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2006 NEWS: WORLD MOTO RACING

PRESS RELEASE

MOTOGP: PITT AND McWILLIAMS TO RIDE FOR ILMOR (DEC 18, 2006)

• New Ilmor MotoGP team has announced Andre Pitt and Jeremy McWilliams as its rider line-up for 2007. Ilmor made itsMotoGP debut in the final 2 races of 2006 with Garry McCoy on a 800cc prototype bike.
• ILMOR (Mario Illien): "The main reason behind signing McWilliams and Pitt was for their skills in further developing the overall bike package and making us more competitive as a team."
• McWILLIMAS: "We have a brand new bike and very little testing time. It's going to be hard but I'm really looking forward to it."

MOTOGP: HONDA’S MOMENTOUS YEAR IN MOTOGP (NOV 2, 2006)

• Nicky Hayden’s historic MotoGP World Championship win at Valencia’s final round last weekend was made even sweeter for Honda with the manufacturer picking up an additional four accolades.
• Those swept away in the glory of the ‘Kentucky Kid’ winning back the crown for the manufacturer after three years, may not be aware that Honda also won the Manufacturer’s Award.
• To top it off, the Repsol Honda Team picked up the Team Award, along with their riders winning the Fastest Qualifier Award (Hayden) and the Rookie of the Year Award (Daniel Pedrosa).
  Hayden was clearly deserving of his dual trophies after taking on the best riders in the world and triumphing in what has been a gruelling 17-race season.
• Satoru Horiike, Managing Director of HRC, was quick to praise Nicky. “I wish to congratulate Nicky and thank him for bringing the title back to Honda. During the season we had to put in a great effort and had to cope with some problems, but finally Nicky made it.”
• Nicky’s two wins and 10 podiums, combined with his 16 out of 17 points scoring finishes have made him the first American rider since Kenny Roberts JR in 2000 to lift the biggest prize in bikesport.
• With Hayden’s win at the Assen round in July of this year, Honda also secured its 200th 500cc/MotoGP victory -another huge milestone for the manufacturer.
• It is a unique achievement in motorcycle racing history as no other manufacturer has come close to this landmark in more than half a century of Grand Prix racing.
• But then Honda’s racing history does span the majority of the World Championship’s existence.
• Honda first went GP racing in 1959, 11 years after the series was first established, and contested its first premier-class campaign in 1966, when the category was limited to 500cc machines.
• The marque is therefore the only factory to have enjoyed success in GP racing’s three eras – the first 500 four-stroke era, the 500 two-stroke era and the now superseded 990cc MotoGP four-stroke era.
• Beyond the individual Grand Prix triumphs, Honda has also now won 30 premier-class World Championships, plus 17 constructors’ titles and 14 riders’ titles.
• In 2002 when the 500 GP class became MotoGP, Honda introduced the RC211V, which went on to win the 2002 and 2003 riders’ titles, as well as the 2002, 2003 and 2004 constructors’ titles.
• With the introduction of the next generation of MotoGP machines in the shape of the Honda RC212V racing prototype which has been built to conform to the new Grand Prix rules, Honda is now looking forward to bettering those statistics even further.
• The bike features an 800cc, V4 engine and a stunning all-new chassis built with mass centralization and ultimate handling in mind.
• CREDIT: HONDA RACING

MOTOGP: JACQUES JOINS KAWASAKI (OCT 29, 2006)

• KAWASAKI COMBINE YOUTH WITH EXPERIENCE FOR 2007 MOTOGP SEASON
• The Kawasaki Racing Team will combine youth and experience in their rider line-up for the 2007 season, with former world champion, Olivier Jacque, making his full time return to the MotoGP grid, riding alongside current Kawasaki young gun, and fellow countryman, Randy de Puniet.
• The 2007 season will be de Puniet's second with the Kawasaki Racing Team. The 25-year-old Frenchman enjoyed a solid debut year in the MotoGP class with Kawasaki, during which he showed his potential on a number of occasions, whilst also gaining valuable experience with every outing aboard his Ninja ZX-RR.
• De Puniet's professional approach to his racing this season, combined with a fierce determination to succeed, was enough to convince Kawasaki Racing Director, Kenichi Furuhashi, that the Frenchman was the right person to lead Kawasaki's assault on the 2007 MotoGP World Championship.
• De Puniet is Kawasaki's investment for the future, and by backing up this investment with a seasoned campaigner such as Jacque, Furuhashi-san is confident that the young Frenchman will be able to fully realise his obvious potential next season, as he steps up to fill the team leader's position vacated by Shinya Nakano.
• Jacque, whose work as Kawasaki's test and development rider this year has been instrumental in the increasing competitiveness of the Ninja ZX-RR, will make his debut as a full time Kawasaki rider in November, during a planned test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia where, together with teammate de Puniet, he will participate in the first shakedown tests of the 800cc machine that both Kawasaki pilots will campaign during the 2007 season.
• Teaming a young rider like de Puniet with an experienced development rider such as Jacque will pay dividends for Kawasaki next season, with input from both riders accelerating the development of the Japanese manufacturer's 800cc Ninja ZX-RR into a race-winning package.
• Randy de Puniet: #17 "My first season in MotoGP is only just finished, but already I'm focussed on what I need to do over the winter so that we hit the start of the new season running. This season has been a difficult one for me; I've been on a very, very steep learning curve and it's been hard to hit the goals I set myself at the beginning of the year. But, I've learnt a lot over the past twelve months, and I hope I will be able to take this information and convert it into improved results next season. This year I was lucky to have a good working relationship with an experienced teammate like Shinya, and I hope that Olivier and I can develop the same open style of working during winter testing. We've yet to test the new 800cc machine, but the general consensus is that the new bikes will be more like a 250cc machine to ride, and I think that will suit both me and Olivier, with our quarter litre experience."
• Olivier Jacque: #19 "For sure I'm very happy to have been given this opportunity by Kawasaki. To be honest, after finishing second in Shanghai one year ago, I was expecting the call up last season. But, the circumstances were not right and the decision was made to go with a young head - but now the old head is back! With a new bike to develop for next season experience will be important, and I'm pleased that Kawasaki view me as the person to help develop their new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR. It is good to have the hard work we've done in developing this season's bike into a competitive package recognised with a full-time ride for the factory team. What feels strange for me is that, despite so many years in Grand Prix racing, this will be the first full factory team I have ridden for since winning the 250cc world title in 2000. I'm certainly looking forward to the challenge ahead, and I can't wait to test the new bike for the first time later this month."
• Kenichi Furuhashi: Racing Director
  "Randy has had a solid start to his MotoGP career, and we truly believe he has the potential to be one of the fastest riders in the MotoGP class. In his second year with Kawasaki we need to work closely with Randy to ensure that he has the opportunity to realise fully this potential. I'm confident that he will adapt quickly to the new 800cc machine during winter testing, and that we will see a marked improvement in his race results next season."
• "When it came to replacing Shinya Nakano in the team for next season, Olivier Jacque was the obvious choice for Kawasaki. He has worked tirelessly this year on the development of the current Ninja ZX-RR, and these development skills will be critical to the success of Kawasaki's 800cc machine next year. Also, we have seen from his performances during testing this season that Olivier still has the speed needed to compete in MotoGP. Just as importantly, he is a proven team player, and teamwork will be key to our success next year."
• "For Kawasaki, the new 800cc capacity limit for MotoGP is a welcome change. When we returned to Grand Prix racing in 2002, we were at a disadvantage compared to our factory rivals, who had all amassed a lot of experience during our absence from the premier series. We have learnt a lot in the last four years, which means we will start the 800cc era of MotoGP racing at the same level as our competitors. I hope that, together with our riders, we will have the opportunity to write another chapter in Kawasaki's racing history next year."
• CREDIT: KAWASAKI RACING

