US Grand Prix, Laguna Seca, July 8/9/10, Preview DUCATI MARLBORO MEN READY FOR U.S. RODEO RIDE Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa are gearing up for what should be one of the most spectacular events of the 2005 MotoGP World Championship. Laguna Seca, hosting its first Grand Prix since 1994, is a unique race venue, a dizzying mix of high-speed turns and undulations that test rider skill and bravery to the utmost. It is, in fact, MotoGP’s very own rodeo ride. Capirossi and Checa have experienced Laguna’s special thrills before, both were both up-and-coming 250 riders when they last raced at the Californian racetrack, but this time they return aboard a very different weapon: the 230-plus horsepower 989cc Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici. The Italian V4, now in its third year of MotoGP racing, is one of the fastest bikes on the grid. So far this year the team has scored one podium finish, at June’s Italian GP, and is now hoping for another great result to celebrate Ducati’s first-ever United States GP. “We have scored many wins at Laguna World Superbike events, but this is the first time we have been in the US for MotoGP,” says Ducati MotoGP project manager Livio Suppo. “We are very excited because the United States is a very important market, and a successful market for us, so we hope that this event will encourage even more interest in Ducati. It will be an interesting and challenging weekend, because although our riders and some of our engineers know the track, we’ve not been there for so long that it’s like a new circuit.” Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli is delighted to be returning to Laguna. “It’s my favourite track of all,” says Cecchinelli, who used to work in Ducati’s successful World Superbike team. “I like undulating circuits and Laguna is very up and down. Based on my experiences working there, I know it’s not an engine track, it’s all about easy handling and power delivery. Riders also need a lot of confidence in the front because there are a lot of downhill, off-camber turns, especially nine and ten, where riders can make up a lot of time.” Getting the Ducati Marlboro Team up and running at Laguna is no small feat of logistics – the Bologna-based squad sends 12,000 kilos of freight in 50 crates to the US for this event. CAPIROSSI: ALREADY A WINNER AT LAGUNA Loris Capirossi scored his first podium of 2005 at June’s Italian GP and the hard-riding Italian will be aiming for another top-three result at Laguna. Like many riders in the premier MotoGP class, Capirossi knows the track from previous visits in the early 90s. And he knows the fast way around the complex Californian venue – he took pole position and the race win in the 1993 US 250 GP. “I really liked the track on a 250, but I don’t know how it will work for a MotoGP bike,” says the Ducati Marlboro Team man. “It will be exciting and challenging – turn one will be very impressive, also uphill to the Corkscrew, where you use the rear brake while you’re accelerating up the hill, so the bike doesn’t wheelie too much. It will be a busy weekend, with a lot of work on set-up, but the good thing is that our bike is now quite competitive and that Bridgestone are working very hard, bringing us a lot of tyres to test. For sure Laguna won’t be easy on a MotoGP bike but I’m definitely looking forward to racing in the States again.” CHECA RARING TO GET REACQUAINTED WITH LAGUNA Carlos Checa is raring to get to know Laguna aboard his Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici. Like his team-mate, the Spaniard also raced in the 1993 and ’94 US 250 GPs, though he was just a young privateer at the time, still waiting to be discovered by the factory teams. His seventh-place finish in the ’94 event definitely helped him on his way to the top. “Last time I raced at Laguna I was just starting out in GPs,” recalls Checa. “They were my first races outside Europe, so they were big experiences, with big memories. Laguna is so up and down that it feels like motocross! It will certainly be very interesting on a MotoGP bike, not easy at all. Basically our bike is working quite well at the moment, so we hope it will be okay at Laguna, the tyres too. Anyway, I’m excited about this race, it’s always good to do something different, and after 11 years Laguna will feel like a new track.” Checa is a regular visitor to Monterey as a good friend of former 500 World Champion Wayne Rainey, who lives close to Laguna. Carlos Checa will also be getting the full Hollywood treatment on Wednesday as he and Colin Edwards are whisked off by championship organisers Dorna to a VIP pre-event promotional tour in Los Angeles. The Ducati Marlboro Team rider will attend a press conference before being taken to the Warner Bros studios for a behind-the-scenes look at the set of the forthcoming disaster movie remake “The Poseidon Adventure” starring Kurt Russell, followed by lunch with selected Hollywood VIPs at Santa Monica airport THE TRACK Laguna Seca is a spectacular circuit, twisting its way across