Round 8 UK Brands Hatch 4th , 5th , 6th & 7th August 2005 Thursday, August 4th , from 2.30pm to 5.30pm Saturday, August 6th, from 12.45pm to 13.00pm Dear Friends, SBK will organise the 4nd Open Paddock of the season at Brands Hatch on Thursday 4th August. This will give a great opportunity to the public to taste the enthusiastic & friendly atmosphere of the famous SBK Paddock and the chance to meet the riders. The new SBK Paddock Show will be the heart of the riders autograph sessions, where the English public will come face to face with the SBK & WSS top riders. These autograph sessions will be organised following the herein attached schedule. The access to the Paddock and to the Circuit will be free of charge on Thursday and the opening hours will be from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. The entrance to the Paddock and to the Circuit on Saturday will not be free of charge. Schedule Thursday, August 4th 2.30pm 2.40pm (SBK) Foggy PETRONAS Racing: Steve Martin/Garry McCoy 2.45pm 3.00pm (SBK) DFXstreme Sterilgarda: Marco Borciani/ Miguel Praia (SBK) D.F.X. Treme: Jose Luis Cardoso/Lorenzo Alfonsi 3.05pm 3.20pm (SBK) Yamaha Motor France: Norick Abe/Sebastien Gimbert (SBK) Team Zone Rouge: Michel Nickmans (WSS) Yamaha Motor Germany: Kevin Curtain/Broc Parkes 3.25pm 3.35pm (SBK) Yamaha Motor Italia WSBK Team: Noriyuki Haga/Andrew Pitt (SBK) Team Lorenzini by Leoni: Gianluca Vizziello 3.40pm 3.50pm (SBK) Team Ducati SC – Caracchi: Lorenzo Lanzi/Fonsi Nieto (SBK) Team Pedercini: Lucio Pedercini/Alessio Velini 3.55pm 4.05pm (SBK) Ducati Xerox Team: James Toseland/ Regis Laconi 4.10pm 4.25pm (SBK) Winstone Ten Kate Honda: Chris Vermeulen/Karl Muggeridge (WSS) Winstone Ten Kate Honda: Charpentier Sebastien/Katsuaki Fujiwara 4.30pm 4.40pm (SBK) Team PSG-1 Corse: Chris Walker/Mauro Sanchini 4.45pm 5.00pm (SBK) Team Klaffi Honda: Pier Francesco Chili/Max Neukirchner (SBK) Team Renagade Koji: Ben Bostrom 5.05pm 5.15pm (WSS) Team Italia Megabike: Michel Fabrizio/Fabien Foret (WSS) Stiggy Motorsports: Johan Stigefelt/Robbin Harms 5.20pm 5.30pm (SBK) Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra: Troy Corser/Yukio Kagayama (WSS) Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra: Javier Fores Saturday, August 6th 12.45pm 13.00pm (SBK) Ducati Xerox Team: James Toseland (SBK) Foggy PETRONAS Racing: Steve Martin/Garry McCoy (SBK) Team PSG-1 Corse: Chris Walker (SBK) Team Renagade Koji: Ben Bostrom

Round four of the 2005 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship was held at Mallala Motor Sport Park (SA) on June 3-5. At the meeting, two cases of potential non-compliance to Motorcycling Australia’s General Competition Rules became apparent, which have now been addressed at separate Stewards’ hearings. Following is a summary of the two cases, and the subsequent sanctions imposed. 1. A specimen was taken on the fluid in the cooling system of the #42 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike ridden by Shannon Johnson. The ensuing analysis, by an independent laboratory, showed that glycol was present. A Steward’s hearing was held on July 21 to address the issue, where a two-part penalty was imposed. That is, a $2000 fine, while Johnson loses all his points accrued at Mallala 36. 2. The rear swingarm of Jamie Stauffer’s #27 Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike was deemed to be non-compliant by the Series Scrutineer. A follow-up hearing was first held on July 21, and then adjourned to July 27 to give Kawasaki more time to provide evidence demonstrating that the swingarm had not been modified. However, the Steward determined from the evidence provided that the swingarm had been modified. A two-part sanction has now been imposed: a $700 fine, while Stauffer loses his points from race two at Mallala 14. Both Yamaha and Kawasaki have 21 days in which to appeal the decisions.

