From a press release issued by Bruno Event Team, which manages events at Barber Motorsports Park:

BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK ANNOUNCES 2005 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

(Birmingham, AL)- The Barber Motorsports Park has released its schedule for the 2005 season. The schedule will consist of nine major event weekends beginning with the Historic Sportscar Racing Series (HSR) event April 1-3 and concluding with the AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) National Roadrace Series October 21-23.

For the third consecutive year, Barber Motorsports Park will host the Honda Superbike Classic April 22-24 as part of the AMA Superbike Series and the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series July 29-31. The 2005 season will also include a new addition to the schedule. The World Karting Association (WKA), which made its debut last October at the Porsche 250, will return to the Barber Motorsports Park as part of its Big South Series.

2005 Spectator Events:

April 1-3 HSR (Historic Sportscar Racing)

April 8-10 WKA (World Karting Association)

April 16-17 WERA Regionals

April 22-24 3rd Annual Honda Superbike Classic presented
by Dunlop

May 28-29 BMW Race

July 29-31 Grand American Rolex Sportscar Series

August 12-14 Championship Cup Series

September 23-25 WERA Nationals

October 21-23 AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle
Association)



Tickets for all 2005 events are now on sale. Call 1-800-240-2300 or visit www.barbermotorsports.com.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

BUMPER EARLY CROP FOR MOST COMPETITIVE SBK CHAMPIONSHIP EVER

With the start of the 18th consecutive World Superbike season just around the corner, at the Losail circuit in Qatar on February 24-26, the final line up of competing manufacturers, teams and riders indicates that Superbike is in for its most competitive season on record.

The confirmed entry of 30 riders is the envy of almost any global Motorsports series, with six manufacturers represented by proven – and soon-to-be – stars of the SBK firmament

Thanks to carefully crafted technical regulations and a single make tyre strategy, SBK has never been a more accessible and evenly matched series. Up to ten riders are approaching SBK 2005 with realistic expectations of an outright championship win; if they can keep up an impeccable level of consistency. Given the circumstances of the 2005 season, there should be something approaching 15 possible race winners, at any one round of the scheduled 12 – from Qatar in February to the finale in France on September 9.

DUCATI
The Bologna based manufacturer of high performance vee-twin motorcycles to the masses is the most successful in the history of the sport, having won 13 manufacturers’ and 11 riders’ championships. For the first time in several seasons Ducati riders are not quite the most numerous on the SBK grid, but quality has not been sacrificed in the new era of Ducati’s SBK participation.

The factory Ducati Corse squad, sponsored by Xerox this season, can boast the talents of both the champion and runner up in the tightly contested 2004 title battle. Englishman James Toseland (who at 23 was the youngest champion in the history of the Superbike division) is once more teamed up with Frenchman Regis Laconi on the full factory 999F05 machines.

A very welcome and full-strength Spanish element is introduced to the class once more this year, with 250GP race winner Fonsi Nieto partnering 2004 Supersport rider Lorenzo Lanzi in the Team Ducati SC – Caracchi squad, a long-standing entry which enjoys close links with the factory.

Private entries having kept faith with Ducati are Team Pedercini’s Lucio Pedercini and Alessio Velini, and Czech rider Jiri Mrkyvka, who will have the pleasure of riding on his home track this year, at Brno on 17 July.

HONDA
In its debut SBK season Honda’s CBR1000RR Superbike secured four race wins, one factor in the obvious popularity of Honda machinery for 2005.

A plethora of top names have opted for Honda motive force, including Winston Ten Kate riders Karl Muggeridge (2004 Supersport Champion) and Chris Vermeulen (2003 Supersport Champion and winner of those four Honda SBK victories in 2004).

In 2004 Renegade Ducati Koji won six races through the season, but for 2005 a change of rider and machine will see a single man Renegade Honda KOJI team opt for CBR power. The CBR will be piloted by seven-time SBK race winner Ben Bostrom; a very welcome high profile American rider in the cosmopolitan ’05 rider line up.

Arguably the best-loved star in World Superbike, the 40 year-old Italian Pierfrancesco Chili will team up with 21-year-old German youth Max Neukirchner in a Klaffi Honda line up of contrasting experience levels. The Austrian squad, headed by former World Sidecar Champion Klaus Klaffenbock, is new to World Superbike, but has extensive track time and podium experience in World Supersport to call upon.

