ROUND FIVE PROMISES TOUGH TUSCAN SHOWDOWN At a quarter way through the season, this race at the splendidly picturesque Mugello track will determine if anyone can significantly dent reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi’s 37 point lead in the World Championship points table. Main challengers Sete Gibernau (Team Movistar Honda RC211V) and his team-mate Marco Melandri have posed the biggest threat to the Italian champion and are most likely to be Rossi’s biggest concerns this weekend too. Gibernau finished second to Rossi here last year and the Spanish hope knows nothing less than a win in this challenging arena will do if he is to wrest the World Championship initiative from his fierce rival Rossi. Melandri won here on a 250 in his 2002 World Championship winning season and with his impressive form on the RC211V this season, he cannot be ruled out for a maiden MotoGP class victory here this weekend. At least 70,000 Italian fans will flock to the Tuscan hills to cheer on their ‘home’ riders. In a sea of colour, various troupes of fans camp out in specific areas to cheer on their riders. Rossi, Melandri, Max Biaggi (Repsol Honda RC211V) and Loris Capirossi (Ducati) can all be sure of fanatical support from at least one section of the crowd. Nestling in the hills, Mugello is a high-speed carousel of a track, with rolling, cambered turns and a 210mph 1141m main straight. At 5.245km it’s among the longer tracks too. Racing here tends to be close with spectacular slipstreaming action along the main chute and epic close-quarter fight in the turns, nine of which are right-handers, six left. Rhythm is the key to a fast lap here and a race rhythm over the 23-laps of the MotoGP contest will be crucial. It is also a ‘power’ circuit and so the Honda riders need have no worries about being short in that department here. Sete Gibernau has his work cut out for him here and knows it. “Last season the Mugello race was one of the best of the year,” he said. “We were quickest on both Friday and Saturday qualifying sessions. I hope to do the same good work this year too. The Italian riders are extremely competitive on their home track, but they’re also under a lot more pressure. On our side, we have to take advantage of that tension. It’ll be a very challenging weekend, but at the end of the day, it really isn’t very different from any other race.” Sete’s stable-mate Marco Melandri is more concerned with the technicalities of the track than any pressure: “The secret of a good lap here at Mugello is to get into a rhythm, to be fluid while taking the corners but without being too aggressive. The part that makes the biggest difference is the downhill ‘S’ and the Arrabbiata corners. It’s vital to ride these sectors well to make a quick lap. The only negative thing about this track is the tarmac it’s really uneven in parts.” Max has to get his season started here with a win. The Roman factory Honda rider has been out of sorts so far and the pressure is on him to perform. “At Mugello I have always ridden great races and I really hope that next Sunday the positive result my team and I are looking for will come. We’ve been working hard and we deserve much more than what we have picked up so far. I’m also looking forward to seeing my fans as always at the Casanova Savelli hill. I would really like to give my team and my fans something to smile about and myself too.” His team-mate Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) has only accumulated 26 points from four races and he too is under pressure here. “Although the last race was not too good we had a good test right after and I’m hopeful we found some things that should work well here. We qualified here OK last year but I crashed out in the race so we didn’t make the finish. The schedule is pretty mad in June with three races so it’ll be important to start the month well and get a good momentum.” Alex Barros (Camel Honda RC211V) won here in 2001, and is more than capable of another win this weekend and said, “After Le Mans I went to Brazil for a couple of weeks, where I did a lot of physiotherapy to recover from the back pain I’ve been suffering after the crash in France. I still haven’t got rid of it completely, so I’m not moving freely, but I’ll only find out whether I can ride at 100% or not once I get on the bike. I hope I’ll be in decent shape, because I love the track; it’s fast and technical one of the best in the world. I’ve ridden in worse physical condition than this, so I’m planning to be up there with the Italians on Sunday.” His team-mate Troy Bayliss (Camel Honda RC211V) has not quite got to grips with his machine yet, but the Aussie will be more than capable of getting back to form here. “The tests we did in Le Mans after the race went well,” he said. “I left France much happier with the answers we found. On Sunday we’re at Mugello; it’s a track I really like and I’ve lots of experience there. The race was great last year. I really enjoyed myself and even though I haven’t ridden the Honda there before, I’m sure I can put in a good race on Sunday.” The hard-charging Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda RC211V) has been sidelined for much of the early season with injury, but will be a force to be reckoned with. He said, “Too much time has passed from the last time I stepped onto my RC211V to compete in a Grand Prix. This is the fifth round of the season, but I was unfortunate in the first Grand Prix of the year in Jerez. I hope my right hand won’t trouble me because I want to compete with the best and get some points. It’s clear that from now on I have to go on the attack. This is a key moment of my career and the team will be back even stronger than before.” In the 250cc class reigning World Champion Dani Pedrosa (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) has regained the series points lead from the astonishing Andrea Dovizioso (Scot Racing Team Honda RS250RW) who only trails him by four points in his rookie season. “These past