From a press release issued by event organizers:

Canadian Racing Champions & Racers a big part of SUPERSHOW 2005

Toronto, Ontario, Canada – The 29th Annual International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW will be an extensive showcase of Everything in Motorcycling, opening this Friday, January 7th running through Sunday, January 9th at the Toronto International Centre, 6900 Airport Road.

Racers at this year’s SUPERSHOW include Canadian Champions Pascal Picotte, Jordan Szoke and Steve Crevier appearing on the Joe Rocket Racers Stage, as well as Michael Taylor, Frank Trombino, Steve Beattie, Pierce Chamberlain, Harley Dunn, Dave Connery, and Michelle Duff.

Saturday’s MAX Awards (Motorcycle Awards of Excellence) will present awards to the 2004 racing champions of all disciplines including International Competition, as well as to sponsors, media, and special ambassadors to motorcycling chosen by the MAX Awards committee. The presentation begins at 3:00pm on Saturday at the Joe Rocket Stage.

The 2005 New Model Motorcycles are featured predominantly in Hall 3, the Main Industry Hall. There are street bikes, touring bikes, cruisers, trikes, scooters, race bikes, exotics and more. Riders will be able purchase their new bike right at the Show! The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum, also in Hall 3, has a great Tribute to Canadian Road Racing with 22 legendary bikes on display.

The SUPERSHOW is North America’s Largest motorcycle consumer Show with more than 300,000 square feet of motorcycle vendors and displays. Motorcycle enthusiasts will be checking out over a thousand motorcycles of all descriptions and meeting fellow riders at this traditional Social Event of the year. For more information on the SUPERSHOW go to www.supershowevents.com or call (905)655-5403.

From a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.:

YAMAHA ANSWERS FJR 1300 DEMAND WITH SECOND ORDER PERIOD

CYPRESS, Calif., – Due to high demand for its award-winning 2005 FJR1300 Super Sport Touring motorcycle, Yamaha Motor Corporation recently announced a second priority delivery program for its coveted 2005 FJR1300 and FJR1300ABS. A customer’s $500 dealer deposit secures a unit for priority delivery beginning in March, 2005; with all deliveries expected to be completed by early spring. Since there are only a limited number available, the program will end when the production quantity has sold out.

According to Mark Dipko, Yamaha Motorcycle Marketing Manager, “Customer response to the FJR has been overwhelming. Each year sales have increased by over 25% and the FJR’s popularity continues to grow. To fill that demand, we requested additional production that will begin in January with delivery to customers at the beginning of the riding season.”

The model will be available in the popular Galaxy Blue color. MSRP for the standard FJR1300 is $12,099 and $13,199 for the FJR1300 ABS. For more product or program details, customers can visit any Yamaha dealer or go to www.yamaha-motor.com.

From a press release issued by Coolskunk KyDs:

AGV Sport Group Sponsors Development Program for Young Dirt Trackers

Coolskunk Promotions announces new sponsor AGV Sports for the 2005 season. Founded in 1985, AGV Sports Group is one of the oldest rider-owned and operated apparel companies in the motorcycle industry.

The list of riders who have worn AGV Sport products at some point during their career reads like a Who’s Who of road racing – Randy Mamola, Loris Capirossi, Troy Bayliss, Keith Code, Roland Sands, Tom Kipp, Mike Smith, Gary Rothwell, Kurtis Roberts, Tommy Hayden, Steve Crevier, Ben Bostrom, Eric Bostrom, Thomas Stevens, Pascal Picotte, Roland Sands, Mike Hale, Randy Renfrow, Aaron Yates, and of course four-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin.

The sponsorship package will include AGV Sport custom leathers for all four members of the Coolskunk KyDs Road Racing Development Team in 2005.

According to Philip Rispoli, Founder of Coolskunk Promotions and the Coolskunk KyDs Road Racing Development Team, “this sponsorship further demonstrates the road racing communities support of our program philosophy of cross-training and making winners both on and off the track. We are excited that the AGV Sport Group would support our efforts to this degree.”