MOTOGP: KAWASAKI BID FAREWELL TO SHINYA NAKANO (OCT 29, 2006)

• The final round of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship season at Valencia also marked the end of Shinya Nakano's association with the Kawasaki Racing Team.
• While Kawasaki were keen to retain the services of the 29-year-old Japanese rider to develop and race their all-new 800cc Grand Prix machine during the 2007 season, Nakano informed senior Kawasaki staff of his decision to leave the Kawasaki Racing Team during a meeting held immediately after the Japanese Grand Prix.
• The Motegi meeting was the culmination of weeks of negotiations between Kawasaki and Nakano's management company but, despite compromises on both sides, Kawasaki were finally unable to secure Nakano's signature on a new contract.
• Nakano has enjoyed a successful three year stint with the Kawasaki Racing Team, taking his Ninja ZX-RR to two podium finishes - including a career best second place at this year's Dutch TT at Assen - and finishing top ten in the championship on two occasions.
• "Shinya Nakano has been an integral part of Kawasaki's success in recent years, and we are obviously disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement to retain his services for the future," commented Kawasaki Team Principal, Harald Eckl.
• "But, it became increasingly obvious during negotiations that Shinya was looking for a different challenge next year, and that, maybe, the responsibility for developing Kawasaki's new 800cc MotoGP machine was one that he was not prepared to shoulder. We would like to thank Shinya for all his hard work and dedication over the past three seasons, and we wish him the best of luck with his plans for the future."
• "Shinya's name has become synonymous with Kawasaki over the past three years, and we were obviously keen to continue the relationship, but, in the end, it just wasn't possible," declared Kawasaki's Racing Director, Kenichi Furuhashi.
• "Of course, we wish Shinya the best of luck with his plans for next year, but now we must look to our own future. We have a new 800cc machine to develop for the 2007 season, and this will obviously influence our decision as to which rider we will sign to replace Shinya in the Kawasaki Racing Team."
• Shinya Nakano is expected to announce his plans for the 2007 season in the near future.
• "I have enjoyed thoroughly my three years with the Kawasaki Racing Team, and I will take with me some happy memories of my time in green," said Shinya Nakano. "The decision to leave was a difficult one for me to make, as both the team and the factory have made me feel very much part of the Kawasaki family during my time riding the Ninja ZX-RR. The same is also true of Kawasaki's loyal fans, who turned out in huge numbers to show their support at every race. But, MotoGP is getting ever more competitive and, sometimes, it takes a new challenge to maintain the motivation required to compete at the very highest level. Fortunately for me, I have been lucky enough to have been offered such a challenge for next year."
• "For this, I must say a big thank you to everyone with whom I've worked at Kawasaki, as the successes of the past three years were a direct result of their dedication and professionalism. It goes without saying that I wish Kawasaki every success for the future, although I might change my mind if I find a green machine in front of me too often next season!" concluded Nakano.
• CREDIT: KAWASAKI RACING

MOTOGP: Makoto Tamada joins Tech3 for 2007 MotoGP (OCT 28, 2006)

• The Tech 3 Yamaha Team have chosen Makoto Tamada to join their team for the 2007 MotoGP World Championship season. The 29-year-old Japanese will ride the new 800cc Yamaha and continue the development of Dunlop tyres of which the performance has significantly improved during the 2006 season.
• "We are very happy to welcome Makoto Tamada" says Herve Poncharal, Tech 3 Yamaha Dunlop team manager. " He is an excellent rider who has already proved his potential by winning two Grands Prix and being on the podium five times in the MotoGP era. We are sure that he will be able to help Dunlop becoming more competitive - a challenge that has become even more interesting as we will all jointly work with the new Yamaha 800 with the full support of the Yamaha factory."
• Makoto Tamada, who made his MotoGP debut in 2003 also looks forward to joining this project: "I am happy to be back on Dunlop tyres again, and have good memories of riding on Dunlop in the Japanese Superbike Championship. I am excited by the challenge that the Tech 3 Yamaha Dunlop project offers. I was able to judge at close quarters the current level of the Yamaha Dunlup package during the Portuguese GP, where Carlos Checa and I raced very close together."
• Makoto Tamada's statistics:
• Grands Prix contested in total: 62
  Debut in Grand Prix: 1998 in 250 cc
  First MotoGP: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, 2003
  MotoGP Podiums: 5
  MotoGP victories: 2 (Japan and Brazil 2004)
• CREDIT: YAMAHA RACING

