Isle of Man TT 2005 Isle of Pirelli (Man) June ’05 Races Report Isle of Man, June 2005 – Pirelli has proven to be, once again, the dominant force at the Isle of Man TT races, which are the toughest, truest test in world motorcycle racing. In the TT’s five solo events, Pirelli tires scored three wins and dominated the leaderboard by capturing 41 of the 50 top-ten positions, and 12 of the 15 podium finishes. With top speeds reaching over 180 mph, on the Isle’s ultra-harsh 37.73-mile course of public roads, winding through villages and over mountains, the performance of Pirelli’s new Supercorsa Pro tires in the Supersport and Superstock classes was unmatched by any other brand. These Supercorsa Pro tires, posting TT laps averaging over 126 mph in this ultimate test of speed, handling and durability, are the same product available to every street rider of today’s high-performance high-powered sportbikes. Racer Adrian Archibald, riding the TAS Suzuki GSX-R10000 on Supercorsa Pro DOT tires, lapped the 37.73 mile TT course at an average speed of 126.641mph. This is a mere six seconds slower than the fastest lap of the week, recorded on full-racing slicks. “Those speeds on a treaded tire are amazing”, exclaimed Archibald after the race. “I never had a slide throughout the whole race, and you could see how good they still were at the end of the race. The Superbike [slick] tires were great, too I had no tire problems at all. Even with the softest SC0 compound, the front tire did six laps, no problem.” Honda’s Ian Lougher, the veteran Welshman who finished a successful week with one win, two second places and one fourth, pronounced himself “Happy with that. The Pirellis were no trouble at all, which is important when you’ve got so many other problems to solve. The durability’s good, both with the slicks and the new Supercorsa Pro. I honestly wouldn’t like to be on anything else. The Pirelli’s are always consistent the grip’s the same with every tire. And the stability’s superb.” Ryan Farquhar, winner of the second Supersports race on his MSS Discovery Kawasaki ZX6R, was equally impressed. “Setting up a bike for a course like this can be a huge headache, but at least you know you can depend on your Pirellis. The stability they give here is priceless.” Richard Britton rode superbly all week only to be handicapped by a succession of technical problems, but could at least rely on the dependability of his Pirelli tires. “They’ve been working brilliantly”, explained the Enniskillen star. “It’s just a pity that other problems meant that we couldn’t give them a result. They’re stable, predictable and you can rely on them. You never get a ‘rogue’ one as you do with some other brands of tires.” The secret of Pirelli tires’ unique suitability for the gruelling TT road course lies in their patented steel-belted construction. This ‘ring of steel’ prevents the tire’s carcass from expanding due to centrifugal forces generated by speeds approaching 200mph, yet doesn’t inhibit the flexibility needed to soak up the Mountain Circuit’s notorious bumps. Overall, the construction’s inherent combination of form stability with flexibility also allows the tire to have a more radical, quicker-steering profile without compromising straight-line stability. This is even truer now that the new generation of Supercorsa Pro tires have arrived. The Supercorsa Pro characteristics are uniquely suited to solving the problems today’s supersport machines encounter when performing at extreme speeds over the cambers, bumps and ripples of public roads. No other race circuit in the world puts such exceptional demands on tires, yet rider after rider praised the grip, consistency and, above all, the reassuring stability of the Pirelli tires. Speaking in the TT paddock during the races, Pirelli’s Eddie Roberts explained the latest developments for Pirelli’s slick and road tires. “This year we have the Supercorsa Pro, a development of the tires we were running last year. The front has a new profile for faster steering, while the rear has a new tread pattern for better wear characteristics. Then we have a new soft front tire compound, designated ‘SC0’. This has been working very well on the front. All our top riders are using it. The Supercorsa Pro rear tire compounds have also changed, and are now exactly in line with our slick compounds.” TT 2005: PIRELLI RESULTS Superbike TT: 15 of the top 20 finishers used Pirelli tires. Superstock TT: Winner: Bruce Anstey, TAS Suzuki GSX-R1000, Pirelli tires, average speed 124.242mph. Fastest lap: Adrian Archibald, TAS Suzuki GSX-R1000, 126.641mph, Pirelli tires. The top 14 riders all used Pirelli tires. Supersport Junior TT Race A: Winner: Ian Lougher, DMRR Honda CBR600, Pirelli tires, average speed 120.928mph. Fastest lap: Ryan Farquhar, MSS Kawasaki ZX-6R, 122.639mph, Pirelli tires. 15 of the top 20 riders also used Pirelli tires. Supersport Junior TT Race 2: Winner: Ryan Farquhar, MSS Kawasaki ZX-6R. Pirelli tires, average speed 120.697mph. Fastest lap Jason Griffiths, Yamaha R6, 122.540mph, Pirelli tires. 19 of the top 25 finishers all used Pirelli tires. Supersport Senior: 9 of the top 10 finishers used Pirelli tires.

