From a press release:

CORNER MARSHALL TUNE-UP TAKING PLACE IN PENNSYLVANIA

Daytona Cornerworkers are still needed and this course is a full coverage educational program. It is a great opportunity for first time attendees or for experienced marshalls to review and refresh basic skills.

The program is being held at Reading M/C AMA#4, in Oley, Pennsylvania, February 20. Doors open at 1:00pm and class starts at 2:00pm. Classroom structure allows for open dialogue. Participants in the past have included racers along with safety crew members.

Egor Emery of Daytona’s Safety Crew will instruct the class along with members of the PA Posse.

This is a rescheduled event from January 22 that was postponed due to snowstorm.

For more information and complete details, contact Landis at 610.683.6049 or at [email protected]

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Superbike World Championship
Corrections to the rules

The Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (FGSport) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), in a meeting held yesterday, made corrections in the text of Art. 2.4.6.7 of the Superbike Technical Rules (nine front tyres instead of eleven – all tyres included in the total quantity count). The new text is the following:

2.4.6.7 Tyres

At each event, during free practices, qualifying practices, Superpole and warm up session, a maximum of thirteen (13) rear and nine (9) front tyres may be used. There is no limitation on the number of tyres for the race. All tyres (slick, intermediate and wet) will be included in the total quantity count. If the riders are given a red flag during the Superpole session for reasons beyond rider’s control the FIM Technical Director may allow an additional set of tyres to be used. At the beginning of the event, the Official Supplier must deliver to the FIM Technical Director four (4) samples of each type of tyre which will be used at the event.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

GlobeCast to Provide International Satellite Distribution for 2005 Superbike World Championship

GlobeCast SNG teams to bring exciting coverage of Superbike competition from racetracks around the world to viewers on five continents and 170 countries.

Paris/London, 17 February 2005 – GlobeCast, one of the world’s leading satellite services companies, will provide international satellite distribution of the 2005 Superbike World Championship from February to October following a deal with rights-holder FGSPORT.

GlobeCast’s Satellite Newsgathering teams (SNGs) and flyaways will be present at each race to deliver more than 200 hours of exciting race coverage, pre-race trials, interviews and race analysis to millions of viewers across five continents and 170 countries, as thirty world-class riders compete for the championship title. A wide list of broadcasters has already signed up to receive GlobeCast’s feed.

The races will take place each weekend from February through October at locations in Europe, the Middle East and Australia. The first race takes place on 26 February at the new Losail circuit in Qatar Doha. On 3 April, the championship moves to Phillip Island, Australia followed by ten remaining races at different European locations including the UK, San Marino, Germany and France.

GlobeCast is providing FGSPORT with transmission and encryption of each feed as well as distribution on satellite platforms around the world.

GlobeCast’s in-house global satellite distribution network is ideal for such a complex multi-location championship series. The company proved itself to be a perfect transmission partner for FGSPORT, thanks to its global presence, local know-how, turnkey services, active 24/7 helpdesk and single point of contact.

For races in Europe and Qatar:
Europe, Middle East and North Africa distribution on Eutelsat W1
Asia and Oceania distribution on AsiaSat 2 in partnership with Satlink
Americas distribution on PAS-3 via GlobeCast teleport in London (Brookman’s Park)

For races in Australia:
Australia and Asia Pacific distribution on PAS-2
Americas distribution on PAS-9 via turnaround in Napa Valley, California
European distribution on Eutelsat W1 via GlobeCast teleport in London

About GlobeCast (www.globecast.com) – a subsidiary of France Telecom – is the world’s leading global satellite services company operating a global network of satellite distribution platforms for DTH and cable broadcast, enterprise media and advanced IP-based content delivery.

GlobeCast offers the complete range of satellite broadcast solutions, including TV channel distribution, secure satellite Internet delivery, webcasting, satellite newsgathering, direct-to-home distribution, sports programming backhaul, programme origination, studio production, special events mobile production and audio distribution.

From a press release that originally did not include the new website’s address:

Suomy USA is pleased to announce the launch of it’s 2005 website, http://www.suomy-usa.com. Designed by mojotown.com, the new website features the entire 2005 line including including the Spec1R and Spec1R Extreme series, Ventura, Spectre, and revolutionary Nomad and F1 helmets. Here you will also find an all-new Swag Shop, Dealer Locator and a very unique ZOOM feature that allows unprecedented resolution for incredible close up inspection of each helmet graphic exclusive to Suomy Helmets.

In addition to the helmet line up, visitors can learn details about the BSI certification process, and detailed technical aspects of Suomy’s 2005 collection.