THE THIRD EDITION OF CENTOPASSI WAS CONCLUDED ON THE 24TH JULY WITH THE VICTORY OF MARCO TOMASSINI. Bologna, 27th July 2005. After 4 exhilarating Legs on the Western Alps, Centopassi, the most satisfying event for those who love to put to themselves to the test on mountain roads organized by Dream Engine with the support of the main sponsor Z Zegna, the technical partner Ducati Motor and Iveco – Has concluded itself on the 24th July in Bardonecchia. Marco Tomassini on a BMW R1200 GS, is the overall winner of the Competition Class and has taken home the coveted prize a Ducati Multistrada 620 with a total of 75 points acquired on the ability trials and time checks along the way. In second place Cesare Conti, on a BMW RGS 1100R, with 63 points, followed by Alessandro Severi, in third place with a total of 44 points, on the seat of a Ducati Multistrada 1000DS. With regards to team participations, in first place was the BMW Racing Team composed by Marco Tomassini, Cesare Conti and Stefano Tosi with 73 points, in second place the Etna Team composed by Antonio Zingali, Attilio Pennisi and Michele Battiato with 52 points and in third place the X One Performer team composed by Renato Zocchi, Denis Terranova and Giuseppe Gelmini, with a total of 51 points. Participants of both categories Competition and Iron Biker have spent 4 days on the most fun roads and challenging passes of the Western Alps, departure was from Nice and headed towards the beautiful mountains that surround it. On day one participants passed by Gorges du Cians, Guillaumes, Col de la Cayolle, Barcellonette, Col du Vars, Guillestre, Col d’Izoard, Briançon, Col du Montgenevre, Cesana Torinese to arrive at Oulx. On the 22nd of July, departure was from Bardonecchia, then crossing the Col de l’Echelle, Briançon, l’Argentiere La Besse, Col du Vars, Jausiers, Col de la Bonette, Vinadio, Demonte, Elva, Col de Sampeyre, Colle dell’Agnello, Chateau Queyras, Col du Montgenevre and ending in Cesana Torinese. On the 23rd participants swerved by Briançon, Col du Lautaret, Col du Galibier, Col du Telegraphe, Montvernier, Col du Chaussy, Col de la Madeleine, Bourg St. Maurice, Col de l’Iseran, Lanslevillard, Col du Mont Cenis, Susa to return to Bardonecchia. The forth and last leg winded itself through Susa, Col du Mont Cenis, Lanslebourg, Modane,Saint M. de Maurienne, Col du Mollare, Belleville, Col de la Croix de Fer, Alp d’Huez, Col de la Strenne, Clavans, Col du Lautaret, La Vachette, Col de L’Echelle once again with final arrival in Bardonecchia. The prize giving ceremony took place at the Hotel Rivè in Bardonecchia, the Ducati Multistrada 620 first prize was awarded to Marco Tomassini by the SuperG Olympic Champion Daniela Ceccarelli, guest of the event for the second consecutive year. The overall winner of the third edition of Centopassi has expressed that he will place his prize in a charity auction in benefit of the school founded in Dakar by the unforgettable Fabrizio Meoni, who died last January during the Paris-Dakar. The 150 participants of this years’ event came from a wide range of countries: other than Italy, participants came all the way from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Lussemburg, Sweden, Norway, USA, South Africa and New Zeland, showing great enthusiasm for both the competitive class (Competition Class) as well as the more tourist class (Iron Biker). Centopassi is made possible thanks to the main sponsor Z Zegna, the new fragrance for men launched by Ermenegildo Zegna, a perfume that speaks of style, sport and seduction, created for a man who is passionate about his liberty, about the open road, motorbikes, speed and travel. The event also relies on the support of its’ technical partner Ducati Motor, of Iveco as well as the important collaboration from the local administrations of the locations where each leg ends: Bardonecchia, Cesana Torinese and Oulx. Centopassi is an event organised by Dream Engine with the support of the Curve &Tornanti team, Motoclub Terni “Libero Liberati”, and under the aegis of Federazione Motociclistica Italiana. Also essential to the success of the event was the contribution of the Italian Police Force of Bologna who accompanied the motorbikes along the whole itinerary.

