Dr. Art Ting was busy yesterday, performing surgery on Jason Pridmore, Chuck Graves and race promoter Dan Murphy. Pridmore crashed his GSX-R1000 at Road America last weekend and broke his right foot. Graves broke his lower left tibia when he crashed a pit scooter at Road America last weekend. Murphy was treated for a broken collarbone suffered during a footrace in the paddock at Road America.

MotoGP returns to Spain for Gran Premi Gauloises de Catalunya Just days after a stunning fifth round of the season at Mugello on Sunday the chase for the MotoGP World Championship title continues apace this weekend at the Gran Premi Gauloises de Catalunya. This is the 14th consecutive year that the Montmeló track has been used since its inauguration in Barcelona’s Olympic year of 1992 and it is hard to remember a more anticipated event, with home rider Sete Gibernau desperately in need of a victory in front of a fanatical local crowd to rescue his MotoGP title hopes. Gibernau has finished on the podium three times at the Catalunya circuit, including the last two years, but has yet to take victory in his hometown. Last year he set a new lap record on his way to finishing in second place after qualifying in pole position and, with a gap of 67 points now separating him from Valentino Rossi at the top of the standings, will be looking for revenge on the World Champion after a controversial defeat in their last appearance in front of the Spanish fans at the opening round of the season in Jerez. Unfortunately for Gibernau, Catalunya is one of Rossi’s most successful circuits, being one of the five at which he has stood on the top step of the podium on six occasions. Rossi is also the only rider to have won in all three classes at this circuit and, after taking four wins from the opening five rounds of this season, he will be keen to extend his best start to a season since 2002, when he won eight out of the opening nine rounds. Rossi dismissed Gibernau’s title chances following his stunning win coupled with a crash for the Spaniard at Mugello last Sunday, citing compatriots Marco Melandri and Max Biaggi as his main championship rivals. Melandri, who won the 250cc race at Catalunya in 2002, scored his first ever MotoGP podium at this track with third place last season and currently lies second in the championship, 49 points behind the defending champion. Although Biaggi’s second place finish in 2001 is his only MotoGP podium finish at Catalunya, he has had considerable success there in the 250cc class with four victories and four pole positions. Biaggi arrives in Spain lying third in the championship and looking to follow up second place at his home Grand Prix last Sunday with his first victory in almost a year. Also looking to build on strong records at the Catalunya track are Ducati pair Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa. Capirossi took the Italian factory’s first, and so far only, victory there in 2003 and arrives on top form after clinching their first podium of the season in their home Grand Prix on Sunday. Meanwhile, local rider Checa scored his first ever win at Catalunya in 1996 and also finished on the podium in 1997 and 2002, making this the only circuit at which he has had three podium finishes. Checa’s younger brother David also looks set to compete in his home Grand Prix in place of the injured Yamaha rider Toni Elías. No official decision has been made on Elías’ condition but, even though he originally targeted a comeback at this race after breaking his arm in a practice crash just over three weeks ago, his reappearance looks unlikely. If that is the case Checa will almost certainly deputise after an impressive showing during qualifying on his MotoGP debut in Italy, despite encountering technical problems during the race. 250cc World Champion Dani Pedrosa arrives at his home Grand Prix looking for a hat-trick of consecutive victories and an extension of his lead at the top of the quarter-litre standings, which now stands at 21 points over Andrea Dovizioso. Pedrosa’s victory in Italy was the 18th time he has stood on the top step of a Grand Prix podium, making him the most successful teenager of all time and surpassing the 17 wins achieved by Valentino Rossi. Whilst Dovizioso and Casey Stoner, who lies just a point behind the Italian in third place, will be looking to put the brakes on the Spaniard this weekend, his main threat could come from Honda colleague Jorge Lorenzo. Pedrosa’s teenage compatriot finished second at Mugello to become the second youngest ever podium finisher in the 250cc class after starting from pole position. An unpredictable season of racing in the 125cc class looks set to continue in Catalunya, with yet another new face having appeared on top of the podium at Mugello. Gabor Talmacsi’s victory was the first in any class by a rider from Hungary since Janos Drapal won the 350cc race at the Grand Prix of Yugoslavia at Opatija in 1973 and meant that, for the first time in history, the opening five rounds of the series have been won by five different riders. Thomas Luthi’s second place behind Talmacsi means he now arrives at Catalunya, where he scored his first podium finish two years ago, as the series leader by eight points over Mika Kallio, who crashed out of the lead in the final corner at Mugello. More, from a press release issued by Team Movistar Honda: 2005-06-07 ROUND 6 GP 0F CATALUNYA – PREVIEW #15 SETE GIBERNAU – THE HOME RACE With Mugello behind him, Sete Gibernau returned to Spain where Sunday the GP of Catalonia will be held. A very special Grand Prix for the rider of team Movistar Honda as this track is only 20 minutes from where Sete was born and where hi family lives. “Barcelona is my real home race, my parents live here and I was born in Barcelona. I really enjoy the circuit, and after having won in Valencia in 2001 and in Jerez in 2004, I am really only missing a victory on my home track. It would be fantastic, here the atmosphere is incredible, plus I’m Spanish, I’m Catalonian and I am very happy to race here. I’m positive that my Spanish fans will be here to support me and in particular during this home race, just like the Italians did during the Mugello GP. I can’t wait to race here. Barcelona will surely be a fantastic party, like it is every year.” WAITING FOR THE 2005 BARCELONA GP “On this track we did some really good pre-season work, so we are setting off with a great base and we are very prepared and competitive. I hope that racing on my home track will work to my advantage. I really want to use this to the best of our potential, especially for a race that is surely going to be full of tension and emotions. I would like to give a fantastic result to the spectators and to my fans who have always believed in me. The warmth of the public gives me an extra boost. The Spanish fans helped me in March during the “mini GP” by giving me the energy I needed when it was my turn to put it my fastest lap and go on to win the 1 Series BMW that was up for grabs by the quickest rider of the day! I cannot wait to ride again for the Spanish fans. I’d like Catalunya to be a turning point infact I can’t explain why we can do such a good job all weekend and then not come out with the result in the race because we are capable o! f being competitive. I can’t deny that the championship is slipping away from me already but I’m not going to throw the towel in. I just want to win as many races as possible and not think any further than that.” SETE GIBERNAU’S COMMENTS ON MONTMELO’ The best section of the track: the Renault corner, the first long corner after the first chicane. The best place to overtake is the Seat corner The slowest part of the track: the Respol corner, it is slow because the track here is very slippery. The most famous corner of the track is Corner 4, a 180 degree corner where the bike remains in leaning for a long time. How to take on the circuit of Barcelona: It is a circuit which requires two different driving styles: in fact it has a very quick part and an part where you need to be very aggressive. The secret to a good lap: A good pace and above all a perfect setup. #33 MARCO MELANDRI – CALLED TO REPEAT HIMSELF Marco Melandri arrives in Barcelona with all the motivation of