Jeff Wood is pleased to announce he has signed a multi-year deal with Performance Factor of Medford, MA. Performance Factor will be the exclusive engine builder for Jeff Wood’s Yamaha Motor Corp. supported road race team. Jeff Wood said, “I was extremely pleased with the R6 engine Performance Factor built for me at Daytona this year. After seeing their abilities, I am pumped they will be helping me with all my bikes for the entire season!” Performance Factor’s Sean Sweeney had this to say of the new deal: “Performance Factor is excited to be involved with the #1 team in ASRA and look forward to a great season with Jeff in ASRA and in the AMA!” More, from a press release issued by Mike Morgan: RIM Racing and Mike Morgan AMA #811 would like to welcome Komodo riding apparel as a sponsor for the 2007 season. Mike will be competing in all East Coast events in the AMA Formula Xtreme class. Mike said “after seeing and talking with Opie Caylor last year about his get off at over 100 mph and seeing the Komodo FX suit sustained very minor damage and stay together was very impressive.” Komodo has been proven by many top level riders in AMA, WERA, CCS, CMRA and other racing organization over the last few years. Some of the features found on all Komodo suits are triple and double stitched seems, Keprotec stretch material in the thigh area, YYK zippers, CE approved armor, and 1.2mm / 1.4mm thick leather. “I’m confident in the Komodo FX leathers, gloves, and boots to keep me safe when riding at that level and this will allow me to push a little bit more this year. And the fit of the suit rivals the custom suits I have worn in the past, it’s very good!” Mike stated. More, from a press release issued by Go Big Racing: Millson and Glenn at Motorsports Expo, Then Off To Homestead Keene Ontario – The Go BIG Racing team will be taking time out from preparing for round two of the Suntrust MOTO-ST endurance series, to appear at the inaugural Canadian Motorsports Expo, April 6, 7 and 8 at the Toronto Congress Center. The Canadian Motorsports Expo has something for racers and race fans. In addition to display booths for local tracks and racing organizations, there will be lots of racing related items for sale, safety equipment, collectibles, ‘how-to’ seminars, racing history, fan forums, celebrity appearances and autograph sessions. Go BIG Racing team-mates Ross Millson and Paul Glenn, are looking forward to chatting with racing fans and signing a few autographs while promoting the team’s sponsors, the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and the new Suntrust MOTO-ST series. Also on hand at the inaugural Canadian Motorsports Expo, will be several Canadian auto racing stars including, Ron Fellows, J.R. Fitzpatrick, D.J. Kennington, Scott Maxwell, and Pete Shepherd. Millson and Glenn recently took third spot on the podium aboard their #79 Suzuki SV650 in the Sport Twins (ST) Class at the SunTrust MOTO-ST season opener at Daytona and are looking to better their results at the Suntrust MOTO-ST, Homestead 500k, at Homestead-Miami Speedway, April 13-14. “This will be our first visit to the Homestead track and is sure to present some challenges.” said Millson “Chief Mechanic, Scott Laidman, myself and Paul have put in some long hours to prep the bike for the next round and we’re looking forward to a bit of a break and being a part of the Motorsports Expo.” he added. To learn more about the team, please drop by the Go BIG Racing booth at the Canadian Motorsports Expo, Toronto Congress Center, April 6, 7 and 8 or visit www.gobigracing.ca Go Big Racing The all-Canadian Go Big Racing team is comprised of Ross Millson from Hamilton, Ontario and Paul Glenn from Keene, Ontario. Millson and Glenn will enter the 2007 Parts Canada Superbike Championship as rookies. Millson, as a Pro, on a Suzuki GSX-R600 in the Hindle Pro 600 Sport Bike class and GSX-1000 in the Superbike Pro class. Glenn will compete in the International Motorcycle Supershow sponsored Amateur 600 Sport Bike class aboard a Suzuki GSX-R600. Canadian Motorsports Expo Canadian Motorsports Expo runs April 6, 7 & 8 at the Toronto Congress Centre from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday; 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday; and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday. More information can be found by visiting the show website www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com. More, from a press release issued by Samsung Superbike Team: Samsung Superbike Team gets mobile SAMSUNG SUPERBIKE TEAM Enters British Championships Samsung Mobile, a global leader in telecommunication, semiconductor, digital media and digital convergence technologies today unveiled the Samsung Superbike Team, which will compete in both the British Superbike and Superstock motorcycle championships. The partnership will include innovative on and off track marketing activity run in conjunction with Vodafone UK. The Samsung Superbike Team line up is completed by Dienza, the iconic motorcycle racing group, which has worked closely with Samsung Mobile to create the team. “Dienza recognised the strength of relationship between Vodafone and Samsung Mobile, and how the two companies could work together to add value to this season’s Superbike and Superstock