From a press release issued by Ducati:

DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING STREAMLINES THE STRUCTURE OF ITS BRANDS

Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced that its Board of Directors decided yesterday to sell the Ducati Corse brand from Ducati Motor Holding to Ducati Corse S.r.l On the same date Ducati Corse Board of Directors decided to purchase the Ducati Corse brand. The transaction will take place by the end of the year.

The main reason for the transaction is to rationalize management of the “Ducati” and “Ducati Corse” brands, allowing each brand to be developed economically as separate entities.

Ducati Corse S.r.l., fully-owned by Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.(99% directly and 1% indirectly), is focused on the organization and management of the MotoGP and Superbike racing teams, the development and construction of racing bikes, as well as all related promotional activities which aim to increase the Company’s presence on the international circuits and enhance its brand image.

The Ducati Corse Brand has been valued at Euro 23 million, and has been calculated on a discounted cash flow of Ducati Corse’s brand royalties, related to the use of the brand by licencees and sponsors. The valuation was based on an independent appraisal commissioned by Ducati Motor Holding.

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won thirteen of the last fifteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in five market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport; Monster, Sport Touring and Multistrada. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.ducati.com

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in documents previously filed by the Company with CONSOB and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DOUBLE RECORD PACE FOR DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM IN VALENCIA TESTING

Valencia (Spain), 30 November 2004 – The Ducati Marlboro Team has concluded its 2004 testing schedule in the best possible way at Valencia, Spain. Thanks to superb performances by its two riders, the Italian team went quicker than the 2004 pole mark set by Tamada (1:32.81) and Biaggi’s fastest lap (1:33.58) recorded just over one month ago in the final GP of the season.

After yesterday’s rain, perfect conditions today allowed Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa to put in a full day’s work and conclude the final tests of the year with interesting times.

The Italian was particularly quick on Bridgestone qualifying tyres and set an excellent 1:32.67 in his 62 laps.

Loris Capirossi, on the evolution version of the Desmosedici GP4 with changes to the frame and the new swing-arm, tested a variety of suspension and chassis set-ups. The Italian said that he was pleased with the results obtained and motivated by the changes made to the bike and the new Bridgestone tyres.

“I am really satisfied with what we have been able to achieve on the one day that the track was dry, but I wasn’t sorry that I got a chance to test the Bridgestone wets yesterday, which proved to be extremely valid tyres” commented Capirossi. “I’m pleased with the way things are going and the working method we are using. Today we did a lot of laps and tried a number of changes, obtaining some good times. It’s as if we are about to start 2005 and I’m feeling confident already.”

Carlos Checa, with a total of 65 laps on the prototype Desmosedici GP5, was the quickest rider on the track with race tyres, setting a time of 1:33.09. The Spanish rider, who preferred to focus on race set-up and not use qualifying tyres, has adapted quickly to the numerous changes he has encountered after signing for the Ducati Marlboro Team – bike, team and tyres – and has clearly demonstrated his motivation and professionalism.

Régis Laconi’s period as Ducati Desmosedici development team test rider came to a positive end with a best time of 1:35.78. Régis’s total of 44 laps also included a crash, which luckily finished without any serious consequences. The Frenchman, who focussed on electronics and engine mapping work on the Italian V4 machine, has offered valid support in the development of the bike that will race in next year’s MotoGP World Championship: a big thanks to him from Ducati Corse for the professional and positive attitude demonstrated in these tests.

The Ducati Marlboro Team’s next testing session is scheduled for January 22-24, 2005 at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.



More, from a press release issued by Team Telefonica Movistar Honda:

EXCELLENT JOB AT VALENCIA FOR THE TEAM TELEFONICA MOVISTAR HONDA

Valencia, 30th November 2004

After the heavy rain of yesterday that spoiled the first day of testing at Valencia, today the team Telefonica MoviStar Honda could enjoy one complete day of testing thanks to better weather conditions. The track, wet in the morning, started to dry in the central part of the day so that Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri could lap a lot to carry on the program of work started last week in Jerez. The Spaniard Sete Gibernau made 85 laps whereas his teammate Marco Melandri completed 101 laps, for him only one small inconvenience as he entered too long in a curve going through the gravel bed.

SETE GIBERNAU, 85 laps, 1:33.4
“Today the weather was good so we worked hard continuing the work started in Jerez. I needed dry conditions to lap at a good pace in order to better understand all the material that we had to test yesterday and today with the purpose of creating the best package of what we have. I’m satisfied of the work of today, it’s a hard work but absolutely necessary in this time of the year.”