Nicky Hayden Americas most eligible Dare Devil bachelor Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden scored a victory among a very select group of world-class competitors on Wednesday morning. But instead of Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi, Hayden beat out a football player and a singer. The 23-year-old Kentuckian was chosen over the others on a re-staged version of “The Dating Game,” a classic American game show that pits three men against each other for the heart of a woman. The game was staged outdoors on the Rockefeller Plaza set of the “Today” show, the New York-based highest rated morning show in America with an average audience of six million viewers. PEOPLE Magazine was responsible for Hayden being on the show. The 23-year-old Kentuckian was chosen as one of the 50 Hottest Bachelors of 2005 in the June 27 issue. Joining Hayden in the roster of bachelors are Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Colin Farrell, all fellow motorcyclists. As is Dhani Jones, the American football star who was among the bachelors joining Hayden on the “Today” show. “Today” show co-host Al Roker didn’t believe that Hayden or the others found it hard to meet women. “Now that I’m in PEOPLE magazine I hope these women start answering the phone when I call,” Hayden joked. The company Hayden keeps in PEOPLE Magazine is nearly as exclusive as the 22-rider MotoGP grid. “We’re actually looking at guys all over the country all year long,” PEOPLE Magazine’s Danielle Dubin said. “He really met all the criteria that we have for a hot guy, mainly that he’s hot. He’s also at the top of his game and doing something a little unusual. It fit in really well with our daredevil section. He races motorcycles at very high speed. He races the top international circuit. He’s clearly successful. At 23 years old he’s a pretty accomplished guy and a catch by anyone’s standards.” Dubin couldn’t estimate the pool of candidates for the top 50. “It’s enormous,” she said at a reception PEOPLE Magazine held in honor of the bachelors. “I don’t even know that we can count it. And also you have to understand that all year long guys that are bachelors are no longer bachelors. So it’s really a constant ebb and flow of bachelors and it starts out pretty big. We’re seeing who’s still available as we get closer and again he’s really doing well and at the top of his game. We’re looking to present the hottest.” Sarah Hostetter, 25, of Seattle, Washington, chose Hayden over the other two after asking each a series of questions. The first was what each looked for in a woman. “A girl I can connect with. I’ve got to be on the same page with a girl,” Hayden said. As for the perfect woman, Hayden said, “A girl who’s cool. Someone, like I said, on the same page, reminds me of my mom.” The second question was easier for Hayden to answer. “Whether in a car or on a bike what’s the fastest you’ve ever gone?” she asked the MotoGP star. “I’m your man,” he answered with a smile. “I get paid to go fast. I was kind of hoping I could sing for you. I’ve gone 215, 218 mph top speed, so pretty fast.” Asked to choose among the three, Hostetter said, “I really like a man who can sing and I love athletes, and I don’t know if my mom’s going to be too happy about this, but I love a man who can ride fast.” “I finally won something this year!” Hayden said. “It’s kind of nice. I don’t mind doing this stuff, but I really want to win races. It’s definitely good for the sponsors. It seems to be getting a lot of interest for the USGP which is important for everybody.” Hayden added: “I didn’t really realize how big this show was until my phone started ringing afterwards. It’s cool to get picked.” PEOPLE Magazine is among the most successful publications in America with an audience of 40 million readers. Among them is Hayden’s mother, Rose, a former motorcycle racer in her own right. “My mom actually always reads the magazine,” Hayden said, adding that being in PEOPLE is “definitely good for getting motorcycle racing. I always try to represent motorcycles in a good way. Racing has been so good to me and my family. I love bikes at all levels. It’s nice to help the country see that it’s not just all Hell’s Angels and bikers. There’s good people that ride bikes too.” Hayden said that on the set of the television show he was a different kind of nervous than he is astride the Repsol Honda RC211V on the starting line of a MotoGP race. “On a starting line, I guess you get nervous, but more excited,” he said. “It’s a different feeling. That feeling on the starting line, that’s what I live for. I love that.” As soon as his segment was finished, text messages started showing up on his mobile phone. “I’m sure I’m going to catch a lot of heat from my boys back home,” he said. “Already got some text messages saying, ‘I’ve falling hard.’ And ‘Is this the one? Am I bringing her home for Christmas?’ I’m sure I’ll get a little bit of heat on it. But it’s all good fun.” Hayden was in New York for a whirlwind day of media appearances between two races. The Repsol Honda team tested on Monday in Montmelo, a day after Hayden finished fifth in the Grand Prix of Catalunya. On Tuesday he flew to New York and prepared for today’s excitement, while finding time to go for a run in Central Park. Then he was at it early on Wednesday morning, signing autographs for fans on the “Today” show and posing for photos on a Honda CBR-1000RR painted in the colors of Hayden’s RC211V. Following that was a reception at PEOPLE Magazine, then an autograph signing session in the lobby of the Time-Life Building. Hayden will be home in Kentucky for the weekend, then leaves Sunday for the Dutch TT at the famed Circuit van Drenthe in Assen on June 25, site of the sixth round of the MotoGP World Championship.