Coolskunk Promotions continues to seek additional companies to represent in 2005 and welcomes product sponsorship and/or race discounts as well as financial support for the Flat Track and Road Race teams.

For more information contact Philip Rispoli, Coolskunk Promotions telephone: 603 479 1259 or email at [email protected] check us out on the web at www.coolskunk.com

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin was the fastest rider Tuesday at an AMA team test at Daytona International Speedway, turning a 1:40.547, 1.6 seconds faster than the time he led all riders with on Monday.

“It was the fairing,” joked the five-time AMA Superbike Champion, referred to the new carbon-fiber bodywork his GSX-R1000 was equipped with Tuesday. Mladin’s bike wore 2004 bodywork on Monday and a new, prototype 2005 set of bodywork Tuesday. Mladin’s bike also was equipped with a new engine while he mainly tested tires Tuesday morning.

“The track’s getting a bit of rubber down, evidently, because everyone is going quicker,” added the Australian.

Mladin’s teammate Ben Spies also lowered his best time to be second-fastest Tuesday morning, but he told Roadracingworld.com that he was not holding the throttle of his GSX-R1000 Superbike wide open around the 2.95-mile infield road course’s east banking.

Neil Hodgson, who said he had trouble getting used to the speed of Daytona’s high banks yesterday, improved his time even more than Mladin and Spies Tuesday, shaving 1.8 seconds from his Monday time to record a third-fastest 1:41.312 on his Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin 999F05.

The 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 is showing great potential as a Superstock racer at Daytona, as Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates, Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore and Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec were the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-fastest riders overall, respectively, and the fastest Superstock riders Tuesday morning.

Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo was the fastest 600cc rider Tuesday morning, lapping at 1:43.510 and going past the radar gun at 166 mph on his factory YZF-R6. DiSalvo also had the fastest split time from the start/finish line to the exit of turn one of all riders so far at the test.

The only known crasher Tuesday morning was Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell’s Dan Bilansky, who lost the front end of his XB12R Formula Xtreme bike in the new, turn four right-hander (the replacement to the Dogleg). Bilansky was uninjured in the crash, according to his Crew Chief Terry Galagan.

Alterations to the course between Monday and Tuesday included a change in the transition from the infield road course and the back straightaway and the addition of brake markers at turn one, turn four and the chicane.

Several riders complained about the lack of brake markers Monday.

AMA Pro Racing’s Ron Barrick also said that run-off room at the new turn seven would be increased before the AMA races in March.

Tuesday Morning’s Best Lap Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suz GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:40.547
2. Ben Spies, Suz GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:41.222
3. Neil Hodgson, Duc 999F05 Superbike, 1:41.312
4. Aaron Yates, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:41.671
5. Jason Pridmore, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:42.175
6. Vincent Haskovec, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:42.589
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yam YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:42.673
8. Tommy Hayden, Kaw ZX-10R Superstock, 1:43.170
9. Josh Hayes, Kaw ZX-10R Superbike, 1:43.330
10. Eric Bostrom, Duc 999F05 Superbike, 1:43.395
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Kaw ZX-10R Superbike, 1:43.484
12. Jason DiSalvo, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:43.510
13. Tommy Hayden, Kaw ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:43.784
14. Miguel Duhamel, Hon CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:44.053
15. Aaron Gobert, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:44.156
16. Michael Barnes, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:44.325
17. Jake Zemke, Hon CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:45.037
18. Steve Rapp, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:46.003
19. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB12R Formula Xtreme, 1:46.027
20. Taylor Knapp, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:46.176
21. Ben Spies, Suz GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:46.423
22. Jake Zemke, CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:46.497
23. Geoff May, Suz GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:46.662
24. Ben Attard, Kaw ZX-6RR Formula Xtreme, 1:47.302
25. Alex Gobert, Hon CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:47.351
26. Matt Lynn, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:47.932
27. Dan Bilansky, Buell XB12R Formula Xtreme, 1:54.548

From a press release issued by CLASS:

Reg Pridmore’s CLASS Motorcycle Schools
Announces 2005 Schedule and New Riding Experiences

CLASS’s Stellar 2005 Program includes: A Trip to Italy with a CLASS Day at Misano, the new “FORCE 5” Riding/Racing Club, Great new pricing on schools and the Safety First Challenge!