two weeks have been a good chance to relax and recover strength,” said Dani. “It’s going to be a hard race in Italy and Dovizioso won’t be the only rider out there with plenty of motivation I’m sure Porto, De Puniet and Stoner will all be at the front too. At Mugello it’s difficult to get away because there is a long straight where the Aprilias could have an advantage, and a lot of fast corners. I don’t know why but I’ve always found it difficult here.” Dani’s team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Team Movistar Honda RS250RW) finished ninth here in his debut season last year and knows things will only be slightly easier for him this year. “This weekend is going to be a very tough race, he said. “Mugello is one of the most difficult circuits in the world and it’s very fast. I want to do well in practice and qualify at least on the second row of the grid, otherwise it’s going to be very difficult to go with the lead group.” Dovi believes there is more to come for him in terms of machine set-up and said, “I like this Circuit and with the 125cc I was very fast, but the problem is that Aprilias are very fast here too and riders like Stoner or Porto can make the difference. For me it’s the first time with a 250cc on all the tracks and I feel that my Honda is very fast but feeling from it is not perfect yet: I’m trying to keep in touch waiting for more feeling in the second part of the season. Pedrosa is not only fast but he’s got a lot of confidence in his bike and this is what I need more of now.” Hector Barbera (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) and his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) have not quite made the impact in 250s that Dovi has yet, but both have nonetheless impressed in their rookie years. Barbera said, “Mugello is a really nice track and I like racing there. I’m improving my riding style on the 250 and getting used to the machine. There will be a lot of fast riders at Mugello but I believe I can run at the front with the fastest on Sunday.” “Mugello is in a nice environment,” said Lorenzo. “And it’s a beautiful track but not one of my favourites. I have never been able to take a good result at Mugello, but now I’m getting better on the bike with every race I’m sure I will continue to progress and have a good chance of taking a good result this time.” In the 125cc class the return to form of Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) has seen the young Swiss win his first race and he is now challenging series leader Mika Kallio (KTM) for the overall advantage. He lies just eight points behind him with Fabrizio Lai (Kopron Racing World Honda RS125RW) in fourth, 17 behind the points leader. Lai said, “I like this circuit because it’s really technical and I like difficult things. I hope to find a good setting for my Honda but, sure, we’ll have some problems on the straight because the Aprilias are very fast here while the Hondas are not quite as quick.” Mike Di Meglio (Kopron Racing World Honda RS125R), who finished fourth in France, said, “After the good race in Le Mans I need another good result…. and it’s possible because I very much like Mugello. The Honda is very different from the Aprilia and I’ve spent four races trying to learn how to get the best from the bike. Now I’ve increased my confidence and I can stay with the strongest riders in the races.”

Rizla Suzuki puts GSX-R ace Kennaugh to the test RIZLA SUZUKI will put Hudson Kennaugh – the current leader of the Suzuki GSX-R European Cup – to the test when he rides John Reynolds’ race bike in a private track session at Donington Park later this month. The 24-year-old is the reigning South African Superbike Champion and wants to step his career up a gear by moving to Europe and securing a ride in either British or World Superbikes with a top team. His test ride on JR’s Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 gives him a big opportunity to show his talent. Hudson said: “I won the Superbike Championship in South Africa for Suzuki in 2004 and now I want to progress to a bigger stage. That means coming to Europe and trying to secure a ride in either BSB or WSB – that is my main focus this year. “Riding JR’s GSX-R1000 is brilliant as Rizla Suzuki is one of the top teams in the world. I will do the best job I can during the test. It’s pretty simple really – if I do well then hopefully doors will open up and if I don’t then they remain closed.” Hudson will join Rizla Suzuki at Donington Park in Leicestershire on June 14th and 16th to ride the GSX-R1000. The team will be testing at the circuit and JR will be on hand to offer advice to the eager South African. Triple BSB Champion Niall Mackenzie will also be in attendance to offer Hudson guidance. “The Suzuki GSX-R European Cup is a great way for me to show what I can do in front of big crowds and on television. It has also brought me to the attention of Rizla Suzuki – so thank you to Suzuki and the Rizla team for this opportunity,” explained Hudson. “Thanks also to Jonny Towers at MotoDirect, importers of AGV and RST to the UK, for helping to arrange this test.” Rizla Suzuki team manager Robert Wicks, originally from South Africa but now resident in the UK, said: “I have kept an eye on Hudson’s career for the past few years and I firmly believe he is a talent and future champion. “I first met Hudson at the GSX-R Cup event at Magny Cours in 2003 where he put in a great performance on a track he’d not raced at before. He’s built on that result back in South Africa by winning the national championship and leading the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R European Cup. Now Rizla Suzuki is happy to provide this test for Hudson to prove his ability on a factory-backed GSX-R1000. He’s part of the Suzuki family and we are always happy to bring new talent to the fore.” You can follow Hudson’s test on the Rizla Suzuki on www.rizla-suzuki.co.uk. You can find out more about the Suzuki GSX-R European Cup by visiting www.gsxrcup.com.