YAMAHA
By far the most numerous of all the machines on display will be from the Yamaha stable, a full third of the permanent grid of 30 riders choosing the 2005 YZF-R1.

The most closely supported squad will be the Yamaha Motor Italia pairing of serial 2004 race winner Noriyuki Haga and 2001 World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt.

Yamaha Motor France have enticed three-time 500cc Grand Prix winner Norick Abe into one of their riding slots this season, making it a double attack from Japan in terms of the entire Yamaha effort. Sebastien Gimbert, such a sensation at the final Magny Cours races in 2004, is gearing up for a full time assault with YMF this year.

Italy’s Marco Borciani and Portuguese Miguel Praia will run for the DFX team in the DFXtreme Sterilgarda set-up, with Spaniard Jose Luis Cardoso (a Spanish Championship regular and GP competitor of years gone by) and 2004 European Superstock Championship winner Lorenzo Alfonsi team up in the DFXtreme squad.

Two single riders teams will also run Yamahas, European Superstock runner-up Gianluca Vizziello in the Team Lorenzini by Leoni camp and Belgian Michel Nickmans in the Team Zone Rouge pit garage.

SUZUKI
Short on numbers, but big on talent, experience and possibility, is the Alstare Corona Extra squad, with 1996 SBK Champion Troy Corser (soon to be married to long term partner Sam) and new SBK team inductee Yukio Kagayama on their books.

Corser needs no introduction to the class but Kagayama has been making a name and garnering wins in the tough British Championship for the past two seasons. Both Suzuki riders have already set good testing times at Phillip Island on the 2005 GSX-R1000K5.

KAWASAKI
The PSG-1 team are no strangers to the top step of the podium, thanks to their now dissolved partnership with Pierfrancesco Chili. Having adopted Kawasaki ZX-10s for the 2005 season, they will run British star Chris Walker and experienced ZX-10 pilot Mauro Sanchini. Having scored a second place last year Walker in particular is the rider Kawasaki are pinning most hopes on.

Perennial SBK competitors, Bertocchi Kawasaki, will run Ivan Clementi and the always high profile Giovanni Bussei on their ZX-10s. After gaining knowledge of the machine in 2004, Bertocchi is a well-placed team for 2005.

PETRONAS
Back for a third full year of track action the Foggy Petronas FP-1 three cylinder machine cuts a distinctive sight and emits a distinctive noise, both on and off track. With two podium finishes and two Superpole wins on the board last year, the Petronas team have invested Aussie pairing Garry McCoy and Steve Martin with the responsibility for their combined hopes and dreams in 2005.

Each experienced rider is eager to maintain their overall top seven statuses from 2004, with McCoy a winner in race two at Phillip Island and Martin a three-time Superpole winner. Each has swapped a private Ducati for the high-profile 900 Petronas triple, one of the most exciting pieces of technology ever to grace World Superbike, run by a team with four-time SBK champion Carl Fogarty at its head.

WORLD SUPERSPORT
With several top Supersport exponents submitting to the gravitational pull of the Superbike class, the Supersport season is shaping up to forge a new generation of middleweight stars, as well as providing another real challenge for the ‘old guard.’

Strong entries from all four Japanese factories and Ducati are led by some household names in Supersport, while others have opted for youth and enthusiasm.

Champions for the past three years, Ten Kate Honda, have Katsuaki Fujiwara and Sebastien Charpentier on their CBR600RRs, while former World Champion Fabien Foret and one-time European Superstock Champion Michel Fabrizio fill slots in the Team Italia Megabike Honda pit garage. Johan Stigefelt from Sweden adds his 250GP experience to his own Stiggy Motorsports Honda outfit.

The Yamaha Motor Germany team heads Yamaha’s perennially competitive presence with their R6 product; Aussies Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes will be forming a serious double act.

The Ducati effort, undertaken on 749R twin-cylinder equipment, comprises two single rider squads – one for Jurgen van den Goorbergh in the Selmat camp and the other servicing Gianluca Nannelli, who rides for Team Caracchi.

Kawasaki riders include former SBK factory Aprilia pilot Alessandro Antonello (Team Kawasaki Bertocchi) and NCR Ducati privateer David Garcia (Team Lightspeed Kawasaki).

The final line-up of the Moto 1 Suzuki team from France is yet to be decided, but is expected to feature two strong riders. The Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki push gets behind Spaniard Javier Fores.