his fourth GP placement during the Italian GP. Author of an incredible race, the twenty two year old Team Movistar Honda rider kept up with the most expert of the Italian riders like Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi and ended up in a real duel with Loris Capirossi, fighting and overtaking until the last corner. Even with the pressure of racing on his home track and the desire to get a good result in front of his fans, Marco conducted a difficult race and brought home a fourth place finish which to him tastes like a victory as this allows him to keep his second place standing in the Championship. “It was an incredible race, definitely the best of the season. I really enjoyed riding, braking at the limit and having a breathtaking duel as well.” MARCO MELANDRI AND THE CATALONIAN TRACK Marco comes back to a friendly track which saw him on the ! third step of the podium last year. During his career, Marco has stepped onto the podium three times on the Catalonian track. The first time was in 1999 when he earned the third place (class 125 cc). He returns to the podium, on the highest step, in 2002, the year in which he won the 250cc World Championship title. In 2004 Marco steps onto the third step of the podium. This was the first MotoGP podium of his career. “I can’t wait to get back onto the track. I am very serene and I really want to continue growing and bettering myself. In Mugello we had a bit of trouble finding a perfect setting. In Barcelona we have a bit of an advantage as we rode here during the IRTA test at the beginning of the season. For this reason we have a really solid base to begin with.” Marco in fact proved to be quick and competitive during the IRTA tests at the beginning of the season. On that occasion, Marco Melandri, still growing and just getting accustomed ! to the RC211V, finished with a solid fourth place on the occasion of the “mini GP” with a 1 Series BMW up for grabs. In only three months, Marco has made giant steps forward at arrives to the GP of Catalonia, sixth round of the Championship, in second place of the championship standings. A LAP OF THE TRACK WITH MARCO MELANDRI “I really like the circuit of Barcelona, it is a great track for the spectators and it is a difficult and technical track for who is riding. As I said, it is a technical track where it is quite easy to let the bike slide while exiting from the corners. One fault: the track is a bit undulated (not hole yet). The session I prefer: The first variation and the first two corners. These are two very long corners and they are also very quick. Best point to overtake: at the end of the starting straight and at the variation at the end of the straight behind the pits. The slowest point: Caxio and Europec! ar, the two corners when you enter the stadium. The secret to a good lap: not letting the bike slide and having a clean ride. Atmosphere: it is incredible, you can’t hear the fans as well as you can in Jerez, but this is only because the track is bigger, but you can still hear them plenty. When you enter the stadium, you can see all the tribunes full of people waving their flags. It is a pleasure to ride in front of all these people. Best Memory: My first podium in MotoGP, GP of Catalonia 2003. Worse Memory: When I fell during the 2001 GP. I was fighting for the victory with Tetsuya Harada and Daijiro Kato.” THE TRACK TECHNICAL GUIDE Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya. Opened: 1991 modified: 1995 Length: 4.727 m Width : 12 m Pole position: right Right corner: 8 Left corner: 5 Longest straight: 1047 m RECORD: track record: 2004 Gibernau (Honda) 1’44″641 pole position: 2004 Gibernau (Honda) 1’42″596 2004 race : 1° Rossi (Yamaha), 2° Gibernau (Honda), 3° Melandri (Yamaha) More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Yamaha: GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW Catalunya Grand Prix Montmeló Circuit, Catalunya 10, 11 & 12 June 2005 GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM TAKES GOOD FORM ON TO CATALUNYA The MotoGP World Championship returns to Spain for the second time this season as the Gauloises Yamaha Team look to continue their excellent progress in the sixth round of the campaign at the Catalunya Grand Prix near Barcelona this weekend. Valentino Rossi’s victory in last Sunday’s epic battle at his home Grand Prix in Italy was his fourth win from five races so far this year, including his first visit to the Iberian peninsular at Jerez in the opening round of the championship. That stunning victory at Mugello, Rossi’s fourth in a row at the Tuscan track, has extended his series lead to 49 points and he now heads to Barcelona looking to equal Wayne Rainey’s run of nine consecutive podium finishes for Yamaha at the end of the 1992 and start of the 1993 seasons. Meanwhile, Rossi’s Gauloises Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards could not wish for a better opportunity to put the memories of a tough weekend behind him as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing ninth place finish at the Mugello circuit. Recent steps forward with the base set-up of the Yamaha YZR-M1, confirmed by Rossi’s stunning performance at the fast and flowing Mugello circuit, should give both riders the ideal starting point as they look to make swift adjustments to suit Catalunya. Like Mugello, the Montmeló track features one of the longest straights on the calendar and a series of fast corners that reward a smooth and precise riding style. The latest engine updates to the YZR-M1 should also improve its performance at Catalunya, with Yamaha’s engineers having worked around the clock for the past three weeks to ensure that new parts are available to Rossi and Edwards ahead of schedule. For Rossi, the sixth round of the season takes on an added significance as he looks to make his best start to a MotoGP campaign since 2002, when he won eight of the opening nine rounds. VALENTINO ROSSI: ON RIVAL TERRITORY After his all-Italian battle with Max Biaggi, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi on Sunday, Valentino Rossi is expecting the re-emergence of a familiar rival this weekend as Sete Gibernau, his closest challenger for the MotoGP World Championship title over the past two seasons, aims for his own taste of home success. “For sure Sete will be going for it at Barcelona so I will have to maintain my full focus throughout the weekend,” predicted Rossi. “Last year was a really hard race at the top level, and we went at a very hard pace – Sete and I were more than ten seconds ahead of the others. At one point Sete was able to get away but then he started to spin and slide so I was able to get in front again. “He is not my main rival in the championship at the moment because Melandri and Biaggi are closer but he will be very dangerous at his home circuit. Whoever is at the front, I hope I can be there and provide another great show.” Rossi also believes that the recent developments with the Yamaha YZR-M1 will again prove to be important at the Spanish circuit, where he has celebrated victory on six previous occasions in the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP classes. “Mugello was a double satisfaction because as well as taking the win I also had the M1 I have been looking forward to for this season,” he explained. “It is agile, fast through the corners and very stable. The engine is getter stronger all the time and the corner exit has improved something we were able to confirm particularly in the final corner at the Mugello track. Hopefully the base set-up we have found will work at Catalunya too.” COLIN EDWARDS: MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME Colin Edwards has made the most of a 20-hour boat trip across the Mediterranean from Genoa to Barcelona to gather his thoughts and analyse his performance in Mugello. The American was disappointed with ninth place after struggling to move forward from an impressive start to the weekend in Friday’s first free practice. Luckily for him, he only has to wait seven days to put things right ahead of an important spell of summer races. “I’m travelling to Barcelona in the motorhome with the family and I’m using this time to chill out and clear my head, leave this weekend behind