From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

Haga returns to Yamaha for 2005

10/1/2005

Yamaha has signed popular Japanese rider Noriyuki Haga to complete its line-up for the 2005 Superbike World Championship season.

Haga will race a YZF-R1 for the Milan-based Yamaha Motor Italia team, reuniting him with the brand on which he made his name in the late Nineties. The Japanese ace was a Yamaha rider between 1994 and 2001 and during this period he won 11 world superbike races, taking a best championship finish of second in the 2000 season, Yamaha’s last year of official participation in the series.

Last year Noriyuki rode a privately-entered Ducati to six wins and third in the series, a result bettered only by the Italian manufacturer’s factory entered riders.

Haga will have his first experience of the R1 when he joins team-mate Andrew Pitt in a three day test at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia later this month. Pitt has already completed two tests with the R1, both at Valencia in Spain, which Haga was unable to attend for contractual reasons.

In addition to Yamaha Motor Europe’s officially-supported Italian squad, a number of other long-standing Yamaha teams have announced their intention to independently enter the 2005 Superbike World Championship using race-kitted YZF-R1 machinery. Among the teams due to line-up on the grid this year are: Yamaha Motor France, who will enter former Grand Prix riders Norifumi Abe and Sebastien Gimbert; European Superstock Champions Lorenzini by Leoni, who are running Italian rider Gianluca Vizziello; and reigning Endurance World Champions Yamaha GMT94, who are intending to enter selected rounds with Spanish rider David Checa.

Noriyuki Haga
“I’m looking forward to returning to Yamaha and turning the R1 into a winner! I am on holiday with my family just now so I should be feeling good when I meet up with the team for my first ride on the bike, at Phillip Island later this month. I’m very happy to be staying in superbikes and joining this good team. As everyone knows, I love this championship and I’ve also worked with many of my mechanics before, and also the people at Yamaha Europe, so it will not feel all new to me. It should be fun!”

Claudio Consonni – Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Italia
“We’re all very excited about Noriyuki joining us for this year. He is one of the all-time greats of world superbike and a very popular rider. Already there is a great spirit within the team after Andrew’s valuable feedback and performances in our early tests and now we’re looking forward to getting out to Australia for our first test with both riders.”

Laurens Klein Koerkamp (Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe) “We’re looking forward to working with Nori-chan again. His performances last year showed that his is as fast as ever and he is also such a popular rider – that is good for us, the championship and our fans.

“Andrew has already had two good tests but our bike is still an unknown quantity at this level and we will be going to each circuit without a base set up. We have set a target of being able to win races in the latter half of the season and we believe that we will be able to challenge for the title in 2006.”

Rider profiles

Noriyuki Haga
Date of birth: 02.03.1975
Place of birth: Aichi, Japan
Marital status: Married with two sons
Height: 168cm
Weight: 65kg

Career history
2004 Superbike World Championship (third)
2003 MotoGP World Championship (14th)
2002 Superbike World Championship (fourth)
2001 500cc World Championship (14th)
2000 Superbike World Championship (second)
1999 Superbike World Championship (seventh)
1998 Superbike World Championship (sixth)
1997 All Japan Superbike Champion
Superbike World Championship (13th)
1996 All Japan Superbike Championship (eighth)
Won Suzuki 8-Hour (with Colin Edwards)
1995 All Japan Superbike Championship (10th)
1994 All Japan Superbike Championship (ninth)
1993 All Japan 250cc Championship (13th)

Andrew Pitt
Date of birth: 19.02.1976
Place of birth: Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia
Resides: Douglas, Isle of Man
Marital status: Single
Height: 178cm
Weight: 65kg

Career history
2004 Supersport World Championship (12th)
MotoGP World Championship (27th)
2003 MotoGP World Championship (26th)
2002 Supersport World Championship (fifth)
2001 Supersport World Champion
2000 Supersport World Championship (10th)
1999 Australian Supersport Champion
Australian Superbike Championship (second)
1998 Australian Supersport Championship (second)
1997 Victorian Supersport Champion
1996 Australian 250cc Production Championship (second)

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

CARLOS CHECA MAKES FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO DUCATI

Bologna (Italy): Spanish rider Carlos Checa started off the New Year and his new career in Ducati with a first-ever official visit to the Italian manufacturer’s factory in Borgo Panigale.

After positive tests last November in Spain and first contact with the new Ducati Marlboro Team and his new Desmosedici machine, Carlos came to Bologna to personally get to know the Ducati Corse engineers and technicians who will be following him from the factory, the Ducati employees, who gave him a warm welcome, and to see where the most famous Italian twin-cylinder motorbikes in the world are produced.

Before leaving for Sepang, where he will test for the first time in 2005 from January 23-25 together with team-mate Loris Capirossi, Checa will be taking part in the Wroom MotoGP press meeting, where he will spend a few days on the snows of Madonna di Campiglio.

