From a press release issued by PJ Jacobsen’s publicist: Jacobsen’s Season to Start in Sunny Florida Montgomery, New York — The start of the USGPRU east coast series is scheduled for April 5-6 at Jennings GP Park, Jennings, Florida. PJ Jacobsen will be amongst the competitors, all vying for a win. Celtic Racing’s Jacobsen will be racing in both the 125cc and 250cc classes. Adding the 250 class is new for him in 2008. Already winning a 125cc Championship in 2006, Jacobsen is stepping up his game. The USGPRU is the officially recognized 125 Grand Prix National Championship® and 250 Grand Prix National ChampionshipT series. The USGPRU provides a unique opportunity for young riders by providing extended length grand prix racing exclusive to the 125GP and 250GP machines with timed qualifying and superb contingency and sponsor support. Race and practice format is designed to prepare riders for the experience of racing at the highest level. Jacobsen, recently in the state of Florida, claimed three championship titles in the AMA Black Cat Flat Track Amateur Championships. He is now eager to put the dirt aside and compete on the asphalt. Earlier this year, Jacobsen gained support from American Honda , Honda Riders of America and Honda Pro Oils and Chemicals. This support added to his existing backing of Celtic Racing, Shoei Helmets, Alpinestars, Dunlop, ABS, Tagger Designs, Parts Unlimited, and She Loves Racing, will aid in Jacobsen’s success. The USGPRU race schedule for PJ consists of: Summit Point (May24-26), VIR (June 20-22), Road America (July5-6), Shannonville (July25-27), Barber (August9-10), and the championship finale October 4-5 at Miller Motosports Park. For 2008, the USGPRU is sponsored by Rising Sun Cycles, MotoLiberty, Roadracingworld.com, Repsol Lubricants, Starline by Yoyodyne, GPTech, Hjelm Motorsports, Ian Emberton Racing, Motion Pro, Revit Leathers, Power Stands, Regina Chains, Chickenhawk Racing, and EBC Brakes. “I am looking forward to be back with Celtic Racing and of course signing on with Honda is really a big help for us. Barry (owner of Celtic Racing), has given me an outstanding opportunity over the past few years, and together I believe we will win more championships,” expressed Jacobsen. Up to date race reports and pictures can be found at PJ’s website www.pj99.com and team news at www.celticracing.com More, from a press release issued by Z1 Racing Inc.: Z1 Racing Teams Up With Alex Welsh for 2008 Season Z1 Racing will contest the Canadian Pro 600 Sport Bike class with new team rider and 2006 USGPRU champion Alex Welsh, of Uxbridge, Ontario. The team will compete on the Triumph Daytona 675; a bike that has won countless accolades since its debut. Team owner Zaid Saleemi said ” I am very pleased to be working with Alex, he is new to the National scene in Canada but has already proven his speed South of the border and he is very hungry to show his speed on a 600″. The Daytona 675 has already shown its potential in the engine department, and the team has high expectations for the chassis as well. “I am not underestimating this venture but I am certainly looking forward to the challenge, I think we have great potential in both our team and our bikes” Alex Welsh. The team welcomes its new sponsors and would like to thank those that are continuing with the team. In 2008 Z1 racing will be supported by: Hotbodies Racing, Repsol Oils USA, Suomy leathers, Gp Bikes, Impera auto body, Jk precision, Leo Vince USA, Eurocorsa performance, Elka suspension, WASP performance and Joker racing products. Z1 Racing would also like to thank Yamaha Motor Canada and John Bayliss for the past years of genuine support! More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: European Women Champion Nina Prinz on Yamaha R1 Yamaha has long recognized that not only many women ride motorcycles, but that they like to ride fast on a race track too. The most recent proof comes in the shape of current Womens’ Road Racing European Champion in the 1000 class Nina Prinz, who will team up with Yamaha in 2008. Twenty-five-year-old Nina, from Mannheim/Leutkirch in Germany, won all three 2007 European Women Championship races sanctioned by the UEM (European Motorcycle Union). This success landed her with the opportunity to defend her title on Yamaha’s YZF-R1 Superbike flagship, which she will race for the first time at Misano (I) on 13 April, then Assen (NL) on 15 June and the final Championship round will be held at Albacete (ESP) on 12 October. Nina and her R1 will also be competing in the male-dominated IDM German Superbike Championship for Team Yamaha Motor Germany, riding alongside former 2000 World Supersport champion Jörg Teuchert and Polish rider Andrzej Pawalec. On her signing Nina says; “I am very please to have signed with Yamaha for this season! During my first two outings on the R1 at Misano and during the Yamaha Race Training in Valencia last week, I was really impressed by the bike in terms of power and stability. The team has prepared a perfect bike for me and being part of this outfit hopefully enables me to progress further. With experienced riders as Jörg aboard, I can really learn a lot. Both championships are very competitive but my goal is to score as many points as possible in the IDM and consolidate my championship title status in the Womens Championship this year. The fact that Yamaha actively supports female riders is a very positive development for the sport and for us women in particular!” Nina got into motorcycle racing via minibikes and got really serious when she entered the national ADAC Junior Cup in Germany in 2000. Since then she has graduated through National Supersport racing, improving all the time, before adding some IDM Superbike experience and European Womens’ Championship rides to her portfolio in 2006. Nina simply dominated the 2007 UEM series. Nina is the second female star that is officially supported by Yamaha. Reigning FIM Motocross Women’s World Cup champion Katherine Prumm from New Zealand will race on a Yamaha YZ250F in the newly established 2008 Women Motocross World Championship. Both Nina and Katherine hope to continue their success with Yamaha and contribute to the increasing popularity of female motorcycle riding and competition.