AMA PRO RACING APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES PICKERINGTON, Ohio (June 1, 2005) — AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States, has appointed Rod J. Lopusnak as Director of Sales. Lopusnak will be based in AMA Pro Racing’s newly relocated West Coast office and will be responsible for managing existing sponsor relationships and the continued development of new commercial opportunities. Lopusnak leaves American Suzuki Motor Corporation where he was ATV and Motorcycle Marketing Manager. Lopusnak will report directly to AMA Pro Racing Vice President of Commercial Development, John Farris, and assumes his new responsibilities immediately. “Rod brings a strong industry background and we’re pleased that he’s joined us,” said AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth. “Rod’s experience will enable him to play a vital role in the important area of commercial development within AMA Pro Racing.” Hollingsworth noted that the hiring of Lopusnak is consistent with AMA Pro Racing’s ongoing personnel strategy. “Our goal has been to hire high-level industry talent for key positions. Additionally, we want to continue to expand our West Coast office and California presence. The addition of Rod accomplishes both of those objectives. His background at the retail, regional and OEM level of sales and marketing has given him a keen insight into the commercial aspects of the motorcycle and racing industries.” After several year’s experience in retail motorcycle sales Lopusnak joined Suzuki in 1997 and has held positions in both the marketing and sales departments. His first position was as District Sales Manager which quickly lead to a promotion to Assistant Regional Sales Manager. In April of 2000 Lopusnak moved to Suzuki’s corporate headquarters in Southern California to become ATV Marketing Manager. Motorcycles were added to his area of responsibility in January of 2004. “I’m excited about this new opportunity,” said Lopusnak. “AMA Pro Racing properties have a great deal to offer and I’m looking forward to getting out in the marketplace and showing how commercially viable motorcycle racing can be. I’ll be looking to partner our racing sponsorship packages with companies eager to reach a targeted, core demographic. Motorcycle racing, the original ‘action sport’ is hot right now and I’ll be aggressively targeting companies wanting to tap into this category.”

Hale And Pridmore Set To Make Comebacks At Road America PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 31, 2005) — Comebacks will be the theme in the Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme and Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series races at Road America during the Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader, June 2-5 in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. In Formula Xtreme Texan Mike Hale returns to the series for the first time in three years riding an Erion Honda prepped CBR600RR backed by RockwallHonda.com. The other big news is the return of Michael Jordan Motorsports lead rider Jason Pridmore after suffering the most serious injury of his racing career in Birmingham, Ala., in April. Hale’s return to Formula Xtreme will add another big name to the series. The former AMA Flat Track Rookie of the Year made a successful move to road racing in the mid-1990s and was the up-and-coming rider of that era after winning two AMA Superbike nationals in 1995. He now comes back to the series a veteran and is eagerly anticipating getting back to being a regular on the circuit. “I’ve done some private testing and was able to turn in lap record times,” said Hale, who finished second in the Road America Formula Xtreme race in 2002. “I even surprised myself at how comfortable I was on the bike. I’m coming to Road America to do my best and see where that puts me. There are a lot of talented riders in the series and I’m looking forward to getting in there and mixing it up with those guys.” Honda’s Jake Zemke comes into Road America riding the longest Formula Xtreme winning streak in five years. His victory at Pikes Peak International Raceway two weeks ago was his 10th-career win in Formula Xtreme and made him the all-time wins leader in the class. Zemke is hoping to earn his first Formula Xtreme title after being a leading contender in the series for five years. “Honda has given me a bike this year that is ready to go right out of the truck,” Zemke explained. “We make a few adjustments and I’m up to speed right away. I think that’s given me a lot of confidence.” This will mark Zemke’s sixth Formula Xtreme appearance at Road America. The Californian has scored two podium finishes in past appearances but is seeking his first victory at the high-speed circuit. Zemke’s teammate Miguel Duhamel is the defending winner of the Road America Formula Xtreme race. With just four rounds remaining No. 1 rider of 2004 needs another win to close the 13-point deficit to Zemke in the series standings. MPTracing.com Suzuki’s Danny Eslick will be making his second appearance at Road America. He finished 12th in the Formula Xtreme race last year, but is expecting a much higher finish in this year’s event. The young Oklahoman is ranked a surprising third in the series coming into this weekend’s race. Jason Pridmore is making his comeback just in time to compete at what is considered the Chicago-based Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s home race. Pridmore underwent emergency surgery in Birmingham, Ala., after a serious crash during Repsol Lubricants Superstock qualifying at Barber Motorsports Park on April 24. Less than a week later he was released from the hospital after making a rapid recovery. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the track,” said Pridmore, an AMA and World Endurance road racing champion. “I’ve been trying to get healthy doing as much training as I can. I’ve been cleared by my doctor and I’m going to do a riding school so I’ll have some track time before coming back to Road America.” Pridmore is a former Superstock and Formula Xtreme winner at Road America. He won his first race in Elkhart Lake in 1992. Graves Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking leads by a scant two points in the Repsol Lubricants Superstock standings at mid-season, but he suffered a bicycling accident while training for Road America and will miss the race. Hacking’s misfortune opens the door for Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Hacking’s teammate Jason DiSalvo who are tied for second in the standings. Yates is back in the Superstock class for the first time since winning the title in his first year as a factory Suzuki rider in 1996. DiSalvo is looking to earn his first AMA championship. Tommy Hayden is not far back in fourth and is looking to repeat his Elkhart Lake victory of last year. “We have a good base set up for the Superstock machine,” said Hayden, who rides a factory Kawasaki ZX-10RR. “A win would put us right up there in the battle for the championship. We’ve been consistent all season, but we need a few firsts to put us in the hunt.” Jordan Motorsports Suzuki’s Steve Rapp stands fifth in the series and hopes to make a good showing for the team this weekend. The Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader at Road America Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme and Repsol Lubricants Superstock races will be televised on SPEED Channel on Tuesday, June 7 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern. For additional information on the race call 1-800-365-7223 or visit the website www.roadamerica.com.

Team SUZUKI MotoGP looking for improved results Team SUZUKI MotoGP will be competing in the fifth round of the MotoGP World Championship at Mugello in Italy this weekend, with a clear target to translate promising test and qualifying performances into better race results. The Gran Premio Alice D’Italia will be run over 23 laps of the 5.2km circuit set in beautiful Tuscan countryside just north of Florence. Famous for its fantastic scenery and fanatical spectators, Mugello also features some of the fastest top-speeds of the year. Added to this are high-speed chicanes and some tricky and bumpy corners, making this a tough test for the Suzuki GSV-R and riders Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins. Both racers are heading to Italy following an encouraging post-race test at Le Mans last month. New chassis developments and a successful Bridgestone tyre test helped Roberts Jr and Hopkins put the disappointment of the French GP behind them and look forward to the rest of the season. Team Manager Paul Denning is hoping for improvements this weekend. He said: “We have showed that we can do well in test and qualifying sessions but we must make sure that these results repeat themselves in the race – something that has not happened so far. “We have made some positive developments to the GSV-R since the start of the year and the whole package is improving. We just hope that the results will soon start to reflect the hard work that has been put in by the Factory and the team this season. “We have certainly had our share of bad luck, such as Kenny suffering troubles while leading in Shanghai and John having to start from the pit-lane at Le Mans. But we need to move on, leave the bad luck behind us and push for the best possible results.” Team SUZUKI MotoGP will be racing in the Gran Premio Alice D’Italia at 14.00CET on Sunday 5th June.

By Michael Gougis The MotoGP circus headed for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca July 8-10 may mean a “No Vacancy” sign at the paddock gate for many of those who typically participate in and do business with the AMA Superbike series. Mazda Raceway spokesman Ed Nichols said this week that track officials are still waiting for final equipment space requirements from the International Race Teams Association (IRTA), the organization that represents MotoGP teams. Until that information arrives, many people seeking places for motorhomes often used as at-track accommodations for riders and team members and trucks in the AMA paddock are stuck on a waiting list, Nichols says. “It’s going to be very, very, very tight,” Nichols says. “It’s a giant jigsaw puzzle, and there’s not space for everyone. But we’re contractually bound to provide IRTA with everything they need.” Laguna Seca will charge $1000 to park a motorhome in the paddock, plus $225 to occupy it overnight, with as few as 18 spaces available. That price, Nichols says, has not changed from prior events. But it is far more than AMA racers and teams have paid in the past. Nichols added that part of the problem is that some people seeking paddock access had provided inaccurate measurements. “We went to Infineon and measured some trucks, and ones they were telling us were 60 feet were actually 75 feet,” he said. With the Big Show coming to town, Nichols says, there is a much higher demand for everything pit crew member passes, passes for friends, media passes. This means some people will not get the passes and access they have had at prior events, he says. “We know that there are people who aren’t going to have the experience that they’ve had in the past,” Nichols says. “There’s going to be a trade-off for this step up. The World Superbike events were great, but this is a level beyond.”