SUPERSTOCK
For 2004 the successful European Superstock Championship has been upgraded and renamed the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup. It will have a ‘little brother’ in the Superstock 600 European Championship, with both series included in each European round of the SBK series

The big Superstock class features an entry which hints at the future of the continued flowering of the SBK grid, as former champion Vittorio Iannuzzo runs one of four MV Agustas which will grace the Superstock sessions with its Italian four-cylinder pace

NEW BEGINNINGS
The first race for the Superbike and Supersport competitors takes place at the Losail circuit in Qatar, with action beginning on Thursday 24 February, culminating on raceday, Saturday 26. The first of 12 rounds, Qatar is a new adventure for all SBK competitors, who will enjoy a two day test on the preceding weekend, to familiarise themselves with the circuit.

From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

Pitt and Haga show improvement at Phillip Island

Day two of Yamaha Motor Italia’s world superbike testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia ended today with both riders making progress in the development of their YZF-R1 machines.

Andrew Pitt improved his time from yesterday, setting a best of 1:35.3 on a race tyre, as he and his team made improvements to the fueling system of the YZF-R1. Pitt reported that the bike was much easier to ride than in previous outings, with a more manageable power delivery on the exit of corners.

After easing himself into riding the R1 yesterday, new signing Noriyuki Haga made the biggest strides with his new machine. The Japanese rider clocked up 85 laps on his R1 and was able to run close to the fastest times in last year’s race, posting a best lap time of 1:35.7.

Joining Haga and Pitt on the circuit were Yamaha Motor Germany’s world supersport riders Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes. Today’s testing proved to be one of varying fortunes for the two Australians; Parkes’ confidence in his YZF-R6 improved thanks to improvements in the rear suspension, although high winds meant he was unable to improve significantly on his times from yesterday.

However, team-mate Kevin Curtain’s day was cut short after an early-morning crash. The 38-year-old injured his left shoulder and right foot after highsiding his R6 on the exit of the penultimate corner. A precautionary visit to hospital for X-rays revealed a crack in his collarbone, although the popular Australian is hopeful of resuming testing on the team’s spare R6 at tomorrow’s final day in Phillip Island.

Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team YZF-R1) “We made some big improvements today. We concentrated on the 2005 bike today and the work on the mapping has definitely improved the pick-up out of the corners. We tried a lot of changes to the suspension: some worked and some didn’t. There are still improvements to be made, especially at the front, but generally we’re doing ok.”

Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team YZF-R1) “I am still a little bit behind where I would like to be. We still have some work to do with the suspension and ride height but we know the changes we have to make.”

Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team) “There were no problems today. Yesterday we had some small things that cost us time, but today everything went smoothly. We did a lot of work with Pirelli today and Andrew has found a tyre we think will work well here in the race. Nori is still working to become comfortable and totally confident on the R1, but he is getting there and we expect to see more improvements tomorrow.”

Broc Parkes (Yamaha Motor Germany World Supersport Team YZF-R6) “It was really windy again today and that made it difficult to take the same line twice through many of the corners. We made some changes to the rear ride height and that has made some big improvements to the bike, but the wind was so strong we couldn’t really set quick lap times. Hopefully tomorrow will be less windy. Also I hope that Kevin will be fit to ride tomorrow, as his information will be a big help to me as well.”

Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany World Supersport Team YZF-R6) “In all my years here I’ve never come off at that corner before today! The X-rays have shown a light crack in a bone in my shoulder but we are not sure if that is a result of today’s crash or a previous injury. I will see how I feel in the morning, but I am hopeful that I will be able to ride again tomorrow.”

From a press release:

Chantilly, Virginia

Brian Summers Resigns as Director of MARRC RRS

Brian Summers, Director of the MidAtlantic Roadracing Club (MARRC) Roadracing School (RRS) since 1997, is stepping down as Director of school effective January 22, 2005. “It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I am stepping down as Director of the MARRC Roadracing School, effective immediately. The reasons for this decision are personal in nature and do not come easy. I have accomplished almost every goal I had when I started leading the RRS in 1997 and now it is time for me to move on and concentrate on personal objectives. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this fine organization and the racing community and I depart with fond memories of people I have help get started racing, the friendships I have made and a feeling of accomplishment over the positive things our team has done with the school. I will now look for other ways to stay involved in the sport we all love and promote the advancement of motorcycle roadracing.” Brian Summers can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 703-502-0000.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

Newest VRSC Model Combines Muscular Style and Aggressive Performance

MILWAUKEE (January 24, 2005) – In the court of public opinion, the all-new 2006 VRSCR Street Rod might appear guilty of using steroids. But the newest member of the liquid-cooled family of Harley-Davidson motorcycles gets its reputation honestly by combining an upright riding position, 40-degree lean angle and a retuned suspension to deliver a Harley-Davidson that marries custom looks with agile performance.