and concentrate on getting it together for Barcelona because I know we can do better,” explained the 31-year-old. “I’m ready to move on and put the Italian result behind me, I hope that we’ve learned a lesson from it and now we can just concentrate on making some big steps forward next weekend. We won’t be trying the setting we used in Mugello, we’ll be going back to something that we’ve proved works for us and using that at a base setting. This means we’ve gone in a big circle and basically wasted a weekend, but that’s racing for you! “I’m glad at least that I’ve got three races coming up that I really like. Barcelona, Assen and of course Laguna are tracks that I’ve always felt comfortable racing at and this makes me feel a bit more positive. I need some encouragement after Mugello.” DAVIDE BRIVIO: DEVELOPMENT SO CRUCIAL Gauloises Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio reflected on Sunday’s victory in the Italian Grand Prix with particular satisfaction after witnessing confirmation of the recent steps forward taken with the YZR-M1. Following on from a day of tests designed at adapting the machine to the demands of fast circuits after it excelled at the tight and twisty Le Mans and Shanghai venues, Rossi’s Mugello performance demonstrated that the team are ideally positioned for further success in the upcoming races at Catalunya and Assen. In fact, Brivio is already looking forward to the next step forward, with Yamaha’s engineers having worked tirelessly to provide key engine updates aimed at improving the top speed capabilities of the bike. “We already tried the new specification engine on Saturday at Mugello but we decided that we didn’t have enough time to set it up for the race,” explained Brivio. “Our original plan was to test this engine at Catalunya after the Grand Prix, so that shows you how hard the engineers have worked to bring it forward so quickly for the two long straights at Mugello and Catalunya. “Development is continuing on the engine at the moment and we are gathering a lot of information to improve the top speed of the bike. Hopefully we will be able to use the new engine in Barcelona but we won’t know to what extent until we get there. “In any case, the development we have made since the start of the season is very positive and, particularly after the test at Le Mans, allowed Valentino to raise his performance at Mugello so we are very happy. Now we want to keep progressing like this and give him the conditions to win at each of the remaining twelve rounds!” Brivio is also confident the steps forward with the machine can help Colin Edwards rediscover podium form after a difficult weekend in Italy, underlining his confidence in the American rider. “Colin started off well but things seemed to get more difficult as the weekend went on. I think he also struggled at Mugello in 2004 so hopefully it is just a temporary blip at that circuit. He had a base setting that clearly didn’t work but we are confident we can take the right steps to get him back to the front at Barcelona. We know he has the ability.” BLAST FROM THE PAST: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF YAMAHA GLORY Whilst the ultra-modern Circuit de Catalunya has only hosted MotoGP racing since its inauguration in the city’s Olympic year of 1992, Barcelona has a long history of World Championship road racing that began in the 1950s around the magical mountain of Montjuic. The final chapter of the legendary event was proudly written by Yamaha in 1972, when Charles Mortimer took victory in the 500cc Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Dave Simmonds and Jack Findlay riding a specially adapted TZ350, which featured bored cylinders that made it eligible for the premier-class race. “Montjuic was a twisty old track and we decided to enter with the TZ350 because it handled so well,” explains Mortimer, who also entered the 500cc East German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring that season and finished fifth. “Yamaha supplied us with 354cc cylinders so that we could make the minimum capacity but the engine seized in practice and we had to run with a 354 cylinder on one side and a 350 on the other, so we only just made the cut! “Anyway, the plan worked perfectly and I remember the race well. Dave Simmonds led for almost the whole way on the 500cc Kawasaki but it was so tough to drag such a heavy bike around Montjuic that he started to get tired. I was able to pass him in the later stages of the race and I will never forget the feeling of crossing the line as a 500cc winner.” TECHNICALLY SPEAKING The Circuit de Catalunya offers a main straight capable of encouraging speeds exceeding 335kmh, and is completed by a sequence of long radius, medium/high speed sweepers and two tight left-hand hairpins. But the combination of long radius corners riddled with a variety of cambers makes it demanding on chassis balance. For this reason the 4727m circuit is always a feature on the pre-season IRTA test calendar, and is often considered to be the true indicator of a bike’s full potential. Due to the long-radius sweepers front-end feel is a key concern for every rider, but it must be found without sacrificing the overall balance of the machine, as too much time is spent feathering the power through the sides of the tyres before punching out of the turn and onto the next straight. Considered a strength of the M1, the Yamaha engineers will make little modification to the base geometry when compared with what is used in Mugello, although the geometry will be fettled for a little extra front-end bias. Most of this will be achieved, however, not through chassis modifications, but rather straightforward suspension preload and damping adjustments. With the high amount of time spent at full lean slightly lighter spring weights will be used, when compared with Mugello. This will ensure the Öhlins forks are still able to absorb the bumps effectively in the turns, while the preload will be wound on to compensate for any resulting G-force, or the effects caused by the heavy braking at the end of the main straight. The damping will then support this set-up slightly softer on the compression and rebound the rear spring preload, however, will be very similar to that used in the previous round. This will prevent the bike from squatting, and then running wide under power especially at the long right-hand run onto the front straight which determines the eventual top speed and slipstream potential. The nature of the circuit ensures tyre life often comes up in many pit box discussions between riders and crew chiefs and this will only be amplified if the Spanish weather provides its anticipated high temperatures. Meanwhile engine performance will be an area of high importance and, though the M1 has made progress in this area since the Le Mans test, high speeds expected at the end of the long straight will still prove challenging. VALENTINO ROSSI: INFORMATION Age: 26 Lives: London, UK Bike: Gauloises Yamaha Team YZR-M1 GP victories: 72 (33 X MotoGP, 13 X 500cc, 14 X 250cc, 12 X 125cc) First GP victory: Czech Republic, 1996 (125cc) First GP: Malaysia, 1996 (125cc) GP starts: 145 (53 x MotoGP, 32 x 500cc, 30 x 250cc, 30 x 125cc) Pole positions: 38 World Championships 6 Grand Prix (1 x 125cc, 1 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 3 x MotoGP) Catalunya 2004 results (Yamaha): Grid: 2nd, Race: 1st COLIN EDWARDS: INFORMATION Age: 31 Lives: Conroe, Texas Bike: Gauloises Yamaha Team YZR-M1 First GP: Japan, 2003 (MotoGP) GP starts: 37 World Championships – 2 World Superbike Catalunya 2004 results (Honda): Grid: 11th, Race: 5th Catalunya MotoGP lap record: Sete Gibernau (Honda), 1m 44.641s – 2004 Circuit best lap: Sete Gibernau (Honda), 1m 42.596s 2004 More, from a press releass issued by Ducati Corse: DUCATI MARLBORO MEN READY FOR ANOTHER GOOD WEEKEND The Ducati Marlboro Team comes to Catalunya this weekend burning with enthusiasm after a storming result in last Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. The Italian squad kickstarted its 2005 campaign with its first podium result of the year at Mugello. And the team believes it is ready for more success as the season continues. Italian Loris Capirossi took a stunning third place in front of his home crowd, less than four seconds behind the winner, while Carlos Checa finished a great fifth, just four seconds further back. No wonder the Catalan rider is hoping for his own home-track podium finish on Sunday. Mugello proved what the team had known all along – that they are once again ready to fight up front, despite a luckless start to the 2005 season. A little luck, plus detail improvements to both riders’ bikes, undertaken during last month’s Le Mans tests, was all that was required to produce a double top-five result. “We’re so happy that we finally fulfilled the promise of the last few events,” says Ducati MotoGP project manager Livio Suppo. “And last Monday we stayed at Mugello to test because even though we’ve scored a good result we don’t stop working. Catalunya is special to us, it’s where we scored our first MotoGP win in 2003, and our bike should go well there. We’re looking forward to getting right back to racing after Mugello.” Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli is also looking forward to the challenge of Catalunya. “It’s one of those tracks that I consider to be very ‘complete’,” he says. “It has uphill corners, downhill corners, fast turns, slow turns, a very fast straight and some very heavy braking sections. The important factors at Catalunya are speed, plus braking confidence, especially in downhill corners. We have good speed and good braking performance, so we are looking forward to the weekend.” CAPIROSSI EXPECTS RESULTS ‘TO GET BETTER AND BETTER’ Catalunya will always be special to Loris Capirossi, for it was here that he won his first, and the Ducati Marlboro Team’s first, MotoGP victory in 2003. And after his superb Mugello performance, the Italian is aiming to get back on the podium at the Barcelona venue. “We had a great race in Italy and from now on I expect things to go better and better for us,” he says. “Catalunya is a great track, I love it. It’s a fast circuit, with a long straight and plenty of fast corners, which should suit the character of our bike. There are a few interesting sections – the places where you can really make up time are the first fast long right-hander and the fast double right that leads onto the start-finish. We tested there in March but the weather conditions didn’t work for us, even though the new surface seems quite grippy and less bumpy than the old surface. This time we come back with better tyres, because Bridgestone are improving all the time.” CHECA UPBEAT AFTER PROMISING ITALIAN GP Carlos Checa won his first Grand Prix at Catalunya in 1996 and the Catalan rider is hoping that his home track will be good to him once again this weekend, especially after his impressive Italian GP ride. “Mugello was good, now we just have to keep working to get even better,” says Checa. “Catalunya is obviously a very big race for me. We have three GPs in Spain every year but this is really my home GP, because I grew up around here. There are always a lot of friends and family in the paddock, so I want to make them smile on Sunday. It’s a fun track, but complex, too. There are a lot of long corners, so you’re at maximum angle for a long time, so tyres are always very important. The straight is very long too, so hopefully we will once again have the fastest bike out there. It’s always nice to have a bit of a top-speed advantage.” THE TRACK Just one week after racing at Italy’s technically demanding Mugello circuit, riders and engineers face another complex challenge at Catalunya. The Spanish circuit is characterised by long, constant-radius corners that place the emphasis on a flowing riding style, as well as excellent chassis and tyre performance. In recent years riders had complained that the track had become too bumpy, so the entire layout was resurfaced during the spring. Teams were able to try the new surface for the first time during preseason testing in March. Catalunya is in the centre of Spain’s motorcycle racing heartland and joined the GP fixture list in 1992, hosting the Grand Prix of Europe. Wayne Rainey (Marlboro Team Roberts Yamaha) won the first-ever 500 GP at the track in May ’92. In ’96 the event was renamed the Catalan Grand Prix. Pole position 2004: Sete Gibernau (Honda), 1m 42.596s Lap record: Gibernau, 1m 44.641s, 162.625kmh/101.050mph (2004) 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: 221 (51xMotoGP, 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) Catalunya 2004 results: Grid: 15th. Race: 10th 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: 173 (53xMotoGP, 92×500, 27×250, 1×125) Pole positions: 3 (2xMotoGP, 1×500) First pole: Spain, 1998 (500) Catalunya 2004 results: Grid: 12th. Race: 4th

Stotz Racing’s 2005 debut is Nick Ienatsch’s excellent adventure Madison, Ill How good is Stotz Racing’s new 2005 turbocharged CBR1100XX? So good that team owner Kent Stotz chose to debut the mighty Honda at the 2005 AMA Prostar Pro Street Series in the hands of novice drag racer Nick Ienatsch. On June 4-5, Ienatsch an AMA road racing champion and contributing editor to Cycle World magazine – took the bike all the way to the semi-finals at Gateway International Raceway in his first professional motorcycle drag racing competition. “We knew coming into St Louis that we had picked up 65 more horsepower over the winter running the same 30 pounds of boost as last year,” said Stotz, the Blackbird’s regular pilot. “And I just can’t say enough about Nick. We first worked together in Cycle World magazine’s UFO project and I knew that he had the physical skills, mental sharpness and sheer guts to do well in this sport. He exceeded everyone’s expectations.” On his first pass ever on a Pro Street bike, Ienatsch clocked a 7.98-second quarter-mile at 180.84 mph. His second pass was even better, netting him a 7.57 at 191.46. At the end of the qualifying session, Ienatsch sat in the fifth position. In the semi-final against last year’s champion Barry Henson, Ienatsch ran a 7.62 at 194.44 mph; Henson won the round but it was an impressive showing for motorcycle drag racing’s “newest” rider. “I am pleased with my performance, but I really know that I can do better,” said Ienatsch. “As a road racer, you hear so much about drag racing but, until you compete in this sport, you can’t possibly appreciate the incredible intensity these guys experience in such a short period of time.” What impressed the former AMA 250 GP champion? “You’ve got to do three things very well and very fast. Your reaction time has to be spot on, then you have to put all the power to the ground in the first 60 feet, and then you must time your shifting to get maximum top speed at the end of the run. It sounds simple, but most guys forget that you’re unleashing 500-plus horsepower in the time it takes most of us to dump the clutch. Let’s just say I had a couple of pretty good moments.” Stotz was also pleased with the performance of his Honda CBR1100XX. “Each year we find a way to make the motor stronger and stronger, yet with the exception of the pistons, rods and cams, it is virtually a stock motor. It’s unheard of in drag racing to run this many stock components. I just can’t say enough about Honda’s engineering.” The next stop for Stotz Racing will be a special appearance at the Honda Hoot™ in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 21-25, sponsored by the Honda Rider’s Club of America (HRCA). Then the team heads into competition at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee on July 9-10 for the debut of the turbocharged XX at the 2005 NOPI (Number One Parts, Inc.) Drag Racing Association Series in the HRCA-sponsored Honda Pro Street Tire-Bike Class. About Stotz Racing Stotz Racing is at the forefront of street tire motorcycle drag racing in America. Formed by renowned motorcycle drag racer Kent Stotz in 1995, Stotz Racing earned AMA Prostar Street Bike Shootout titles in 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2002. In 2004, Stotz Racing’s turbocharged Honda CBR1100XX became the first Street Bike to officially top 200 mph. Sponsored by the Honda Rider’s Club of America. Stotz Racing is also the record holder of the AMA Prostar Horsepower Challenge in the Import V-Twin Cruiser Open class on a Honda VTX1800.