Rizla Suzuki on the pace at Cadwell test RIZLA SUZUKI’S John Reynolds was fourth and James Haydon fifth fastest in today’s Cadwell Park official MCRCB British Superbike test. Featuring most of the main contenders in the BSB series, the Superbikes were given three one-hour sessions on the 2.18-mile long fans’ favourite circuit in Lincolnshire. Rain started to fall with just 20-minutes remaining in the last session but by then the Rizla Suzuki racers had completed a lot of positive testing work. Ducati’s Leon Haslam was quickest. “That was a really good day,” enthused JR. “I always struggle to test at Cadwell Park but it all came together and we were right on the pace despite keeping a fair bit in reserve. “I tried altering the swing-arm pivot point on my Rizla Suzuki and then tested several new Dunlop tyres. I’ve come away from the test revitalized – my GSX-R1000 is just awesome!” James Haydon’s technicians changed the geometry settings on his Rizla Suzuki to give him additional front-end feedback and he was ecstatic with the results. He said: “When we tested at Croft we made big improvements and I honestly didn’t think we could make that much progress again – but we have today. “The difference in the feeling with my bike compared to previously is massive and I am thrilled to be riding it. A big thanks to Norris, Oz and all of my team for ringing the changes and giving me a bike that is just mind-blowing. I’m really looking forward to racing at Castle Combe this weekend.” Rizla Suzuki will be competing at the Castle Combe Grand National in Wiltshire this weekend. James Haydon will be racing alongside British Superbike Privateer Cup leader James Buckingham in the Rizla Suzuki squad. British Superbike Champion JR will be attending to support the team and meet the fans. Racing starts at 13:15 on Sunday, July 31st. Test Times: 1: Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1:28.763, 2: Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 1:29.072, 3: Karl Harris (Honda) 1:29.092, 4: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 1:29.182, 5: JAMES HAYDON (RIZLA SUZUKI) 1:29.539, 6: Steve Plater (Honda) 1:29.669.

German Grand Prix at The Sachsenring 29, 30, 31 July 2005 HONDA MEN DETERMINED TO TOP PODIUM IN GERMANY After a damp and dismal British GP at Donington Park Honda’s big names in MotoGP are resolved to make amends at the Sachsenring on Sunday. The 17-race season is now past the halfway point with just eight races left to run and this is the last chance to put pressure on World Championship points leader Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) before the summer break. Four of Honda’s big names: Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V), Marco Melandri (Team Movistar Honda RC211V), Sete Gibernau (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) and Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) have tasted success here before, three of them in the premier class, and Melandri twice on a 250. If ever any of them needed a win here around the twisting dips and climbs of the sinuous Sachsenring, now is the time. With Rossi now on 211 points overall to second-placed Melandri’s 107, nothing less than a win for Honda’s young hotshot will do if he is to put pressure on the reigning World Champion. But Max Biaggi, currently lying fourth on 100 points, is still in a position to put a late-season charge together. But this race surely represents his last chance to claw his way back into contention. He won here in 2001 and tasted victory here last year too. Never a rider to give less than his best whatever the circumstances, his first win of the season is overdue and the Sachsenring could be the place where it happens. The 3.671km track is the shortest of the 17 tracks visited this season. Set in the rolling heartlands of German motorcycle sport in the Hohenstein-Ernstthal region, the former public roads circuit is close to the MZ motorcycle factory and huge crowds of up to 250,000 attended the event in its heyday, when the race took place on the old road course. The tight twisting nature of the track demands acceleration rather than outright speed, six left-hand turns in succession put great stress on tyres and a steep downhill plunge followed by an uphill section to the start-finish straight requires precision from riders and stability from machines. Alex Barros is itching to ride, and said, “I’m happy to be heading to the Sachsenring, where we’re all hoping for a nice sunny day for the race! It’s an unusual track; tight and twisty, but I like it because I’ve had some good results there both on the 500cc bikes and on the MotoGP bike. Last year I battled for victory with Max and I think I did one of the best races of the year, so I’m quite confident for Sunday. The podium in Donington was satisfying because the conditions were truly awful, but I want to do even better before returning to Brazil for the summer break.” His team-mate Troy Bayliss (Camel Honda RC211V), who failed to finish last weekend, said, “I was really annoyed at Donington, even though there’s