2009 AMA Sponsored Racers by Dainese and AGV USA Costa Mesa, CA (March, 26th) Dainese and AGV USA introduce AMA Sponsored Racers competing in the 2009 season with the same gear that has followed Moto GP World Champion Valentino Rossi for all his career. For 2009, Dainese and AGV USA based in Orange County, CA, have a line up that enhances the strong commitment that links the Italian apparel and helmet company to the motorcycle racing scene in the US. Jordan Suzuki #23 Aaron Yates (2008 AMA Superstock Championship) and National Guard #54 Geoff May (2nd place 2008 AMA Superstock Championship) will wear the Italian manufactured racing leather suits that made Dainese a leader in the motorcycle protective gear. Corona Extra Honda #100 Neil Hodgson, after a respectable 6th position in the 2008 season, will be an important ambassador for the Italian helmets AGV, now part of Dainese after the 2007 merge, in the US premium racing class. Rockstar/Makita Yoshimura #79 Blake Young, who finished the 2008 AMA Superstock and AMA Supersport with a crescendo to a very respectable 4th place, will be the youngest in the Suzuki factory Team to represent Dainese. The Roadracingworld.com Suzuki Team (with Chris Ulrich, Santiago Villa and Russell Wikle) will be the only one in AMA to be protected “head to toe” by Dainese and AGV. Thanks to the acquisition of AGV helmets, Dainese is now the only manufacturer offering full protective gear for motorcyclists. The 18 years old Garrett Willisin AMA Supersport and the 2007 Daytona 200 Champion and 3rd place 2008 AMA Formula Xtreme Steve Rapp as well as the top ten 2009 Daytona 200 Barrett Long complete the AMA Dainese sponsored racers. To underline the strong connection to the roots of the US racing passion, Dainese and AGV continue the relationship with the Vesrah Team (formed by Mark Junge, John Jacobi, Tray Batey and Cory West), winner of the last three WERA Championships, sponsoring the Team “head to toe”. James “The Rocket” Rispoli, Tony Davila and Sammy Halbert will also represent the Dainese AGV presence in the Flat Track Championship. “Providing people with head-to-toe protection in dynamic sports” has been the corporate mission since 1972 when the company was founded by its current President Lino Dainese. Dainese AGV USA 1645 Superior Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Tel: 949-645-9500 Fax: 949-645-9501 www.dainese.com www.agv.com More, from a press release issued by Youth Road Racing USA: Youth Road Racing USA signs Motul as sponsor Motul Lubricants and Youth Road Racing USA have come to an agreement to make Motul the official lubricant of Youth Road Racing USA. In doing so, Motul will support both the SCminiGP Championship Series and SMRRC Championship Series for the 2009 year. Motul will provide support to all members of a Youth Road Racing USA program through discounts on lubricant product and prizes for championship class winners. Motul understands the commitment families make to developing young stars and hope their support will help these kids further succeed. “We were excited to be contacted by Motul, they have an interest in youth road racing just as all our sponsors do so we really appreciate them stepping up and supporting our program”, says Josiah Taulbee President & Founder. Members are encouraged to directly contact their organizations staff to get the details and benefits. Motul will become another organization making investments in tomorrow’s road racing champions. About Youth Road Racing USA “As a youth motorcycle road racing education program, Youth Road Racing is dedicated to providing a professional and fun environment for riders of all ages, supporting a progressive advancement of skill and talent that will open the doors to a future in road racing for tomorrow’s champions.” More, from a press release issued by Kenwood RIM Racing: Kenwood RIM Racing’s Mike Morgan launches new website for 2009. mikemorganracing.com has been completely redone and improved for 2009. Web designer Face Mask has made an interactive web page that will allow fans to follow Mike throughout the year with race reports and photos posted after every race this year. “The web has been increasingly important for Kenwood RIM Racing to reach out to fans and showcase all the great sponsors of our team” said owner Mike Morgan. Please visit: ~http://www.mikemorganracing.com~ More, from a press release issued by Keith Amor’s publicist: Amor forced to withdraw from MotoSix Nations Scottish rider Keith Amor has been forced to pull out of this weekend’s MotoSix Nations race meeting at Donington Park due to still suffering the lingering effects of concussion, sustained in a pre-season testing crash in Spain. The Wilson Craig Honda rider had been due to represent his country in both the Superbike and Supersport races at Donington but will now, under advice from doctors, take complete rest for 2-3 weeks. Amor did race at last weekend’s opening round of the Irish Superbike Championship at Mondello Park and recorded two excellent third place finishes in the Supersport races whilst he also took 7th in the opening ISB race. It was a mixed weekend for the Falkirk ace though as he also slipped off in the second Superbike race and whilst he rode excellently to take the hard-fought podiums, it was apparent that all wasn’t well as he explained: “I high-sided at about 100mph in Spain, suffering a bit of concussion but felt fine prior to Mondello although as soon as I got on the bike, I noticed something wasn’t quite right. I was getting quite a few headaches and suffering a bit with dizziness when I was back in the paddock but I pressed on and was extremely pleased to get the results I did despite not riding at my full potential. When I got back home on Monday, I went straight to my doctor to get checked over thoroughly and he confirmed that the concussion from the crash was the cause and has advised me to take complete rest for the next two to three weeks.” “I’m obviously gutted to pull out of the MotoSix Nations as I was looking forward to the event and representing my country and I hate letting the boys down but I need to take the rest to ensure I’m fully 100% fit and healthy the next time I get on the bike. Early impressions this season have been very favourable and the package we have in place is excellent so I’ll spend the next few weeks getting the machines fully prepared for the Easter weekend of racing where I’ll be looking to get on to the podium at the very least!” The Easter weekend in April sees a busy few days of racing in Northern Ireland with rounds 2 and 3 of the ISB Championship taking place at Bishopscourt (Sat 11th) and Kirkistown (Mon 13th).