For Dealer Inquiries, please contact one of our exclusive distributors:

Parts Unlimited
[1] 608-758-1111

Romaha Importer Distributors
[1] 800-523-6532

Van Leeuwen Enterprises
[1] 818-896-2200

From a press release:

Infinity GP Racing, LLC www.infinitygpracing.com (a subsidiary of Infinity Companies Ltd) today contracted Michele Danese of Vicenza, Italy to race the 2005 Infinity/Can-Am International 125GP Series as its lead pilot.

Frank Pate, Team Owner had this to say: “We spent the last two weeks with Michele testing at various tracks and were very impressed with his riding talent. Michele beat one of the track records by over 2 seconds in less than 25 laps! We’re quite excited to have him on board our team for 2005, as he will be bringing a whole new level of talent to the ranks in the US”.

From a press release issued by the Plummer-Menapace Group on behalf of Pirelli:

(Rome, GA) Wheel Two Wheel Support, based out of Lebec, CA, has been named the Pirelli race-tire vendor for California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Bob Henderson, newly-appointed Pirelli Road Racing Coordinator, made the announcement.

Tom Jirkovsky and Alexa Johnson are the people on the front line at WTW. They can be reached at: Wheel Two Wheel Support, P.O. Box 1419, Lebec, CA, 93243. Phone/fax: (661)245-6869. Tom’s cell phone is (661)378-1532, Alexa’s (661) 378-1523.

From a press release issued by KTM:

KALLIO FAST FOR RED BULL KTM TEAM IN VALENCIA TEST

Red Bull KTM riders have completed a successful two day, 125cc grand prix test at the Valencia circuit in Spain with Finnish rider Mika Kallio setting the third fastest time overall.

Kallio was in top form with a best lap of 1:40.58, just half a second outside the best time posted by Sergio Gadea. Throughout the final day Kallio and Gadea had swapped places at the top of the time sheets.

Joining Kallio in the leading group was Hungarian teammate Gabor Talmacsi who was fourth fastest with a best lap of 1:41.38. It was an impressive first appearance by Talmacsi with the KTM team.

The Red Bull KTM team have entered three factory riders — Kallio, Talmacsi and Julian Simon — in the 125cc world championship.

Riding new 2005 model KTM 125cc machines both Kallio and Talmacsi showed they will be strong contenders for the world road race championship which opens with the Spanish GP at Jerez on Aprilia 10.

Over the two day pre-season test Kallio completed 112 laps and Talmacsi 115. On day one Kallio had posted the fastest lap time of the 22 riders participating in the test.

Missing from the Valencia test was Spanish teenager Julian Simon who is still recovering from a broken collarbone suffered in a motocross accident in January. Simon is expected to ride at the Barcelona test session later this month.

Also at the Valencia test were Red Bull KTM Junior Team riders Michael Randseder, Stefan Bradl, Toni Wirsing and Robin Laser who all rode 2004 model KTM machines.

Talented Austrian rookie Randseder improved his best lap of the first day by 3.7 seconds to complete the two day test with a fastest time of 1:42.28s. Randseder completed 97 laps over the two days.

The test was run in cool conditions with an average temperature of 15 degrees and occasional rain.

Mika Kallio
“This was a good test for me on the new KTM, the bike is already more competitive than last year. My best lap time was more than one second faster than my fastest lap at the Valencia GP just three months ago so this is a good start to our test program. Now I’m looking forward to going to Barcelona for the next test and continuing to prepare for the start of the season.”

Gabor Talmacsi
“This was my first time on the KTM so it was an opportunity to learn about the bike and settle in with the team. I still have some work to do on set-up because I’m heavier than Mika and am still not fully comfortable with the seating position. But it’s good start to my season on the KTM.”

Harald Bartol
“This was a successful first test with new 2005 engine and chassis. There are quite a few changes to geometry, forks, seat and cowlings so we spent a lot of time on set-up. Mika was very fast and he was impressed with the new bike while Gabor also did an excellent job for his first ride on the KTM. At the next test in Barcelona we hope to have some new electronic systems and a revised seat for Gabor who is nine kilograms heavier than Mika. And I expect that Julian Simon will be fit to ride the new bike at the next test in two weeks.”