SANTA PAULA, CA – Three-time AMA Superbike champion, AMA Hall of Fame member and author Reg Pridmore’s CLASS Motorcycle Schools has just released its exciting 2005 school schedule and is now enrolling for the ‘05 season. CLASS will visit 9 racetracks around the USA in the new year (a complete calendar follows this release). Once again, hundreds of riders of every level will learn how to confidently ride their motorcycle faster, safer, and smoother than they ever thought possible. And in 2005, Reg has added more exciting horsepower to the CLASS curriculum to pull way ahead of the pack and provide you with greater choices and better savings!

EXCITING CLASS HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2005 INCLUDE:

•A trip to Italy that will include a week of touring on motorcycles plus a day of CLASS at the famous Misano Circuit.

•Incredible new price structuring that saves you money –First Time Friends Days (save $50 when you bring a friend that’s never been to CLASS), Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA) members discounts, plus at least 6 other ways to save money on CLASS in ’05 – not just token discounts, but true deals with serious traction!

•Friends of Reg’s CLASS Experience: “FORCE 5” is a brand new club dedicated to the love of sport bikes and track riding. Members are instantly eligible for some incredible offers including first dibs on tours, great deals on Dunlop tires and even a FREE Power Commander™ (subject to availability). And that’s after they get CLASS for rock bottom pricing. Check it out at www.forceV.org

•The CLASS Safety First Challenge! Turn $50 into $100 toward a CLASS Motorcycle School in Reg Pridmore’s Safety First Challenge. From December 2004 through December 2005 if you purchase a new 2005 sport bike, Reg will offer you $50 toward any CLASS school and challenge your dealer to match his offer to total $100 off your CLASS Motorcycle School. It’s all to help teach and reinforce sport-riding safety and to hopefully save lives! See www.classrides.com for rules and eligibility.

•CLASS returns to VIR: Back by popular demand, Reg will bring the CLASS program back to VIR in July 2005.

•CLASS follows the Road America AMA National: Two CLASS sessions will be held at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on June 6 and 7, following the AMA National. Come for the races and stay for 2 days of CLASS on this incredible 4 mile track!

•The CLASS Premier Exec Experience is a two-day CLASS that has all the bells and whistles. All you have to do is arrive at the hotel – we take care of all the details, including a CLASS Honda for the two days, gear, great meals and camaraderie with the CLASS Team and fellow Premier Exec riders, and first class accommodations. Dates include Oct 10/11 at Infineon Raceway (Sears Point). Hurry! This special course sells out quickly!

•Two-Up School at Streets of Willow: History was made at Streets of Willow a couple of years ago as Reg conducted the first ever Two-Up CLASS. It’s a great adventure for the riders and their passengers as they take to the track, pilot and passenger, to work on the finer points of
riding in the great learning environment of this very cool race track. October 6, 2005.

•CLASS Advanced School – For 2005, Reg has slated several advanced days including back to back days at Streets of Willow and Big Willow Springs. Another Advanced School will be held just before the AHRMA races at Mid Ohio in July.

•Bikes for rent! This year at all California CLASS Schools there will be a limited number of bikes for rent. Rent a fast and nimble Honda F4i or the sure-footed VFR800 and ride one of California’s fantastic race circuits.

•The best tracks in the country: As always, CLASS will visit the nation’s top venues, including California tracks such as Infineon Raceway, Willow Springs, Streets of Willow and Laguna Seca; as well as national tracks such as Road America, Mid Ohio, Grattan, VIR and the incredible Barber Motorsports Park.

