From a press release issued by Aztrackday:

2005 Schedule:

1/23 – Firebird East, Chandler, AZ
2/20 – Firebird West, Chandler, AZ
3/13 – Firebird West, Chandler, AZ
3/20 – Firebird East, Chandler, AZ
4/17 – Firebird West, Chandler, AZ
5/15 – Firebird Main, Chandler, AZ
8/7 – Firebird East, Chandler, AZ
10/9 – Firebird West, Chandler, AZ
10/16 – Firebird East, Chandler, AZ
11/13 – Firebird West, Chandler, AZ
12/11 – Firebird East, Chandler, AZ

For additional information, contact:

Aztrackday.com, LLC
6925 W. Topeka Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
602-763-6827
www.aztrackday.com

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Christmas came early for some lucky Aussie kids thanks to new FPR man Steve Martin.

Steve, back at his Melbourne home for Xmas, took part in an annual Toy Run with local over-50s bikers club, Ulysses.

He explained: “They do it every year and the idea is that everyone carries a present on the back of their bike. I rode down, from Frankston down the Mornington Peninsula, with Sandra on the back and she chose our present – a Barbie doll! The toys are distributed to local kids where we stop off.”

Steve, who copped a speeding ticket on the drive over from Melbourne, has also been busy helping his mum move house in Adelaide. He said: “I’ve been flat out doing all the niggly little jobs like putting shelves up.”

After all his work for others he was looking forward to the delivery of a new KTM enduro bike this weekend.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson tested a Dunlop-shod Ducati 999 Superbike December 16-17 at Jerez, Spain, in preparation for his 2005 AMA Superbike season with Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin.

Hodgson will next test, with his new teammate Eric Bostrom, January 3-5, 2005, at Daytona International Speedway.

The 2005 Fila Ducati factory World Superbike team of Regis Laconi and James Toseland, the 2004 World Superbike Champion, also attended the test, their last until official World Superbike testing resumes in February 2005.

Ducati Corse test rider Vittoriano Guareschi continued his work on a “development” version of the Desmosedici MotoGP bike, according to Ducati.

Guareschi is not subject to the MotoGP winter testing ban because neither he nor his Desmosedici race at MotoGP events.

The MotoGP winter test ban ends January 20, 2005.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike will be a part of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 8-10 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, but all of the AMA Superbike series support classes (Supersport, Superstock and Formula Xtreme) may not race at the event.

“We have confirmed AMA Superbike, BMW Motorrad Power Cup (replacement for the Boxer Cup) and the Super Stars of Super Karts. We intend to have additional AMA classes, but not all of them. I’m not certain when the remaining classes will be confirmed. We are working through the scheduling logistics with AMA and Dorna,” Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca spokesman Ed Nicholls wrote in an e-mail to Roadracingworld.com.

Nicholls added that the pedestrian bridge at turn 9 is scheduled to be moved December 23.

From a press release issued by Coolskunk Promotions:

Coolskunk Promotions announces Redline Cycle Imports as sponsor for the 2005 season. Redline Cycle Imports is a corporate sponsor for the USGPRU, a national race series taking place on the East and West coasts over the 2004 season. The sponsorship package will include a HRC KIT Parts deal for the Coolskunk KyDs Road Racing Development Team in 2005.

Coolskunk Promotions continues to seek additional companies to represent in 2005 and welcomes product sponsorship and/or race discounts as well as financial support for the Flat Track and Road Race teams.

For more information contact Philip Rispoli, Coolskunk Promotions telephone: (603) 479-1259 or email at [email protected] check us out on the web at www.coolskunk.com

About Coolskunk KyDs Racing

CoolSkunk KyDs is a sports promotion organization that has formed a racing club dedicated to the pursuit of life learning values in competitive youth motor sports. Our vision includes helping to bring out the passion, flexibility, excitement and demonstrated appetite for success and adventure, waiting to be exposed in our youth.

About Redline Cycle Imports

The company stocks and distributes Grand Prix racing motorcycles, race parts and accessories. Redline carries Factory Race Parts for the Honda RS125, RS250, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR & RC51-SP and Yamaha TZ125, TZ250 & YZF600R6. Redline is a distributor for VHM, Jha, Talon, Zero Gravity, Motion Pro and several other manufacturers of the best aftermarket performance parts and accessories.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Custom leathers tailor “Barnacle” Bill Burns is raffling off a set of custom leathers to benefit a local family with a critically ill child.

Burns announced the raffle with this post on the WERA BBS:

http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66519

Burns can be contacted via mail at:

Barnacle Bill Burns
1106 Logan Road
Springfield, KY 40069

or via phone at:

(859) 336-7375

From a press release issued by MotoNation:

Sidi renews its commitment to MotoGP!

Sidi boots is proud to announce that it has re-inked its sponsorship deal with the Moto GP tour for the 2005 season. This will be Sidi’s fourth year with MotoGP and the company is looking forward to many more years working with the fine folks at Dorna.