From a press release issued by Motonation, the U.S. importer of Sidi boots:

Ben Attard changes teams but stays with Sidi.

New Zealand’s Ben Attard decided to change his bike team for 2005, now a part of the Attack Kawasaki squad, but there was one area of his program he did not want to mess with–his boots!

Having used Sidi in his first season in the USA and helping to develop the new Vertigo Corsa model Ben thought it would be crass to even consider listening to other boot offers. Staying with Sidi, Ben can look forward to the best in protection and control in his Sidi Vertigo Corsa boots as well as many off-weekend trips to Mexico with the Motonation team and company mascot Tony the Burro.


More, from another press release issued by Motonation, which apparently has a fixation on donkeys:

Motonation’s new 2005 catalog is almost here!

The new 2005 catalog is on press right now!

Available late January this is Motonation’s largest catalog ever with over 65 pages of the finest rider protective products in the world! Throughout this high quality piece you will find page after page of the finest boots in the world from Sidi, one of the most value based boot lines in the USA – Set Up and the most extensive selection of Spidi road apparel ever offered in the USA!

Consumers can view the catalog on line at www.motonation.com or can get a hard copy by sending $5 to Motonation c/o Tony the Burro who will kick one your way within hours of receipt.

Motonation
1100 North Magnolia Ave, ste A
El Cajon CA 92020
Phone (619) 401-4107
Fax (619) 401-4108
www.motonation.com

From a press release:

Mike Sullivan Road Racing and Performance Riding School has finalized its 2005 schedule.

Held at three Northwest racetracks, the school features instruction for street riders who would like to try track riding all the way to the advanced racer who wants to get to the next level.

Our popular All Women’s Day will is scheduled for July 28th at Pacific Raceways. Other dates are: Spokane Raceway Park: May 26th, July 21st, August 20th and September 1st; Pacific Raceway: June 23rd and August 24th; Portland International Raceway: June 23rd.

For more information, please go to SullivanRaceSchool.com or call (360)736-2791.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Superbike & Supersport World Championships

Final calendar

The following changes were made to the 2005 calendar of the Superbike & Supersport World Championships. The round scheduled in Brno, Czech Republic, will take place on July 17 (instead of June 12). The round scheduled in Imola, Italy, will be held on October 2 (instead of September 25). The final calendar is the following:

February 26 Qatar Doha/Losail
April 3 Australia Phillip Island
April 24 Spain Valencia
May 8 Italy Monza
May 29 Great-Britain Silverstone
June 26 San Marino Misano
July 17 Czech Rep. Brno
August 7 Great-Britain Brands Hatch
September 4 Netherlands Assen
September 11 Germany Eurospeedway Lausitz
October 2 Italy Imola
October 9 France Magny-Cours

Note : A Superstock FIM Cup event will be organised at each round in Europe.

From a press release:

FLEETWOOD, PENN – Reigning AMA Flat Track Champion Chris Carr announced that he has signed a contract that will see his motorcycle race team remain under the Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned Ford Racing banner for the 2005 AMA Flat Track Championship season.

Carr, 37, is the winningest active flat track racer in the sport, having amassed 68 career AMA wins and six AMA Flat Track Championship titles, the last four of them consecutively. Carr will be the lead man on a two-rider team as he attempts to earn a record tying fifth consecutive AMA Flat Track Championship.

“I’m happy to be back in 2005, and I look forward to continued success with the Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned Ford program in our team’s corner,” Carr said. “When you look back over the history of flat track, having a Fortune 500 company like Ford involved has only been seen one time before, and that was during what many consider the heyday of flat track. Having Ford involved for the fourth consecutive year shows that flat track is back, and that it is a viable place for companies like Ford to showcase their products to flat track fans and those who may be turned on to flat track by companies like Ford.”

Carr is one of the most decorated motorcycle racers in the world. After a successful amateur career, Carr turned professional in 1985. He won several AMA 600cc National Championships before reaching the pinnacle of the sport by earning his first career AMA Flat Track Championship crown in 1992.

After a brief road racing career, Carr returned to flat track with a vengeance in 1999, dethroning reigning champion Scott Parker to win a second AMA Flat Track title. Since then, Carr has not been without a major National Championship. A foray into the now defunct Formula USA National Dirt Track Championship Series in 2000 resulted in another title. Carr then returned full time to the AMA circuit in 2001 and reclaimed the AMA Flat Track Championship. He has owned it ever since, and he is not going to give it up without a fight. “I think that any championship is difficult to win,” Carr said. “I don’t see this championship being any different than last year in that respect. But I have the best team behind me, and we are just going to stick with our plan and achieve results together.”