nobody to blame for what happened considering the rotten conditions in the race. I returned home to Monaco, and took out my anger with a good bike ride and now I’m ready to race again. I love the Sachsenring, I can’t wait to race there next Sunday. I feel so much more comfortable with the bike, We’ve made some steps forward with the front settings and if we continue in this fashion, I will have my say on Sunday.” Sete, who won here in spectacular fashion in 2003, beating Rossi at the final turn on the last lap, said, “The Sachsenring is a slow and difficult track for MotoGP. It’s the shortest and most tortuous of all the tracks in the Championship and it is for this reason that the 250cc times are similar to ours in MotoGP. Due to the weight of the bikes and the slowness of the track, this is a very physically demanding circuit.” His team-mate Melandri said, “Overtaking is quite difficult here and the best place to do it is the braking at the end of the start/finish straight and at the Sachsenkurve. The atmosphere is fantastic here, the track is small so the public is all packed in tight, near the track, and you can really feel their presence. I achieved my first victory in the 250 class in 2001 here, but I also fell here last year.” Max said, “After the disaster at Donington I come to the Sachsenring determined to have a good result and good performance for my fans, for my team and for myself. I remember well last year when we took pole position and won the race. It was the perfect weekend and sadly one that has not happened since last year. It’s so frustrating knowing that I have the ability to be regularly on the front row and be regularly on the podium but at the moment it is just not happening. Let’s hope that the race this weekend will see a change in fortune.” Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) said, “I’ve gone pretty well at the Sachsenring in the past. I wouldn’t say it’s the most fun track but we’ve had some pretty good results there. The first year, I started 15th and finished fifth and last year got a podium. Some of the big left-handers really remind me of some of the dirt tracks back home, and I really like the downhill section towards the end of the track when it really falls away. As always when we have a bad race day I just want to get straight back on the track.” Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) needs a strong race here and said, “From this Grand Prix onwards I expect to improve my results, because as I promised before the United States of America Grand Prix, I want to, and I believe I can, reach my season objective: to improve on the final position of sixth obtained last year.” In the 250cc class reigning World Champion Dani Pedrosa (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) will be looking to consolidate his position at the top of the World Championship standings with a repeat of his win here last year. “I had never been on the podium in Germany before,” said Dani. “But last season on the 250 I had a great race at the Sachsenring. I hope to have another good result here and I hope the weather stays nice all weekend. We already had enough water in England and even though I can’t complain about how things went there I always prefer to race in the dry. After this weekend we have three weeks of holidays so we have to try and go away with a sweet taste in our mouths.” His team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) said, “I lost a good chance to win at Donington so I want to make up for that with a good race in Germany. Last year I finished fourth but I was only a few tenths of a second off the podium. Let’s see if I adapt as quickly as possible to the track this year and get a good position on the grid. In Germany it’s important to get a good start and stay at the front because the first turn is very tight and it’s always dangerous to be part of a big group there.” Jorge Lorenzo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) who qualified on pole last weekend, is ready for another attempt at winning his first 250cc Grand Prix. “It’s not one of my favourite tracks,” said the Spaniard. “But we just need some dry weather. The bike is going really well and my aim is to win here.” Swiss star Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) Will be seeking to gain an advantage in the increasingly tight 125cc World Championship. Luthi makes no secret of his preference for faster tracks, but knows he has to perform well here. “The Sachsenring is a tight track with many elevations,” he said. “But I much prefer fast circuits with fast corners. I’ve only raced here three times and haven’t had a good result. But this time I hope to do a lot better. The bike is working really well so I’ll be in better shape to take a good result. We shall have to wait and see.” Alvaro Bautista (Seedorf RC3 Racing Honda RS125RW) is aiming to make up for a disappointing Donington Park, and said, “I feel good and the bike is very strong at the moment. This is the perfect chance to get a good result as long as the weather turns out okay.”