Cal-Sportbike Track Days and Kneeriders.com announce the “Advanced Rider Clinic” featuring Ducati supported racer Eric “GoGo” Gulbransen Cal-Sportbike Track Days announced today that their remaining 2005 track days will offer an exciting new instruction option for advanced rider and racers who frequent track days. Co-Owner and PR Director for Cal-Sportbike Track Days Craig Grantham says, “For the majority of advanced track riders there exists a void between the normal track day routine and the full track school that is often expensive. Recognizing this, Cal-Sportbike Track Days and Kneeriders.com partnered to develop a high impact clinic that will create an opportunity for more immediate skill development (and lower lap times) while preserving the important principles of smooth and controlled riding. We’re very happy to present this advanced riding clinic with both Eric and his Ducati motorcycle demonstrating the proper skill development for track day riders in the West.” Beginning with the June 20th Thunderhill Raceway event, Cal-Sportbike events will feature the “Advanced Riders Clinic”, at most west coast track events. The primary instructor will be Eric “GoGo” Gulbransen, a nationally known racer, and a Ducati Factory supported privateer/regional racer. Eric “GoGo” Gulbransen began racing over 15 years ago, and won numerous races and champioships in the Northeastern US before moving to the West in 2003. Now, he heads up a high profile regional racing team based in Northern California, and races two Ducati’s (a 999R and a 749R), in the AFM (American Federation of Motorcyclists) racing organization. He routinely wins “Open Twins” class races on his Ducati sponsored 749R, while giving up 20 – 30 HP to the bigger 1000cc bikes. GoGo has also qualified for the AMA round to be held at Laguna Seca during the MotoGP weekend, July 8 – 10. Grantham continues, “GoGo knows what it takes to get the most out of a motorcycle, and is an extraordinary communicator as well. His long and storied career winning races on Ducati motorcycles is a great asset to our team. This all adds up to a learning experience for the advanced rider or racer that can have a real impact on their performance…and it will be a fun time as well.” The operational staff at Cal-Sportbike Track Days have built a reputation for running well organized full service events over the past several seasons, putting the rider’s needs first, and focusing on making events both safe and fun. While many novice and intermediate riders have experienced this great focus and attention, now advanced riders can do the same with top quality training at a very affordable price! To register, please visit www.calsportbike.com/trackdays/clinic.html, visit Kneeriders.com (Racer’s Pit Stop forum), or call (760) 249-8890 for further information.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I made reservations for the Embassy Suites — reportedly 6 miles from the track — in August, and added an additional day later on in the winter. $290 a night adds up to more then I’m spending to fly out from New York, but the breakfast is complimentary, so I’ve got that going for me … Or not. Got a call today from Alisha, saying a computer snafu had resulted in overbookings. (“Not a human error, I assure you,” as if HOW it happened would make it less irksome.) The alternative offer was a room at a regular Hilton 40 miles away, with one night complimentary. The fact that I was borrowing a bike in Oakland, (from my former LRRS teammate at New Hampshire International Speedway) riding down with him and his wife and staying with them at the hotel didn’t matter … “Sir, if I could build 12 more rooms for you, I would.” “Well, tell one of the other 12 people to bug out — I’m flying in from across the country to stay with my friends, not at a town 40 miles away.” “Um, I meant 12 floors, sirs, not just 12 rooms. Again, I apologize.” “Look, it’s just me, and it sounded like a big room. Do you have anything smaller?” “No sir … everything was overbooked.” “OK, when do you need my answer?” “Today.” “WHAT? You had 10 months to figure out you were overbooked, and now, less than a month from the event, I have to give you an answer before the end of the day?” “Well, you’re ahead of time, right? Could you call me back by 7:00 AM PST?” (I promised to call back before the end of the day, and that I’d hold her over the coals to get a few extra days comp’ed at another time, at a hotel on the east coast. Alisha was amenable to that, and to be fair, she was very sweet and apologetic on the phone. And though I’m married, I’m really too much of a flirt to be quite as sarcastic as I’m portraying here, but the gist is correct.) It turns out I was wrong … my buddy, trying to be a smart husband, upgraded to what is even a fancier place right nearby (Portolo Plaza) to keep his wife happy. His marital wisdom was paying a huge dividends now. But the Hilton was still 40 miles away. And Alisha’s local info wasn’t too confidence inspiring: When I asked what the drive in was like, she said asked me to hold, and when she came back said “Well, they’re telling me it’s hard to be sure, ‘cos it’s never been as big race as this, but it’ll probably take you 45 minutes to an hour.” “Well, THAT’s good to know,” I said, tongue firmly planted in my cheek. It’s