MARCO MELANDRI
“I’m very satisfied of the work done today. We lapped a lot and lap by lap my feeling with the bike improved. We have worked on the setting of the bike and tested different solutions to have more traction. I think we have done an important step forward compared to the last test session at Jerez. Here I had much more data and points of reference compared to Jerez because we raced in Valencia one month ago so we could work better. I’m very happy of the pace I had today with race tyres , in fact I had never done this time even with qualifying tyres during the last weekend of GP here in Valencia.”

LAP TIMES
1. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1:32.7
2. Carlos Checa (Sp/Ducati) 1:33.0
3. Alex Barros (Brs/Honda) 1:32.3
4. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) 1:33.4
5. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1:33.4
6. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 1:33.5
7. Troy Bayliss(Austr/Honda) 1:34.5



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Honda teams complete successful two-day test at Valencia

Honda MotoGP teams wrapped up their 2004 testing programme with a two-day test at the 4.005km Ricardo Tormo Circuit at Valencia, Spain. The heavy rain that fell on Monday washed away the series of test planned for the day restricting the riders to rain tyre testing and alternative engine mapping to cope with the conditions.

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda) put in just 26-laps yesterday. The American trying various engine settings in search of a smoother power delivery from his RC211V 990cc Honda around the twisty demanding circuit.

The Telefonica MoviStar Honda riders elected to sit out the day. Wet weather specialist Sete Gibernau confident he had nothing to learn while his new tem mate, Marco Melandri felt he lacked the necessary experience on the RCV to conduct meaningful testing in wet conditions.

Makoto Tamada was not too unhappy with the conditions. The Konica Minolta Honda rider made the most of the wet track testing Michelin rain tyres for the first time, gaining invaluable experience as he continues his adjustment to the performance of the tyres he will use in 2005.

The final day of testing was held in bright but chilly weather. Track conditions were not optimal early on damp patches dotting the circuit. But having lost almost a complete day to the weather yesterday the riders wasted no time in getting to work.

Nicky Hayden put in a solid 70 laps today to complete his test programme. The young American more than happy with the rapport he has established with his new technical crew during the five days they have worked together.

Telefonica MoviStar riders Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri were particularly busy, Gibernau working hard assessing the remaining untried parts in the time available to the team. Melandri put in another marathon 101 lap day, improving as the day went on. The Italian ending the test with a lap time to equal the best of team mate Gibernau.

Makoto Tamada had high hopes for the day but managed no more than 20 laps failing to establish a good feel for the cool track surface.

Honda rider lap times and quotes.

Nicky Hayden: 1:33.7 – 70 laps.
“Generally it was a good few days of testing we had in Jerez and Valencia. It was really good to be working with the new team and everyone seems to be gelling real well. We’re got a pretty good base setting and I’m pleased to go into the winter break with a positive feeling. It took a while today for the track to dry out and there were a lot of guys jumping off everywhere; we just took our time and had a solid day. I’m off the Japan for some PR work than back home next week for a little rest but I know it won’t be long till I’m really wanting next year to come and to get back on the bike.”

Sete Gibernau: 1:22.4 – 85 laps.
“Today the weather was good so we worked hard continuing the work started in Jerez. I needed dry conditions to lap at a good pace in order to better understand all the material that we had to test yesterday and today with the purpose of creating the best package of what we have. I’m satisfied of the work of today, it’s a hard work but absolutely necessary in this time of the year.”

Marco Melandri: 1:33.4 – 101 laps.
“I’m very satisfied of the work done today. We lapped a lot and lap by lap my feeling with the bike improved. We have worked on the setting of the bike and tested different solutions to have more traction. I think we have done an important step forward compared to the last test session at Jerez. Here I had much more data and points of reference compared to Jerez because we raced in Valencia one month ago so we could work better. I’m very happy of the pace I had today with race tyres, in fact I had never done this time even with qualifying tyres during the last weekend of GP here in Valencia.”

Makoto Tamada: 1:34.00 – 20 laps.
“After the heavy rain we had yesterday I didn’t get a good feeling from the track today and I went straight on at one corner so I decided to stop there was no meaning to testing. I only did 20 laps today.”

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC will implement AMB transponder scoring during the 2005 season, according to track manager Stephanie Huth.

The system will first be used at WSMC’s January 14-16, 2005 race.

Details will be posted as they become available.