Round 10: Sachsenring, Germany Track length: 3671 m Opened: 1966 Fastest Lap Ever: 1:24.056 (Alex Barros, 2004) MotoGP lap record: 1:24.056 (Alex Barros, 2004) Last year MotoGP winner: Max Biaggi 2004 MotoGP Race Summary Yamaha Factory rider and reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi entered the 2004 German Grand Prix, held at the Sachsenring with high expectations since the tight and twisty circuit has traditionally suited the nimble Yamaha. But after a determined fourth place in what was a dramatic and changeable race it was Max Biaggi (Honda) who mounted the podium as winner. Rossi’s fourth place came after an incident-filled race, and his team-mate Carlos Checa was one of many riders who did not make the finish. The Spaniard tumbled out on lap five, shortly after passing a string of riders. Rossi encountered his own challenges in the final laps, running wide on two corners and experiencing a violent weave as he tipped into the fast left hand curve at the top of the hill, losing places on each occasion after the rear tyre began to fade. Rossi chased the eventual race winner Max Biaggi in the early laps, sitting second and harrying his fellow Italian throughout. Sete Gibernau (Honda) closed in on the pairing until he fell from third place on lap eight, allowing fellow Honda riders Nicky Hayden and Alex Barros to move in on the act. Rossi broke Biaggi’s lead on lap 16, 0.7 seconds ahead at one stage, heading the order for a total of six laps. The young Italian’s challenge for maximum points faded, however, when he lost places consecutively to Biaggi, Barros and finally Hayden. Meanwhile massive misfortune visited the Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 team when both riders crashed out on lap 21 of the 30-lap race. Marco Melandri lost control of his YZR-M1 when the rear wheel touched the grass. The bike highsided the young Italian into the air and then Norick Abe hit the stricken machine at nearly 200kmh, crashing spectacularly as a result. Both riders were circulating the 3.671km track in close company as they both tried to get the better of Honda runners Colin Edwards and Makoto Tamada. Marco and Abe were both well into the points places in seventh and eighth when the double disaster unfolded. 2005 Set-up report YZR-M1 The tight and twisty nature of Sachsenring lends itself to close racing. This is partially influenced by its rather short overall length, only just scraping in on the minimum allowed distance to host a MotoGP race, while the looping layout itself has the reputation of making passing moves on fellow competitors difficult even at the best of times. The design of the circuit, with virtually only three pieces of straight tarmac, has seen the MotoGP machines reach their top speeds at the back straight, with two key passing points – the final two left-handers. Like Donington Sachsenring is made up of low and high speed sections. For this reason the Yamaha YZR-M1 will need to offer agility and a degree of stability too – a difficult combination – although agility takes priority. For 2005 this has become a major strength with the re-born YZR-M1 and should provide each of the four Yamaha pilots an advantage. Due to the long radius turns, and the low speeds a smoother power delivery is especially useful at such an undulating circuit as much of the driving is done off the left side of the tyre. All of this with little camber on offer. To help the YZR-M1 in this regard Yamaha will opt for a more linear characteristic from the rear suspension linkage – to suit the needs of the circuit and the flatter torque characteristics likely to be used by the inline-four. Such a linkage ratio will offer a plusher movement through the first stage of the stroke before gradually increasing in intensity. It will not only improve traction off the turns, allowing the rider to get on the power harder and earlier than before, the new linkage should also reduce the effects of the M1’s front wheel pawing for the clouds. This is often an issue for the 240 plus horsepower 145kg machines. This will be supported with a rear shock set-up that sports a setting a little more on the softer side; offering more feel while working the rear tyre less over the bumpy surface. It is necessary, however, to ensure the swingarm motion is predictable, as these setting, combined with the undulating layout and lack of grip, can lead to instability. To prevent this from becoming an issue the shock’s damping will be dialed in to compensate, while the front forks will be set to provide the best all-round balance. This is possible with the limited amount of hard braking that takes place at the Sachsenring.

Team SUZUKI MotoGP hopes to carry on where it left off Team SUZUKI MotoGP will be competing in this weekend’s Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland at Sachsenring in Germany, eager to capitalise on the superb second place Kenny Roberts Jr secured last week in England. Roberts Jr qualified in third place at last year’s German Grand Prix and both he and team-mate John Hopkins then raced their Suzuki GSV-R’s to top-10 finishes at the demanding eastern German track. A feat both riders will be hoping to at least repeat if not improve upon in Sunday’s race. Sachsenring is the shortest European circuit on the MotoGP calendar at only 3.671Km long. It regularly manages to produce top-class racing due to its tight and twisty character – where grip is more important than horsepower – and set-up is vital to a good lap-time. It is also a venue that gets one of the biggest spectator attendances of the season, over 200,000 fans turned up to watch last years meeting and a similar number can be expected this weekend. Sunday’s race is round 10 of the 17 event MotoGP World Championship and will begin at an earlier than usual time of 12.30CET. Paul Denning Team Manager: “Sachsenring is a very twisty circuit that will put tremendous demands on the Bridgestone tyres and the set-up of the GSV-R. Whilst outright power is not a priority as such, the riders still need excellent acceleration and strong mid-range power. We hope the improvements at Donington will prove themselves to be a step forward at Sachsenring, whether the conditions are wet or dry. “The team is still on cloud nine from last Sunday’s result but we know that we will have to start all over again this weekend – beginning with Friday’s free practice. Last weeks podium is now in the past and we will have to carry on working with the same drive and enthusiasm we have shown all season to make sure the step by step improvements continue, and that we allow the riders to use their talents to the full.”

