[Ducati] Fwd: Separate AMA Event at Laguna Seca in 2007

[Rob Allen]

AMA AND MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL AMA SUPERBIKE
EVENT, FEWER CLASSES AT RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (September 29, 2006) -- Officials from the AMA and
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca announced today that they are exploring the
possibility of adding a stand-alone AMA Superbike event in 2007. The
companies are also considering reducing the number of AMA classes
involved with the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix from four to two.

The 2007 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring the MotoGP World
Championship and AMA Superbike Championship will be held at Mazda
Raceway Laguna Seca on July 20-22, 2007.

Kerry Graeber, AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Director of Communications
said the conversations are very preliminary at this point but that the
AMA and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca would like to see both initiatives
happen.

"We're excited about the possibility of adding a stand-alone AMA
Superbike event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca," said Graeber. I also
think everybody agrees that trying to run all four AMA classes at the
Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is overly optimistic. Featuring two classes
instead of four is better from a logistics standpoint and will result in
a better overall show. It will also benefit our competitors with
increased track time for practice and qualifying sessions."

Gill Campbell, CEO/General Manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca echoed
Graeber's thoughts. "We want to continue showcasing AMA road racing
alongside the MotoGP World Championship while simultaneously creating a
new AMA weekend for later in the season.  We see this as the best of
both worlds for competitors participating in the AMA Superbike
Championship."

No date for the separate AMA event has been determined but Campbell
confirmed that the companies are looking at September. "There are a
couple of weekends in September that work from our perspective," said
Campbell. "The AMA is finalizing its 2007 schedule right now and
determining how those two options work overall."

A final decision on both issues is expected within the next two weeks.
About AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in
the United States. Its properties include the THQ AMA Supercross Series,
the AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike
Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked
Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship. For more
information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. Accredited
media outlets can also access AMA Pro Racing's online Press Room at
www.amaproracing.com/pressroom.

About Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and SCRAMP:
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was built in 1957 and has been operated since
its inception by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey
Peninsula (SCRAMP). The world-renowned 2.238-mile, 11-turn permanent
road course has seen many of the all-time greats in motorsports grace
its technically challenging layout that includes the spectacular
signature Corkscrew (Turns 8 and 8A). Among the many who have raced here
are the likes of Mario Andretti, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, Eddie
Lawson, Michael Andretti, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Sir Stirling Moss,
Sir Jackie Stewart and on and on through a virtual who's who of
automobile and motorcycle racing. SCRAMP is a not-for-profit corporation
that donates net proceeds from each race season to the volunteer
organizations that help put on the events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.


-- 
-- Rob Allen
-----------------------------------------------------------
2001 BMW K1200LTC "BatGirl"
2004 Suzuki DRZ125L
2005 Suzuki DRZ200 Dual Sport
-----------------------------------------------------------
Be strong enough to stand firm when you're right,
Be humble enough to admit when you're wrong,
And be wise enough to know the difference.