“Harley-Davidson’s racing genes flow throughout the new Street Rod,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson director of marketing, motorcycle product development. “The spirit of our strong racing heritage and the recent success of our NHRA Pro Stock Championship season is evident in the feel and performance of this premium, hot rod roadster.”



Carrying on the VRSC family tradition, the Street Rod wields the explosive power of the liquid-cooled, 1130cc Revolution V-Twin engine. In addition, the engine is cradled in a hydroformed, tubular perimeter frame topped with stylized bodywork. A clipped rear fender and 180mm-wide rear tire carry the family looks as well. However, the fuel-injected, 60-degree V-Twin has been pumped up with a pair of chrome straight-shot dual exhaust pipes that help boost horsepower to 120 hp at 8,250 rpm while maintaining its 9,000-rpm redline.

The Street Rod’s distinct styling and upright riding position are the result of a new suspension combination, highlighted by massive 43mm inverted forks. Aero-cut polished, forged aluminum triple clamps are equally robust and deliver a steeper rake/fork angle (30/32 degrees) for more aggressive handling in the corners. The change in rake and fork angle shortens the bike’s wheelbase by 0.7 inches (to 66.8 inches). When matched with performance suspension calibration on the rear shocks, the set up delivers a sporty, performance-oriented ride.

Complementing the suspension changes is a generous 40-degree lean angle and Brembo four-piston caliper brakes with 300mm dual front rotors. The Street Rod’s handlebar and risers are shorter and less swept back. Combined with mid-mounted foot controls and a higher 30-in. seat height, this places the rider forward and into an aggressive position for attacking corners. Fuel capacity of the Street Rod is five gallons.

Adding to the Street Rod’s muscular looks are standard 10-spoke Staggered Cast Aluminum wheels, while radial, ZR-rated Dunlop tires deliver the performance message to the pavement with authority.

The VRSCR Street Rod is available in five stunning color options, including Vivid Black with a black frame, or Black Cherry, Rich Sunglo Blue, Mirage Orange and Yellow Pearl all with a silver-leaf frame. Highlighting each paint option is the silver and black engine with polished covers, plus selected, blacked-out components.

The Harley-Davidson VRSCR Street Rod is a 2006 model available now at Harley-Davidson dealerships.

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


New Models Include All-New VRSCR Street Rod,

15th Anniversary Edition Fat Boy and Sportster 883R

MILWAUKEE (January 24, 2005) – Harley-Davidson expands its model offerings with an all-new 2006 VRSCR Street Rod, a big bore 15th Anniversary Edition 2005 Fat Boy and dirt track-inspired 2005 Sportster 883R.

“Custom motorcycles are our passion,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson director of marketing, motorcycle product development. “That passion inspired the styling and performance of these three motorcycles, which reflect the spirit of Harley-Davidson.”

Each of the newest Harley-Davidson motorcycles carves its own niche while remaining true to the heritage of its respective model family. And each provides an unmistakable statement of individual style.

Highlights of the 2006 VRSCR Street Rod:

The roadster-inspired VRSCR Street Rod sets a new standard and a bold direction for the VRSC family combining style and performance in equal measure. The newest member of the VRSC family is decidedly more aggressive with its upright riding position, inverted front forks, 40-degree lean angle, 1130cc Revolution V-Twin engine and tuned suspension.

Highlights of the 2005 15th Anniversary Edition FLSTFI Fat Boy:

For 15 years the Fat Boy has ruled the heavyweight cruiser class by blending classic hardtail styling with a heart-pounding counter-balanced V-Twin engine. The 15th Anniversary Edition Fat Boy commemorates the model’s journey with an extra helping of chrome, performance and style.