TRACK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX NEARING COMPLETION Yamaha-Funded Project Increasing Safety at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca MONTEREY, Calif. (June 7, 2005) With the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix dates of July 8-10 fast approaching, the landscape at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has begun to change literally. Track improvements required by the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) to homologate the track for the July event are nearing completion. While no changes were made to the racing surface itself, the most significant upgrades are an increase and improvement in runoff areas and the installation of more motorcycle-friendly curbs. Suzuki MotoGP rider Kenny Roberts Jr, the 2000 World Champion, visited the circuit recently as a Riders Safety Representative and was very positive about the changes made to the circuit. “Laguna Seca has done 100 percent within their capability to make the track as safe as possible for the MotoGP,” said Modesto-native Roberts Jr., the son of three-time world champion Kenny Roberts. “They have made significant changes in all areas that they were able to make changes in.” In my opinion they have done the best job on the curbs in comparison to any other racetrack and this will significantly reduce the riders risk and workload.” I believe from a Riders Safety Representative standpoint, that barring any freak accidents, then Laguna will be a very safe MotoGP circuit.” Work began on the 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course back in January with the relocation of the Turn 9 bridge and excavation of the hillside on the outside of the turn. Following the rainy season, an intense 45-day period of construction began on May 2. The $2 million improvement project is being funded by Yamaha Motor Company and includes improvements in every turn around the circuit. Just after the start/finish line, the bank of the hill on rider’s right has been cut away to allow more runoff area through the very fast Turn 1. The runoff area there has been increased and features a 13% uphill grade designed to slow speeds in case of an incident. A gravel bed has been installed in Turn 1 and the gravel bed in Turn 2, the “Andretti Hairpin”, has been enlarged to nearly four times its original size. Riders will immediately see changes through Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s signature “Corkscrew” (Turns 8 and 8A). The safety barriers between Turns 7 and 8 along rider’s right have been moved as much as 15 feet from the racetrack, increasing the line of sight into the turn. Should a rider have an incident entering Turn 8, he will find that the runoff area has been improved with an uphill slope to help slow his slide. Runoff has been increased on both rider’s left and right through Turn 8A. The run-off area for “Rainey Curve” (Turn 9) has increased from 135 feet to over 310 feet by removing more than 35,000 cubic yards of dirt from the existing hillside. The previous relocation of the walkover bridge from the middle of “Rainey Curve” to 150 yards up towards Turn 8A, coupled with cutting back the hillside banking on rider’s left dramatically increases the visibility through the turn. The right-side wall on the front straight exiting Turn 11 has been moved between 8 and 10 feet away from the track. Artificial turf, six feet wide, has been installed just behind the exit curbing to keep riders from extending the radius of the corner and using the increased area as racing surface. Between 8,500 and 9,000 feet of new curbing has been installed throughout the racetrack as entrance, apex, and exit curbing. “We have replaced the old apex curbing at every turn, which was 3 ½ inch high step curb and we’ve changed it to what is called “Negative Vallelunga” curb. The step difference on the new curbing is only one inch,” said Bo Beresiwsky, vice president of facility operations at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the supervisor of this enormous project. “All of the apex curbs have been extended and the exit curbs have been replaced, or installed on turns that didn’t have exit curbs. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has never had entrance curbing, and its been added to every turn.” Additionally, gravel beds have been enlarged to begin approximately 10 feet off of the racing surface, whereas they had previously started about 20 feet from the edge of the racing surface. New gravel beds have been built to FIM standards in Turns 1, 9, 10 and 11 and all existing beds have been enlarged up to five times their original size. Spectators have also been given an improved viewing area through the changes. Much of the dirt that was removed to increase the Turn 1 runoff area has been used to lessen the slope of the spectator viewing area overlooking Turn 2. The 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix marks the return of the MotoGP World Championship to the United States for the first time since 1994. Support events include AMA Superbike, Superstock and Supersport races, as well as the Yamaha & GE-sponsored Superstars of Super Karts featuring Grand Prix motorcycle legends Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and Kevin Schwantz competing in racing karts powered with 250cc Yamaha engines with semi-enclosed bodywork and rear wings. Tickets are available for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix by calling (800) 327-SECA or logging onto www.laguna-seca.com or www.ticketmaster.com. More information on the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, including the weekend’s schedule of events, is available at www.laguna-seca.com. More information on the MotoGP World Championship is available at www.motogp.com.

Mugello’s Italian festival lifts MotoGP TV audience to all-time high in Italy The breathtaking racing in last Sunday’s MotoGP race in Mugello, Italy, which saw four Italian riders scoring an historic clean sweep after scrapping for victory in front of 88,000 elated fans, led the Gran Premio Alice d’Italia to become the most followed motorcycle race ever in Italy. The 45-minute spectacle that saw superstar Valentino Rossi finally win out against fellow countrymen Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri recorded a 47.3% market share and was seen by an average 7.6 million viewers through Mediaset’s channel Italia 1. This is the largest ever audience figure for motorcycle racing in Italy in terms of market share, and the figures are even more impressive considering the fact that the total number of single viewers who tuned into the transmission during the whole programme was well over 10 million.The all-Italian battle also had excellent audiences in the United Kingdom, where the BBC scored 1.3 million viewers and a 16% share. In Spain, despite Sete Gibernau’s crash, the market share for the broadcast in TVE-1 was over 31%.

Mad Kaw Racing stands on class podium during WERA National Endurance at Willow Springs. Mad Kaw Racing had their best finish to date during the 6-hour WERA Endurance event at Willow Springs Raceway on June 4. The team brought home their CycleTires.com Kawasaki ZX6-R second in the Middleweight Superstock Class and Twelfth overall, and just as at VIR two weeks prior, they did it on remanufactured Tomahawk Tires. “We made some changes to the rear tire profile after VIR that have given us more side grip” said Team Owner Ivan Messina. “We didn’t want to come to Willow with what we had before, the long continuous right hand corners here are really tough on tires. I would go as far as to say that no other track in the country is more abusive on tires than Willow. We tested a few different compounds on Friday, and found one we thought would work.” It got warmer on Saturday though, and the first tire the team used during the race didn’t work very well. “It was too soft, and we ended up having to switch to a harder compound during the race, but that’s why we’re out here, to find out what works and continue to develop these tires.” said Ivan. The team was ready for the rear tire changes, and they went well, but they were unprepared for the number of front tire changes. We have never had to change a front tire in a 6-hour event. We changed two here, and with no front quick change equipment we lost some time in the pits.” said Ivan. “The pit crew did a great job with what I gave them though. Phil Herrin volunteered to help us out, and he brought his own sprint crew over to assist. Without them we would have had a difficult time, and I have to give all of our volunteers a big Thank You.” The team brought in a new rider for this event, former WSMC racer Frank Nolan. James Toohey and Ivan Messina rounded out the riders. “Frank is a great addition to the team, consistent and fast.” said Ivan. “We are all really starting to gel, and I think the result here shows that.” More, from a press release issued by Team Stumpy: Greg “Stumpy” Steltenpohl competes in AMA Supersport action at Road America Greg “Stumpy” Steltenpohl had a successful weekend in his first-ever AMA competition at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin’s Road America. Aboard the #256 Team Stumpy Racing Lithium Motorsports Honda 600rr, Steltenpohl qualified 33rd on the Supersport grid and placed 29th in the race. “The entire event went really smooth,” says Steltenpohl. “Every time I went on the track, I’d find a faster way to go and drop some time. Qualifying was more stressful for me than the actual race. I’m not great at competing against a clock. I like to dice and have a ‘carrot’ to chase, but things came together and the session went good. Tom Mason picked out a great set of Michelins