rolling Californian hillsides. It is best known for its infamous Corkscrew section, a tight left-right chicane on a steep hillside which is as close as any racetrack gets to a rollercoaster ride. In fact the entire circuit is a bit of a rollercoaster, starting with turn one, an ultra-quick lefthander over the brow of a hill that has riders close to take-off. This corner is one of the greatest tests of bravery in MotoGP. The infield section (completed in the late 80s to bring the track up to World Championship spec) is relatively straightforward, then the fun begins once again as riders commence the high-speed uphill run to the Corkscrew. This section is so steep that riders use the rear brake to prevent the front wheel getting too skyward. After the Corkscrew, the circuit’s highest point, riders plunge downhill through a fast left and fast right, before the dead-slow final turn. Laguna’s many downhill corners make front-tyre performance more crucial than ever, since riders need extra grip and confidence to attack these off-camber turns. Machines need to be particularly well balanced for this circuit. Laguna hosted six Grands Prix between 1988 and 1994, then slipped off the calendar due to safety concerns. The track has undergone major safety revisions for its MotoGP return, most crucially at the ultra-high-speed turn one and at the fast turn nine lefthander. LAGUNA SECA Lap record: Kevin Schwantz (Suzuki), 1m 25.838s, 148.219 mh/92.099mph (1990) Pole position 1994: Mick Doohan (Honda), 1m 26.068s 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: 223 (53xMotoGP, 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) Laguna 1994 results: Grid: 3rd. Race: DNF 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: 175 (55xMotoGP, 92×500, 27×250, 1×125) Pole positions: 3 (2xMotoGP, 1×500) First pole: Spain, 1998 (500) Laguna 1994 results: Grid: 11th. Race: 7th For further information: www.ducaticorsepress.com

SUPERBIKE SUMMER SIZZLER CALGARY, AB The Parts Canada Superbike Championship begins a critical stretch of its 2005 title chase at Race City Motorsport Park this weekend. Even though the doubleheader races on Saturday and Sunday are only the second and third rounds of the eight-race series, success here could put a rider on track to the overall series title. Last season Pascal Picotte won both ends of the doubleheader to start a four-race winning streak on the way to his second straight Parts Canada Superbike title. In 2002 Jordan Szoke did the same to kick off a record-tying five-race winning streak en route to his second championship. Both riders should be at the forefront of this weekend’s racing action at the 3.2km (2.0-mile) Calgary venue. Picotte will be aiming for a repeat of his 2004 success as he tries to get himself back in contention for a third straight Canadian national crown. The Granby, QC rider was injured in a practice fall at the season opener at Shannonville Motorsport Park in May and gutted out a brave eighth place finish on his Picotte Performance Yamaha YZF-R1. Szoke finished third at Shannonville aboard the Fast Company Honda CBR1000RR. The Brantford, ON ace, also a two-time national champion has more Superbike wins at Race City than any other racer in the sport’s history with five. Of course, both riders will be chasing Rock Forest, QC’s Francis Martin, who won the Shannonville opener in impressive fashion on his Snobgirls / Laval Moto Suzuki GSX-R1000 and leads the 2005 point standings. Martin scored his first career national Superbike win at Race City in 1999 on his way to that year’s Canadian title. A pair of Calgary natives should also feature in the lead battle at both of this weekend’s Superbike rounds. Blackfoot Suzuki’s Clint McBain finished fourth in last year’s Parts Canada Superbike point standings, while Chris Peris makes his 2005 Canadian debut on the Topline Yamaha YZF-R1 after some impressive performances in the U.S. this season. Frank Trombino of Kleinburg, ON is coming off a solid second place finish at this season’s opening Canadian round on the Trombino Yamaha Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. Another contender will be six-time national champion Steve Crevier. The Maple Ridge, BC veteran placed fourth at Shannonville on the DXS Diablo Performance Honda CBR1000RR and is a two-time winner at Race City. Another Granby rider, Kevin Lacombe should also be in the mix on the other Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000. Lacombe placed third in last season’s Superbike point standings. The list of potential challengers also includes the Canadian Kawasaki duo of Tom Kipp, from Chardon, OH and Mississauga, ON rider Matt McBride on their Kawasaki ZX-10Rs. This weekend’s racing also features doubleheader action for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike and Suzuki SV650 National Cup support classes, along with the second round of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Championship. Crevier edged McBain for the win in the opening round of the Pro 600 Sport Bike series at Shannonville. Picotte