West and KTM 250 looking ahead to french debut Australian rider Anthony West is scheduled to make a delayed start to the 250cc Road Race World Championship with the Red Bull KTM GP250 team in the French Grand at Le Mans in May. The all-new KTM 250 project is in the early stages of development and is part of KTM’s carefully planned expansion into grand prix road racing. The 2005 season was always planned as a development and evaluation year for the 250cc project as part of KTM’s long term strategy of a full scale world championship campaign for 2006. With a planned focus on the three-rider 125cc KTM squad the 250cc prototype is still being prepared by Austrian engineer Harald Bartol prior to its first test sessions. It is anticpated that West, who is already set-up in Europe at his Austrian base, will race the KTM 250 at Le Mans, the fourth race of the season. “The KTM 250 was always planned as a development project for 2005 so not being present for the opening race in Jerez is not a major issue for us,” said KTM motorsport manager Kurt Nicoll. “The 125cc team is our primary focus for 2005 and it makes sense to complete evaluation trials of the the new 250 before we start racing. “Harald Bartol and his team have done a tremendous job on advancing the 250 bike from design phase to prototype over the winter and we are sticking with KTM’s policy of testing before racing.” The KTM 250 will not be at the current IRTA tests scheduled for Barcelona and Jerez (next week). Private test sessions will be completed in advance of the race debut of the KTM 250. “The 250 is progressing according to our target which was always to have a bike that would be begin show its potential in the second half of the 2005 season,” said Bartol. “There is no reason to rush our technical plan which is focussed on the 125 team and some support for the MotoGP V4 project. The 2006 season is our priority with the 250 and that’s why we signed Anthony West to a two year with that development program in place.” The KTM 250 is part of overall strategy by KTM to increase its involvement in the Road race world championship with the Austrian manufacturer now represented in the three FIM world championship classes – 125, 250 and MotoGP. The Red Bull KTM GP125 team will be spearheaded by three talented and committed riders – Mika Kallio (Finland), Gabor Talmacsi (Hungary) and Julian Simon (Spain). The MotoGP project is a joint effort with TeamKR with British rider Shakey Byrne riding a KTM V4, 990cc powered machine.

SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR 2005 RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX FEATURING ROUND 8 OF THE MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AMA Pro Racing and Superstars of Super Karts Also Part of Historic Weekend MONTEREY, Calif. (March 17, 2005) – The first MotoGP World Championship race in the U.S. since 1994 highlights the schedule of events released today for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 8-10 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Sunday, July 10 will be one of the biggest days in the 47-year history of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, as round 8 of the prestigious MotoGP World Championship will take the green flag at 2 p.m. The race will be shown live in the U.S. on SPEED Channel and televised coverage will be seen over 300 million people in more than 200 countries. The historic weekend officially begins Friday, July 8 at 8:30 a.m. (all times Pacific Daylight Savings Time) with a one-hour practice session for the AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship. That will be followed by reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, who has won four consecutive championships, and the rest of the MotoGP field taking to the challenging 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course at 10 a.m., for the first of two one-hour Friday practice sessions. Friday also features practice sessions for the AMA’s Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited (11:55 a.m.) and Repsol Superstock Series (4 p.m.) as well as the Superstars of Super Karts (11:10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.) featuring former world champions Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz competing in 250cc-powered racing karts with semi-enclosed bodywork and rear wings. The MotoGP field takes to the track twice again on Saturday, beginning with the third one-hour practice session of the weekend on Saturday at 10 a.m. Qualifying for Sunday’s race takes place from 2-3 p.m. Also qualifying on Saturday are the AMA Repsol Superstock Series (9 a.m.) and AMA Superbike Championship (11:50 a.m.). Saturday concludes with two races: the Superstars of Super Karts at 3:55 p.m., followed by round 11 of the AMA Superbike Championship, a 28-lap race starting at 4:35 p.m. Sunday’s MotoGP race will be preceded by the AMA Repsol Superstock Series contest at 11:30 a.m. and followed by the fifth and final race of the weekend – the AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship race at 3:15 p.m. Throughout the weekend, fans will find the lakebed area (inside turns 2 through 5) filled with hundreds of displays and vendors. The area, officially called the Yamaha Marketplace, features manufacturer displays – including the always-popular Ducati Island – and vendors selling a wide range of motorcycle accessories and apparel. Additional off-track activities are being finalized and will be announced in the near future. Tickets to the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix are on sale now at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca office, or by calling (800) 327-SECA or (831) 648-5111, or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com or www.laguna-seca.com. Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 8-10, 2005 Schedule Subject to Change Friday, July 8 8:30-9:30 a.m. Practice: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship 10:00-11:00 a.m. Free Practice 1: MotoGP World Championship 11:10-11:40 a.m. Practice: Superstars of Super Karts 11:55 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Practice: AMA Superbike Championship 12:45-1:30 a.m. Lunch 2:00-3:00 p.m. Free Practice 2: MotoGP World Championship 3:15-3:50 p.m. Practice: Superstars of Super Karts 4:00-5:00 p.m. Practice: AMA Repsol Superstock Series Saturday, July 9 8:30-8:50 a.m. Warm-Up: Superstars of Super Karts 9:00-9:30 a.m. Qualifying: AMA Repsol Superstock Series 10:00-11:00 a.m. Free Practice 3: MotoGP World Championship 11:15-11:40 a.m. Qualifying: Superstars of Super Karts 11:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Qualifying: AMA Superbike Championship 12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch 2:00-3:00 p.m. Qualifying Practice: MotoGP World Championship 3:10-3:45 p.m. Practice: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship 3:55-4:20 p.m. RACE: Superstars of Super Karts 4:35 p.m. RACE: AMA Superbike Championship Sunday, July 10 9:00-9:30 a.m. Practice: AMA Repsol Superstock Series 10:00-10:20 a.m. Warm-Up: MotoGP World Championship 10:40-11:10 a.m. Qualifying: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. RACE: AMA Repsol Superstock Series 12:00-12:30 p.m. Track Entertainment 12:35-1:30 p.m. Lunch 2:00 p.m. RACE: MotoGP World Championship 3:15 p.m. RACE: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship

CMRA/WERA racer William “Lee” Brennan married Sharon Oldham March 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ODENTON, MD. – March 16, 2005 – The United States Grand Prix Riders Union (USGPRU) today announced Dialitintracktime.com as the official sponsor for 250GP class. Along with the cash payment for the 250GP class sponsor title, Dialitintracktime.com will be awarding a $50 off certificate in the 250GP class and $30 off certificate in the 125GP class. The class sponsorship extends beyond USGPRU race events to include a ten percent discount to all USGRU members to any Dialitintracktime.com event in 2005. “Dialitintracktime.com brings major sponsorship to the 2005 USGPRU National Series and offers a fantastic compliment to the 125GP class sponsor, Acid Cigars”, said Stewart Aitken-Cade, President of the USGPRU. “The USGPRU has put together an outstanding program to promote GP racing in the US, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it”, said Will Willis, President of Dialitintracktime.com. “We’ve seen the USGPRU gain traction and we’re enthused to take an active role in supporting the series.” About dialitintracktime.com Dialitintracktime.com welcomes you; club racer, track day perpetual, and anyone who enjoys the thrill of roadracing. Join us at LVMS, Laguna-Seca, Buttonwillow and Streets of Willow for 2005. Free lunch and Red Bull provided to all riders. Giveaways from Repsol, Tomahawk, Powerstands, Plexus, K&N and Liquid Asphalt. To register and view a full schedule, visit us at www.dialitintracktime.com.” About USGPRU The USGPRU is the officially recognized Motorcycle 125 Grand Prix National ChampionshipR and 250 Grand Prix National Championship TM series. The USGPRU emulates true World MotoGP racing experience and serves to attract young riders to gain experience in a professional environment and provide a path to world-class motorcycle racing. The USGPRU structures events with extended length grand prix racing exclusive to the GP machines, timed qualifying and strong contingency and sponsor support. For additional details, visit www.USGPRU.net