Preview Suzuka 8 Hours – Suzuka Japan, July 31, 2005. Ukawa and Kiyonari chasing repeat Suzuka 8 Hours victory for Seven Stars Honda Team Team HRC Honda will run two factory prepared CBR1000RR four-cylinder machines in Sundays Suzuka 8 Hours race. The Seven Stars liveried machines will be in the hands of rider combinations that have both the experience and the speed to give Honda their 9th consecutive victory in the most prestigious two-wheel event on the Japanese racing schedule. The vastly experienced former grand prix rider Tohru Ukawa, now 32, will be partnered by 22 year old Ryuichi Kiyonari. The two men will race with the fabled number 7 that has carried Honda riders to victory on several occasions, including last year when Ukawa, racing with the now retired Hitoyasu Izutsu, gave their Seven Stars CBR1000RR a debut win. Ukawa, who has won grands prix in both the 250cc and MotoGP classes, has retired from full-time racing but the race has additional significance for him this time round. The long term HRC team rider is chasing a record breaking fifth win in the Japanese classic. Ukawa currently shares the record with Australia’s former 500cc World Champion Wayne Gardner. Contrastingly Kiyonari, currently contesting the British Superbike Championship (BSB), has yet to make a name for himself in the race. Despite brilliant qualifying performances at the last two 8-hour races that put him among the pre-race favourites Kiyonari did not ride in either race after his team mate on the day crashed out during the first hour. The team will run the CBR1000RR with Kiyonari’s race set up, Ukawa calling upon his track knowledge and experience to adjust his style to compensate. “This year I am teaming up with Ryuichi Kiyonari and as he is young and I have more experience than him, I would ride the machine with his set-up. If you try to find a compromised solution, both riders cannot use their performance fully. If one of them gives away, the other can ride 100%.” Ukawa said. Kiyonari, a graduate of the Suzuka Racing School Junior, was an ‘8-Hour’ race fan long before he first contested the event and he is determined to win the race and erase the dismal memories of his last two attempts. He said: “I am riding with Ukawa san this time. My parent loves watching 8-hour races and they brought me to Suzuka every year when I was kid and once I got an autograph from Ukawa san. So it is a great pleasure to ride with him. As I am riding the same machine in the BSB, I cannot ride fast without my set-up so Ukawa san said ‘I can ride with your set-up Ryuichi.’ Of course I want to win this race desperately because I was a mere spectator for the past two years.” Team manager Katunori Suzuki believes the CBR1000RR is the machine to beat on Sunday. However, at the recent Suzuka 300km race the team saw a comfortable lead wiped out when a race incident brought out the pace car destroying the teams race strategy and allowing their rivals back into the race. “So far, everything is going well. We have tested seven days at Suzuka. However, this year’s race will be tough and there are many strong rivals such as Yoshimura Suzuki, the TSR of Ito and Tsujimura, Yamaha and Masked riders.” Said Suzuki. “We have our basic plan but we must also have flexible tactics to cope with any accident or pace cars. During the Suzuka 300km race in June, pace cars were introduced and our advantage became nothing. We lost the race to Yoshimura but it was a good lesson for us, as we have learned how to reorganize the race when pace cars are introduced. Anyway, our target is to win the race.” HRC have drafted in two high profile riders from world championship to race the second Seven Stars CBR1000RR in the race. Katsuaki Fujiwara from World Supersport racing and World Superbike rider Chris Vermeulen will ride with race number 11. Fujiwara is a seasoned 8-hour campaigner who has born the brunt of pre-race testing but for Australian Vermeulen the race is a completely new experience. The two men are in good form. Racing Ten Kate Hondas in the world championship both hold second place in their respective race series Fujiwara aboard a CBR600RR, Vermeulen with his CBR1000RR. Fujiwara, Kats to his friends, is suffering the after effects of a July 6 crash while testing the Honda at Suzuka. Daily hospital visits for treatment in an oxygen tent have speeded his recovery and Kats is confident he will be completely fit to race on Sunday. Team Manager for number 11, Kazuhiko Yamano said: ” Fujiwara will be OK for the race. He is not having any problem with the machine, although