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

Yamaha MotoGP star Colin Edwards to appear at Long Beach, California Motorcycle show.

CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 2, 2004 — Recently signed Yamaha MotoGP star and former World Superbike champion Colin Edwards will be on hand for an autograph-signing appearance during the December 3rd-5th Long Beach International Motorcycle Show.

Edwards, fresh from a successful testing session in Malaysia says he is excited to greet his U.S. fans. Edwards said, “It will be great to be in California to say hello my old friends at Yamaha and speak with my fans.”

Autograph times at the Yamaha display will take place Friday, December 3rd from 6:00-7:00 p.m., and Saturday the 4th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and then again from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Garry recovers from heel surgery

New FPR star Garry McCoy was today recovering in an Austrian hospital after an operation to repair the fractured heel bone he sustained in last week’s test at Valencia.

Initially, Spanish doctors in Valencia believed Garry had suffered ankle ligament damage. Following a CAT scan in Barcelona he was then placed in a plaster cast for two weeks.

But he also sent the MRI scans to an Austrian doctor who had treated Garry for previous fractures of the same leg, sustained in 1998 and 2002.

He diagnosed that the heel bone had fractured down the middle and needed screwing back together in an operation performed yesterday under general anaesthetic in Vienna.

Garry said: “The heel was pretty much boken in half and had rotated apart, so the two halves were a bit out of line. He told me that if it hadn’t been treated it would have been cutting int the soft tissue for the rest of my life. He only got the scans on Monday and told me it needed doing straight away.

“I broke the bone beneath the tib and fib in 1998 and then the tib and fib in 2002. So there’s only really my toes that haven’t been broken on that leg and foot!

“I can’t walk on it for another three weeks so it’s going to be difficult to fly back to Australia, although I’m still hoping to be home for Christmas.

“It’s just part of racing but such a shame because I had felt comfortable and happy on the bike – something that I hadn’t felt in the last couple of years. It happened at turn three, the left kink, when the bike just didn’t seem to get third gear. The heel was obviously the first thing to hit the ground.”

Garry is returning to Barcelona on Saturday before travelling back to his home in Andorra.

From a press release:

North Texas Superbikes partners with Road Race for Kids Program.

Newly opened North Texas Superbikes has partnered with Road Race For Kids, a non-profit corporation that uses motorcycle road racing to promote an anti-drug and alcohol statement throughout the United States. Road Race For Kids is dedicated to keeping kids lives on track and off drugs.

In 2005, Road Race For Kids is planning 40 plus presentations at elementary and Jr. High schools nationwide while the Road Race For Kids Racing Team competes in race weekends around the United States. Bringing media coverage and numerous non-racers together, as well as involving kids, parents, and teachers with our growing sport, this provides kids a positive alternative to drug-use.

The Road Race For Kids program focuses only on positives, not what kids cannot, should not, or better not do. Not an easy task at hand while trying to get the anti-drug statement across.

Road Race For Kids founder Michael Newhouse will be making presentations and public appearances for the remainder of 2004, including a run to benefit a local North Texas girl, who died at 15 from drug and alcohol abuse.(www.kebbsmiles.com ) This run will be held on December 11. Please visit the Road Race for Kids website for more information.

Road Race For Kids is a 501 c (3) non-profit, based North of Dallas, in Lewisville, Texas, and is funded entirely on donations, and sponsors. North Texas Superbikes will provide a racebike and race support, as well as team management for the Road Race For Kids Racing Team for 2005. Please contact North Texas Superbikes to get involved with this worthwhile sponsorship opportunity.

For additional information, please contact:

David Roy
Frenotec LLC
North Texas Superbikes
972-966-0932
[email protected]

www.Roadraceforkids.org

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports:

THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series Television Schedule

Second Straight Year of Next-day Airing on ESPN2

AURORA, III. (December 2, 2004) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division announced today the television schedule for the 2004-2005 THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series. This is the second consecutive year that the telecast will air the following day after the event on ESPN2.

ESPN2 will kick off the television season with an hour-long Season Preview show that will tell the story of the most competitive Supercross field yet. The Season Preview will air on December 5 at 3 PM EST.