MOTOGP: Yamaha and Edwards to continue partnership for 2007 (OCT 28, 2006)

• Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd is pleased to announce that Colin Edwards will continue with the Japanese factory for a third year in 2007, racing in the official Yamaha Factory Team. The 32-year-old American, who has previously won two World Superbike titles and has a best finish of fourth in the MotoGP World Championship with Yamaha, joined the Team in 2005 and has scored points in all but one of his 33 starts for them. Edwards has signed a one-year agreement, which will see him race on Yamaha’s new 800cc bike alongside Valentino Rossi again next season.
• Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, Lin Jarvis, commented, “We are very happy to have retained Colin for another year. Although he hasn’t had the easiest of seasons in 2006, he has given a strong showing in the last few races and has proven he can fight at the top of the MotoGP World Championship. He fits very well into the Yamaha ‘family’ and we’re sure that he will play a key role in the development of the new 800cc Yamaha MotoGP bike alongside Valentino.”
• Edwards, who began his international career with Yamaha in the World Superbike series in 1995 before returning to the Factory last year, said “I couldn’t be happier to be staying with Yamaha for another year. It’s no secret that this season we haven’t achieved the results we should have had, but in the last few races I feel that things have started to turn around and we hope to finish on a high in Valencia. I couldn’t ask for a better team-mate or team, I’m really happy at Yamaha and I can’t wait to start working on the new bike!”
• “The good partnership between Colin and Valentino is one of the strongest assets of our team,” added Davide Brivio, Team Director of Yamaha’s Factory Team. “We think that, for various different reasons, Colin wasn’t able to show his full potential this year and that’s why we’re very glad to have the chance to work again together next year. We are confident that we can offer him the right package to enable him to stay at the top throughout next season. Working with Colin is a real pleasure and we’re very happy to continue with him for another year.”
• CREDIT: YAMAHA RACING

WSBK: Corser completes first test with Yamaha Motor Italia (OCT 26, 2006)

• Today two-time former world superbike champion Troy Corser had his first outing with the Yamaha Motor Italia team with whom he will compete in the 2007 Superbike World Championship. The Australian completed 74 laps on the Mugello circuit in Italy riding a 2006-spec YZF-R1. The main objectives of the test were to help the team understand the rider’s preferences with regards to machine settings and to give Corser a first impression of his new team and of the R1 he has competed against for the past two seasons.
• Corser and team-mate Noriyuki Haga will get their first taste of the 2007-spec YZF-R1 at the official FG Sport test on 14th and 15th of November at Valencia.
• Troy Corser “I am very happy with today’s results. After altering the settings of foot pegs, handlebars and the thumb operated rear brake in the morning session, I already felt quite comfortable on the bike. The Yamaha R1 has impressed me on several points, especially the mid range power is strong and the chassis is very stable under braking. We worked on different bike settings during the day and the cooperation with the team worked out very well. At the end of the day I was already doing lap times equal to Noriyuki’s times here at Mugello so that gives good expectations for the next test at Valencia. There we will be able to make a realistic comparison. All in all I am very pleased with my first day working with the team and looking forward to next season.”
• Massimo Meregalli “Today we have completed a quite significant amount of laps in order to have Troy getting used to the bike and the team. The result of the test was initially not to set competitive lap times but in the end Troy has shown us some impressive results. It was an important shakedown for the team and now that Troy has already proven he is able to work with the 2006 bike, we can now fully focus on 2007 season preparations. Today’s test was very positive so now we can work towards the Valencia test with full confidence.”
• CREDIT: Yamaha Racing

MOTOGP: STONER SWITCHES TO DUCATI FOR 2007 SEASON (OCT 19, 2006)

• 21 year old Australian rider Casey Stoner will ride for Ducati next season. He will replace Sete Gibernau in the factory Ducati team to become team-mate to Loris Capirossi. Stoner had an impressive debut season in MotoGP with LCR Honda team.
• STONER: "... "I am really happy to have been given this opportunity to race with the Ducati Marlboro Team next year. Ducati have made a lot of progress in the last couple of years and I think they can also do a great job with the new 800. It's a great privilege for me to be Loris Capirossi's team-mate. I watched him race before I started my career and now it's a real honour to be in the same team as him on the same bike ... I'd like to thank Lucio Cecchinello. We have worked well together over the years but I feel that the possibility of racing in a factory team is the best thing for my future".
• DUCAT (Claudio Domenicali)I: "... I am delighted to welcome Casey to Ducati. He is a very promising rider, with talent and determination in abundance. We are sure that with the help of our and Loris's experience, he will get to know our bike and his experience will mature in line with the development of the GP7. With his enthusiasm and aggressive riding style, Casey is sure to give our fans some extraordinary emotions, in the best spirit of Ducati".

WSBK: CORSER SWITCHES TO YAMAHA FOR 2007 SEASON (OCT 9, 2006)

