself – just muscle the bike through. Of course I’m still very new to this bike, so I need more time to fully understand how to achieve the ideal set-up.” THE TRACK Although Estoril is the slowest track in MotoGP racing it presents a real challenge to riders and engineers. The contrast of very slow and very fast corners requires certain compromises in chassis settings and it’s the same with the engine – the contrast between the fast start-finish straight and the many slow-speed corners requires maximum peak horsepower as well as gentle low-rpm performance. But perhaps the greatest concern for riders is the track’s proximity to the Atlantic. High-speed winds often whip off the ocean, blowing bikes and riders off course, and throwing dust onto the circuit, reducing grip. Estoril hosts its sixth World Championship GP this year, though this is the eighth Portuguese GP. The nation’s first two GPs were held at Spanish tracks in 1987 and 1988, because Estoril failed MotoGP’s stringent track safety standards. ESTORIL DATA Lap record: Valentino Rossi (Honda), 1m 38.423s, 152.964kmh/95.047mph Pole position 2003: Makoto Tamada (Honda), 1m 37.933s DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM RIDER DATA LOGS LORIS CAPIROSSI Age: 32 (born April 4, 1973) Lives: Monaco Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP5 GP victories: 23 (1xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125) First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125) First GP: Japan, 1990 (125) GP starts: 217 (47xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125) Pole positions: 36 (3xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125) First pole: Australia, 1991 (125) World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998) Estoril 2004 results: Grid: 11th. Race: 7th CARLOS CHECA Age: 32 (born October 15, 1972) Lives: London, England Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP5 GP victories: 2 (500) First GP victory: Catalunya, 1996 (500) First GP: Europe, 1993 (125) GP starts: 169 (48xMotoGP, 92×500, 27×250, 1×125) Pole positions: 3 (2xMotoGP, 1×500) First pole: Spain, 1998 (500) Estoril 2004 results: Grid: 10th. Race: 5th More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda: Camel Honda looking for another positive race in Portugal With both its riders having sealed top six positions in the Spanish Grand Prix, the Camel Honda team is aiming for another good performance in Portugal, just one week later. Alex Barros took a fourth place, which left him slightly disappointed, and he is determined to take revenge at Estoril, a track which saw him finish on the podium in 2004. Troy Bayliss, who battled determinedly in Jerez and demonstrated the progress he has made this winter, is keen to get back on track and continue to improve his feeling with the Honda. Sito Pons Camel Honda “I’m looking forward to the Portuguese GP with confidence and hope, especially after the team’s all round strong performance just a couple of days ago in Jerez. I think that both Alex and Troy are getting better all the time. For Troy, the good result in Jerez was like an injection of confidence which will help him to make even more progress and show his best side on the Honda, whilst for Alex fourth place just off the podium left him wanting more, so it will be a chance to get his revenge straight away. Last year in Estoril he came third after a fine battle with Sete and this Sunday he could make an equalling compelling race.” Alex Barros #4: “The first race in Spain was so so, I can’t say we are really happy because we had a few problems finding the right set-up throughout the whole weekend and in Sunday’s race I would have preferred to be fighting it out with the front group rather than being left behind. However I’m already looking forward to the next GP in Portugal, it’s a track I quite like even though there’s a lot of wind which brings sand onto the asphalt. We will try to be more competitive from the off, and to back that up in the race.” Troy Bayliss #12: “We haven’t tested in Portugal this year but I’ve ridden there a couple of times and the track isn’t too bad. The Honda has always gone well there and I can’t wait to get back on it. I want to make another step forward with the RC211V, I’m getting more and more comfortable in the saddle and I’m sure we’re going to have a few great races during this season.” More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information: GIBERNAU SET TO TURN HEAT ON ROSSI IN ESTORIL Sete Gibernau (Team MoviStar Honda RC211V) is plotting to turn the tables on title rival Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) in Estoril on Sunday. Barged into second place on home turf in Spain last weekend, Sete has undergone intense physiotherapy on his left shoulder to get himself fit for this race, and the Spaniard is in no mood to suffer a repeat of that defeat. Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V) and Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) have a different agenda this weekend. After Max’s misfortunes in Spain where he couldn’t get to grips with the track in qualifying, the Roman will be looking to get on terms with the front-runners early and work hard for a result, while Hayden will try to avoid crashing out – as he did at Jerez. Marco Melandri (Team MoviStar Honda RC211V) who finished his first race on an RC211V in a fine third place last weekend will be seeking to consolidate that result with another solid early-season showing. Melandri’s form has surprised some, but the young Italian seems to have justified Honda’s faith in him after a troubled 2004 season with Yamaha. The Camel Honda pairing of Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) and Troy Bayliss (Camel Honda RC211V) shored up the Honda cause last weekend with fourth and sixth places and that gives the team even more to aim for this weekend as every team fights for valuable early season points. Barros finished third here in 2004. Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) knows he needs to show an improvement on his eighth place in Spain and the Japanese ace needs to maximise his qualifying performance now he has switched to Michelin rubber for 2005. The fact that he finished second here last year should offer ample encouragement. Estoril has only been on the calendar since 2000 and in those years since its arrival Rossi has finished third in 2000 and won there for the last four years in the premier class, while Gibernau has never really shone there in a race. Now is his chance to rectify that at this fast but wind-lashed track. The track lies 20 miles west of Lisbon and is close to the town of Sintra. The 4.182km circuit features a balance of turns with nine rights and four lefts. Built in 1972 the surface is now bumpy in parts and some riders are unsure over the asphalt’s ability to provide dependable grip over a race weekend. Nevertheless the track offers a significant challenge regardless of grip issues. The slowest turn is a chicane that is the slowest in MotoGP racing requiring patience and a smooth style to avoid catastrophe. On the other hand a long, fast right onto the start/finish straight, the ‘Parabolica’ is one of the great corners in racing and loved by the best riders. Turn one at the end of the 986m straight is a favourite overtaking spot and so is turn six, the ‘Parabolica interior’ behind the pits complex. The rest of the track is fairly unremarkable requiring no out-of-the-ordinary machine set-ups. But the wind blowing off the Atlantic Ocean is always a concern – and wind was a determining factor in Spain last weekend. “I left Spain hoping to have paid off my dues to bad luck or whatever it was,” said Max. “I go to Portugal united with my team more than ever. The Jerez race did not really match my expectations, or those of my team. I trust HRC completely and in Estoril we must solve this. We are very motivated and the first race, even though it was difficult, didn’t discourage us. I like the Portuguese track, and I never wanted to be part of the game as badly as now.” Max’s Repsol team-mate Nicky Hayden said, “After crashing out of the first race I’m happy we can get back on the bike quickly and put Jerez behind us. It’s hard to look at positives so soon after such a knock but the team is really strong and we are super-determined. I’ll be fine when I get on the bike on Friday for the first Free Practice. But I missed the race last year as I broke my shoulder, so I haven’t got a huge amount of experience round the track.” “I’m feeling very highly motivated for the next Grand Prix and all I’m thinking about is recovering as well as possible over the next three days in order to continue in the same vein that we have started the championship,” commented Sete. “It’s a shame there isn’t a spare week between the two races but I’m confident this will have a minimal effect on our work.” “I’ve never been to Estoril with Honda,” said Melandri. “But after the result we had in Jerez I believe we can do a good job in Portugal. I didn’t think I could be on the podium there, but now I know that with a good setting I can be in front. I’ve been on the podium three times in Estoril in 250 cc. and the track is not so bad. There are a lot of bumps, but it’s fun to ride a MotoGP bike from turn four to turn seven.” “We had a few problems finding the right set-up throughout the whole weekend in Spain,” said Barros. “However I’m already looking forward to the next Grand Prix in Portugal. It’s a track I quite like even though there’s a lot of wind, which brings sand onto the asphalt. We will try to be more competitive from the off, and to back that up in the race.” His team-mate Bayliss said, “We haven’t tested in Portugal this year but I’ve ridden there a couple of times and the track isn’t too bad. The Honda has always gone well there and I can’t wait to get back on it. I want to make another step forward with the RC211V, I’m getting more and more comfortable in the saddle and I’m sure we’re going to have a few great races during this season.” Tamada is ready for the challenge, as ever. “Things didn’t go too well in Jerez,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back on the track after my first Grand Prix on Michelins and I still need some time to fully adapt to them. I have good memories of the Estoril circuit and I’m confident of fulfilling our potential there.” In the 250cc class Dani Pedrosa (Team MoviStar Honda RS250RW) aims to stamp his authority on the grid again. The reigning World Champion won in Spain and will be aiming to improve on his fourth place here last year. His team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Team MoviStar Honda RS250RW), now with a full season of Grands Prix and the contours of 16 different circuits etched in his mind, will be looking to finish this race after a DNF in Spain. The young guns who stepped up to 250cc competition from the 125cc class this year, Hector Barbera (Fortuna Honda RS250RW), Jorge