About CLASS
Three-time AMA Superbike Champ and AMA Hall of Fame member Reg Pridmore has been teaching motorcyclists of all skill levels how to ride quickly, safely, and smoothly since 1974. CLASS (California’s Leading Advanced Safety School) was founded in 1986 and is conducted at leading racetracks around the country, from March through November.

Details on all dates, trips and discounts can be found on the web at www.classrides.com

MarchMon 28 Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$275First Time Friends Day!
AprilWed 27 Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$275Advanced CLASS
AprilThu 28Willow Springs (Big track)
Rosamond, CA$295Advanced Track Day
MayMon 9Infineon Raceway*
Sonoma, CA$395Standard School
MayTue 10Infineon Raceway*
Sonoma, CA$395Standard School
MayMon 16Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$275Standard School
MayTue 17Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$275FTF Day
June Mon 6Road America*
Elkhart Lake, WI$375Standard School
June Tues 7Road America*
Elkhart Lake, WI$295Standard School
JuneMon 13Grattan
Grattan, MI$295FTF Day
July Mon 11T Mid Ohio*
Lexington, OH$375Standard School
July Tue 12 TMid Ohio*
Lexington, OH$295Standard School
July Wed 13 TMid Ohio*
Lexington, OHSee website Advanced Day
July Thu 21 TVirginia Int’l Raceway
Alton, VA$340Standard School
July Fri 22 TVirginia Int’l Raceway
Alton, VA$385Standard School
AugWe’re planning a group trip to Italy sometime in August or September. Details to follow.
Sept
Oct.Thu 6Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$350Two Up School
Oct.Fri 7Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$295Standard School
Oct.Mon 10Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, CA$395Standard School Plus
Premier Exec Experience
Oct.Tue 11Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, CA$395
Oct. Mon 17Barber Motorsports Park
Birmingham, AL$395Standard School
Oct. Tue 18Barber Motorsports Park
Birmingham, AL$395Standard School
Oct. Wed 19TBarber Motorsports Park
Birmingham, ALtbdStandard School
NovThu 10 Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$275FTF Day
NovFri 11 Streets of Willow
Rosamond, CA$295Standard School
Nov Wed 23T Laguna Seca
Monterey, CA$395Standard School
NovFri 25T Laguna Seca
Monterey, CA$395Standard School

* Near National Race; T = tentative

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Three-time AMA Champion Kurtis Roberts will ride for Parts Unlimited PJ1 Erion Racing Honda in the 2005 AMA Superbike series.

“He’s going to race Superbike and most likely the Daytona 200 in Formula Xtreme. Then Superbike only after that,” Team Owner Kevin Erion told Roadracingworld.com Tuesday at Daytona.

Roberts, who is acting as his own manager, accepted Erion’s offer with a telephone call Monday evening.

Like American Honda is doing in 2005, Erion Honda will start with “kit” bikes.

“We’ll start with kit bikes,” confirmed Erion. “We’ll be starting with a higher platform than we’ve ever started with before, and we have all the vendors and parts people ready to go. It’ll be a challenge for sure. It won’t be easy, but I think it’s going to be fun and we’re excited about it.”

Erion Honda Crew Chief Rick Hobbs will continue to oversee the entire team, but additional staff will be hired before the start of the season.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Five-time and current AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin was the fastest rider for the second straight day during a three-day, multi-team tire test at Daytona International Speedway, but the 32-year-old Australian ended his day Tuesday with a crash into a trackside barrier and a ride to the hospital.

Mladin ran a 1:40.309 to lead all times Tuesday, but he suffered a rare crash at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time while testing tires on his 2005 GSX-R1000 Superbike. Mladin’s friend Jason Pridmore was an eyewitness to the entire incident.

“Out of that left (new turn five), he was getting on the throttle,” Pridmore told Roadracingworld.com. “He was getting on it, getting on it. It looked like it just spun up and flicked him up, about midway between the two turns. He kind of came down on top of it, kind of saved it, but by that time he was going so fast, he was way, way past any point of braking. He kind of came down on top of it, had no control over it and was in the grass. The bike started snapping to the left. I thought it was going to highside him, but he jumped off. And when he jumped off, he just continued across the track and right into that wall, right into the barrier. The bike went up and over the (spectator) fence. It was resting in the fence. He went (tumbling) into that barrier where all the haybales and that stuff are.”