• Yamaha Motor Italia has signed Australian Troy Corser to ride alongside Noriyuki Haga in the 2007 Superbike World Championship. The spectacular line-up demonstrates Yamaha’s commitment to a series they returned to in 2005. Haga has won races on the R1 in each season – ending the 2005 and 2006 campaigns third in the standings.
• Corser is a two-time world champion with 33 race wins to his credit. He won the series with Ducati in 1996 and became the first rider to win the world superbike championship on a 1000cc four-cylinder machine last year. The Australian has competed in 250 world superbike races, more than any other active rider, and alongside Haga will provide Yamaha with an experienced and formidable squad as they look to win their first title in the class.
• The first appearance of Troy Corser with the Yamaha Motor Italia squad is planned to take place in Mugello on 25th October.
• Troy Corser “I am extremely happy to have the chance to work with Yamaha. The team has lots of experience and is very professional. Nori and I get along well and I think together we will be strong in development and bike set up. I’m looking forward to riding the bike and I will be aiming to score my third world title on the R1.”
• Noriyuki Haga “I’m very happy to be staying with Yamaha Motor Italia. After two seasons together we have a very good working relationship and it was always my first choice to stay with Yamaha and continue our good work. My aim, as always, is to win the championship and I think Yamaha gives me the best chance to do it. I am looking forward to working with Troy as he has a lot of experience. We can learn a great deal from him, which will help make the bike even more competitive. We have had many great battles over the years and he is a rider for whom I have a massive amount of respect. I am sure that he will be a good team-mate - as well as one of my biggest rivals.”
• Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia) ”I believe this rider pairing is a dream come true for any team manager. With Noriyuki we feel that we are ready to reap the rewards of the past two years. We have learned his specific bike preparation preferences, his way of communication and his approach to races. We both share the same strong feelings and it is now time to cash in on our investments.” “Troy is a proven championship winner and known as a highly qualified developer who is obviously very experienced. We expect him to be up front from the start. It's important for me to thank Andrew (Pitt) for all his efforts over the past two years. He did a great job, nevertheless we have chosen to go for the extra experience of Troy as a two times world champion. Particularly for his ability to set up a bike and tyre selection during the race weekend, we expect this to be a mutual benefit for both riders. We expect that Troy and Noriyuki will work together closely in the development of the 2007 bike. It’s essential to be ready from race one to go for the title with both riders”.
• Laurens Klein Koerkamp (Racing Manager - Yamaha Motor Europe) ”To have Noriyuki and Troy as team-mates gives Yamaha a very strong base for our 2007 world title challenge. Both riders are big characters in the world of superbike, who combine experience, consistency and success with flamboyance and aggression. Noriyuki is a true Yamaha man and part of the family, having already ridden three different Yamaha models in world superbike. In the third year with R1 the only objective is to be champion. Troy brings a wealth of development and bike setting up experience, that we believe will be beneficial to the whole team. He is extremely motivated to win a third title with as many different manufacturers. All in all, I believe we will have two serious title candidates who will provide an interesting rider cocktail on track and off track.”

MOTOGP: HAYDEN RE-SIGNED TO HONDA FOR 2 MORE YEARS (SEP 23, 2006)

• 25 year old American rider Nicky Hayden will stay with the factory Honda team for another 2 years. He currently leads the championship with just 3 rounds to go.
• Nicky Hayden: “It’s an honour to be with the HRC factory team for another two years in MotoGP, it doesn’t get a lot better than that , so I’m really excited and really happy. Everything came together and I’m happy with the deal and I’m happy with HRC. I feel like I took a big step forward this year and I feel that I’m still climbing up the learning curve so I don’t want change anything. I want to keep learning, continue growing and keep this momentum going into next year. I’m really happy with the team around me, we’re all clicking and working well together. I’ve been a Honda guy for quite a few years and they’re the ones who brought me over to MotoGP, and now I just want to repay them with the championship.”
• Tsutomu Ishii, HRC General Manager : “Honda and HRC are very pleased that Nicky will remain with the Repsol Honda Team for two more years. Nicky has been with us for four seasons and during that time he has evolved and continually improved. His results this year have been excellent and he has led the world championship for much of the season. The feeling within the team is very strong at the moment and this season Nicky and Dani Pedrosa have established a positive relationship. As MotoGP enters the new 800cc era it is important for the Repsol Honda Team to enjoy this stability, not only with the rider line-up but also with our sponsors and partners.”

AMA MX: TOWNLEY OUT FOR REMAINDER OF MOTOCROSS SEASON (JULY 14, 2006)

• Irvine, Calif. (July 14, 2006) – Team Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider, Ben Townley, sustained a separated shoulder on Tuesday while training at a test track in Florida.
• Townley was examined by a specialist on Thursday. The result of the examination proved that the injury will cause Townley to miss the remainder of the AMA Motocross season.
• Townley, 21, from Taupo, New Zealand was previously sidelined for nearly six months from a previous knee injury and had just returned to motocross racing at the July 2 Red Bud MX National, where he finished fifth overall with 8-3 moto scores. “I was disappointed with eighth in the first moto, obviously, but third in the second go-round was more satisfying,” said Townley. “I am very disappointed to have my season come to an end again with only one race under my belt.”

MOTOGP: Edwards and Haga reunite for Suzuka 8-hour (JUN 26, 2006)

• Edwards and Haga reunite for Suzuka 8-hour
• Yamaha has finalized its plans for round five of the 2006 Endurance World Championship, the Suzuka 8-hour race held at the Japanese circuit on 30 July.
• A three-team entry will be headed by the YAMAHA BLUE RACING team, which will feature riders Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga riding a specially prepared YZF-R1 SP. The event will mark a reunion of the rider pairing which won the event in 1996, when they rode a Yamaha YZF750SP.
• Edwards is currently riding a Yamaha YZR-M1 for the factory's MotoGP team and is seen as one of the most consistent riders in the class. The American has won the Suzuka 8-Hour three times and the Superbike World Championship in 2000 and 2002.
• Haga is currently second in the Superbike World Championship, where he competes on a Yamaha YZF-R1 for the Yamaha Motor Italia squad. It will be Haga's first entry in the 8-hour since 2001.
• The other two factory-supported entries are the YSP Racing Team sponsored by PRESTO Corporation and Team Cha-llenger. The YSP Racing Team sponsored by PRESTO Corporation will enter the pair of Katsuyuki Nakasuga, who is competing this season in the JSB1000 class of the All Japan Championships, and Shinichi Nakatomi, who rides for Yamaha Motor France in the Superbike World Championship.
• Team Cha-llenger will enter with riders Norihiko Fujiwara, who has ridden in the 8-hour almost every year since 1992, and Nobuyuki Osaki, a Japanese supersport championship competitor.
• Many of the Endurance World Championship regulars will also make the trip to Japan, including Yamaha Austria Racing Team and Yamaha Phase One Endurance, who are currently second and fifth in the championship. (YAMAHA RACING)