Sidi is especially happy to be a part of MotoGp’s first race in the USA, this summer at Laguna Seca! This arrangement will see Sidi banners placed trackside in prime TV viewing positions helping to further enhance Sidi’s position as the number one sport boot in the marketplace.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

2005 MotoGP World Championship Provisional Entry List

This is the list of riders and teams which have so far been confirmed by the selection committee. A number of other applications have also been received and are currently under consideration.

MotoGP class


4. Alex Barros (BRA) Honda, Camel Honda
5. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha, Yamaha Gauloises Team
6. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Honda, Konica Minolta Honda
7. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati, Ducati Marlboro Team
10. Kenny Lee Roberts (USA) Suzuki, Team Suzuki MotoGP
11. Ruben Xaus (SPA) Yamaha, Fortuna Yamaha Tech 3
12. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Honda, Camel Honda
15. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Honda, Telefonica Movistar Honda MotoGP
21. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, Team Suzuki MotoGP
24. Toni Elias (SPA) Yamaha, Fortuna Yamaha Tech 3
27. Franco Battaini (ITA) Blata, Blata WCM
33. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda, Telefonica Movistar Honda MotoGP
46. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha, Yamaha Gauloises Team
56. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki, Kawasaki Racing Team
65. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati, Ducati Marlboro Team
66. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki, Kawasaki Racing Team
69. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda, Repsol Honda Team
77 James Ellison (GBR) Blata, Blata WCM
Tba. Honda, Repsol Honda Team
Tba. Ducati, D’Antin MotoGP
Tba. Ducati, D’Antin MotoGP
Tba. Aprilia, MS Aprilia Racing
Tba. Aprilia, MS Aprilia Racing
Tba. Proton KR, Proton Team KR
Tba. Proton KR, Proton Team KR



250cc class

1. Daniel Pedrosa (SPA) Honda, Telefonica Movistar Honda 250cc
5. Alex de Angelis (RSM) Aprilia, MS Aprilia Italia Corse
6. Alex Debon (SPA) Honda, Wurth Honda BQR
7. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Aprilia, AAC Repsol Aspar Team
9. Hugo Marchand (FRA) Yamaha, Team UGT Kurz
12. Frederik Katz (SWE) Yamaha, Team UGT Kurz
14. Anthony West (AUS) KTM, Red Bull KTM
15. Roberto Locatelli (ITA) Aprilia, Carrera Sunglasses – LCR
17. Steve Jenkner (GER) Aprilia, Rauch Bravo
19. Sebastian Porto (ARG) Aprilia, AAC Repsol Aspar Team
20. Gabriele Ferro (ITA) Fantic, Fantic Motor
21. Arnaud Vincent (FRA) Fantic, Fantic Motor
24. Simone Corsi (ITA) Aprilia, MS Aprilia Italia Corse
25. Alex Baldolini (ITA) Aprilia, Capetella Racing
27. Casey Stoner (AUS) Aprilia, Carrera Sunglasses – LCR
28. Dirk Heidolf (GER) Honda, Castrol Honda Kiefer Racing
34. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Honda, Kopron Team Scot
36. Martin Cardenas (COL) Aprilia, Aprilia Team Germany
44. Taro Sekiguchi (JPN) Aprilia, Campetella Racing
48. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Honda, Fortuna Honda
50. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Aprilia, Equipe GP de France – Scrab
55. Yuki Takahashi (JPN) Honda, Kopron Team Scot
57. Chaz Davies (GBR) Aprilia, Aprilia Germany
64. Radomil Rous (CZE) Honda, Wurth Honda BQR
73. Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN) Honda, Telefonica Movistar Honda 250cc
80. Hector Barbera (SPA) Honda, Fortuna Honda
96. Jakub Smrz (CZE) Honda, Arie Molenaar Racing
Tba. Stefano Perugini (ITA) Aprilia, Abruzzo Racing Team
Tba. Gregory Leblanc (FRA) Aprilia, Equipe GP de France – Scrab
Tba. Mirko Giansanti (ITA) Aprilia, Matteoni Racing