Not knowing if there were any safety workers in the area, Pridmore rode to Mladin’s aid. “I’m not a doctor, I guess I could almost be a doctor with all the injuries I’ve had,” joked Pridmore, “but it looked like he probably hit his head. He was moving all of his extremities. He was moving around a little bit. He unzipped his leathers, took his chest pad out so he could breathe a little bit. He got the wind knocked out of him pretty heavily.

“They transported him straight to Halifax (Medical Center). He took a pretty heavy hit. He was probably doing 80 mph when he went into that thing, I would say.”

Crew Chief Peter Doyle said Mladin went into the barrier feet-first and was complaining of pain in his lower left leg.

As Yoshimura Suzuki was packing up to leave the racetrack at 6:00 p.m., the mandatory time that everyone must leave the facility, Mladin had not yet been seen by a doctor at the hospital.

Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell’s Mike Ciccotto also crashed Tuesday afternoon in the chicane. According to his team, Ciccotto “hurt” his right hand and suffered a concussion but did not go to the hospital. Ciccotto’s teammate Dan Bilansky crashed without injury Tuesday morning.

Mladin’s teammate Ben Spies nearly matched the senior rider’s best time with a 1:40.411 on his GSX-R1000 Superbike. Mladin’s other teammate Aaron Yates focused on his GSX-R1000 Superstock racer until the bike died while he was going for a fast time in the closing stages of the day. Still, Yates gave a glowing report of his new GSX-R1000.

Brit Neil Hodgson was third-fastest Tuesday with a 1:41.151 on his Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin 999 Superbike. Hodgson said he was much more comfortable than on Monday and spent his time Tuesday trying to get a good balance with his Ducati and build his relationship with his new team.

American Honda’s Jake Zemke turned a 1:41.386 on his Showa-suspended CBR1000RR, good enough for the fourth-fastest time Tuesday afternoon. Zemke’s teammate Miguel Duhamel said he lowered his best Formula Xtreme lap time Tuesday by installing Ohlins suspension, but didn’t see as much success with Ohlins components on his CBR1000RR Superbike. Duhamel was ninth-fastest overall Tuesday afternoon with a 1:42.134 on his Superbike.

Jason DiSalvo was the fastest man on both his factory Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport bike and his Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock machine Tuesday. Riding his YZF-R1, DiSalvo turned a 1:41.498 on his last lap of the day and was fifth-fastest overall.

The test will conclude on Wednesday.

Tuesday Afternoon’s Best Lap Times (as supplied by AMA Pro Racing):

1. Mat Mladin, Suz GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:40. 309
2. Ben Spies, Suz GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:40.411
3. Neil Hodgson, Duc 999F05 Superbike, 1:41.151
4. Jake Zemke, Hon CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:41.386
5. Jason DiSalvo, Yam YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:41.498
6. Eric Bostrom, Duc 999F05 Superbike, 1:42.026
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yam YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:42.117
8. Miguel Duhamel, Hon CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:42.134
9. Aaron Yates, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:42.479
10. Steve Rapp, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:42.540
11. Jason Pridmore, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:42.571
12. Tommy Hayden, Kaw ZX-10R Superstock, 1:42.708
13. Vincent Haskovec, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:42.719
14. Josh Hayes, Kaw ZX-10R Superbike, 1:42.945
15. Aaron Gobert, Yam YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:43.547
16. Roger Lee Hayden, Kaw ZX-10R Superstock, 1:44.035
17. Miguel Duhamel, Hon CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:44.602
18. Michael Barnes, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:44.955
19. Aaron Gobert, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:45.101
20. Geoff May, Suz GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:45.169
21. Damon Buckmaster, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:45.228
22. Matt Lynn, Suz GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:46.673
23. Alex Gobert, Hon CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:46.847
24. Mike Ciccotto, Buell XB12R Formula Xtreme, 1:46.906
25. Ben Attard, Kaw ZX-6RR Formula Xtreme, 1:47.741
26. Matt Lynn, Suz GSX-R1000 Superstock, 1:48.023
27. Taylor Knapp, Yam YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:49.723
28. Dan Bilansky, Buell XB12R Formula Xtreme, 1:55.574