MOTOGP: ROSSI TO STAY IN MOTOGP WITH YAMAHA (JUN 1, 2006)

• Despite speculations that Valentino Rossi may switch to Formula 1 GP with Ferrari, he has resigned with Yamaha for 2007 MotoGP season.
• Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd is delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi will remain with the Japanese factory in 2007, racing for a fourth year with Yamaha's Factory Team in the MotoGP World Championship. Rossi will continue to spearhead Yamaha's Grand Prix challenge and bike development, as MotoGP enters a new era of 800cc racing in 2007.
• Rossi has enjoyed huge success with Yamaha since he joined the factory just over two years ago and every one of his races has captured the true spirit of 'Kando', the Japanese word for the sensation of intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of supreme quality.
• The Italian won the championship with the YZR-M1 on his first try in 2004 and again in 2005, when Yamaha took a clean-sweep of Riders', Team and Manufacturers' Championships in the year of it's 50th Anniversary. 2006 has proved more difficult for the World Champion, with just one win so far this season after a series of unfortunate occurrences, but Yamaha has every faith that Rossi will recover his winning-form, starting at his home Grand Prix in Mugello this weekend.
• Speaking from Mugello today, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis commented, "We are firstly delighted that Valentino has chosen to stay in MotoGP. He is a great ambassador for motorcycle racing in general and extremely important to the global image of this sport. He is the most talented and the fastest rider on the grid and the benchmark to which others aspire.
• "We are extremely happy that Valentino has chosen to continue his illustrious MotoGP career with Yamaha in 2007. Yamaha and Valentino have an excellent relationship and we have enjoyed great success together since our partnership was born in 2004. It's exciting news for Yamaha's fans; Valentino's worldwide appeal unites them under one banner and brings more and more people daily into the Yamaha 'family'.
• "Of course it's of key importance to us that Valentino will now be in a position to lead the development of Yamaha's new 800cc project for 2007. His input will be invaluable and we believe we will be able to challenge to win the title next year with the new bike. Both Valentino and Yamaha relish the new challenge ahead.
• "In the meantime our short term goal is to provide him with the means to defend his MotoGP title this year. We are confident that Valentino can recover from an unlucky start to his title defence, starting at our Factory Team's home race in Mugello this weekend."
• "I'm very pleased to be staying with Yamaha next year", announced the 27-year-old from Tavullia, "These past two years with Yamaha have been two of the best of my career and I am extremely happy to stay with them and with my team. I believe I have made the right choice and I am very excited about the challenge of a new class of racing with Yamaha next year." YAMAHA RACING

MX: JOSH COPPINS INJURY UPDATE (APR 2, 2006)

• To my team, friends, family, fans and sponsors.
• Obviously my season hasn’t started how I planned it!  I’ve been working extremely hard for the past six months leading up to the first GP and I have made a lot of sacrifices to give myself and the team the best chance at this season.  Last Wednesday I was training in Belgium and I caught my right shoulder on a post.  It dislocated and then went back into place straight away.  I kept riding thinking it wasn’t real but then my shoulder gave way again and I was forced to stop, in a lot of pain.
• Thursday morning I met with Dr Toon Claes to have an x-ray, scan and an ultrasound - I hate going to Dr Claes as he always looks at the x-rays and goes “aha, aha” which normally follows with the bad news.  Basically I dislocated my shoulder for the first time at Hawkestone Park last year damaging the bottom part of the cuff.  When I dislocated it this past Wednesday I damaged the top part of the cuff - of course there are technical terms for what I’ve done but it all went in one ear and out of the other.  I was just so devastated and all I heard were the numbers 50/50, that being the chance I had of not having reoccurring problems.
• I tried to ride yesterday (Saturday) and it wasn’t stable even with all the tape and brace. There is just no way I can last the season like this and I don’t want to be a rider making up the numbers - I want to be in the race to try and win!
• I want to apologise to CAS Honda, my family, friends, fans and of course my personal sponsors and the team’s sponsors. If you know me well you know I give 100% in my training and racing.  I will be back when the team (Harry, Neil, Fabio and Roger) believe I can race at that level.  As for the time this is going to take, we don’t really know until I have surgery next week but it’s expected I will be training on the bike in eight weeks.  I also want to thank Jacky Vimond and Stefan Nuesser my coach and trainer. Both have supported me in my preparation and through this injury.
• I wish my competitors good racing and I’m sorry I can’t be there to make it a better race.
• A wise person told me once told me, some people succeed because they are destined to.  Most succeed because they are determined to!
• Josh Coppins # 2.

MX: ANOTHER VICTORY FOR EVERTS AT HAWKSTONE (MAR 7, 2006)