WERA National Series Returns to Willow Springs for First of Two Western Rounds ROSAMOND, Calif. WERA National Series competitors hit the road this week for California, where round four of the WERA Dunlop National Endurance Series and the WERA Michelin National Challenge Series will be held at Willow Springs Raceway this weekend, June 4-5. The National Series races are being combined with the WERA West region’s Sportsman Series events, and a strong turnout of local racers is expected. Willow Springs will be a new track for many of the National Series competitors, so the series regulars will have the challenge of learning the track and getting up to speed. This weekend marks the first time in nearly a decade that the WERA National Series has competed at Willow Springs. “We’re really excited about going back to Willow Springs,” commented WERA owner Evelyne Clarke. “The track is popular with our WERA West riders and it has a tradition of great racing. It was time to bring our National Series back to Willow.” The WERA Dunlop National Endurance Series will have a six-hour race on Saturday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. PDT. Vesrah Suzuki has won all three rounds this season, but the competition has grown with veterans Army of Darkness and Team Velocity Racing challenged by new arrivals Red Star and Team Eclipse. As always, there will be five classes on Willow Springs’ 2.5-mile track during the endurance race, giving fans an array of motorcycles and class battles to watch. The WERA Michelin National Challenge Series and the WERA West Sportsman Series races will be held on Sunday. There will be 16 races, beginning at 12:30 p.m., because of the combined event. Each race will be eight laps in length. Notable races which will feature points for both the National Series and the Sportsman Series include Open, 750 and 600 Superstock, and Formula 1. Tickets for the WERA National at Willow Springs are $10 for all three days; kids 8 and under are free. More information about the track, as well as driving directions, can be found at www.willowspringsraceway.com. A complete schedule for the weekend and more information about the series can be found at www.WERA.com.

BEMISDERFER TOPS ESTOK FOR SUMMIT POINT THUNDERBIKE WIN Seven Buell Riders in Top Ten at Formula USA Thunderbike National SUMMIT POINT, W.Va. Evo-Twin Racing/Harding Harley-Davidson rider Bryan Bemisderfer rode a Buell Firebolt to a close win over his teammate, David Estok, at the Formula USA Thunderbike National at Summit Point Raceway. It was the first National win for Bemisderfer at a course he considers his home track, and the first of the season for the reigning Formula USA Thunderbike champion. Estok was the top qualifier for the Thunderbike National, with a lap time of 1 minute 19.46 seconds on the two-mile, 10-turn Summit Point course. Estok and Bemisderfer battled for the entire 16-lap race, with Bemsiderfer taking the win by less than a second. “There’s no question I know my way around this track, but I’ve had bad luck here in the past,” said Bemisderfer, who failed to finish the 2004 Summit Point Thunderbike race. “David and I had a great battle out there today.” Suzuki rider David Yaakov, another regular at Summit Point, was third, followed by Williams Harley-Davidson/Buell rider Randy Rega in fourth, Schaeffer’s and Classic Harley-Davidson Buell rider Arthur Diaz in fifth, and Daytona Harley-Davidson/Buell and Richie Morris Racing rider Clint Brotz in sixth position. Kenwood/Sirius Satellite Racing riders Sam Rozynski and Joe Rozynski III finished seventh and ninth respectively, both riding Buell Firebolt motorcycles. With 26 entries, the Thunderbike field was the largest of the four Formula USA National races of the day. Fourteen of the Thunderbike entries were Buell motorcycles. After three of eight Formula USA Thunderbike National events, Yaakov leads in series points with 79, followed by Bemisderfer with 64, Estok with 62 and Brotz with 57. The next event on the Formula-USA schedule is the 82nd Annual Loudon Classic, June 16-19 at New Hampshire International Raceway, Loudon, N.H. The Formula USA National Thunderbike series is a horsepower-to-weight ratio restricted class, open to a variety of production-based motorcycles. Buell-mounted riders compete in the eight-event 2005 Thunderbike series race for a share of the $70,500 contingency fund posted by Buell Motorcycle Company. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. For the Buell dealer nearest you, pull into www.buell.com.