From a press release issued by Fortuna Racing:

RUBEN XAUS JOINS TONI ELIAS AT FORTUNA YAMAHA TECH3

Ruben Xaus signed today a one year contract with the Fortuna Yamaha Tech 3 team, managed by Herve Poncharal, to ride an YZR-M1 Yamaha under the Fortuna colors, which will be entered in the 2005 MotoGP world championship.

Eleventh of the of 2004 world MotoGP championship, after having finished eleven Grand Prix out of sixteen in the points, which was worth to him to be elected ‘Rookie of the Year’, the Spanish rider, free from all contractual obligations with his former team, will have his compatriot Toni Elias as team mate.

“After having logically hired Toni Elias who carried already the Fortuna colors in the 250cc class this year, but who will discover a complete new category, we decided with our partners of the Altadis group, to recruit Ruben, who not only showed regularity in 2004 by finishing eleven Grand Prix, but who also took his chance, by obtaining a splendid third place at the Qatar Grand Prix”, declared Herve Poncharal, adding: ” Toni Elias and Ruben Xaus will benefit from the technical support of Yamaha and the experience of the Tech3 team, which will tackle next year its fifth season in the ‘premier class’ category, and all together we will have to be at the level of the confidence testified by Fortuna and the entire Altadis group”.

It is on the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, as from next 22 January, that the two Fortuna riders will carry out their first tests, on their new 2005 Yamaha YZR-M1 of the Fortuna Yamaha Tech3 team.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities Distributes Record $458,000

SONOMA, Calif. – The Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will distribute $458,000 to 36 needy youth organizations in Sonoma County for the 2004 season. The figure represents the largest single-year distribution since the Sonoma chapter was formed in 1996, and an increase of more than $100,000 over the chapter’s 2003 total grant awards.

The chapter’s Board of Trustees recently approved the distribution of funds at its annual meeting. Speedway Children’s Charities is the primary charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports, Inc, which owns and operates Infineon Raceway. The Sonoma County chapter has raised more than $1.2 million over the past four years.

The monies awarded in 2004 were generated through a combination of Infineon Raceway events, plus a donation by Sonic Automotive Corporation. This year’s fundraising events included the NASCAR Grand Marshall’s Banquet, Rock-n-Race Auction, NHRA Tour de Charity, Dancin’ & Draggin’, the Sonoma Valley Vintage Race Car Festival and the Classic Sports Racing Group’s Charity Challenge.

Thirty-six groups will receive funds, including: Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma; Boys & Girls Club of Rohnert Park; CARE Children’s Counseling Center; Community Action Partnership; El Nido Teen Center; Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center; Grandparents Parenting…Again; Kenwood Education Foundation; Kid Scoop; La Luz Center; Loving Paws Assistance Dogs; McDowell Drug Task Force; Operation Youth of Sonoma Valley; Redwood Empire Council; Redwood Empire Food Bank; Routes for Youth; Santa Rosa Symphony; Schell-Vista Fire District; Social Advocates For Youth; Sonoma Children’s Cancer Foundation; Sonoma County Public Library Foundation; Sonoma Garden Park; Flowery School, Adele Harrison Middle School and Sonoma Valley High School via Sonoma Valley Education Foundation; Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance; Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley; Twin Valley Aquatics; Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation; Volunteer Center of Sonoma County; Willmar Center for Bereaved Children; Luther Burbank Center for the Arts; Boys & Girls Club Valley of the Moon; Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sonoma County; YWCA of Sonoma County; and Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to qualified children’s organizations. Founded in 1984 by Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Speedway Children’s Charities originated at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

From a press release issued by Elka Suspension:

We want to inform you that Elka Suspension Inc. will be moving all operations to a new location at the address below around November 15th, 2004. All mail and shipments should be sent to this new address from this date forward.

This move towards a larger location will allow us to fulfill the growing needs of our company’s continuous growth.

Please note that our phone and FAX numbers remain the same, as do our e-mail addresses.

We want to thank you for your co-operation and we apologize for all inconvenience.

Elka Suspension Inc.
1585-M, De Coulomb
Boucherville, Quebec, Canada
J4B 8J7

From a press release issued by Hoppe & Associates:

Thanks to the support of the motorcycle industry we have outgrown our current location. Our new office/warehouse will accommodate more tires, provide quicker, more efficient shipping, and allow us growth for the future.

December 14, 2004, our new address will be:

6911-A 216th Street SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036-7348

Phone, FAX and e-mails will remain the same.

Our offices will be closed December 10th and 13th while we move.