• Rinaldi Yamaha rider Stefan Everts claimed his third victory in four weeks after winning both MX1 heats of the Hawkstone Park International in Shropshire, England.
• The nine times World Champion dominated the first of two heats in bright and sunny but cold conditions. A packed crowd attended one of the more prestigious pre-season events of the winter calendar and the dark Hawkstone sand was in its usual rough and demanding state. The circuit is dwarfed by the large hill section that sees the riders climb a near-vertical 100m slope and the gradient caught out a number of top riders as the International once again boasted an array of Grand Prix stars.
• For the third time since the motocross schedule began to crank into life during February, Everts beat the likes of the factory backed Honda team and the works Suzuki and KTM efforts, all housing his main rivals for the 2006 MX1 World Championship.
• Everts escaped the clutches of fellow Belgian Kevin Strijbos in the opening sprint and was just as masterful in the second heat as he glided past Strijbos and his team-mate Steve Ramon. A mistake on the last lap gave Strijbos more impetus to close the gap but the race was already won.
• A 'hatrick' could not be taken later in the afternoon as a rare fall in the 'Grand Final' (mixing the best finishers from the MX1 and MX2 classes) allowed Yamaha MX2 representative Billy Mackenzie to streak head on the YZ250F. Although he fronted the pack for the majority of the distance Mackenzie was slowed by backmarkers with just two laps to go and was caught by Strijbos and a charging Everts who plagued the Suzuki rider to the flag and was only a second behind over the finish line.
• Contrary to reports stating that he would miss the pre-season race programme Cédric Melotte took to the line at Hawkstone. The Belgian is still recovering from an injured wrist, but was able to wrestle the YZ450FM over the sandy terrain for eigth and fifth positions. He picked up a DNF in the Final after a collision with another rider robbed him of his rear brake.
• Bike it Dixon Yamaha's Billy Mackenzie produced a good performance in his first race meeting of the season. The 21 year old slipped from second place to third in the first heat after suffering some arm-pump but confidently claimed the next heat by over twelve seconds from main British Championship rival Carl Nunn. Only a hold-up with backmarkers prevented the Scot from marking a historic triumph over the 450s in the 'Grand Final'.
• Stefan Everts: "I will miss this place. It is the sixth year in a row I have come to Hawkstone. I've had some great moments here and unfortunately I never got the chance to ride in the Grand Prix. I think it is a great track with a lot of potential. I enjoyed the races today and it was difficult to make the lap of honour for the last time."
• Cédric Melotte: "The result is not so bad because I wasn't expecting to finish all three races. In the last heat I hit someone else's wheel and the brake pedal bent under the footpeg so I could not continue. I am quite satisfied. I could not push too hard because my wrist was giving me trouble but I am confident and now need to go step by step to reach my best level. We are still working on the bike because I missed a lot of testing time."
• Billy Mackenzie: "I feel like I have an overall win because I managed to produce that good last race. That heat was awesome; it was such a buzz to be leading those guys. With two laps to go I was thinking about what celebration I could do over the finish line, but it never comes that easy when you are racing against the best! Just to be in front of them for that length of time felt good. I also set the fastest lap. This meeting will keep me going for a few weeks. The first race was pretty muddy and I got some arm-pump, but it was the first one of the year so that was expected. I got a top three though and I know I need to work on my consistency so I am pleased. We tweaked the bike and got rid of some of the niggly problems we would have had at Lyng for the British Championship next week."
• MX1 Race 1: 1. Stefan Everts 2. Kevin Strijbos 3. Ken de Dycker 4. Mickael Pichon 5. Josh Coppins 6. Tanel Leok 7. Steve Ramon 8. Cédric Melotte 9. James Noble 10. Mark Hucklebridge
• MX1 Race 2: 1. Stefan Everts 2. Kevin Strijbos 3. Steve Ramon 4. Mickael Pichon 5. Cédric Melotte 6. Josh Coppins 7. Tanel Leok 8. James Noble 9. Ken de Dycker 10. Gordon Crockard
• MX1 Grand final result: 1. Kevin Strijbos 2. Stefan Everts 3. Josh Coppins 4. Mickael Pichon 5. Tanel Leok 6. Steve Ramon 7. Sebastien Tortelli 8. Mark Jones 9. Yoshitaka Atsuta 10. Gordon Crockard
• MX2 Race 1: 1. Carl Nunn 2. Tommy Searle 3. Billy Mackenzie 4. Brad Anderson 5. Steven Clarke 6. Lewis Gregory 7. Jason Dougan 8. Wayne Smith 9. Oliver Sandiford Smith 10. Alex Snow
• MX2 Race 2
  1. Billy Mackenzie 2. Carl Nunn 3. Tommy Searle 4. Wayne Smith 5. Brad Anderson 6. Shaun Simpson 7. Jim Murro 8. Jamie Law 9. Ray Rowson 10. Alex Snow
• MX2 Grand final result
  1. Billy Mackenzie 2. Lewis Gregory 3. Tommy Searle 4. Oliver Sandiford Smith 5. David Willet 6. Ben Saunders 7. Alex Snow 8. Carl Nunn 9. Ashley Greedy 10. Dan Johnson

WSMOTO: Garry McCoy to race in 2006 Supermoto World Championship (FEB 24, 2006)

• After failing to broker a deal to continue his road racing career, Australian Garry McCoy will switch his focus to the Supermoto World Championship in 2006.
• The Andorra-based 33-year-old, who competed in the last two Superbike World Championships, will start up his own Supermoto team, and is planning to ride a KTM pending final negotiations with the Austrian marque in mid March.
• The five-time GP winner (two in the 125c and three in 500cc) is now back to full fitness after a crash-marred 2005 on the Foggy Petronas FP1 Superbike, and will become the first Australian to mount a full-time Supermoto campaign.
• According to McCoy’s long-time partner, Jemma Voces, the diminutive Aussie has spent February in full training, after a short period spent back in Camden (NSW) during the off-season – three weeks in January.
• “Because the situation wasn’t really good as far as a (road racing) ride was concerned, we didn’t spend that long back in Australia,” said Voces. “But now we are looking at getting all the paperwork done in time to allow Garry to race in the Supermoto title.
• “There’s a Supermoto test track in Andorra for Garry to ride on, and there’s also one just over the border in Spain. So he’s not lacking for places to get up to speed.”
• McCoy has previously made irregular appearances in the hybrid dirt-bitumen discipline, which is well suited to his spectacular, tyre-smoking riding style – which reached a crescendo during his 500cc outings on the Red Bull Yamaha.
• The eight-round Supermoto World Championship, now into its fifth year, commences on April 30 in Italy, and concludes on November 5 in Greece. The defending champions are Gerald Delepine (Husqvarna) in the big-bore S1 class, and stalwart Boris Chambon (KTM) in S2.
• It is not yet clear which class McCoy will compete it. (MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA)

WSBK: FINAL YEAR FOR FOGGY PETRONAS RACING (FEB 23, 2006)