Dovizioso stuns Pedrosa on first day of official 250cc tests Andrea Dovizioso sent out an early warning shot to Daniel Pedrosa in the first official head-to-head between the two World Champions during today’s official 250cc test at the Catalunya circuit in Spain. The quarter-litre riders took over the track from their 125cc counterparts this afternoon and Dovizioso, who lifted the minor category title last season and is preparing for his rookie campaign in the bigger class, was swiftly into the groove. With current 250cc World Champion Pedrosa and last year’s runner-up Sebastian Porto dominating the time sheets for much of the day, Dovizioso posted a late effort of 1:47.148 to confirm his status as a serious threat to the reign of his Honda colleague. However, the Italian was quick to play down his chances. “I’m very happy, the bike is going well and I’m pleased with the lap times, but I don’t think the fact I have lapped faster than Pedrosa today tells the whole story,” commented Dovizioso, who is nevertheless aiming to become the third rider in consecutive seasons to win the 250cc title at the first attempt, after Pedrosa and Manuel Poggiali. “Dani is still the fastest rider out there and remains the clear favourite for the championship. I’ll be giving it my best shot to beat him though!” Jorge Lorenzo, who has followed Dovizioso from the 125cc class to Honda’s official 250cc ranks this season, crashed out today but escaped uninjured and set the seventh fastest time behind Aprilia trio Randy De Puniet, Alex de Angelis and Casey Stoner. The notable absentee from today’s session was Australian rider Anthony West, who is due to ride KTM’s first ever 250cc road racer in the World Championship this season. Harald Bartol, Technical Director for the Austrian factory, was present to supervise their 125cc testing and revealed that it is unlikely the quarter-litre project will reach the track before the fourth round of the season at Le Mans in May. The 125cc morning session was again dominated by Mattia Pasini and Thomas Luthi, with the Italian topping the time sheets after playing second fiddle to his Swiss rival yesterday. “I’m really happy with the work we’ve carried out here,” commented Pasini, last season’s 125cc Rookie of the Year. “We’ve been working hard over the winter tests and these results are evidence of that although we still have plenty of room for improvement.” Marco Simoncelli and Gabor Talmacsi also continued their good form from the first day but there was bad news for fellow title hopeful Alvaro Bautista, who cracked his scaphoid in a crash that saw the track closed for several minutes. The Spaniard his hopeful of returning to action at the second and final batch of official 125cc tests at Jerez next week. Wednesday’s Official 250cc Test Times: 1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:47.148 2. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:47.253 3. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:47.321 4. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:47.824 5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:48.081 6. Casey STONER, Aprilia, 1:48.281 7. Jorge LORENZO, Honda, 1:48.332 8. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:48.651 9. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:48.936 10. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:48.955 11. Hector BARBERA, Honda, 1:48.975 12. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:49.320 13. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:49.385 14. Simone CORSI, Aprilia, 1:49.541 15. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:49.758 16. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 1:49.886 17. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Aprilia, 1:50.075 18. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 1:50.119 19. Gregory LEBLANC, Aprilia, 1:50.199 20. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, 1:50.225 21. Andrea BALLERINI, Aprilia, 1:50.376 22. Yuki TAKAHASHI, Honda, 1:50.624 23. Martin CARDENAS, Aprilia, 1:52.110 24. Radomil ROUS, Honda, 1:52.211 25. Dirk HEIDOLF, Honda, 1:52.836 26. Gabriele FERRO, Fantic, 1:54.726 27. Arnaud VINCENT, Fantic, 1:57.756

Jeff Williams has teamed up to ride for Z1cycletech Ducati in the Canadian Cuperbike Championship. The 11 year veteran superbike rider will race a 2005 999R in the Parts Canada series. Team owner Zaid Saleemi said “Jeff is a colorful racer and a great addition to our team, I think we can expect big things because he always gives 100 percent”.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Ben Spies were each fined $1000 by AMA Pro Racing for technical violations following the 2005 AMA season-opening races at Daytona International Speedway March 9-12. Roadracingworld.com has learned that the fines were for not having a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the frame of each rider’s 2005 GSX-R1000. Yates received his fine in Superstock. Spies was penalized in Superbike. Rules for each class require that frames have VIN numbers. No points were taken from either rider, according to the fines and penalties section of the official AMA Pro Racing website. Only riders are penalized for technical violations because AMA Pro road racing rules do not recognize the existence of teams, and the sanctioning body’s only official relationship is with licensed riders. Roadracingworld.com has asked AMA Pro Racing officials how, given the lack of VIN numbers, they were able to determine that Yates and Spies were using production frames at Daytona. AMA Pro Racing has acknowledged receipt of Roadracingworld.com’s March 15 e-mail but has not responded as of Wednesday morning.