the machine and tyres are different from the ones he is using for the World Supersport series. In case of Chris, he had to learn Suzuka track so there were more new things, which he had to get accustomed to. However, he got used to all of them very quickly. His adaptability is amazingly high.” The experienced Fujiwara, now 30, said: “I crashed at the Dunlop curve during the 8 hour test at Suzuka on July 6, and suffered a crack in a small side bone of spinal column. I am almost OK now although I had to cancel my World Super Sports race at Brno last weekend. Still, I have not ridden motorcycle since the accident so I will see how it goes during the first free practice on next Thursday. Feeling of the machine is perfect and I don’t feel any awkwardness switching from 600cc to 1000cc. Engine of the CBR1000RRW revs from the bottom so smoothly. Chris and I have almost identical set-up so there is no problem for us. I can ride 2’11″s constantly and this is very good.” Team mate Vermeulen cant wait to get to grips with the Seven Stars Honda: The Australian said: “I’m really looking forward to Suzuka and, although it’s my first time doing the 8-hour, I know it’s going to be a very long and hard race. The biggest things for me have been trying to learn the circuit during the tests we’ve had there, and riding with different tyres and suspension to my World Superbike CBR1000RR. It’s such a long lap and I was still learning things from other riders right at the end of our last test. But I like the circuit a lot – it’s very technical and has a bit of everything so I think I’ll enjoy the ride.” He went on to say: “The HRC factory bike just feels very different to my CBR1000RR but I’m with a very experienced HRC team. Some of the mechanics have been around since the Gardner and Doohan days so they know what it takes to win at Suzuka. I’ve really enjoyed working with all the technicians who really show their appreciation when you’re doing your job well. Working with Kats (Fujiwara) has been good, too. He knows the track like a lot of the Japanese riders, so I spent some time following him and Ukawa. Kats is fast there and we can ride using similar settings and the same, road-bike gear-shift pattern so it’s only natural that we should team up.” The race, officially part of the World Endurance Championship, is a high-speed eight-hour dash run at near grand prix pace around the technically challenging 5.821km circuit. Speed is not enough to win the Suzuka 8 hours riders have to possess an array of talents. He has to find a fast and smooth rhythm to get the very best from his tyres while grinding out consistent fast lap times. Track craft and patience is essential for dealing with a host of lapped riders and oily circuit conditions. Tactical awareness and the ability to adapt race strategy when the weather changes, or accidents bring out the pace care are priceless qualities. Like all top flight endurance events, two and four wheel classics, competitors in the twilight of their racing careers are in high demand and some of the very best among the two wheel exponents of the art will race for Honda supported teams. Dream Team Sakurai Honda has entered Tadayuki Okada the 38 years old near veteran as team leader. Okada is currently Team Manager of the BSB team that runs Kiyonari, is making his first race appearance since the corresponding event last year. The team will race with number 74 in honour of Okada’s late friend Daijiro Kato. He will be partnered by Kato’s cousin Chojun Kameya, the partnership hoping to better their ninth place finish in last years race. Another 38 year-old evergreen campaigning a CBR1000RR is Shinichi Ito who set a new Superbike record of 2m 09.211s at the Suzuka 2&4 race last April. Ito is paired with former five-time 125cc GP winner Takeshi Tsujimura yet another thirty-plusser. “Everything is going so smoothly at the moment. I marked low 2’09″s during the testing and my partner Tsujimura is also in good shape.” Said Ito. “So we are looking forward to the race. I have marked the best time during the Superpole for the past two years and I am really aiming for that again this year but I guess I have to mark 2’08″s to get the pole this year.” Former double 125cc World Champion Haruchika Aoki returns to the 8-hour after a two-year absence during which he has raced in the Autorace series held on oval tracks. Aoki will share the Team Harc Pro Honda with Tsuyoshi Yasuda who finished seventh for the team in 2004. The Anglo-Japanese partnership of Naoki Matsudo and Leon Camier race for Moriwaki Motul Tiger