for the qualifying session that stuck great the whole time. I did have to come in for gas with a few minutes left and was hoping to do one more ‘flyer’, but the clock ran out.” Sunny skies prevailed for the Sunday Supersport final, despite warnings of severe weather. “The race was so fun. I put my head down and was determined to make all 10 laps and I did. With the competition I was facing, I was looking for top 30, so that goal was met,” explained Steltenpohl. “It was the best 29th place I’ve ever won! “The icing on the cake were all the fans there cheering me on,” says Steltenpohl. “I always have the best group of people supporting me, whatever I’m up to. I really wanted to put on a good show for them and I thank everyone for their support and encouragement. I can’t wait for next year!” More, from a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing, which we’re running because former road racer Chris Carr is leading the dirt track points: KOPP SEEKING GRANITE CITY REPEAT PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 7, 2005) — Joe Kopp returns to Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., on June 11, for round five of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship. Kopp, of Mica, Wash., hopes to repeat his victory at Tri-City in 2003 and inch closer to series leader Chris Carr. “Tri-City is one of those tracks that suits my style,” said Kopp, the 2000 AMA Grand National Champion who rides for Latus Harley-Davidson/Jones Powersports. “The track has bumpy dirt and it gets kind of rough during the course of a national and I was able to ride that pretty well the last time we were there.” Kopp is tied for second in the series standings with Ken Coolbeth, 14 points behind defending champ Carr. Kopp thinks it’s going to take consistency throughout the entire season to win back the AMA Grand National title from Carr. “I gained two points on him at Springfield (during the AMA Grand National Doubleheader over Memorial Day weekend), but that’s not enough,” Kopp said. “I haven’t been on the podium yet and I need to start doing that consistently to be able to catch Chris.” Coolbeth is also a proven threat at Granite City. The Connecticut native was runner up in both nationals held at Tri-City Speedway. He too would like to make up ground on Carr Saturday night. Bryan Bigelow, of Au Gres, Mich., won the race in 2002. Bigelow comes into Granite City ranked 13th in the standings. Jake Johnson and JR Schnabel have both scored victories in the series this year, but neither scored impressive results in the previous two Granite City nationals. Both riders are proven on short track and TT circuits, but know they will have to step up their performances on the bigger tracks to be considered true title contenders. Iowan Rich King is the hottest rider in the series. He is coming off a victory in the Springfield (Ill.) Mile over Memorial Day Weekend. King has scored a pair of top-10 finishes in Granite City. With the hopes of many riders high coming into this weekend’s race, the championship still goes through Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford rider/team owner Chris Carr. The six-time AMA Grand National Champion has missed the podium only once this year and his record at Granite City is solid. In 2002 he finished fourth in the race and third in the 2003 edition. Tri-City Speedway will also host the second round of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series. Warminster, Pennsylvania’s Scott Stump leads the championship on his Lima Harley-Davidson sponsored 883 Sportster after winning the opening round in Springfield. Stump is a two-time 883 series runner up. Take in a bike show and pig roast before the national. For ticket information call (636) 329-1122 or visit the website www.tricityspeedway.net. More, from a press release issued by Team Morse Racing: Team Morse Racing Wins in the Wet & the Dry! Team Morse Racing rode their way to 6 podium finishes and 3 race wins during round three of the MRA roadrace series at Second Creek Raceway in Denver Colorado. The weekend started with cold wet conditions on Saturday morning, and those conditions continued on through much of the day. By early afternoon it was clear that the mid-afternoon endurance races were going to be run in full wet conditions, however Dave Gallant and Mike Applehans were confident their Pirelli Super Corsa Pro DOT tires were up to the task at hand. By turn 3, Dave and Mike had put their RacerSupply.com Suzuki SV650s in the top two positions, then proceeded to put in silky smooth laps running at the front. Lap after lap, Dave and Mike diced their way through the first wave of Middleweight bikes using their nimble SV650s to their advantage. By the time the checkered flag flew, Dave had built up a comfortable lead to take the Lightweight Endurance class win and finished 3rd overall against a large Middleweight grid. Mike’s injuries sustained at Mid-America Motorplex two weeks earlier however forced him to ride more conservative towards the end of the long race, and he took home a 3rd place finish in the Lightweight Endurance class putting two Team Morse Racing riders on the podium. “Even though the conditions were terrible, they were the same for everyone and it forced me to be perfect every lap” commented Dave Gallant after the finish endurance race. “The SV650 is the best tool for rain riding. If I had rain tires on I am confident we could have been challenging the first wave of Middleweight bikes for the overall win!” added Dave Gallant of Team Morse Racing. With the Rocky Mountains close at hand the Colorado weather changes quickly. By Sunday morning the clouds had dispersed and it was nothing but sunshine and warm temperatures for the entire day of MRA sprint racing action. First up on the schedule was Lightweight Grand Prix with Dave and Mike aboard their RacerSupply.com Suzuki SV650s once again. Once again, Dave and Mike led the first lap flying in formation, then proceeded to gap much of the field. Two riders gridded at the rear however used their well-suited bikes and skill on the tight twisty track to cut down the advantage. By the end of the 8 lap sprint race it was a 4 rider lead pack consisting of the two Suzuki SV650s, one KTM 525, and one Honda RS125 ridden by the very talented John Hjelm. At the line, Dave was able to take home the victory however 2nd place was too close to call between Mike Applehans and the KTM mounted rider. The results credit Mike with a third place finish, and with that ruling Team Morse Racing riders once again filled two positions of the podium for the class. Next up for Dave Gallant was an MRA Premier class called “Race of the Rockies GTU”, with much the same rule structure of the AMA Formula Extreme series. Twenty one riders comprised the grid for the double-the-distance race with many of the fastest racers in Colorado contesting it. Dave got off to a good start with the lead pack of riders, then closed the gap to the 3rd place and 4th place riders. This hard work did not pay off however, and Dave was forced to practice his dirt-tracking skills after loosing the rear entering turn four and running off the track. By the time the tires were clean and Dave was back up to speed, the race was winding down and he crossed the finish line in 7th place overall. “That was a really tough race. Running a Supersport legal bike against some of those built monsters is difficult, however I could make time in many corners which is a credit to how good Ryan from Suspension Solution has my suspension dialed in. It is not perfect yet, but it is better than most other’s out here on our tight and twisty tracks. That right there really makes a world of difference, and a top-ten finish is something I can’t complain about today” commented Dave after the grueling race. Next up on the schedule for the both team members was Supertwins GTU. This hotly contested class features everything from superbike-spec SV650s to brand new Ducati 749R race bikes. Dave and Mike took their front row gridding positions, nailed the start, and battled amongst themselves for the entirety of the eight lap race. At the checkered flag it was a Team Morse Racing 1/2 finish, with Dave just squeaking by for the win. Both Dave and Mike put in good performances in Middleweight Supersport as well as Open Supersport, but the day was completed with a spectacular Heavyweight Supersport race. Both riders were off to a good start but were shuffled back to 10th and 12th place by turn two. Neither were pleased with this position, but Mike Applehans turned on the heat and began picking off riders one by one. At the finish line, Mike crossed it in 4th place passing 6 riders in 8 laps against heavy competition! “That was great fun! My RacerSupply.com GSXR750 really felt good out there, and just like on Dave’s GSXR600, Ryan at Suspension Solutions really has the suspension working well for our tracks and my style. I was hoping to get up one or two more positions by the time the race was over, but this result is great and I look forward to doing even better as we continue to improve the bike!” stated Mike Applehans of Team Morse Racing. “This is what it is all about for us – Riding hard and making sure our team sponsors are mentioned during almost every race of the day!” commented Scott Morse, owner of Morse Racing Products / GP Composites. “Fielding four bikes for our riders also gives the shop an opportunity to stress test new bodywork technologies to find ways to make our bodywork that much better. We are already running the next generation bodywork on these four bikes and I excited to see how well it is holding up while at the same time being even more lightweight and flexible!” added Scott Morse of Team