Carr will once again compete aboard Harley-Davidson XR750s in the twins events and utilize factory-backed KTMs in the singles races, and his motorcycles will again be prepared by crew chief Kenny Tolbert of Rhome, Texas. Recognized throughout the entire motorcycle racing industry as a recipient of the AMA’s Award for Mechanical Excellence, Tolbert has tuned Carr to all six of his AMA Flat Track Championship titles. Carr has also announced the addition of multi-time AMA National event winner Terry Poovey of Euless, Texas, to the team for 2005. “Terry is retiring right after the 2005 Daytona Short Track,” Carr said.

“He brings 30 years of flat track racing experience to the team. He is very meticulous and very smart when it comes to chassis tuning, and we look forward to having him come aboard and assist Kenny Tolbert in any role deemed necessary.”

Veteran flat track racer Willie McCoy of Justin, Texas, will also be rejoining the Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned Ford team for 2005. McCoy, 35, finished a career high eighth in the AMA Flat Track Championships series and appears ready to improve on that result.

“I’m really excited,” McCoy, 35, said. “Last year was a learning year for me, getting used to a mechanic and getting along with the team. This year is going to be even better because I know what to expect, and I’m ready to work even harder. I didn’t accomplish two of my goals last season – to get my first Grand National win and to finish in the top five in the series. I am looking forward to accomplishing both this year, and with the Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned Ford program behind me, and with Chris there to give me advice, it will make the job that much easier.”

McCoy will be supported by mechanic Bubba Bentley, who will also be in his second year with the team.

The Roadracing World Action Fund has given Most Valuable Contributor awards to Brooks Gremmels of Shogun Motorsports, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bittner, Mark Brereton and Marcus McBain for their extraordinary efforts and contributions.

A strong supporter and frequent contributor to the 2001 Airfence Campaign, Brooks Gremmels and Shogun Motorsports showed enthusiastic recommitment to the cause of motorcycle racing safety with a donation of $10,000 in December of 2004, marking the largest lump-sum contribution from a for-profit corporation ever received by the Action Fund. Most Valuable Contributor honoree Gremmels’ grand total now stands at an amazing $14,150.

Fred and Adrienne (Eckart) Bittner have made it a point to donate the equivalent of a single section of soft barrier, or $2900, each year since 2002. That first year’s contribution was made in honor of Papa Thiam, who was seriously injured at Summit Point. In 2003, they once again donated $2900, along with $450 for dirt track soft barriers. With that second donation, racer Fred wrote: “Like many others, my wife and I continue to find the news about injuries sustained by road racers as a result of contact with unprotected barriers troubling. We therefore decided to make an additional contribution to the Roadracing World Action Fund, and consider it an investment in the future safety of road racers. I would like to note that I am racing this year, and am very gratified to see that several of the manufacturers and service providers whose goods and services I use also support the Fund. Nevertheless, I would be very proud to be able to say that all the companies and organizations associated with my racing program have contributed to the Fund. To this end, I am in the process of contacting nearly 100 organizations in an effort to encourage them to do just that.” Then in 2004, when author C. Edward Link auctioned a racer-autographed copy of The Little Motorcycle on eBay and pledged the proceeds to the Roadracing World Action Fund, the Bittners posted the winning bid of $415, then quickly followed up with a contribution of $2485, the amount needed to make it the full $2900 for a complete section of soft barrier, designating the section for dirt track use.

For their generosity and commitment to the cause of race track safety through their efforts and donations totally $9150 to the Action Fund, the Bittners have earned the Most Valuable Contributor designation.

Marcus McBain has become a Most Valuable Contributor, with a Roadracing World Action Fund four-year total contribution of $5785 ($5025 plus $760 as winner of an eBay auction benefiting the Action Fund.) At first donating as an individual in 2001, McBain expanded his support by donating a portion of the profits from his business, Racing Performance Services, steadily making contributions several times each year. For consistently supporting and spreading the word for the cause of promoting motorcycle racing safety, McBain deserves this important recognition as Most Valuable Contributor.

Filmmaker Mark Brereton, whose popular WERA-track, racer’s view action DVD RoadRACE became the cornerstone of a 2-year fundraising drive for the Roadracing World Action Fund, is the next inductee to the exclusive club of Most Valuable Contributor award recipients. Pledging $5.00 per DVD sold, Brereton has raised $4015 to date. With a follow-up DVD to RoadRACE due for release early this year, Brereton has pledged to continue to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Roadracing World Action Fund.

Brooks Gremmels, Fred & Adrienne Bittner, Marcus McBain and Mark Brereton join previously honored Max McAllister of Traxxion Dynamics as Most Valuable Contributors.

On behalf of everyone who has crashed on a racetrack and slid or flown into a soft barrier instead of a hard surface–and on behalf of everyone who may in the future do the same–we thank them.