Racing. Moriwaki inevitably provides his riders with fast competitive motorcycles and Matsudo and Camier are a formidable combination. Team Masked Rider Hibiki Honda RT field Tatsuya Yamaguchi and Kazuki Tokudome for the second consecutive year. They finished fourth last year and but for Yamaguchi suffering an arm pump-up problem the team might have taken a podium place. They are determined to finish in the top three this time round. Tokudome has his sights set firmly on the top step of the podium. He said: “This year we are really aiming to win the race. During the Suzuka 300km race in June, I was chasing Ukawa san. He was faster than me at the straights but I could catch up at the turns. But our machine broke down three laps to go and I had to come in to the pit. It was disappointing but the race itself gave me confidence for the 8-hour race.” Competition among the Honda teams is intense no quarter asked or given but they will not have the race to themselves they face formidable opposition from strong teams entered by rival marks. Chief among them will be the Yoshimura Suzuki of Atsushi Watanabe and Yukio Kagayama who finished second in 2004. They will be backed up by the Castrol Suzuki of Keiichi Kitagawa, Vincent Philippe and Matthieu Lagrive. Yamaha look to the talented pairing of Shinichi Nakatomi and Wataru Yoshikawa to deliver the big prize while Kawasaki place their faith in tried and trusted campaigners Ryuji Tsuruta and Katsunori Hasegawa backed up by Osamu Nishijima and team mate Kazuki Shimizu.

Buckingham earns his chance to shine with Rizla Suzuki BRITISH SUPERBIKE Privateer Championship leader James Buckingham will race for Rizla Suzuki at the Grand National at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire this weekend alongside James Haydon. Buckingham, 21, has campaigned a Suzuki GSX-R1000 successfully in the British Superbike Privateers Cup this year and his excellent results have earned him this opportunity to show what he can achieve on a Factory Superbike. He replaces William Dunlop who was scheduled to ride for Rizla Suzuki but broke his collarbone two weeks ago. From Ilfracombe in Devon and standing at 6’4in, Buckingham is a full time motorcycle mechanic. He said: “This is a great opportunity for me to be part of a top team like Rizla Suzuki. I am absolutely focussed on getting good results. My aim is to go out there, enjoy myself and really make the most of the opportunity. “I have never ridden at Castle Combe or on the Rizla Suzuki before, so it is not going to be easy to get results. I learn quickly though and really want to show what I am capable of as a rider.” Rizla Suzuki regular racer James Haydon is hoping to use the time on his GSX-R1000 productively and is aiming for silverware. The 31-year-old Andorra resident said: “I want the practice time on my Rizla Suzuki as I am still learning about it and I also want to get on the podium and taste champagne. “I never race to finish anywhere but on the top step of the podium and this weekend I am targeting two victories. The competition will be tough but the team has experience from the circuit last year and I’ll be aiming to give the Rizla Suzuki supporters in the crowd something to cheer about!” British Superbike Champion John Reynolds will also be at Castle Combe on Sunday, July 31st. He is not competing at the event as he prepares himself for the remainder of the British Superbike Championship season. He will be signing autographs and meeting the public as well as cheering on the two James’s. The UK headquarters for Rizla is based close to Castle Combe Circuit in the nearby city of Bristol and there is expected to be a huge amount of support for the team at the event. Superbike Racing starts at 13:15 on Sunday July 31st. For more details visit www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk.

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix 2006 provisional calendar The 2006 Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix provisional calendar is the following: March 26 – Jerez, Spain April 8 – Doha, Qatar ** April 23 – Istanbul, Turkey May 7 – Shanghai, China May 21 – Le Mans, France June 4 – Mugello, Italy June 11 – Catalunya, Spain June 24 – Assen, Netherlands ** July 2 – Sachsenring, Germany July 16 – Donington Park, Great Britain July 23 – Laguna Seca, United States * August 20 – Brno, Czech Republic September 10 – Sepang, Malaysia September 17 – Phillip Island, Australia September 24 – Motegi, Japan October 8 – Estoril, Portugal October 29 – Valencia, Spain *: Only MotoGP class **: Saturday