Its signature solid disc wheels have been chromed, making a visual statement that’s as powerful as it is custom. The two color options—Vivid Black and Brilliant Silver, a nod to the original color introduced in 1990—are complemented by a matched paint scheme on its counter-balanced V-Twin motor. A 24K gold-plated tank emblem and unique Badlander-inspired, double-stitched seam seat, gold striped air cleaner cover, timer cover and ignition switch plate are unique custom treatments.

Driving that point home is a big bore, fuel-injected 1550cc Twin Cam 95 engine producing 87.1-ft.-lbs. of torque at 4000 rpm. It’s counterbalanced and solid-mounted to deliver the Softail’s tightly-framed, timeless style and strong roll-on power with just the right amount of feedback to the rider. The 15th Anniversary Fat Boy will be available until June 2005, while supplies last.

Highlights of the 2005 Sportster XL883R:

The Sportster XL883R pays tribute to the famed Harley-Davidson XR dirt track racers with eye-catching, race-inspired styling elements. Most noticeable are the blacked-out Evolution powertrain and race-ready 883R graphics on the classic, orange 3.3-gallon fuel tank.

A staggered shorty dual exhaust system and dual front disc brakes reflect the 883R’s competitive DNA. Blacked-out components like fork sliders, headlamp eyebrow, handlebars, air cleaner cover and rear shock springs enhance its distinctive style and make it a fun bike to ride.

Like all 2005 model year Sportsters, the 883R offers uncompromised comfort and handling thanks to its redesigned-in-2004 Evolution engine that’s rubber-mounted to a stronger, more rigid frame.

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

From a press release:

Trackoholics Track Days has announced their 2005 Track Day and Race team schedule. They will be running the following dates as Track Days at Grattan Raceway Park under the “Limited Rider Track Day” format:

Saturday April 30, Sunday May 1, Thursday June 9, Friday June 10, Monday July 11, Thursday August 25, Friday August 26, and Monday September 19th.

The June and August dates both proceed the WERA rounds at Grattan and will make for an excellent practice opportunity for racers looking for an extra edge. See www.trackoholics.com for further information.

From a press release issued by Alstare Corona Suzuki:

Team Alstare Suzuki concluded a successful three-day test at Philip Island and left full of confidence for the year ahead. Former World Champion Troy Corser easily went under the last year’s lap record and his team mate Yukio Kagayama was not far behind. For both riders, it was their first taste proper of the new 2005 GSXR1000s that they will campaign in this year’s Superbike World Championship and both were more then satisfied with the progress of the new bike.

Both Corser and Kagayama have tested versions of the 2005 before, but the three-day test at Philip Island gave them a true indication of how the season could shape up. Corser is of course no stranger to the circuit and methodically worked his way through a variety of changes throughout the tests, trying to find a good base set-up. With his own wedding to take place just three days after the tests, he didn’t push it too hard, so to do the lap times he did without much effort brought a smile to his face and the rest of the team. Even three collisions with three of Philip Island’s notorious bird life did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm, but one more would have caused a bit of a problem with spare screens!

His team mate Kagayama has a bit of a reputation for testing a team’s stock of fibreglass, but he rode steadily and consistently throughout the three days and when he did crash on the final day, it wasn’t even his fault! On the approach to Siberia corner he hit a hare and was forced off the track. He took to the gravel and looked to have saved it, but then tipped over at low speed just before the tyre wall. Previously, he too had smashed into a bird, so the final score read Corser 3, Kagayama 2 – unless of course, one hare equals two birds. In which it ended honours even!

As Corser left to head northwards for his wedding he said, “We’ve done a lot of good work during the three days and if I had to race the bike, it’d be OK. I am happy because if you can get a bike to work well at Philip Island, it normally works well at every other circuit. And if it doesn’t, you’re only a click or two away anyway. I’ve spent a few years looking at the back of bikes, now I’m looking forward to letting others see the back of me!”

For his team mate Kagayama, the biggest problem in the tests was getting familiar with the Pirelli tyres. After years on Dunlops, the Japanese rider was understandably cautious and tried to learn the characteristics of the Italian rubber and find their limits. He had ridden Philip Island before, but this was the first time with the 2005 GSXR1000 on Pirellis and so he took things steadily, but managed to improve his lap times by half a second or so each day. If it had not have been for the incident with the hare, he would have completed the tests without a crash – not bad for somebody who once crashed twenty-four times in an eleven race season in Japan!