is the defending class champion, and Peris won one of last year’s Calgary races for his first ever national victory. Alain Lefebvre of Rouyn-Noranda, QC comes to Race City leading the SV650 Cup national standings after a dominant victory at Shannonville. Whitby, ON’s Craig Archer won a typically dramatic Amateur 600 Sport Bike season opener at Shannonville on his Honda CBR600RR. Yamaha racer James Collins of Woodstock, ON is second in points and Pascal Anctil from Laval, QC is third after completing the Shannonville podium on his Suzuki. Qualifying for the Parts Canada Superbike, Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike and Suzuki SV650 National Cup series will take place Friday afternoon with feature races set for Saturday and Sunday. The International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike competitors will qualify Saturday for their Sunday feature. Action from this weekend will be shown later this summer in a one-hour show on TSN. For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com All Time Race City Superbike Wins Jordan Szoke (Brantford, ON) 5; Pascal Picotte (Granby, QC) 4; Michael Taylor (Toronto, ON) 3; Steve Crevier (Maple Ridge, BC) 2; Gary Goodfellow (Vancouver, BC) 1; Rueben McMurter (London, ON) 1; Michel Mercier (Thetford Mines, QC) 1; Don Munroe (Halifax, NS) 1; Francis Martin (Rock Forest, QC) 1; Jeff Williams (Harrowsmith, ON) 1; Owen Weichel (Toronto, ON) 1 Race City Fast Facts Streak buster “¦By winning both Superbike events at last year’s Race City doubleheader Pascal Picotte ended a streak of sorts for Jordan Szoke. Szoke had swept both ends of the track’s previous two doubleheader events in 2000 and 2002. Szoke remains the all-time leader in Race City Superbike wins with five, but Picotte is now a close second with four victories. Crystal ball? “¦When Pascal Picotte clinched last year’s Parts Canada Superbike title, it marked the sixth time in the past nine years that a rider has parlayed a victory at Race City Motorsport Park into a national title. Michael Taylor did it in 1996, Don Munroe in 1997, Jordan Szoke in 1998 and 2002, and Francis Martin in 1999. The exceptions are Szoke in 2000, Owen Weichel in 2001 and Taylor in 2003. Hall of famers “¦This year’s Parts Canada Superbike field features the three winningest riders in the history of the national championship. Steve Crevier leads the way with 22 all-time victories. He is followed by Jordan Szoke with 15 and Pascal Picotte at 13. Between them these three riders have 50 career national Superbike race wins. Going the distance “¦Race lengths for each of this weekend’s national events have been increased by two laps over last year. The Superbikes will go for 18 laps of the 3.2km (2.0-mile) course, Pro and Amateur 600 Sport Bike are scheduled for 14 laps and Suzuki SV650 Cup will run 12 laps. 2005 Point Standings Parts Canada Superbike: 1. Francis Martin (Suzuki) 55; 2. Frank Trombino (Yamaha) 43; 3. Jordan Szoke (Honda) 41; 4. Steve Crevier (Honda) 32; 5. Clint McBain (Suzuki) 31 Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike: 1. Steve Crevier (Honda) 55; 2. Clint McBain (Suzuki) 44; 3. Frank Trombino (Yamaha) 41 International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike: 1. Craig Archer (Honda) 50; 2. James Collins (Yamaha) 42; 3. Pascal Anctil (Suzuki) 37 Suzuki SV650 National Cup: 1. Alain Lefebvre 52; 2. Norm Tang 42; 3. Dave Bagshaw 37 Provisional Weekend Schedule Friday July 1 1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Qualifying 2:20 p.m.-2:40 p.m. Suzuki SV650 National Cup Qualifying 2:50 p.m.-3:50 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Qualifying Saturday July 2 1:00 p.m. Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Race 1 14 laps 1:45 p.m.-2:10 p.m. International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Qualifying 2:30 p.m. Suzuki SV650 National Cup Race 1 12 laps 3:15 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Race 1 18 laps Sunday July 3 1:00 p.m. Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Race 2 14 laps 1:45 p.m. International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Race 14 laps 2:30 p.m. Suzuki SV650 National Cup Race 2 12 laps 3:15 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Race 2 18 laps

Superbike Stars Test at VIR, Look Forward to Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Alton, Va. All of the top teams in the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited were on hand at VIRginia International Raceway this week for a two-day test in advance of the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals, scheduled for the weekend of August 26-28. Topping the time sheets was five-time and defending Superbike champ Mat Mladin of Team Yoshimura Suzuki with a reported track-record lap of 1:24.1. Mladin’s time eclipsed the lap record set by Honda’s Miguel Duhamel in qualifying last year at 1:24.404. Mladin is having another great year, having won seven of the 10 races held to date, putting him in position to break his own record of 10 