The application was confirmed – Nicky Wimbauer will race in the International-German Yamaha R6-Cup organized and supported by Yamaha Germany GmbH. Nicky, a former Colorado MRA-racer und WERA National racer was racing in the 2005 SBK European SuperStock series and had several top-ten finishes with a best of 6th, in Brands Hatch. The 2004 season marked his first year overseas and he participated in the Italian SuperSport Series with a 7th in the Trofea Italia class. Nicky talks about his 2006 plans: “My Dad and I have thought about our plans for 2006 for quite a while and I am really happy with this decision and to have the chance to race in this established class within the International-German Championship. The 2005 season was a huge learning experience and eye-opener for me. It is essential to have a test program, suspension support and team communication. “That’s why we checked out the recommendation from Team Yamaha Germany and found out that the International-German R6-Cup seems to be on a very high level. Laptimes only differ by 10ths of a second between the European SuperStock and the R6-Cup, using Lausitzring laptimes as a comparison. “It is important to me to have my own bike, to be able to test and to prove what I can do under controlled and equal conditions. The support from Yamaha Germany in this series reaches from spares and suspension support to prize money, leathers and helmet sponsorship to organized practice sessions. “The International-German cup-series has already been helpful to many racers as a stepping stone into the world scene, including Thomas Luethi, Christian Kellner, Kenan Sufuolgu, Joerg Teuchert, etc. “Of course, my expectations are pretty high and I hope to be on the podium again in 2006. Many of the R6-Cup riders are on their 2nd or 3rd year in this series and I’ll have to learn all tracks except for Lausitzring. And, I won’t be the only American on the grid. However, we hope to have the chance to test on a few tracks like Hockenheim, Salzburgring and Oschersleben to make up for this disadvantage. “Time management is becoming more challenging every year. Now, since I am working in the bike industry and visit an educational college parallel to my apprenticeship, it is not as easy to just take a week off and travel to Spain for a race even though my employer is very tolerant. The tracks of the R6-Cup are mostly within 500-600 miles, which is acceptable. “I am totally happy to have some control over our racing program again and can’t wait for the challenge ahead in 2006. Thanks for all the encouraging words and comments from old friends and fans in the United States.”