Conditions throughout the three days were variable – typical Philip Island weather, but although it rained on morning of the final day, by the time Corser and Kagayama went out, the track had dried out again, so the Pirelli wets were not called into use. At the end, Corser completed a total of 188 laps, with an unofficial best time of 1:34.2. He also did a very impressive race distance simulation on the final day morning, before the wind picked up in the afternoon. His team mate Kagayama – who has slotted into the Alstare Suzuki set-up as if he has been there for ever – completed just over 200 laps, with a best time of 1:34.6. Both his and Corser’s lap times were done on race rubber, not qualifiers, which is a sign that there is definitely more to come.

Corser and Kagayama make a formidable duo and the way the 2005 GSXR1000 is going so early on should be a big worry to their competitors. In what looks like the strongest World Superbike field for years, Alstare Suzuki look like they are going to be competitive right form the start. The combination of the smooth riding Corser and the irrepressible Kagayama is going to be a tough one to beat.


2005 Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSXR1000

Wheelbase 1470 mm

Weight 164 kgs

Fuel capacity 22 litres

Clutch Wet

Chassis Aluminium with adjustable pivot point for rear swing

arm (only one length of swing arm available)

Gearbox Six speeds (not cassette-type)

Injection/Ignition Two injectors per cylinder/Mitsubishi

Power 200 HP (at the crank)

Front forks new for 2005 Showa 49 mm

Rear suspension Showa multi-adjustable

Wheels Front 3.50 x 16.5

Rear 6.25 x 16.5 (dry), 6.00 x 16.5 (wet)

Brakes Front Brembo 4 pistons, floating, 320 mm discs

Rear Brembo 2 piston

From a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi-NCR

FONSI NIETO JOINS LORENZO LANZI IN THE SCUDERIA SC CARACCHI – NCR FOR 2005 WORLD SUPERBIKE

Yesterday, January 22 Saturday, has been signed in Spain an agreement between the Spanish rider Alfonso Gonzales Nieto, alias Fonsi Nieto, and Team Caracchi-NCR to contest the 2005 World Championship series.

Nieto will join the historical Team based in Bologna, which will have the full help from Ducati Corse, the Italian Lorenzo Lanzi, the most interesting of young riders contesting the World Superbike. Team Caracchi-NCR will send his challenge in the Queen class of Production bikes with a couple of young rookies, giving a strong interest in a championship always more interesting, with the return of majors Japanese factories side by side to Ducati factory, which never let the great Superbike stage, earning an unapproachable record of wins.

Fonsi Nieto will test his new sporting weapon, the 999RS Ducati, in Jerez during this week end to go on a reach test sessions in Europe, just before the 2005 Championship debut round on Losail circuit, in Qatar desert.

GONZALES NIETO “Fonsi” Alfonso

Nephew of racing Spanish legend Angel Nieto (13 times world champion). Alfonso started racing on a pocket bike as a teenager, winning the Madrid Championship in 1994, and moving to win the Junior 125 Spanish and Catalan titles in 1995. National Spanish champion several times in his first racing years, Alfonso made his world championship debut in 1999. In 2002 he was the hardest challenger of Marco Melandri for the world title in 250 class, category where Alfonso won a total of five GPs.

Personal file

Born in Madrid in 1978, December 2

Residence: Madrid

Marital status: single, girl friend Aña Pataxi

Hobbies: snowboarding, motocross, cinema, internet

Race file

2004
7th World 250GP Championship (Aprilia)

2003
5th World 250GP Championship (Aprilia)

(1 win: Donington)

2002
Runner-up in World 250GP Championship (Aprilia)

(4 wins: Jerez, Le Mans, Estoril, Sepang)

2001
5th World 250GP Championship (Aprilia)

2000
14th World 250GP Championship (Yamaha)

Spanish 250GP Champion (Yamaha)

(3 wins: Valencia, Albacete, Jerez)

1999
23rd World 250GP Championship (Yamaha)

Spanish 250GP Champion (Yamaha)

(2 wins: Cartagena, Albacete)

1998
Spanish 125GP Champion (Aprilia)

(2 wins: Albacete, Albacete)

22nd European 125GP Championship (Aprilia)

1997
8th European 125GP Championship (Aprilia)

4th Spanish 125GP Championship (Aprilia)

1996
24th European 125GP Championship (Honda)

Contests Spanish 125GP Championship (Honda)

1995
Spanish Criterium Junior 125 Champion (Honda)

Catalunya Criterium 125 Champion

1994
Madrid Minibike Champion

Contests the Castiglia Minibike Championship

From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

Haga debuts at Phillip Island test

Yamaha’s 2005 Superbike and Supersport World Championship campaigns got into full swing at Phillip Island today, as the officially supported Yamaha Motor Italia and Yamaha Motor Germany teams completed the first day of their test at the picturesque Australian circuit.