• This year will be Foggy PETRONAS Racing team’s final season in the World Superbike Championship following the end of a five-year sponsorship deal with PETRONAS.
• Owned by four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, the Foggy PETRONAS Racing team was formed in 2002 and made its racing debut in the World Superbike Championship the following year at Valencia, Spain. PETRONAS’ partnership with Carl Fogarty came as a result of the limited edition production of the PETRONAS FP1 superbike, which is now available through NAZA Bikers Dream, the appointed distributor in Malaysia.
• The 4-stroke 3-cylinder engine that powers the FP1 superbike was created by Malaysian engineers based on innovative F1 technology. PETRONAS’ partnership with Team Foggy Racing in the World Superbike Championship serves as a platform to showcase and further enhance its engineering capabilities at a highly competitive level especially in the area of engine design and development. In addition to the collaboration with Foggy PETRONAS Racing team, PETRONAS in November 2005 signed a Joint Development Agreement with BRP-ROTAX of Austria to further develop and commercialise its high performance engine family. BRP-ROTAX, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of recreational engines.
• Among the highlights of the Foggy PETRONAS Racing team in the World Superbike Championship include two podium finishes and two pole positions in 2004, where PETRONAS achieved its best ever result in the manufacturers’ standings with a third place finish.
• FOGARTY: "We are honoured to have been able to be a part of this exciting, challenging and rewarding project. We always knew that building a brand new motorcycle and to compete against the might of the more established motorcycle manufacturers would not be easy. Nevertheless, we are proud of all our accomplishments and to have been able to overcome all the obstacles we faced, to come this far, is an achievement. 2006 will be Foggy PETRONAS Racing team’s final season in the World Superbike Championship and we would like to end it on a successful note and I am looking forward to a fruitful season. My Team Foggy Racing outfit will now continue to explore opportunities with other manufacturers and sponsors for 2007 and beyond, as I believe we have built a team capable of achieving consistent success on the world stage.” (FPR)

ENDURO: UFO Corse Yamaha and Stefan Merriman reunited (FEB 6, 2006)

• The UFO Corse Yamaha team have signed a new agreement with multiple enduro world champion Stefan Merriman. The Australian rider has decided to renew his contract with the team, with which he has won the world championship title in 2004 in the Enduro 1 class.
• Stefan Merriman will start in the Enduro 2 World Championship and in the Assoluti d'Italia 450 class, riding the Yamaha WR450F.
• Director of UFO Plast, Vito Consoloni, said after confirming the agreement: "I am very enthusiastic having reached an agreement with Stefan again. For me it feels like a victory, as I am one of Stefan's biggest fans. Also as entrepreneur I am proud to associate the name UFO Plast to a champion of such big stature. Over the years, Stefan has consistently shown he is a tenacious and determined rider, the UFO Corse team and UFO Plast company therefore have the highest respect for him. His arrival makes it possible for the team to compete for the world championship title, so that we can add further to our impressive tally in Enduro."
• Claudio Consonni, Technical manager Yamaha Motor Italia, stated: "We achieved another important goal by re-confirming Stefan Merriman. The partnership with the UFO Corse team goes back many years, in which we achieved many goals: four world championship titles, both rider and manufacturer, four national (Italian) titles and two Six Days events. These successes definitely prove the quality of our WR machinery and are evidence of the professional qualities of the team. Mr. Vito Consoloni truly has a great racing spirit and remarkable entrepreneurial qualities, which really meets with Yamaha's philosophy and our will to succeed."
• Stefan Merriman's first race appearance in the UFO Corse Yamaha colors will be during the Assoluti d'Italia, 4 - 5 March at Acireale (CT), riding the WR450F in the 450 class.

ENDURANCE: Full Endurance Calendar Attracts Record Entries (FEB 6, 2006)

• The return of the classic French 24 hour races to the FIM World Endurance Championship calendar has attracted a record number of “permanent” team entries.
• Full Calendar
  The 2006 World Endurance Championship calendar sees the return to the championship of the classic Le Mans 24 Hour and Bol d’Or 24 Hour races after an absence of four years. Together with the now well established Oschersleben 24 Hour race, the three middle distance events at Albacete, Zolder and Suzuka and the season opening Assen 500km sprint, the addition of the two classic 24 hour events means that the endurance season stretches to almost one hundred hours of racing.
  The full calendar is as follows:
  • April 17: Assen 500km Netherlands
  • April 22/23: Le Mans 24 Hours France
  • May 20: Albacete 8 Hours Spain
  • June 18: Zolder 6 Hours Belgium
  • July 30: Suzuka 8 Hours Japan
  • August 12/13: Oschersleben 24 Hours Germany
  • September 16/17: Bol d'Or 24 Hours (Magny Cours) - France
• Record Number of Entries
  The 2006 World Endurance Championship calendar has sparked a huge increase in interest in the championship. This is reflected in the record number of teams requesting “permanent” status and entering for a full season of endurance racing. 24 teams are featured in the official championship entry list, representing a mix of experienced campaigners and new entrants drawn from 17 nations. Many of those entering the full championship for the first time have a long history of competing in endurance and could bring a real challenge to the established teams we espect to see fighting for podium positions. With the first race being a 500km sprint and the second being a real test of stamina for man and machine, it’s impossible to make any championship predictions... The first round of the World Endurance Championship will be held at Assen, Netherlands, on
  Easter Monday, the 17th of April, with the Le Mans 24 Hour race held a week later on the 22nd and 23rd of April.

MotoGP / F1: VALENTINO ROSSI TESTS AGAIN FOR FERRARI F1 (FEB 2, 2006)

• Speculation is growing that 5 times world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi will switch to Formula 1 next season. For the first time he took part in normal pre-season F1 test among regular F1 drivers at Valencia. Driving a Ferrari, Rossi conpleted 53 laps today and was 12th quickest at 1:12.362 (in comparison M Schumacher was 5th; 1:11.640; Rossi's time is +0.722 sec). Yesterday Rossi finished 11th quickest.
• ROSSI: "It has been a very interesting test, as it was the first time I lapped in a Formula One car with other drivers ... I did not come here to show anything to anybody but simply to broaden my understanding of a Formula One car and I thank Ferrari for continuing to give me this opportunity"
• Last year Ferrari's Technical Director Ross Brawn said: "We'd like to have him with us, because we believe the Ferrari-Rossi pairing is very alluring ... It depends on him. If he wants to seriously begin a career in Formula One he will have to undergo tests."