Seventeen (17) rounds of THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series will air on ESPN2. The television announcer team will include hosts Todd Harris and Cameron Steele with Jamie Little in the pits. Guest commentators Robbie Floyd, Davey Coombs and Denny Stephenson will also contribute to the TV roster at various stops on the tour.

Todd Harris, a veteran sportscaster, has been covering THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series as the Play-by-Play Analyst since 2003. Harris has also covered a variety of sports including NCAA football and the NBA for ABC. Cameron Steele, a former pit reporter for THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross series, joins Harris for his second season in the booth as Color Commentator. Cameron is heavily involved in action sports, with a resume including host of ESPN’s X Games. Jamie Little is the first female to cover THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series on television, and returns for her second year as the Pit Reporter. Prior to her reporting duties, she was the live-event announcer for THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series. Jamie also reports for many sports on such networks as NBC, ABC, Speed Channel, and TNN.

This weekend in Toronto Floyd, Steele and Little will be covering the race that airs December 5 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

ESPN2 THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series Television Schedule

250/125cc Sunday, December 5, ESPN2, 3:00 p.m. EST, Season Preview

250cc Sunday, December 5, ESPN2, 4:00 p.m. EST, Sky Dome, Toronto, Ontario

250cc Sunday, December 12, ESPN2, 12:00 p.m. EST, BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC (Qualifying)

250cc Sunday, December 12, ESPN2, 1:00 p.m. EST, BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC.(Main Event)

125cc Sunday, January 9, ESPN2, 12:00 p.m. EST, Edison Int’l Field, Anaheim, Calif.

250cc Sunday, January 9, ESPN2, 1:00 p.m. EST, Edison Int’l Field, Anaheim, Calif.

125cc Sunday, January 16, ESPN2, 1:00 p.m. EST, Bank One Ball Park, Phoenix

250cc Sunday, January 16, ESPN2, 2:00 p.m. EST, Bank One Ball Park, Phoenix

125cc Sunday, January 23, ESPN2, 7:00 p.m. EST, Edison Int’l Field, Anaheim, Calif.

250cc Sunday, January 23, ESPN2, 8:00 p.m. EST, Edison Int’l Field, Anaheim, Calif.

125cc Sunday, January 30, ESPN2, 12:00 p.m. EST, Pac Bell Stadium, San Francisco

250cc Sunday, January 30, ESPN2, 1:00 p.m. EST, Pac Bell Stadium, San Francisco

125cc Sunday, February 6, ESPN2, 6:00 p.m. EST, Edison Int’l Field, Anaheim, Calif.

250cc Sunday, February 6, ESPN2, 7:00 p.m. EST, Edison Int’l Field, Anaheim, Calif.

125cc Sunday, February 13, ESPN2 12:00 p.m. EST, RCA Dome, Indianapolis

250cc Sunday, February 13, ESPN2 1:00 p.m. EST, RCA Dome, Indianapolis

125cc Sunday, February 20, ESPN2 12:00 p.m. EST, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

250cc Sunday, February 20, ESPN2 1:00 p.m. EST, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

125cc Sunday, February 27, ESPN2 4:00 p.m. EST, Georgia Dome, Atlanta

250cc Sunday, February 27, ESPN2 5:00 p.m. EST, Georgia Dome, Atlanta.

125cc Sunday, March 6, ESPN2 10:00 p.m. EST, The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis

250cc Sunday, March 6, ESPN2 11:00 p.m. EST, The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis

125cc Sunday, March 27, ESPN2 12:00 p.m. EST, Citrus Bowl, Orlando

250cc Sunday, March 27, ESPN2 1:00 p.m. EST, Citrus Bowl, Orlando

125cc Sunday, April 3, ESPN2 2:00 p.m. EST, Texas Stadium, Dallas

250cc Sunday, April 3, ESPN2 3:00 p.m. EST, Texas Stadium, Dallas

125cc Sunday, April 10, ESPN2 12:00 p.m. EST, Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich.

250cc Sunday, April 10, ESPN2 1:00 p.m. EST, Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich.