wins in a single season and further his unprecedented string of championships, as no other rider in series history has won more than three. “Obviously most of that’s got to do with the new bike, the GSX-R1000,” he said, “so it’s all gone pretty well so far. We first threw a leg over this bike in February of this year, and it’s still very young in its development process. We’re certainly looking at developing it more and more as the year goes on.” Much of the talk in the VIR paddock during the test was the fact that the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals was a late addition to the 2005 schedule for the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, and that it will now be promoted by the Colorado-based Race Promotion Management (RPM) group, who have had huge success in their past promotions at Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca. “I know that they do a good job,” said Mladin of RPM, “so I’m sure with them here at VIR, and Suzuki on board as the major sponsor, it will be a really good event again.” Austin Ducati’s Eric Bostrom echoed Mladin’s comments, saying, “It’s always nice to come to VIR; it’s one of the best tracks the circuit goes to. It should be fun. A big thanks to Parts Unlimited and RPM for getting things worked out. (Having the VIR race off the schedule) was a big blow to the entire paddock. It seems like the crowd’s been pretty good here, and there are a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts in the area.” Bostrom had high praise for RPM, saying, “Those guys just put on a good show. Typically things run smoother, and there is more excitement because they bring in extra attractions. I think overall that they just create this kind of catalyst that makes the race weekend more fun and entertaining.” Roger Lee Hayden, on hand to test his Superstock and Supersport machines for Team Kawasaki, said fans can expect a big weekend for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals. “They can expect the best, that’s all I can say,” he said. “They used to do Road Atlanta and they used to do Laguna Seca, and everything was run professionally. They do their job, and I think they’re the best. I wish they’d put every one of our races on. “I’m glad to see VIR back on the schedule, because this is a good event and we get a lot of fans. It’s a good track, and a safe track. It would’ve been a real shame if it wasn’t on the schedule, so I want to thank the guys at RPM for stepping up and bringing us back to this great facility.” The event schedule for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will include three days of racing action, including two feature races for the headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited as well as feature races for the supporting classes including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series. There are a number of advance ticket packages available for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR. Advance packages include the Flag Room (three-day admission, paddock access, car parking pass, official event program and hospitality on Saturday and Sunday), for $140; Youth Flag Room (5-12 years of age) for $50; the Big Kahuna Super Ticket (three-day admission, paddock and pit walk pass, lap of track, car parking pass and official 2005 Big Kahuna t-shirt) for $99; three-day general admission with paddock access for $55; and pit walk passes (limited availability, good for all practice and qualifying sessions, requires closed-toe shoes) for $30. At the gate, ticket availability will be limited to three-day passes for $60, single-day tickets (Friday only) for $10 and pit walk passes for $40. Currently, RPM is offering a Tiki Man Promotion to fans who purchase their tickets early. While supplies last, each fan who purchases an admission ticket prior to July 8 can choose from one of four free items: free parking (cars only), a free official event t-shirt, a free official event program or a free parade lap of the VIR circuit. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.virclub.com or www.rpmcolorado.com. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit (designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, which is a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; the VIR Safety and Security Institute, which provides specialized training for U.S. Government and military groups; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room hotel overlooking the track; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The 2.25-mile VIR North Course circuit on which the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will take place has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days. For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR at 434-822-7700. For more information on Race Promotion Management, visit their website at www.rpmcolorado.com or contact them via telephone at 303-377-3278. For more information on the AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited, visit their website at www.amasuperbike.com.