MotoGP: NEW YAMAHA TEAM - TECH 3 (FEB 1, 2006)

• The Tech 3 Team will compete in the 2006 MotoGP World Championship with two riders, Spaniard Carlos Checa and Briton James Ellison, both on Yamaha M1s fitted with Dunlop tyres.
• "Thanks to the combined efforts of Dunlop, Yamaha Motor and Tech 3, we have been able to finalize this project", explains Herve Poncharal, Team Manager of the French team. "After a difficult winter during which we developed our project with Dunlop, Yamaha and the young rider James Ellison, we are now really excited to see Carlos Checa joining the team.
• "Carlos is the most experienced rider on this year's MotoGP grid. During his ten-year career as one of the top riders in the sport's premier category, he has ridden different bikes on different tyre brands and, based on this experience, his input to our development will be of great value, especially for Dunlop.
• "With Carlos partnering James Ellison, one of the emerging talents and who raced on Dunlop tyres last year, we complete the ideal line-up of our team, a blend of youth and experience, in which we have strong hopes."
• Carlos Checa will get his first experience of his new Yamaha M1 on Dunlop tyres during the team's next tests in Qatar on 5th, 6th and 7th February.
• Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, adds: "Yamaha is very pleased to be able to finally complete its two team, four rider line-up for the 2006 season. It was always our desire to try to have four riders on the grid, both to continue Yamaha's MotoGP participation at the optimum level and also to support the MotoGP sport which is very important for our business and provides us with great exposure and promotion for motorcycling worldwide. Yamaha would like to thank all the parties that contributed to the completion of this project and we wish the Tech 3 Yamaha Team every success in 2006."

MX/SX: LETTER FROM BEN TOWNLEY RE HIS RECOVERY (JAN 24, 2006)

• To my fans, friends and sponsors, I wanted to let you all know where I'm at and what's going to happen from here. As you all know I crashed last Monday, practicing here in Florida. When I went down my right knee dislocated and I was taken to hospital for reduction. It all went back into place fine and there were no complications from that side of things.
• Aldon got things set up for an appointment with Dr Tom Haney and Dr Chris Berg who are orthopaedic doctors here in town. Early Tuesday morning I had an MRI and more x-rays taken to determine if there was any more damage from the dislocation. I was hoping for the best as the pain hadn't been too bad overnight and the swelling wasn't that great at all. Dr. Haney was able to have a look at the MRI straight away and determined that my ACL,MCL and PCL are all torn and will need full reconstruction. The MRI was sent away for further checks to make sure there was nothing else in there that had been missed.
• On Thursday Dr Haney met with us again and had a full plan on how the recovery to racing will go. Following that appointment, I was immediately fitted for a brace to keep my leg stable but let me keep my quadracep muscles working and keep my range of motion right up until the operation. The surgery should take place this Thursday 26th January. The surgeons will perform a cadaver operation where they will graft ligaments into my leg from a donor to repair the damage. Once the op is completed I will be straight into rehab, using a machine to keep passive movement going.
• From there it will be all up to me - the recovery will be a long time and I will have to work hard over the next few months to rebuild my strength and fitness in order to return to racing. As of yet there is no time frame on when I will be back on a bike, but I will only return to racing when I am 100% fit and strong and ready to win races.
• I want to say thanks to everyone who has called and sent emails – It’s great to know I have all of your support. I'll keep you up to date on how things are progressing as much as I can along the way.
• I'm already on the comeback trail now and I will be back stronger than ever.

250cc GP: CHAZ DAVIES TO GET FACTORY SUPPORT (JAN 19, 2006)

• 18 year old Chaz Davies will race in 250cc GP on a factory backed Aprilia. His team-mate at Campetella Aprilia will be Taro Sekiguchi.
• DAVIES: "At last I have the chance to prove myself on some equal machinery and show what I'm capable of ... Last year was tough but I stuck at it and it's great to join such an established team as Campetella."

MotoGP: Kenny Roberts Jr. to ride for Team KR (JAN 19, 2006)

• 2000 world champion Kenny Roberts Jr. who lost his ride with Suzuki will now ride for his father. Team KR will be powered by a Honda engine in 2006.
• Roberts after being dropped by Suzuki: "I could easily sit here and talk for hours about all the great times I have had with Suzuki. They have always been honest and have given me their best. I will of course miss many people. Over the years I have made many friends here at Suzuki, from the engineering level, to the management and of course within the team ... I am eternally grateful for what Suzuki has done for me. They have given me the chance to win a world championship and I wish them the best. I know they can achieve whatever they wish to do."

• Irvine, Calif. (January 17, 2006) – One of Team Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s newest members, Ben Townley, injured his right knee yesterday while training at a test track in Florida. Townley was examined by a team of orthopedic surgeons yesterday. The result of the examination showed a torn ACL ligament and minor damage to his PCL and MCL ligaments, which will require surgery and will cause him to miss the entire Amp’d Mobile AMA East Supercross Lites series. Surgery to repair the damaged knee will be performed once the swelling in Townley’s knee subsides. He will begin rehabilitation on his knee in order to be ready the AMA Motocross Lites series which kicks-off in May.
• Townley, 21, from Taupo, New Zealand, recently amazed all in attendance at the 2005 Motocross Des Nations by posting a second overall finish. He was expected to make his U.S. debut aboard a Kawasaki KX250F at the first Amp’d Mobile AMA East Supercross Lites series race in St. Louis on February 18th. Prior to joining Team Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki for the 2006 SX/MX season, Townley took home top honors in the FIM World MX2 Championship in 2004, and further proved his abilities in 2005 by finishing third overall in the FIM MX1 series. Townley was also a prominent rider for ten years as a member of New Zealand’s Team Green amateur program.