125cc Sunday, April 17, ESPN2 12:00 p.m. EST, Quest Field, Seattle

250cc Sunday, April 17, ESPN2 1:00 p.m. EST, Quest Field, Seattle

125cc Sunday, May 1, ESPN2 10:00 p.m. EST, Reliant Stadium, Houston

250cc Sunday, May 1, ESPN2 11:00 p.m. EST, Reliant Stadium, Houston

125cc Sunday, May 8, ESPN2 10:00 p.m. EST, Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas

250cc Sunday, May 8, ESPN2 11:00 p.m. EST, Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas

For more information, please log on to www.supercross.cc.com. For tickets log onto www.supercross.cc.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.ticketmaster.ca (Toronto and Vancouver only) www.tickets.com (San Francisco only) or www.unlvtickets.com (Las Vegas only).

About THQ World Supercross GP(tm)/THQ AMA Supercross Series

THQ World Supercross GP is a 17-round global series that is produced and promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment and Dorna Off Road S.L. Riders must compete in the international rounds to be eligible to win the world championship. In 2004-2005, the 17-event THQ World Supercross GP will be comprised of two international events and 15 of the 16 events that are conducted in major cities throughout the United States as a part of the THQ AMA Supercross Series. The other THQ AMA Supercross Series event held in Daytona Beach, Fla., is independently produced by the International Speedway Corporation and is not a part of the THQ World Supercross GP. A THQ AMA Supercross Series rider will be crowned as the national champion for the series of events conducted in the United States only.

Clear Channel Entertainment is the largest promoter and producer of live events in the world, with a broad based tradition in the promotion and production of motorcycle racing events. The FIM, Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, is the body that globally governs motorcycle sport at the world level. Among other matters, the FIM groups together 85 affiliated National Federations relating to the sport of motorcycle racing. AMA Pro Racing is the National Federation representative that sanctions motorcycle-racing events in the United States. Dorna Off Road S.L. is an internationally recognized sports management group established in 1988 with an emphasis on major international motor sports events. Dorna is headquartered in Madrid, Spain with branch offices in Barcelona, London and Tokyo. In addition to its involvement with THQ World Supercross GP, Dorna manages the rights to MotoGP. For more information on THQ World Supercross GP and the THQ AMA Supercross Series, log on to www.supercross.cc.com.

About Clear Channel Entertainment

Clear Channel Entertainment, the world’s largest producer and marketer of live entertainment events, is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Worldwide (NYSE: CCU), a global leader in the out-of-home advertising industry. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books 135 live entertainment venues, including 44 amphitheaters in the U.S. and 28 venues in Europe. Each year, more than 62 million people attend approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by the company, including: Live music events; Broadway, West End and touring theatrical shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports and motor sports shows.

In addition, Clear Channel Entertainment owns leading talent management businesses that specialize in the representation of athletes and broadcasters, including independently operated baseball, basketball and football businesses. Clear Channel Entertainment is headquartered in New York City.

About AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the THQ AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Motocross Championship, the AMA Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin AMA Superbike racer Eric Bostrom will be at the Long Beach IMS show Friday, December 3rd from 8:00-9:00pm to sign autographs in the Ducati corporate booth. Join us in wishing him well for the upcoming season.

Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-12:00pm, World Champion Doug Polen will also be signing autographs at the Ducati corporate booth.

Don’t forget to check out the Ducati Monster Challenge and see all the unique and custom Ducati Monsters.

From a press release:

NO LONGER PUBLICITY AS USUAL: POPULAR MOTORCYCLE SERIES HIRES SCHUTTE/HPPR TO BOOST PR PUNCH

Santa Ana, CA – December 2, 2004 – Advanstar’s Powersports Group today announced a new partnership with PR specialist Pat Schutte of High Profile Public Relations (HPPR). The goal is to further boost the series’ already prolific publicity efforts for the remainder of the 2005 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® Presented By Toyota Trucks tour.

Schutte, who possesses a wealth of experience in powersports media relations – as well as existing mainstream media contacts within the markets hosting the motorcycle shows – is excited to get started.

“The Powersports Group has been producing the shows for nearly a quarter century, so the brand is already in place with the core consumers,” said Schutte. “I’m here to jump in and create some additional hype for these already popular events – to mine a fresh image for the media and generate local buzz for the tour.”