Unofficial lap times after two days:

1.- Sergio Gadea (Aprilia) 1.40.060
2.- Thomas Luthi (Honda) 1.40.493
3.- Mika Kallio (KTM) 1.40.584
4.- Gabor Talmacsi (KTM) 1.41.388
5.- Lorenzo Zanetti (Aprilia) 1.41.524
6.- Imre Toth (Aprilia) 1.41.651
7.- Dario Giuseppetti (Aprilia) 1.41.822
8.- Héctor Faubel (Aprilia) 1.41.862
9.- Mateo Túnez (Aprilia) 1.41.940
10.- Julián Miralles (Aprilia) 1.41.995
11.- Andrea Iannone (Aprilia) 1.42.221
12.- Michael Randseder (KTM) 1.42.289
13.- Jordi Carchano (Aprilia) 1.42.728
14.- Sandro Cortese (Honda) 1.42.783
15.- Vincent Braillard (Aprilia) 1.43.145
16.- Sascha Hommel (Malaguti) 1.43.595
17.- Stefan Bradl (KTM) 1.43.870
18.- Karel Abraham (Aprilia) 1.44.390
19.- Michele Pirro (Malaguti) 1.44.423
20.- Hugo Van der Berg (Aprilia) 1.45.313
21.- Toni Wirsing (KTM) 1.45.890
22.- Robin Läser (KTM) 1.46.316

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

HODGSON AND BOSTROM TEST AT LAGUNA SECA

Laguna Seca (California) Wednesday 16 February 2005: The Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team battled through difficult weather conditions during a two-day test at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rains limited track time for Neil Hodgson and Eric Bostrom as they tested at the 2.238 mile (3.6 kilometer), 11-turn Laguna Seca circuit, but both riders were able to spend most of Wednesday at the controls of their Ducati 999 Superbikes.

Hodgson was one of the few riders to brave the elements on Tuesday but managed just six laps as the rains fell. Neil’s best time on Wednesday was an impressive 1:26.42 lap. “We achieved what we needed to get done in a short space, essentially about half a day of track time,” said the former World Superbike champion. “It was a positive test and we learned a lot about the motorcycle. It already feels much like my ‘old’ bike I used to win the World Championship. It’s going really, really well at the moment ”

Hodgson previously raced at Laguna Seca in his World Superbike days and said the familiarity with the track helped him at the test. “You need to test at a track you know. You could spend all day learning a new circuit but I know what a bike needs to do from my years racing here. Testing is all about finding your strengths and your weakest areas and we were able to do that.”

The Laguna Seca test was the final preseason trial for the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team. “The first race at Daytona is somewhat of a different animal compared to the other tracks, but we’ll be ready,” said the Isle of Man resident.

Bostrom did not ride in the wet on Tuesday but was able to lap his Ducati 999 Superbike on Wednesday. He turned in his best time in the high 1:27 range just as the rains that ended the test began to fall. “In a way, we lucked out to get as much track time as we did,” said Bostrom. “I would have liked more. We’re still working on getting the balance to get the feeling I need from the bike. It’s coming along, though, just a little more slowly than I’d like. We’re not quite there yet.”

Team manager Tom Bodenbach said the test was productive for Ducati’s AMA Superbike squad. “The weather hampered us a bit but we were able to test most of the day on Wednesday. Of course, we would have liked more track time but the team accomplished some goals and we’re looking forward to kicking off the season.”

The opening round of the season at the famed Daytona International Speedway is scheduled for March 10-13.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

World Superbikes EXCLUSIVELY LIVE on British Eurosport

Live studios throughout the season
– STARTS ON SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY IN DOHA, QATAR –

British Eurosport’s exclusively live coverage of the Superbike World Championships gets underway in less than two weeks, on Saturday, 26 February, with the start of the new season in Doha, Qatar.

British Eurosport will be on air from 7:30 a.m. (GMT) LIVE for six hours, with a brand new studio and presenter (to be announced) covering the first two Superbike races, as well as taking a closer look at the contending teams and riders, plus the latest paddock gossip.

Race commentary will once again be led by fans’ favourite double-act of Jack Burnicle and former Superbikes star James Whitham, while MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams will be on hand to analyse all the action. Viewers will also have the chance to call in or email their view and interact with the studio team.

The LIVE studios will then revert back to their traditional Sunday slot when British Eurosport follows every round of the series from Philip Island, Australian on 3rd April to the last races at Magny Cours, France on 9th October 2005.

There will also be extensive highlights shows of each round for those who miss the live action – with a total of 168 hours airtime devoted to the 2005 series. Plus, results, features, and rider interviews will also be on www.eurosport.com.

Paolo Flammini, Chief Executive of FGSPORT, the rights-owning company of World Superbikes said, “2005 will be a great year for the World Superbike Championship and we’re delighted that British Eurosport will be trackside again to bring all the live action to its viewers. We have just signed a new agreement with Eurosport to broadcast Superbikes and Sport until 2009 and so look forward to continuing our relationship for the next five years”.

Pierre-Jean Sebert, Managing Director of British Eurosport said “We are excited to once again show World Superbikes and to offer UK viewers exclusively live coverage of all the 2005 races. We know that our bike programmes are popular with viewers – World Superbikes, coupled with our MotoGP coverage, reached an audience of 4.8 million last year. Our extensive motorbike and car racing offering reinforces our position as Number One in motorsport”.