Camel Honda team launches 2005 MotoGP mission In the prestigious surroundings of the Palazzo della Borsa in Milan, the Camel Honda team officially presented its 2005 line-up to the world’s media. Troy Bayliss and Alex Barros will this year proudly wear Camel Honda’s colours in the MotoGP World Championship 2005, and appeared on the stage alongside Roberto Zanni – Senior Vice President of JT International, Ishii Tsutomu – HRC General Manager and two-times World Champion, Sito Pons – Team Manager. Roberto Zanni JT International Worldwide Market and Sales Senior Vice-President “We chose to have this event here in Milan because Italy is an important market for JTI, and one where we are particularly competitive. Italy is also a country of motorsport and because of this we have launched some of our most important motorsport projects from here; projects which have already been successful and which pushed Camel into renewing their challenge for the title once more this season. This is also why we have chosen two extraordinary riders; two racers who have demonstrated a most fantastic mix of experience and enthusiasm in MotoGP – Alex Barros and Troy Bayliss. They have an important attribute in common, they have an incredible desire to get back on top, and as such are hungry for victory. This makes them two fearful riders on the track for their adversaries. Speaking of their rivals this year, there is another out there who won’t necessarily be such, because he is a friend who got the opportunity to ride with the factory team but will still display the Camel brand: Max Biaggi. I’m enthusiastic about this team and we expect a championship full of excitement from them.” Ishii Tsutomu HRC General Manager “This year we don’t have a title to defend and so that objective is of utmost importance to Honda. I’m looking forward to a very successful season. I think that with Alex Barros and Troy Bayliss we have the potential to win the championship, but success is not achieved just by having a top bike and top riders, you also need good teamwork and the support of a big name like JTI. I am looking forward to next season with confidence, we want to win the championship once more.” Sito Pons Camel Honda “When we present the team at the beginning of a season, I get the same kind of excitement as when our bikes are on the starting grid waiting for the green light. In the team’s 24 years there have been many thrilling winning moments and times which we are happy to remember. It makes us very proud that JTI have chosen to be our partners once more with the prestigious Camel brand, a leader at world level with who we now have a relationship going back three years. The Honda name is now part of the team’s history and in my opinion the RC211V is the best bike. Both our new riders Troy Bayliss and Alex Barros have the necessary talent and experience to carry out the enviable yet arduous task of taking it to victory. To complete the winning formula we have Michelin tyres, meaning that Alex and Troy will have fantastic support in their fight for victory in 2005.” Alex Barros Camel Honda “I am delighted to be here today, because returning to this team, to Camel Honda, is like going back to your friends. This is the first time in two years that I have felt in perfect physical shape and I think that this can be one of the high-points of my career. I will start this championship aiming to win, because as I see it there is no point in fighting for second place. From what I have seen in the tests so far, I think I can say that next season will be one of the most competitive ever, there are at least ten riders fighting for the podium positions. I have got a first rate team, a first rate bike, and I feel good and I hope to be able to use a bit of my vast experience. It will be a fantastic championship.” Troy Bayliss Camel Honda “I have been training extensively and last weekend I got my first podium of the season, taking third place in a bicycle race in San Remo”¦! Joking aside, we head off now for six test days in Barcelona and Jerez and I can’t wait to get started. It is certainly a tough task to get where the others are already, but I want to be at 100% for the first race. At the moment I would say that I am at 80%. I still need to find a good feeling with the bike, but it is coming. Obviously for me to compete with the Camel Honda team is a massive change after so many years with the same bike, but above all it is a great opportunity. The team is fantastic and is work extremely hard to give me the best support possible. Our objective now is to find that missing 20 percent in the next tests. I can’t wait for this season to begin.”