projected to be one of the biggest events at the track in years, and yet I’ll average 40-50 mph on the main road coming in? Guess all those reports I’ve read about the traffic for the WSB events were exaggerated. At 4:40 I left a message on Alisha’s voicemail. I got it again at 4:50, and 5:05, so I punched “O”, and learned that “the whole department upstairs has gone home for the day. But they aren’t the reservations department, sir; that’s offsite. She does group planning.” Cue the lightbulb over my head. 12 rooms, huh? Problems come up. We understand that. But no one likes feeling that they’ve been lied to. I’m cc’ing Hilton corporate on this, hoping for an explanation that doesn’t sound like snake oil, maybe a certificate for a free week anywhere in the world … or, hopefully, the two nights they originally booked for me almost a year ago. I’m telling YOU because I know your website gets thousands of hits from racers and industry folks every day, and if you posted this the word would get out pretty fast for people to confirm their reservations. B.J. Worsham Old Westbury, New York PS: “No, the breakfast over there is not complimentary, but you could park here, eat the breakfast, and ride the shuttle in.” (See, I told you she was amenable and fair. 😉

Claude Danis, who, among many other roles, serves as the FIM’s track safety inspector, is inspecting Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca today for homologation prior to hosting the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 8-10. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has made several safety improvements (most notably relocating a pedestrian bridge and retaining walls, creating more run-off room and installing motorcycle-friendly curbing at many corners) at the request of the FIM, and others, in order to host the MotoGP World Championship race. A spokesperson for the track did not know if Danis’ ruling on the track’s homologation status would be announced immediately.

The Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000K4 that John Reynolds piloted to British Superbike Championship glory in 2004 will be taking to Goodwood’s famous 1.16-mile long hill climb course during the 2005 Festival of Speed later this month. Triple BSB Champion JR will be at Knockhill in Scotland on racing duty for Rizla Suzuki during the Festival of Speed, so his 2004 title-winning bike will be ridden by friend of the Crescent team and TT winner Trevor Nation. The 2004 Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike won not only the riders title, but also the Manufacturers Championship for Suzuki. It will be on display all weekend long in the Crescent Rizla Suzuki paddock shelter in the F1 paddock. Crescent is the organization behind Rizla Suzuki, Team SUZUKI MotoGP and two highly successful Suzuki motorcycle retail showrooms in Bournemouth and Verwood, Dorset. The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place on the 24th, 25th and 26th of June at the Goodwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex. With a long heritage of quality racing dating back to 1936, the Festival of Speed is an exciting mix of motorsports, boasting everything from classic machines to modern day Formula One cars and drivers. Crescent Retail Director Martyn James said: “It is an honour for us to be invited to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the second year in a row. In the world of motorsport this is one of the highlights of the year and showcases only the very best in racing machinery. Rizla Suzuki will bring colour and excitement to the event and we are counting on Trevor Nation to put on an entertaining display when he rides our GSX-R1000.” Gates open at 0700 hours each day and entrance is by advance ticket only, with children aged 12 and under gaining free admission. Activities continue until 1800 hours on Friday and Saturday and 1900 hours on Sunday. To book tickets or for more information, log on to www.goodwood.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 01243 755055.

Yamaha/Graves Yamaha rider Jamie Hacking is not ruling out riding in the next AMA round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca July 8-10 “It’s not a for sure thing that he won’t ride,” Rachel Hacking, wife of Jamie Hacking, said in a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com Tuesday afternoon. “Laguna’s almost a month away, and a lot can happen in a month. It’ll be a long shot, but we’ll just have to see.” The main question is whether or not Jamie Hacking will have the strength necessary to ride competitively. Following an accident while training on his road bicycle May 28 in Colorado, Hacking had surgery at the hands of Dr. Arthur Ting to repair bone fractures and tendon damage in both of his elbows earlier this month. He has spent the last two weeks with his arms immobilized in splints but was switched over to braces that allow movement today, opening the door for Hacking to begin rehabilitation on Wednesday. Hacking will stay in his motorcoach near Dr. Ting’s Fremont, California clinic, going through rehabilitation, until it is time to travel to Laguna Seca for the races. In spite of missing the AMA races at Road America, Hacking is still second in the Supersport Championship and fourth in the AMA Superstock point standings.

AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO SYRACUSE MILE PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 14, 2005) Round five of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship returns to the historic New York Fairgrounds on June 18, for the Aaron Creamer Memorial Syracuse Mile. It marks the return of AMA Grand National Championship racing to the Syracuse Mile for the first time in 12 years. The historic Syracuse Mile is one of the oldest racetracks in the country and hosted AMA races dating back to the founding of the association in 1924. The series is coming off a rain out at Tri-City Speedway last weekend in Granite City, Ill., forcing the postponement of that event until Saturday, Sept. 24. Defending AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr leads the championship chase by 14 points coming into Saturday’s race. Carr is one of the few riders who have race experience on the Syracuse Mile. He’s expecting some of the younger riders to find some interesting quirks with the classic old track. “The signature part of Syracuse is turn three,” said Carr, 2003’s AMA Pro Athlete of the Year. “That turn narrows up quite a bit and will be a real eye opener for some of the riders who haven’t raced there.” Carr scored a pair of podiums in a doubleheader when the series last visited in 1993. He thinks experience on the Syracuse Mile may give a few riders a slight edge. “We were talking last week and figured there were only about five riders still racing today who’ve raced at Syracuse,” Carr explained. “It’s hard to say if experience there will come into play. Riders who’ve raced there won’t be intimidated by turn three, but most of the young riders in the series learn tracks pretty quickly.” Among current riders, only the semi-retired Jay Springsteen has scored a victory at Syracuse. There’s a logjam in the series standings behind Carr. Four riders, Joe Kopp, Kenny Coolbeth, Jake Johnson and Kevin Varnes are all within seven points in the battle for second in the series. Each of those riders is hoping to score a win in Syracuse to close the gap on Carr. This year’s Syracuse Mile is named in honor of Aaron Creamer. Creamer was a well-liked rider from Massachusetts, who died from injuries sustained in a racing accident last season. “Hopefully we can put on a good show in Aaron’s honor for the fans in the area of the country who knew him so well,” Carr said. Syracuse will also feature a round of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series. Scott Stump, of Warminster, Pa., leads the Sportster standings after winning the opener in Springfield, Ill., last month. For ticket information call 315-471-1157 or visit Performance Harley-Davidson in Syracuse. Tickets are $25 and children under 13 are free.

SMASH MOUTH TO PLAY FREE CONCERT FOR RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX SPECTATORS Saturday Activities Conclude With Smash Mouth Presented by Yamaha and HSBC Retail Services MONTEREY, Calif. (June 14, 2005) – Spectators attending the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July 8-10, will be treated to the high-energy sound of Smash Mouth presented by Yamaha and HSBC Retail Services. The Bay-Area band, whose Billboard top-10 hits include “All Star” and “Then The Morning Comes”, will perform the free concert on a temporary stage constructed near the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca scoring tower overlooking Turn 10. The band will play from approximately 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 following the on-track activities of the second day of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. “Smash Mouth in concert is more entertainment value included in admission to the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Instead of rushing for the gates when the racing ends, fans can stick around and enjoy the concert before heading out for an evening down on the Wharf or Cannery Row.” Several Smash Mouth members, including lead singer Steve Harwell, are avid motorsports fans and the band has performed at races in the past. The eagerness to perform in such venues is due at least partly to their love for the sport. The band won’t take the stage alone. Gauloises Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards will take time during the show to introduce the winner of Yamaha’s charity auction benefiting “Feed The Children”. Both Edwards and Rossi are scheduled to present and autograph a set of their riding leathers, awarded as part of the auction packages. “This is just another event during this fantastic weekend that we’re honored to be associated with” said Bob Starr, Corporate Communications Manager for Yamaha Motor Company. “And having our partner HSBC Retail Services help out is just another testimony to the overwhelming enthusiasm for this event.” The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix marks the return of the MotoGP World Championship, the fastest two-wheeled sport in the world, to the United States for the first time since 1994. Support races include the AMA Superbike, Supersport and Superstock Championships and the Yamaha & GE Superstars of Super Karts. Tickets to the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix are on sale now by calling (800) 327-SECA or (831) 648-5111, or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com or www.laguna-seca.com. More information is also available at www.RedBullUSGrandPrix.com.