“TEXAS TORNADO” COLIN EDWARDS TO BLOW IN TO YAMAHA FOR A PUBLIC AUTOGRAPH SESSION Cypress, Calif., June 29, 2005 “” Fresh off his exciting podium finish at the Dutch GP, Team Yamaha Moto GP star Colin Edwards will visit Yamaha Motor Corporation at its corporate headquarters in Cypress, California on Tuesday, July 5th for a public autograph session. Edwards, in town to promote the Red Bull US GP at Laguna, will greet fans and autograph free racing posters from approximately 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Edwards says anticipation is high for the Laguna Seca round, “I’m so stoked about this event and looking forward to making this my first MotoGP win in front of American fans.” Yamaha Motor Corporation located at 6555 Katella Avenue. Fans are asked to park on Yamaha Way located next to Yamaha headquarters.

North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Headlines Speed Channel’s Michele Smith for 2006 – SUPERSHOW Celebrates 30 Years of Everything in Motorcycling – Wednesday, June 29, 2005 (Toronto) – Because motorcycling is not just a hobby, but a lifestyle, most bikers don’t just store their motorcycles during the winter and forget about it until the Spring. Winter is a motorcyclist’s time to prepare, repair and customize the bike so that when the first signs of Spring arrive, he just hops on and rides. With this in mind, North America’s largest and most comprehensive motorcycle show, the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, is returning to Toronto right after New Year’s from January 6th – 8th, 2006. Known as “the Big One by the Airport”, because of its ideal location and free parking at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road), the SUPERSHOW is six halls and 350,000 square feet of “Everything in Motorcycling.” Celebrating its 30 year anniversary in 2006, the SUPERSHOW is a shopping extravaganza offering something for every interest including sport bikes, cruisers, motocross, off-road, vintage, touring and custom bikes. “What makes this Show so exciting and successful is a mix of retail, entertainment and information,” says Bar Hodgson, Show Producer. “Not only do we present the most comprehensive information for motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts, we offer a range of entertainment from celebrity names to fashion shows. The best part – visitors can browse and shop right on the show floor,” he adds. “American Motorcycle Icon” Michele Smith will be at the 2006 SUPERSHOW to meet Canadian fans and enthusiasts. Known to most for hosting the popular American Thunder on Speed Channel for the past eight years, Michele has graced the cover of several magazines including Playboy, Swimsuit International, Muscle and Fitness as well as many motorcycle calendars and posters. She can be seen all three days of the SUPERSHOW. Other not-to-miss features of the SUPERSHOW include the unveiling of the new 2006 motorcycles and the Joe Rocket Racer Stage. With more than 400 exhibitors, motorcycling enthusiasts can expect to find an unparalleled assortment of new, used and customized bikes, riding gear, bike accessories, special guests, seminars, show bike competitions, fashion shows, clubs and associations and much more. Visitors can touch, try on and try out “Everything in Motorcycling” before they buy. To simplify locating their main motorcycle interest, the Show is divided into easy to locate sections – motorcycle industry, accessories, racing, manufactured customs and show bikes. The SUPERSHOW is the flagship Show in a series of motorcycle events produced over the past 29 years by Bar Hodgson Productions Inc. Show staff are not only motorcycle enthusiasts, but bikers themselves. Show Dates: Friday, January 6th – Sunday, January 8th, 2006 Location: International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga Hours: Friday & Saturday – 10am – 10pm, Sunday – 10am – 6pm Tickets: Advance tickets available through Ticketmaster, Tickets also available at the door Parking: Free parking for more than 7,000 vehicles General Info: (905) 655-5403 or [email protected] Website: www.supershowevents.com

Former WSMC racer Bruce Tebo was arrested earlier this month as part of an Internet underage sex sting conducted by police. Details can be seen in a local news story: ~http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=160680~ WSMC officials said today that Tebo last raced with WSMC in 1994, according to records they had readily at hand.