40th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Macau, China November 16, 2006 Free Practice Times: 1. Michael Rutter (Hon CBR1000RR) 2:36.068 2. Ian Hutchinson (Hon CBR1000RR) 2:37.812 3. John McGuinness (Hon CBR1000RR) 2:40.902 4. Frank Heidger (Suz GSX-R1000) 2:40.989 5. Jeremy Toye (Suz GSX-R1000) 2:41.167 6. Steve Plater (Yam YZF-R1) 2:42.205 7. Martin Finnegan (Hon CBR1000RR) 2:42.333 8. Thomas Hinterreiter (Yam YZF-R1) 2:42.931 9. Steve Allan (Kaw ZX-6RR) 2:43.753 10. John Haner (Suz GSX-R1000) 2:44.095 The motorcycle class was first on track this morning, braving the damp street circuit at the 40th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix in Macau, China simultaneously hosting its 53rd year of car racing around the narrow 3.8-mile Guia Circuit. The 2006 Team USA, organized by CCS Florida Race Director Henry DeGouw, is made up of three Macau veterans, including Lee’s Cycle Racing’s Jeremy Toye, returning for his third visit, KWS Racing’s John Haner, back for his second visit after a mechanical last year prevented him from finishing the 15-lap race, and his KWS teammate Mark Miller, returning for his sixth visit after his inaugural run in 1998. Toye and Haner made the top 10 of the 37-rider field after Thursday morning’s free practice session. Miller suffered a mechanical after completing just four laps of the 45-minute session. “Being 8-seconds off in the first session really isn’t that far off at a place like this. All it is, is getting into a rhythm and getting it to feel right,” said Haner after the first and only free practice session before qualifying. “We worked on gearing. We changed one tooth and knocked off 6-seconds. Little adjustments equal big time around here.” Toye earned a fifth place finish even though he and Haner are both fighting colds. “We didn’t have any problems with the bike at all. The thing runs bitchin’. But we can definitely make it better,” said Toye. “As far as going out first session, first time in the morning, track’s wet; I’m pretty happy with being where we’re at. It’s a good start for the weekend. I plan on moving up a bit more once we get everything dialed in.” Team USA will prepare for the first of two qualifying sessions this afternoon.