championships”, said Mark Mitchinson, Director of Samsung Mobile. “Motorcycle racing is an exhilarating, high-speed, highly-charged sport and it’s these qualities and the team’s positive philosophy that make it the perfect partnership for us,” he added. The Dienza racing group bring and exciting blend of skill and talent to the British Championships with Dean Thomas (Suzuki GSXR Superbike) and Jon Kirkham (Ducati 1098 Superstock) both being successful in their respective categories. Dienza’s ability to create a top-of-grid team with far reaching commercial acumen enables them to reach fans and consumers alike. “we are thrilled to be working with Samsung Mobile to support their promotional activity with Vodafone UK and we now look forward to performing on and off the track in 2007″, said Enzo DiClemente, head of racing at Dienza. About Samsung Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 120 offices in 57 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/uk About Vodafone UK Vodafone UK has 16.9 million customers and is part of the world’s leading international mobile telecommunications group. The company is committed to providing mobile solutions that allow both consumer and business customers to make the most of now. In addition, Vodafone connects customers across the globe with roaming agreements worldwide. It provides 3G roaming in 18 countries and offers great roaming value with Vodafone Passport. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.co.uk. About Dienza Racing Group Dienza have successfully competed at British and World Superbike level since 1998. Maintaining a private team status has enabled the team to create a strong marketing partnership with Wireless Economics Limited – a UK based agency that specialise in new media marketing – in order to strengthen the teams base commercial offer as well as develop bespoke channel and consumer sales activity with its partner family. For more information please visit www.dienza.co.uk More, from a press release issued by Centurion Racing: Centurion Ready to Race Brands Hatch April 7th 9th www.centurionracing.net As the new race season approaches, Centurion Racing are confident of another positive season ahead. After dominating the Supersport Cup Championship in 2006 they are hoping their two new riders, James Westmoreland and Dan Cooper will also gain some consistently strong results. The opening round of the Championship take place at Brands Hatch Circuit, Kent this Easter Weekend, 7th 9th April. After some extensive pre season testing the team are eager to get back out on track and race. 18-year-old James ‘Westy’ Westmoreland has been putting in some strong times and has adjusted well to the Honda 600. He is excited about Brands and commented “I am looking forward to a positive weekend at Brands. It’s my favourite circuit and I’m in a confident mood. I need to make sure we come out the blocks strong on Saturday morning and get a good set up, then look for a very good qualifying position for Mondays’ race. After months of training and testing, I can’t wait to get going on race day and see what happens! I’m ready!” His new team mate is 19-year-old Dan Cooper, the youngster from Stoud has had a little less time on the bike after only joining the team less than a month ago. He enjoyed a successful test on the bike at Valencia where he only managed to get two days on his new machinery. Despite this, he is keen to get out there in the main Supersport Class, saying “As we are approaching the first round at Brands Hatch, I am really excited about the season ahead. No doubt it is going to be a difficult season, as the Supersport Class has some world class riders in it and I am looking forward to the challenge. I couldn’t think of a better track to start the season than Brands, especially the GP circuit. I can’t wait to start working with my new team this weekend and knowing that the team are very professional fills me with confidence. I have had very limited testing on the bike due to my late arrival to the team so in a way this weekend is all about getting used to riding a 600 more and gelling with the team but I will be trying my very hardest to produce the best result I can.” Team Manager Gary Stubbington commented “We’ve got a whole new rider line up for 2007, which will be a new challenge to all of us. I’m very much looking forward to the season once again and hope that both Westy and Dan settle in well on the move up from the 125 class. They are great lads and I hope this year is a good one for them. I’m happy with the progress we have made in testing and hope that we can put that into the racing during the season.” More, from a press release issued by Silverstone Circuit: British Superbikes kick-start Silverstone’s season The nation’s premier motorcycle racing series the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) – is coming to Silverstone on 28-29 April, to kick-start a full season of motorsport at the Northamptonshire circuit, and once again the best of British will be out to impress in front of their home crowd. Last year British Superbikes at Silverstone provided a real nail-biter as Ryuichi Kiyonari, Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla fought it out for the UK’s top two-wheeled title. In 2007 the BSB championship will once again