LAKEVILLE, Conn. Skip Barber Racing School LLC and KTM North America, Inc., jointly announced the creation of a new instructional program that pairs the world’s premier racing and driving school with a leading worldwide manufacturer of power sports vehicles. The Skip Barber Superbike School Powered by KTM will debut in 2009 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., the home of MotoGP in the United States and one of five national locations for Skip Barber’s automotive program offerings. The two-day school will feature the new KTM 1190 RC8 supersport motorcycle, which embodies high performance, new technology and unique design. It will be the only Superbike school in the United States to feature such large displacement machines. ”A number of factors make this new school unique,” said Skip Barber President and Chief Operating Officer George Ayres. ”First, the KTM line of motorcycles that will be provided will include the new 1190 RC8, 990 Super Duke and the 690 Duke motorcycles, meaning we have the right equipment for virtually any student. Second are the Skip Barber instructors who will bring to this program more than 30 years of experience teaching enthusiasts about dynamics, control and speed. Finally, there is the track itself. Skip Barber conducts more than 100 programs a year at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We know this track very well and feel it is the ideal facility for students to develop the skills and confidence to not only lower their lap times but improve their everyday street riding skills. And with more riders returning to motorcycling or just beginning, we feel we can help riders of all experience levels.” ”The core of KTM is ‘Ready to Race,”’ said Jon-Erik Burleson, president of KTM North America, Inc. ”Our partnership with Skip Barber is a great place to combine our values with their rich racing heritage in a unique way. The instructional Superbike programs held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will allow the best promotion of the new KTM 1190 RC8 while providing a prospect for future product releases and announcements.” John Pinio, Director of Parks for the County of Monterey, commented that ”Monterey County Parks is excited about the opportunity for the Skip Barber Racing School to partner with KTM to bring a first class motorcycle school to the Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. This is another example of the collaboration of Monterey County Parks, SCRAMP, Skip Barber and Mazda of not only providing top quality motor sports at our facility, but another way to generate a positive economic impact for our local community.” Ayres noted that school attendees will be able to use their own safety equipment or rent all necessary items at the track through Skip Barber. Damage liability insurance will also be offered, minimizing the costs to any rider for a mishap. Top-level safety will be ensured, with Mazda Raceway’s excellent safety team at the ready. About KTM”¦ KTM, founded in 1953, is the second largest European motorcycle manufacturer specializing in ”Ready to Race” on and off road motorcycles and ATVs. Proven successes in worldwide competition are embodied into the design and function of each KTM race machine. KTM has built a reputation for high-quality premium race ready machines suitable for on and off road race competition and recreation. With more than 140 World Championships and counting, the technology, design and performance of KTM continues to race past the competition time and again. About Skip Barber”¦ For more than 30 years, Skip Barber Racing School LLC has operated a fully integrated system of racing schools, driving schools, racing championships, corporate events and OEM events across North America. The Skip Barber Racing School is held at more than 20 of the most prestigious race tracks in North America, while the Skip Barber Driving School, utilizing Mazda’s performance sedans and sports cars, operates at five world-famous destination locations. The Skip Barber Race Series is collectively five separate open-wheel, equal-car racing championships four regional amateur series and an entry level pro series: the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda, which awards a $350,000 title bonus. New in 2008 is the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Challenge, multiple championships using identically prepared MX-5 Miata race cars. All the series are part of Mazda’s unique MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development ladder system. The Corporate Events unit creates custom racing and driving programs for companies of any size that desire special, exciting events to train, entertain, educate and reward. OEM Events provides unique, specialized automotive-related training, analysis, evaluation, logistics and consultation. Additional information is available at www.skipbarber.com.