Lorenzo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) and Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW) are no respecters of reputation and all three will be aiming to better Dovi’s fine fourth at Jerez – his first race on a 250. Dani said, “The most influential factor at Estoril is the wind; there are always strong blasts across the circuit that make it difficult to ride. It’s a twisty circuit with a long straight where riders tend to bunch together. It’s not easy to break clear here and the races are often in big groups. We need to find a good setting and prepare for the race as well as possible.” “I like the Estoril circuit,” said Dani’s team-mate Aoyama. “The only problem for me last year was the strong winds. It made things difficult at times. The track has many places for hard braking and I like racing on tracks like that.” Dovizioso suffered a rear wheel puncture while leading the 125cc race but that has not dampened his enthusiasm for the Estoril track. He said. “I really like the circuit despite what happened to me last year. I’m looking forward to the race, particularly after my race at Jerez, I finished fourth in my first 250cc race, at a track I don’t like at all!” The 125cc riders are intent on preventing Marco Simoncelli (Aprilia), who won in Spain, from establishing a significant early season points lead. Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R), who was on terms with him until an electrical problem robbed him of a finish, will be particularly keen to win his first Grand Prix here, now that he’s back on form. Fabrizio Lai (Kopron Racing World Honda RS125RW) rode a mature race in Spain and the Italian runner will be keen to establish himself as a title contender with another rostrum, or better, here. “I am adapting well to the Honda and look forward to Estoril. I didn’t want to take any risks at Jerez in my first race for the team but at Estoril I will be more comfortable on the bike and, I hope, even faster.” Alvaro Bautista (Seedorf Racing Honda RS125R), who failed to finish in Spain, knows he needs points this weekend, despite his lack of enthusiasm for the track. “There is an important external factor at this circuit – the wind – it causes a lot of problems for all the riders, and you have to take that into account. It’s a narrow circuit, with only one fast corner, not one of my favourite tracks.” More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team: NAKANO AND HOFMANN BACK IN ACTION IN ESTORIL The Kawasaki factory riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann plan to capitalise on a strong start to the season in round two of the MotoGP World Championship, which takes place in Portugal this weekend. The Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril comes just seven days after the opening race at Jerez in Spain, where Nakano made a superb start to the season with fifth place. Nakano was the highest placed rider on Bridgestone tyres in the Spanish GP, both in qualifying and the race. After his brilliant race effort Nakano stayed on at Jerez for a test session on Monday as part of the development programme for Kawasaki’s new big-bang firing order motor. The engine made an impressive race debut at Jerez, with Nakano being strongly supported by young German teammate Alex Hofmann, who finished 11th to open his championship points account for the season. There is an expectation that the big-bang motor, still young in its development life, will be the catalyst for a change of fortunes for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR at Estoril. The track is unique on the MotoGP calendar. It has a slow average speed of 152 kph but features a long, super-fast front straight with speeds over 330 kph. This is combined with a compact infield section that packages a high-speed sweeper with a sequence of slow and twisty corners. The Kawasaki team, in company with tyre partner Bridgestone, are optimistic of backing-up their strong Jerez performances at Estoril this weekend. In the lead-up to this year’s race Bridgestone have gathered additional tyre data following the visit of their test team last month to Estoril. Following a late change in the calendar the Portuguese GP has been moved from its usual September staging to earlier in the season. Located adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean coastline the weather is often unpredictable at Estoril, although there is a forecast of mainly sunny, but cool, spring weather conditions. Shinya Nakano: #56 “Estoril is a strange track with a very fast straight and tight infield section. But this part should suit our new big-bang engine because we have good traction and smoother acceleration. This year will be very interesting for Kawasaki at Estoril, because last year we didn’t perform very well either in qualifying or the race. I think we can expect similar performance to Jerez and now I’m relaxed and confident, there is always a lot of pressure at the first race.” Alex Hofmann: #66 “The Ninja ZX-RR didn’t really shine at Estoril last year, although the 2005 model is a very different package, especially with the benefit of the new firing order motor. I’m confident the big-bang engine will be a big change for us at Estoril. There is a long straight and, in the early stage of development, we still do not have the most powerful engine, but we have good chassis balance and traction. The surface suits the Bridgestone tyres and I’m looking for another strong result; Jerez was a good race for me, I learned a lot and I’m ready for Estoril.”