Thank you for your patience over this transition period.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM ENCOUNTERS WET WEATHER CONDITIONS AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), 29 November 2004 – Poor weather conditions at the Valencia circuit in Spain (air 19°/track 13°C) hampered the first day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team today. The track, which remained wet despite the rain stopping in the afternoon, failed to dry out and conditions for the riders were particularly difficult all day.

Loris Capirossi and team-mate Carlos Checa however took the opportunity to try out three different kinds of Bridgestone wet-weather tyres.

Carlos, who rode the Desmosedici GP5 for the first time, completed a total of 24 laps, setting a best time of 1:48.14 with the new-spec machine, while Loris completed 26 laps on the GP4 with a quickest time of 1:48.56.

The two Ducati Marlboro Team riders were, as at Jerez last week, again joined by Régis Laconi. The French rider focussed on engine mapping work for the ‘laboratory’ version of the Desmosedici, setting a best time of 1:51.48 out of a total of 26 laps.

The Ducati Marlboro Team’s test schedule and the tyre testing programme for next season will continue tomorrow with a second day at Valencia, the final session before the enforced winter testing break.

From a press release:

Traxxion Dynamics Ramps Up Production Capabilities, Promotes From Within Again; Axxion Cartridges Soon To Follow

Traxxion Dynamics recently began production of their world famous Axxion Valve Kits in house by purchasing a high-tech Haas TL-15 CNC Turning Center. To compliment their production capabilities, owner and President Max McAllister has purchased a Haas VF-3 Vertical Milling Center. The CNC Mill went “online” around November 15th.

“Our CNC Lathe is simply amazing” according to McAllister. “It has a barfeeder, which feeds raw material into one end of the machine. The front side of the part is machined; then a secondary spindle comes across the machine and grabs the part and takes it back across the machine so that the back side can be machined. When the part is done, it is carried over to a ramp, and dropped into a hopper. It literally makes finished parts in one operation!

“I saw an immediate need for milling capability, so I decided to add this second, also amazing piece of equipment. We can literally machine engine cases with it if we want to. Fork and shock parts will be a snap.”

The ultimate goal, according to McAllister, will be to have a supersport legal, complete racing fork cartridge kit for under $1000 available by January 1st, 2005.

“Our Axxion Kit Cartridges will set the standard for quality, performance, and ease of installation. It will be complete with springs, spacers, oil, tools, and instructions. An average racer will be able to install it in less than 30 minutes. It will be made of higher quality materials, have finer polished, hard-coat finishes, and will simply outperform anything else on the market. To top it off, it will cost HALF of what any other kit on the market sells for. It has been a dream of mine to be able to equip club racers and track day riders with affordable, factory quality components for many many years. I am thrilled that it will finally happen.”

With production moving in house at Traxxion, a job position opened, as someone was needed to manage all of the material acquisition and inventory. “I had a great guy already on the payroll”. Lee Spitler has worked at Traxxion as a Service Technician, and is now the Production Manager at Traxxion. “Lee has knowledge and experience we just weren’t taking advantage of. It has been ideal to have Lee work in the shop for some time, because he is intimately familiar with fork and shock build and function as a result.”

Online photos of our CNC Facility can be seen at www.traxxion.com under the “Tour Our Facility” link. For more information on Axxion Cartridges, contact Traxxion Dynamics at 770 592-3823.

From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda:

THE RAIN SPOILS THE FIRST DAY OF TESTING IN VALENCIA

The riders of the Team Telefonica decided not to risk in rainy conditions

Valencia, 29th November 2004

After three days of hard work of testing at Jerez de la Frontera, the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP moved to Valencia on Saturday for the last test session scheduled for the 2004 season before the winter break in compliance with the regulations.

Heavy rain has spoiled the first day of testing: Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri decided to postpone to tomorrow the program of work scheduled for today. Both riders in fact needed dry conditions to carry on the work started in Jerez.

SETE GIBERNAU
“Together with the team, we decided not to test today because on wet conditions I cannot evaluate the job I had to do, that is to say to look for the best package of what I have and to test some new particulars. Hopefully, tomorrow it is not raining because we have a hard program of work to carry on and this is the last testing session of the year. “

MARCO MELANDRI
“It was not worthy to risk in such bad weather conditions. After I made my debut on RC211V in Jerez I need to lap a lot in order to understand and to know the new bike. I didn’t want to risk on wet. I’m sorry because today we had scheduled different set-up tests. Tomorrow it should be cloudy but dry.”