“The motorcycle community is a close-knit, fun-loving fraternity,” continues Schutte. “These motorcycle shows are the embodiment of this high-spirited lifestyle – with cool new products, the latest vehicles from major OEMs, stunt features, bike giveaways, demo ride, the Kids Cycle Center and more! There’s something for riders at any level, at these family-oriented events.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Pat Schutte and HPPR,” said Jeff D’Entremont, Show Director for the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® Presented By Toyota Trucks. “Pat has a wealth of industry knowledge and a proven track record for getting results. His job, in a nutshell, will be to get out and bang the mainstream publicity drum for the nation’s biggest and longest-running consumer motorcycle shows.”

The partnership between HPPR and the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® Presented By Toyota Trucks goes into effect immediately.

ABOUT THE SERIES
The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® offer an unparalleled opportunity for bike buffs, along with casual enthusiasts, to experience the cutting-edge of powersports vehicles, products, and services. The show boasts long-term relationships with both its title sponsor, Cycle World (12 years), the world’s foremost motorcycling magazine, and with its presenting sponsor Toyota Trucks (7 years), the world’s leading manufacturer of light trucks. For a full 2005 show schedule, please visit: www.motorcycleshows.com.

ABOUT THE POWERSPORTS GROUP
The Powersports Group is the biggest producer worldwide for trade and consumer shows in the powersports industry, including the single largest aftermarket trade-only event: the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo. In addition to Dealer Expo, our powersports shows encompass nearly every product in all segments of the industry. Our Big Twin East and West shows represent the passion of Big Twin, bringing together the manufacturers, builders, and buyers who power the marketplace. Dirt Expo is the premier event for the off-road powersports industry, which runs alongside the Maxxis U.S. Open of Supercross in Las Vegas. Targeting key motorcycle markets across the country, the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® Presented By Toyota Trucks draws more than 615,000 eager powersports consumers of all levels.

ABOUT HPPR
High Profile Public Relations (HPPR), LLC, is a multi-faceted communications agency specializing in strategic media relations – both industry and mainstream – for the powersports and action sports communities. Dialed in with all forms of power and action sports, its participants, manufacturers and live event promoters, HPPR’s Pat Schutte can be reached at (734) 369-2170 and [email protected].

More information is available from the InfoLine at (800)-331-5706 and (218)-723-9130 or to www.motorcycleshows.com.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

NATIONAL SERIES ADDS THUNDER

TORONTO, ON Three of the most famous names in motorcycle history will join the Parts Canada Superbike Championship on a regular basis beginning next year.

BMW Motorrad Canada, Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, through its Buell brand and Ducati North America have reached an agreement with Professional Motorsport Productions to add the Thunder class to the national road racing series in 2005 and 2006.

The Thunder series will run at all events on the Parts Canada Superbike tour in 2005 except for the rounds at Calgary’s Race City Motorsport Park and the Montreal Molson Indy Superbike Invitational. The two-year agreement provides for the addition of a race in Calgary in 2006.

Thunder joins the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship and International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Championship as a national support category to the feature Parts Canada Superbike Championship chase.

The Thunder division will run to national series standards and feature guaranteed prize money of $3,000 per round. The organizing sponsor group is also looking into arranging a title sponsor to provide a year-end point fund.

Thunder is designed for air-cooled twin-cylinder production-based sport motorcycles. The series ran with selected national and regional events in 2004 under the organization of RACE Event Inc. with backing from Buell.

The new national class will run Pro and Amateur divisions.

“The Thunder class will be an exciting addition to the Parts Canada national tour,” said series producer Colin Fraser of PMP. “All the sponsors and supporters of our series are looking forward to helping Thunder develop. Thunder will add a new element to the program, with a close-running field of bikes that look and sound different from our existing Sport Bikes.”

Buell, Ducati and BMW have agreed that a minimum of 25 machines will attend each event and each constructor has specially-priced new models reserved for the series. BMW will offer the “Boxer Cup” R1100S and Ducati its 1000SS. Buell will apply the special pricing to any of its models eligible for the series. Existing models are also legal for the Thunder series under the revised 2005 rules, which will shortly be posted on the official Parts Canada Superbike website, www.cdnsuperbike.com.

Minimum weight for Thunder machines will be 395 lbs. and the series will have a maximum horsepower of 95 hp. Weight and horsepower will be measured immediately after each race on the official series scales and Dynojet Dyno, respectively.