Morse Racing. Team Morse Racing will compete in round 4 of the MRA series at Continental Divide Raceway (formerly Mountain View Raceway) on June 18th-19th. More, from a press release issued by Jason DiSalvo’s publicist: TWO PODIUMS AND NEW TRACK RECORD FOR DISALVO AT ROAD AMERICA Jason DiSalvo competed in the AMA SuperBike Championship at the Road America 4.1 mile course in Elkhart Lake WI June 3, 4th and 5th. The race weekend included a severe thunderstorm during the first SuperBike race on Saturday afternoon but had no effect on the 1000cc SuperStock or 600cc SuperSport classes. With practice on Friday qualifying on Saturday with the final races being Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon. In the 1000cc SuperStock class Jason continued his domination by getting his fourth consecutive pole position in this class while establishing a new track record of almost 1 1/2 seconds faster than previous. With a strong start from his pole position Jason ran a consistent race finishing third securing another podium finish. The 600cc SuperSport class saw Jason finish second fastest in qualifying giving him another front row starting position. Jason had a perfect start leading the pack into turn 1 and running a consistent race while being challenged numerous times by one of his team mates. At the checkered flag Jason finished third again securing the last podium place of the race. With good results at Road America Jason stands second in points in the 1000cc SuperStock class and tied for fifth in the 600cc SuperSport class. The team has traveled to Mid-Ohio for testing and will be concentrating on the upcoming event at Laguna Seca the first week of July which will host Moto GP for the first time in many years. More, from a press release issued by Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki: MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS SUZUKI: HIGHS AND LOWS AT ROAD AMERICA The Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki team had highs and lows at round six of the AMA Superbike Championship at Road America, June 3-5. The highs were Steve Rapp’s two 8th place finishes in Sunday’s Superstock and Superbike races, as well as teammate Montez Stewart’s best finish of the year with an 18th place finish in Superstock. The lows included Jason Pridmore’s short-lived return to racing action, when a freak mechanical problem caused him to crash and break a bone in his right foot during Thursday’s test day, as well Rapp’s first-lap crash in Saturday’s rain-plagued Superbike event. Jason Pridmore “We don’t know what happened, that’s the problem,” said Pridmore. “It’s just so frustrating, because I just wanted to ride and see where I was, coming back from my injury. I did maybe 6 laps all day. I was just accelerating out of the slowest corner on the track, turn 5, on my out lap and the front wheel locked up on me. I’d just started to go up the hill to turn 6. I was doing 60 miles per hour, maybe. Next thing you know, I’m flopping over the bars. There wasn’t even a cornerworker where I fell; the cornerworker had to come down from turn 6. When I got up and went to the bike, the front wheel was locked up, and they don’t know what happened. It’s just frustrating.” Steve Rapp Saturday’s Superbike Final – Crash – DNF “First lap, I was behind Kurtis (Roberts), 9th or 10th place,” said Rapp. “I went through turn 8, there was lots of sealer, I couldn’t really see where I was because I was right behind Kurtis. I followed him through and as soon as I touched the throttle, it went 180 and wiped me out. I learned a little bit in case it rains tomorrow.” Sunday’s Repsol Lubricants Superstock Final – 8th Place “I could stay with the group the first half of the race,” said Rapp of the lead group of frontrunners. “Maybe 4 or 5 laps into it I went deep into 5 and ran wide, and that was the end of my race right there. I lost the group by about 6 or 7 bikelengths. After that I couldn’t really do much else. By then, my tires were starting to slide a little bit anyway. I was trying to make up ground on the brakes, then I’d lose my drive a little bit.” Sunday’s Superbike Final – 8th Place “I was ahead of (Aaron) Yates and Josh (Hayes) for a couple of laps,” said Rapp. “Then they passed me down the front straight, and I followed Josh for maybe 3 or 4 more laps and he pulled a little gap on me. I rode by myself for the rest of the race. I had plus 15 on my board at one point. The bike was really good. We tried a few things after the Superstock race and they were better.” Montez Stewart Sunday’s Repsol Lubricants Superstock Final – 18th Place “Those guys who finished in front of me, I was matching their pace all the way around the track,” said Stewart. “They were getting their bikes up on the middle of the tire better than me. I was beating them on the brakes everywhere, but they were setting up the corners better. The lap times were the best I turned all weekend. It’s still not fast enough, but I’m making progress. I almost crashed, because I nearly got caught up in that mess in turn 5.” Superstock Results – Round 6 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI 1. Aaron Yates, Yoshimura Suzuki 2. Geoff May, M4 EMGO Suzuki 3. Jason Disalvo, Yamaha 4. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki 5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki 6. Michael Barnes, M4 EMGO Suzuki 7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha 8. Steve Rapp, Jordan Suzuki 9. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha 10. Jake Holden, Lion Racing Suzuki Superbike Results – Race 1 – Round 6 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI 1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 2. Mat Mladin, Yoshimura Suzuki 3. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki 4. Ben Spies, Yoshimura Suzuki 5. Marty Cragill, Mat Mladin Suzuki 6. Jake Zemke, Honda 7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda 8. Larry Pegram, Hotbodies Honda 9. John Haner, Lion Racing Suzuki 10. Akira Tumitsuji, Suzuki Superbike Results – Race 2 – Round 6 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI 1. Mat Mladin, Yoshimura Suzuki 2. Ben Spies, Yoshimura Suzuki 3. Jake Zemke, Honda 4. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 5. Aaron Yates, Yoshimura Suzuki 6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki 7. Kurtis Roberts, Honda 8. Steve Rapp, Jordan Suzuki 9. Lee Acree, Millennium KWS Suzuki 10. Clint McBain, Blackfoot Suzuki 2005 Superstock Point Standings (After 6 Races) 1. Aaron Yates, 190 2. Jason Disalvo, 184 3. Tommy Hayden, 168 4. Jamie Hacking, 156 5. Steve Rapp, 152 6. Jake Holden, 130 7. John Haner, 126 8. Roger Lee Hayden, 118 9. Aaron Gobert, 118 10. Geoff May, 113 21. TIE, Akira Tamitsuji/Montez Stewart, 39 26. TIE, Jason Pridmore (injured)/Matt Lynn, 29 2005 Superbike Point Standings (After 10 Races) 1. Mat Mladin, 325 2. Ben Spies, 300 3. Aaron Yates, 265 4. Neil Hodgson, 249 5. Eric Bostrom, 231 6. Miguel Duhamel, 204 7. Jake Zemke, 186 8. Marty Craggill, 186 9. Jake Zemke, 178 10. Lee Acree, 178 27. Jason Pridmore, 49 (injured) More, from a press release issued by Pirelli: Pirelli Racers Lead Laps in Two Classes at Road America, Scoring Podium Finishes Superstock After leading six laps of the Road America Superstock race, Pirelli rider Geoff May was passed on the last lap and finished second by only .795 of a second. May was ecstatic with how his Pirelli Super Corse tires allowed him to defeat a pack of five factory riders. Superstock is a class of heavyweight bikes in a field of heavyweight teams, yet Geoff May and Michael Barnes, each riding for the M4 EMGO Suzuki team, together led nine laps of the 10-lap Superstock race at Road America. The recently un-retired Barnes finished sixth, in just his second professional road racing event since Daytona. With the dry conditions of the race on Road America’s ultra-fast high-horsepower track, Pirelli’s grabbing the second-highest step on the podium shows how well its tires meet the harshest measure of performance. Another Pirelli shod rider finishing in the top ten was Jacob Holden, coming home tenth on his Lion Racing Suzuki. Holden is now sixth in Superstock points with his teammate John Haner seventh and May tenth. Formula Xtreme In Formula Xtreme action, run on a wet track, M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Michael Barnes finished third, after leading four laps. Barnes, from Boca Raton, Florida, was recently enlisted by the M4 EMGO Suzuki team to fill in for injured rider Vincent Haskovec. Barnes was pleased with the edge he had in the rain with his Pirellis, noting how his advantage was equal, wet or dry. Joining Barnes in the top ten in Formula Xtreme were Pirelli-riders Danny Eslick, 5th; Mike Hale, 7th; and Justin Filice, 10th. This event marked Hale’s return to professional racing. High-ranked Pirelli riders in the season’s points include Team Hotbodies Racing teammates Nicky Moore in seventh (Moore sat out this round) and Taylor Knapp in eighth. Supersport Geoff May’s strong and consistent performances include a six-place finish at Road America in the brutally-competitive Supersport class. This finish places May at seventh in Supersport points for the season. Also finishing in the top fifteen in Supersport were Pirelli-shod riders Blake Young, Jason Ferrell, Nathan Hester and Taylor Knapp. Superbike In the Superbike class, Privateer racers John Haner and Lee Acree each posted a ninth-place finish, Haner in Saturday’s red-flagged-shortened race in the rain, and Acree in Sunday’s race. Acree, riding for the Millennium KWS team, has had a season of top finishes that has positioned him tenth in Superbike points, and as the second-highest ranked privateer.

MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2005 PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, home of the nation’s only Hall of Fame honoring American motorcycling’s legendary racers, inventors, promoters, designers, enthusiasts and journalists, today announced 9 new members for 2005 induction. The annual Hall of Fame weekend, highlighted by a special Museum reception, a world-class Concours d’Elegance and the popular induction ceremonies is scheduled for October 7 – 8, 2005. The Class of 2005 includes some of todays’ best-known racing champions and industry leaders, as well as memorable individuals who played a major role in creating and building the nation’s rich motorcycling heritage. Induction into the exclusive Motorcycle Hall of Fame ensures that inductees’ achievements, as well as the colorful stories surrounding them, are preserved for the enjoyment and education of future generations of riders, enthusiasts and all who appreciate American history. The weekend honoring the Class of 2005 begins with a Friday, October 7 evening reception at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Festivities continue on Saturday, October 8 with the 4th annual by-invitation-only Concours d’Elegance featuring over 100 rare vintage motorcycles. The Hall of Fame weekend concludes with the induction dinner and ceremonies Saturday evening. Attendance to all events is open to the public with reservations required for the Museum reception and the induction. “Each year we’re proud to honor the memorable individuals who helped create such a vibrant and continuously expanding community of American motorcycle enthusiasts,” said Mark Mendell, chairman of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “Last year’s induction ceremony attendance broke all records. We hope that an even greater number of industry members and riding enthusiasts will help us honor the Class of 2005 this October.” The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2005 includes: Ralph Berndt Dominant Harley-Davidson tuner from 1957 to 1967. Won four consecutive #1 plates with Carroll Resweber and George Roeder. 8-Mile, 14-Half-Mile, 2-short-track and 4-road-race wins. Worked for over 30 years at Harley-Davidson Motor Company in both the racing and experimental division. Helped develop the modern frame Harley Lowboy. Jerry Branch Master tuner of Harley-Davidson motors for AMA Grand National Dirt Track racing as well as stock based engines for the street. Owner of Branch Flowmetrics. Known worldwide for his pioneering work on the flow bench with Harley-Davidson heads. Noted author of many books on Harley-Davidson engine optimization. Tom Cates General Manager for K&N Engineering. Sales rep for Honda motorcycles in early 1960s. West Coast BSA Distribution Manager in mid-1960s, followed by BSA National Sales Manager. Served on the Board of Directors of both the Motorcycle Industry Council and the Trailblazers. Established several long distance records at Daytona in 1969. Tom Christenson Last successful campaigner of Norton drag bikes in the U.S. National record holder in the 1970’s. Builder of the 1620cc “Hog Slayer,” the motorcycle that represents the bridge between drag racing’s early amateur days and today’s professional sport. The “Hog Slayer” was retired to the National Motorcycle Museum in England. Doug Henry AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion: 1993 125cc East Supercross; 1993 & 1994 125cc Motocross; 1998 250cc Motocross. 1998 AMA Athlete of the Year. Member of the United States 1998 Motocross des Nations team. Bill Johnson First U.S. importer and distributor of Triumph and Ariel motorcycles. Owner of Johnson Motors Inc. (JoMo). Sponsored and promoted TT and flat-track racing with such legendary racers as Joe Leonard and Skip Van Leeuwen. Pioneer in the establishment and growth of British motorcycle sales in the U.S. Nick Nicholson Competitor and sponsor of Catalina Grand Prix, desert races, trials competition, scrambles, flat track and road racing. Multi-winner of Catalina Grand Prix and 1954 winner of the 100-mile Daytona Beach race. One of the first Americans to compete in the British Scrambles. In 1959 Nicholson Motors, Inc. became the American distributor of Greeves Motorcycles. Scott Russell AMA Superbike Champion 1992, AMA Superstock Champion 1990-1992. World Superbike Champion 1993. Superbike Rookie of the Year 1988. Athlete of the Year 1992. Won 1994 Suzuka Eight Hour. First five-time winner of the Daytona 200, earning him the nickname “Mr. Daytona.” Gavin Trippe Legendary promoter of virtually every type of racing, including Trans AMA series, US Grand Prix Motocross, Superbikers, Trans Atlantic Match Races, Ascot 1/2 mile dirt track. Brought the 500cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross to America. Invented, promoted, and trademarked the “Superbikers,” the foundation for today’s “Super Motard” competition. One of the promoters of the original ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers from 1979 -1985. About The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Each year, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering. The Class of 2005 will be inducted on Saturday, October 8, during ceremonies at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio. Supported by families, industry peers, friends, past Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees and media, the induction is an emotional celebration that brings together some of the most recognizable names in the world of motorcycling. The Hall of Fame Weekend will also feature the Museum’s 4th annual Concours d’Elegance, which drew over 100 juried entries in 2004″”including many of the machines that Motorcycle Hall of Fame members became forever linked with. The 2005 inductees will join the legendary men and women already immortalized in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Each Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee is recognized with a plaque, and related motorcycles, photos and memorabilia which become part of the Museum’s exhibitions. Any motorcycling enthusiast may submit a person to be considered for induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame; complete biographical information should accompany the submission. Inductees are chosen by nine committees consisting of Hall-of-Fame members and independent experts in various disciplines. For a nomination form and instruction, visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org. About the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum The goal of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed notably to the sport, and three major exhibition halls showcase the machines and memorabilia that have shaped motorcycling. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; and is closed on New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $10 per person; students 12 17, $3. AMA members $5. Seniors receive a $2 discount and members of motorcycle clubs and organizations are eligible for a $1 discount per ticket. A $25.00 family rate and group rates are also available. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.