125cc class


6. Joan Olive (SPA) Aprilia, Rauch Bravo
7. Alexis Masbou (FRA) Honda, Ajo Motosport
8. Lorenzo Zanetti (ITA) Aprilia, World Pro Sport
12. Thomas Lüthi (SUI) Honda, Elit Grand Prix
14. Gabor Talmacsi (HUN) KTM, Red Bull KTM
16. Raymond Schouten (NED) Honda, Arie Molenaar Racing
18. Nicolas Terol (SPA) Derbi, Caja Madrid – Derbi Racing
19. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Honda, Seedorf RC3
22. Pablo Nieto (SPA) Derbi, Caja Madrid – Derbi Racing
25. Dario Giuseppetti (GER) Aprilia, Semprucci
26. Vincent Braillard (SUI) Aprilia, Road Racing Team Hungary
28. Jordi Carchano (SPA) Honda, Aspar Junior Team
31. Sascha Hommel (GER) Malaguti, Malaguti Racing
32. Fabrizio Lai (ITA) Honda, Globet.com
33. Sergio Gadea (SPA) Aprilia, Master Aspar Team
36. Mika Kallio (FIN) KTM, Red Bull KTM
40. Julian Miralles (SPA) Aprilia, Aspar Junior Team
41. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Honda, Seedorf RC3
43. Manuel Hernandez (SPA) Aprilia, 3C Racing
44. Karel Abraham (CZE) Aprilia, Semprucci
45. Imre Toth (HUN) Aprilia, Road Racing Team Hungary
47. Angel Rodriguez (SPA) Honda, Galicia Team
52. Lukas Pesek (CZE) Gilera, Metis – Gilera Racing Team
54. Mattia Pasini (ITA) Aprilia, 3C Racing
55. Hector Faubel (SPA) Aprilia, Master Aspar Team
58. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) Aprilia, Rauch Bravo
60. Julian Simon (SPA) KTM, Red Bull KTM
63. Mike di Meglio (FRA) Honda, Globet.com
71. Tomoyoshi Koyama (JPN) Honda, Ajo Motosport
Tba. Sandro Cortese (GER) Honda, Castrol Honda Kiefer Racing
Tba. Raffael de Rosa (ITA) Aprilia, Matteoni Racing
Tba. Manuel Poggiali (RSM) Gilera, Metis – Gilera Racing Team
Tba. Andrea Iannone (ITA) Aprilia, Abruzzo Racing Team
Tba. Michele Pirro (ITA) Malaguti, Malaguti Racing

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Bartenders, Restaurant Owners Get Behind Wheel at Holiday Sobriety Challenge at Infineon Raceway

MOST PEOPLE FAIL DRINKING/DRIVING TEST, INCLUDING TENNIS STAR BRAD GILBERT

SONOMA, Calif. – Notable Bay Area bartenders, restaurant owners and media members were drinking and driving on Friday at Infineon Raceway, all with the blessing of the California Highway Patrol and other law-enforcement agencies.

Thirteen people participated in the 8th annual “Holiday Sobriety Challenge” at Infineon Raceway, a controlled wine and beer tasting experiment that graphically illustrates the dangers of drinking and driving, even at levels well below the legal limit of .08-percent.

The event kicked off the Bay Area Regional Avoid campaign, which will feature 82 separate police actions planned in the nine Bay Area counties during a 17-day law enforcement campaign, which ends on Jan. 1. Enforcement operations include 47 sobriety checkpoints, 31 major-intensity DUI strike teams, task forces and roving patrols, as well as four nights of intense freeway saturation
by the 1,100 officers of the 12 area commands of the CHP. All 125 law enforcement agencies in the nine Bay Area counties participate in the program.

The holiday campaign began on Friday with a press conference at the Holiday Sobriety Challenge at Infineon Raceway. Twenty-six of the sobriety checkpoints will be operational this first weekend (Dec. 17-19).

Of the 13 people who took the Holiday Sobriety Challenge on Friday at Infineon Raceway, only one passed the driving test, further illustrating the dangers of drinking and driving.

“I think this was very educational and I learned a lot that I will pass on to other people,” said Jim Bril, owner of Fior d’Italia Restaurant in San Francisco, who registered a .047 blood-alcohol level. “I thought I’d be able to drive but I did poorly once I got behind the wheel.”

Bril was joined by five other restaurant owners/bartenders, including Bud Schuerman (owner, Town Square in Sonoma); Paul Spadaro (owner, Steiner’s Tavern in Sonoma); Mike DiBenedetti (owner, Amante in San Francisco); Chris Digmon (bar manager, McCovey’s in Walnut Creek); and Mark Elzie (bartender, Shanghai Kelly’s/Northstar Café in San Francisco). Former tennis star Brad Gilbert, who has coached top players like Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, also took the test.

Testers were given anywhere from one-to-three glasses of wine or beer upon arrival, before submitting to a field of sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer analysis administered by the CHP. Once it was determined participants were at the appropriate level, they were asked to get behind the wheel of an automobile and drive through a pre-determined course at the raceway. All drivers were accompanied by an instructor from the ESPN Russell Racing School, and tests included lane changing, parallel parking, turning radius and speed drills.

“I learned I probably shouldn’t be behind the wheel, that’s for sure,” said Gilbert, a San Rafael resident who registered a .077. “It was an area where I thought I was OK at the level I was but I really wasn’t. I failed that test miserably.” Over the past five years, the Holiday Sobriety Challenge has had a 70-percent fail rate.

Statistics within the Bay Area reflect a need for programs such as the Holiday Sobriety Challenge. Alcohol was involved in 165 collision-related fatalities in the nine Bay Area counties in 2003, up from 162 fatalities in 2002. This marks the fifth consecutive year there has been an increase in fatalities. Statewide, alcohol was involved in 1,445 collision-related fatalities, up from 1,416 in 2002. Figures used have been supplied by the CHP.