The series will be administered by PMP staff under the guidance of event director Brian Williams and technical director Mark Orchard. The national event staff will be expanded to include dedicated Thunder management personnel, including registration and tech officials.

As in 2004, Thunder results, stories and point standings will be featured on the Parts Canada Superbike website.

“All three manufacturers are excited to see Thunder go to the national level,” said Chris Duff, events and promotions co-ordinator for BMW Motorrad Canada. “We are looking to showcase our motorcycles in the ultimate sport bike environment and show the sport bike buying public that our models are dynamic, energetic and fast.”

Joining Duff as manufacturer representatives for the series will be Ric Marrero of Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada and Steve Hicks of Terminal Velocity for Ducati North America.

Vancouver’s Darren James took the 2004 Thunder title, clinching the crown in the final event at Shannonville Motorsport Park. James also placed second in the Amateur 600 Sport Bike national series, winning the round at Mosport International Raceway.

2005 Thunder Schedule

May 20-22, Shannonville Motorsport Park (Pro Track), Shannonville, ON

July 15-17 Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, ON

Aug. 5-7, Atlantic Motorsport Park, Shubenacadie, NS

Sept. 2-4, Shannonville Motorsport Park (Long Track), Shannonville, ON

Sept. 9-11, Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, QC

From a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki:

JR and Scott kick-off Crescent’s winter sale

BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPION John Reynolds and new for 2005 Rizla Suzuki team mate Scott Smart will be at the Crescent Performance Centre in Verwood, Dorset, this Saturday December 4th to launch the dealership’s biggest ever winter sale.

It will be the first time that JR and Scott make a public appearance at the Crescent Performance Centre, the home to the Rizla Suzuki British Superbike team and Europe’s number one Suzuki and Performance Tuning dealership.

On Saturday December 4th, visitors will also get to meet new Suzuki MotoGP team manager Paul Denning, glimpse the BSB title winning Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000, enter to win two VIP passes to the first round of the 2005 BSB series and browse through a host of winter offers with plenty of money off top-of-the-range names like Alpinestars, RS Taichi, Oakley, Spy and many more!

The sale starts at 9am and runs until 5pm on Saturday December 4th. The sale itself will continue until January 31st so there is plenty of time for bargain hunters to make a visit. Please note Crescent will be closed from 25th December and will re-open on January 4th.

Saturday, December 4th, main attractions:

· Rizla Suzuki Championship winning GSX-R1000 on display – for sale at £55,000
· Rizla Suzuki GSX-R600 race bike on display and for sale at £15,000
· Suzuki GSV-R MotoGP racer on display (not for sale)
· 2005 model GSX-R1000 on display – soon to be developed into JR’s Rizla Suzuki race bike
· Free to enter competition – Win VIP tickets to the opening round of BSB 2005 courtesy of Rizla Suzuki, worth £600
· Best road bike in the world (MCN) Kagayama Express for sale, offers over £35,000 – best bid secures
· Crescent loyalty card, get 10% off all items when you join up (excluding bikes and sale items)
· MCN Sofa – you could feature in MCN the following week, debating what is better, the Rizla Suzuki Superbike or Suzuki GSV-R MotoGP racer
· New bike offers: 1: JR Championship winning GSX-R1000 Replica Limited edition – only 3 left! 2: Rizla Suzuki SV1000S Replica, including lower fairing, just £5995. 3: Exclusive Rizla Suzuki GSX-R600 Replicas for £6995. 4: GSX-R1000K4 from £6995. 5: GSX-R600K4 from £5695. 6: SV1000SK3 from £4995 including free lower fairing. 7: SV650S from £3995 and many more on the day – make a sensible offer!
· Christmas stocking fillers: 50% off selected lines, including Spy sunglasses, Oakley, Alpinestars, RS Taichi and many more!!!

For further details, call the Crescent Performance Centre on 01202-820170, e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.crescent-suzuki.com.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A moratorium prohibiting testing by all teams in all classes of the FIM MotoGP World Championship begins today and will extend through January 20, 2005.

According to the 2004 FIM rulebook, this testing ban applies to: “all teams in all classes who participated in the preceding season and those teams that have been notified of acceptance for, or already have a contract of participation for, the following season. The restriction applies to testing by these teams of machines used in any class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix with riders nominated for the Championship or test riders.”