feature an all-star rider line-up, with reigning champion Kiyonari looking to defend his title against 30 other riders, including the fans’ favourite Chris Walker who makes a welcome return to BSB, from World Superbikes, this season. Silverstone is hosting the third round of the championship with high quality wheel-to-wheel action guaranteed around the 2.249 mile International Circuit, along with a number of support races, including the British Supersport Championship. Silverstone’s open paddock policy also means fans can get up close and personal with teams and riders, being able to take advantage of rider autograph opportunities. BSB is renowned as the best national Superbike series in the world, and boasts one of the best grids in recent years with strong rider and team pairings for 2007. In addition, the eagerly awaited 2007 championship presents a grid packed full of top manufacturers, with factory and semi-factory teams from world-class outfits such as HM Plant Honda and Airwaves Ducati. HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari names Silverstone as one of his favourite circuits: “I enjoy racing at Silverstone very much, it is a very fast circuit and like going very fast. It was a good circuit for me last year, I won the double at Silverstone – I hope to repeat my performance there this season.” Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, commented: “Silverstone was voted the UK’s favourite Superbike venue in 2005 and we are looking forward to once again welcoming the British Superbike Championship to Silverstone. BSB opens our race programme for the 2007 season and promises to deliver a thrilling weekend of racing.” For further information, or to book tickets for round three of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone on 28-29 April, visit www.silverstone.co.uk, or contact the ticket hotline on 08704 588 260. Race day hospitality can be booked by calling 08704 588 230. More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: After a six year absence, Chris Walker returns to British Superbike action in the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this Bank Holiday Monday riding an all-new Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 and determined to establish himself as a title contender from the outset. A four-time runner up in the series, fans’ favourite ‘Stalker’ has spent the last half dozen years battling in the Grand Prix and World Superbike Championships. The 35 year old returns to British Superbikes with the Suzuki team he finished runner-up with in 2000 and is eager to go one better this year. Reigning British Supersport Champion Cal Crutchlow lines up for his first ever British Superbike race on his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 at Brands Hatch. The 21 year old is one of the hottest young talents in British racing and is ready to seize his opportunity to show what he can do in the most competitive National Superbike Championship in the world. Both Stalker and Cal have enjoyed a successful pre-season developing the new Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 into a Superbike racer. Using the challenging 2.60-mile long GP circuit at the historic Brands Hatch venue in Kent, Superbike racing starts at 1230 on Monday April 9th… Chris Walker: “The talking and testing stop here – it’s time to race and I am very excited about the opening round at Brands Hatch. It’s been six years away for me and I am looking forward to racing full-time in front of the British fans again – they are the best in the world. “Our pre-season testing has been good and Rizla Suzuki has thrown the kitchen sink at getting the new GSX-R1000 ready in time for the opening round. I have unfinished business with this Championship and after collecting runner-up spot four times in a row, I really want to make the break to the top step of the podium. Realistically that means I need to be on the pace right from the opening race; so I’ll be giving it my all at Brands.” Cal Crutchlow: “I’ve always dreamed of being a Superbike racer and now it is coming true and I will be making my British Championship debut at Brands Hatch. Testing with Rizla Suzuki has been good and at all the circuits I have been close on the timesheets to my team mate and the other title contenders which has boosted my confidence. “I don’t know what to expect this weekend but I’ll be bringing all of the determination, skill and application to the races that I used to win the British Supersport Championship in 2006. This is my chance to make my mark in motorcycle racing and I’m not about to let it slip by.” Simon Buckmaster – Team Manager: “Rizla Suzuki, Chris Walker and Cal Crutchlow are in excellent shape and ready to race. Our test programme has been positive and we have improved the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 every step of the way. We are hopeful that we can continue our forward momentum and convert it into good results at Brands Hatch this Monday. “It’s been hard work developing the all-new GSX-R1000 into a racer capable of winning in such a short period of time but we think we are close. It’s going to be an exciting weekend of racing and I’m hoping the fans will turn out in force to cheer Chris, Cal and the Rizla Suzuki team on. See you all at the races.”