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES “OPERATION EXTEND THE RIDE”

Harley-Davidson and Buell Extend Warranty Coverage for Deployed Military Personnel in Middle East

MILWAUKEE, WI – Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Buell Motorcycle Company recently announced the implementation of “Operation Extend the Ride,” a plan to extend warranty coverage to military personnel deployed in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Men and women from around the world have made great personal sacrifices to serve their countries during military efforts in the Middle East,” said Steve Phillips, Vice President of Quality, Reliability and Technical Service. “Harley-Davidson and Buell want to recognize these military personnel by extending the warranty on Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles owned by those who have served and been unable to ride while they were on duty.”

The program will apply to owners of Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles who are coalition military personnel from any country deployed to an area controlled by CENTCOM, or deployed in support of coalition operations in the Middle East from November 1, 2001 and on. If their motorcycle is under warranty, Harley-Davidson and Buell will provide an extension of the factory warranty for the number of days they were deployed to account for the balance of the remaining warranty period. If the warranty on any of their Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycles expired while they were deployed in the designated areas, Harley-Davidson will offer additional warranty coverage for a period of time equal to the length of their deployment, but not to exceed the original factory warranty period.

Harley-Davidson and Buell owners who believe they are eligible for Operation Extend the Ride should see their local dealer upon return from deployment. Service men and women will need to provide the dealer with a copy of their orders or a signed statement from their Commanding Officer that specifies the period of time for which they were involved in active duty.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight street, custom and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former AMA Supercross, motocross and Supermoto Champion Jeff Ward, 43, will test an Erion-Racing-prepared Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme bike Wednesday at the AMA team test at Daytona International Speedway. He is working on a deal to race a Honda in the 2005 Daytona 200 by Arai, which he hopes will improve his pavement skills for Supermoto racing.

“It’s just going to help me out with the Supermoto stuff, because a lot of these Europeans are coming over. Boris Chambon is the brother of a road racer. Those guys have more experience (on the pavement). So hopefully this will help give me a little more insight into tire wear and bike set-up. And it will be good publicity for the (Troy Lee Designs) team,” Ward told Roadracingworld.com Tuesday at Daytona. “I’m just looking to have a good time. I don’t want any pressure. I’m coming in here, and on the Internet it’s already saying can I win Daytona? ‘Ward’s won everything else, can he win Daytona?’ I’m just going to have fun and stay out of the way.”

Ward, who won an Indy Racing League car race in 2002 and finished in the top-four of the Indianapolis 500 four times during his 10-year auto racing career, said he has absolutely no experience with a road race bike on a road race track but plans to attend a Freddie Spencer “Pro school” and train on an ex-Miguel Duhamel CBR600RR prior to the Daytona 200 in March.

Ward said he has also raced in the Rolex 24-hour car endurance race on the infield road course at Daytona, before quickly pointing out that he knew the motorcycles will run a different course.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former Canadian Superbike Champions Steve Crevier and Francis Martin will race in the full AMA Superbike series in 2005.

“Diablo (Paintballs) wants to do the AMA series. They want to branch out in America and get more exposure,” Crevier told Roadracingworld.com Monday at Daytona International Speedway. Crevier rode for Diablo Suzuki for the past two Canadian Superbike seasons. “We’re going to focus on the AMA Superbike class. We’re gonna have a hard time, but we’re gonna try.”

Crevier said the team’s program had not been finalized at post time, but he said he hoped to be riding Suzuki GSX-R1000s on Dunlop tires again in 2005.