The test marked Noriyuki Haga’s return to the manufacturer with whom he made his name in the mid-Nineties and the Japanese star completed shakedown laps aboard the Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1 which he will campaign in the superbike series.

Day one of the test was a familiarisation session for Haga, as he worked with his mechanics to find a comfortable seating position and a basic understanding of the YZF-R1. The Japanese ace suffered some minor fuelling problems but completed a total of 50 laps with a best time of 1:36.3.

While Haga acquainted himself with his new machine, team-mate Andrew Pitt concentrated on the fuel mapping on his YZF-R1. The Australian rider started the day on the bike with which he completed two tests at the Valencia circuit in Spain, but switched to a new machine with a slightly higher specification in the afternoon. In total Pitt ran 84 laps, with a best of 1:36.8.

Yamaha Motor Germany’s Australian duo Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes took to the circuit on the 2005-spec YZF-R6s they hope will take them to success in the Supersport World Championship. Both riders had ridden the machine at a wet test at Valencia in December, but today’s outing was the first time the riders were able to fully evaluate the improvements made to the 2005 machine in dry conditions.

New signing Broc Parkes had an eventful morning, hampered by several brushes with the Phillip Island wildlife. On three occasions the Australian’s machine was hit at high speed by seagulls, destroying the radiator, windscreen and instrument panel of his YZF-R6.

Curtain meanwhile had no such problems and was able to evaluate a number of new parts for his Yamaha. The experienced Aussie has a huge knowledge of the R6, having campaigned the previous model in 2003 and 2004, and was able spend the whole day working on suspension settings.

The teams will remain at Phillip Island on Monday and Tuesday, when weather conditions are forecast to be even warmer than today’s 25-degree temperatures. Tomorrow Haga is due to work on the evaluation of new Pirelli tyres, while Pitt will focus on development parts for the R1. Parkes and Curtain will continue to focus on front suspension and tyre longevity.

Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team YZF-R1) “Today we concentrated on making the bike how I like it. At the start of the day I found the rear end was too high, so we have been making changes to make the bike lower and more comfortable for me. We still have a few small changes to make tomorrow but otherwise my first impression is good. This is only my first test on the bike so we are still a little bit behind where we would like to be, but I love a challenge!”

Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team YZF-R1) “We’ve had a few little problems with the mapping, the injection and the balance today, but we have found a direction in which to go in tomorrow. At the end of the day, that’s what testing’s all about – finding problems and solving them – so it’s not a problem.”

Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team) “I was waiting for this day for some time and in the end it was very exciting. Ideally it would have been best to have had this test one or two months ago but it has not been possible. The whole team has really enjoyed working with Nori. Having him in the team adds some pressure for us, but this makes it very exciting.”

Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany World Supersport Team YZF-R6) “It’s been a good start. The front forks on the new R6 are definitely an improvement over the old bike. They give us a lot more grip and feel from the front end but at the moment we’re not getting the tyre life we want. That’s what we’ll work on tomorrow: working with the suspension set-up to get good grip but also to save the tyre.”

Broc Parkes (Yamaha Motor Germany World Supersport Team YZF-R6) “I’ve spent the Aussie summer training at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra with Andrew McFarlane (Yamaha motocross rider) and I have been really looking forward to riding the R6 in anger for the first time. It was quite windy today and I was really just riding around today to get a feel for the bike but already I am able to lap within half-a-second of my race pace from last year so it is a good start. The birds were a problem though. I hit three of them this morning and that cost us quite a lot of track time.”

Terrell Thien (Team Manager Yamaha Motor Germany World Supersport Team) “Broc only really started in the afternoon due to the problems with the birds. Between them they cost us over 2000 Euros in the first hour of the day! But he got a good rhythm in the afternoon and is starting to learn how to ride the bike and the differences between the Yamaha and a Honda. Kevin did a great job for us again but he is the sort of guy who is always expecting more. The front suspension is working well but it is also the newest part of the motorcycle, so that is what we will have to spend most time working on.”