After an amazingly successful test run in 2004 with six teams, the mother of motoring adventures is preparing to roll out for a second time. The challenge is to drive a car with an engine smaller than one litre, from the east end of London to the east end of the world: Mongolia.

But the Mongol Rally 2005 is no re-run; on 30 July, around 70 teams made up of two drivers and a car most people wouldn’t rely on to get to work will leave from the launch party in London to face an even tougher task. The route has been revised to take in a more challenging course through more countries, including Central Asia’s finest mountains; the central Tian Shan mountain range in Kyrgyzstan. The mountains here are geologically young, resulting in physical terrain marked by sharply uplifted peaks separated by deep valleys - just one of the hot spots of the rally!

The Mongolian Ambassador to the UK waved off last year’s teams on a mild summer evening as they set off to take on a true beast. Three weeks later, a few cars down and very dusty they reached their destination, becoming the first to complete the Mongol Rally. This year’s rally is expected to take a similar amount of time and will also culminate with a black tie ball to celebrate the finish in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaan Baatar.

The Mongol Rally is a charity event with each team raising £1000. The huge amount of money expected to be raised will once again be donated to ‘Send a Cow’, an innovative organisation based in Bath that combats poverty in Africa by supplying poor rural communities with livestock, training and advice to help them become more self-reliant (see www.sendacow.org.uk for more details). The Rally is also working with the Mongolian Embassy to find a beneficial use for the rally cars that make it to Mongolia.

Speaking about the forthcoming event, organiser Tom Morgan said, “I can’t wait. Last year’s rally was incredible; storming through the Kazakh desert covered in dirt with no roads and no real idea of where you are or where you’re going is quite an experience. This year we’ve made the route even better with more off-road action and it goes through even more countries.”

“The ‘crap car’ concept behind the rally works really well,” he continued. “Granted some of the teams won’t make it, but you can’t call it an adventure if you’re in a big 4×4 and the only thing that can go wrong is forgetting to fill the tank. The Mongol Rally is about adventure - there are too many travel guides telling you ‘everything you need to know’ about more or less everywhere on our planet, there is no mystery left in the world. Space exploration is slightly out of most mortal’s budgets, so to experience adventure you’ve got to make things a bit difficult for yourself; hence the Mongol Rally was born.”

Asked about the 2004 rally, one competetor said, “I’ve done a lot of travelling but I’ve never felt so adventurous and so free as I did driving to Mongolia. If you want to break loose and spend a month living on your own wits then I know of nothing else like it.”

Notes to Editors:

- Mongol Rally is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers

- The event came about after event organiser, Tom Morgan, bought a car in Prague and decided to try and drive it to Mongolia. He did not make it this time but the seeds of Mongol Rally had been sown

- Just 6 cars took part in the rally last year. This July up to 70 teams (140 people) are expected to set out for Mongolia in cars powered by an engine of 1 litre or less

- Participants are not spoon fed by Rally organisers; those who sign up receive limited guidance from the organisers and have to organise their own campaigns

- The Mongol Rally is an ambassador for independent travel

Contacts and further information:
See our event website www.mongolrally.com for more details.

Just when it seemed nobody could stop Ricky Carmichael, who was enjoying a five race winning streak in the THQ AMA Supercross Series, defending champion Chad Reed took his first victory of the season last weekend in San Diego. This Saturday, February 26, the 22-year-old Australian is hoping to start a winning streak of his own as the series move into the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Reed breathed new life into the championship run by moving his Yamaha past the Suzuki of series leader Ricky Carmichael on the final lap in San Diego. Reed is hoping to repeat what he did in the second half of 2003 when he closed out the year with six-straight wins. It���s going to take that kind of run for Reed to have a chance to catch three-time AMA Supercross champ Ricky Carmichael, the rider from Havana, Fla., who has sprinted to his best start ever, winning five of the seven rounds coming into the Georgia Dome. Despite losing to Reed last week Carmichael holds a commanding 29-point lead in the series over Reed.

The exciting last-lap pass and win last week in San Diego is certain to go down as one of the most memorable victories for Reed. He appeared moved in accepting the trophy on the podium.

���I���ve asked a lot of my team this year,��� Reed said after winning San Diego. ���They���ve risen to the occasion and this win is a credit to them. I never expected it would take so long get a win this year and hopefully this will be the first of many more this season.���

Reed���s victory last weekend was the 19th of his career and it tied him with Damon Bradshaw for sixth on the all-time AMA Supercross wins list.

Carmichael crashed trying to re-pass Reed in San Diego, but was able to remount his Makita Suzuki and still salvage second. While not thrilled with his performance Carmichael seemed to take his first loss in six races in stride.

���Chad rode a great race and I got beat plain and simple,��� Carmichael admitted. ���The loss will give me the incentive to go home and practice that much harder. Sometimes when you win so often you start to lose some motivation and this is the kind of thing that will keep me motivated to continue to improve.���

Carmichael will try to give Suzuki its first Atlanta Supercross win since 1983.

Veteran Mike LaRocco moved back into third in the standings over Amsoil Chaparral Honda teammate Kevin Windham after taking third last weekend. LaRocco is a former Atlanta Supercross winner.

The AMA 125 East Supercross Series will resume with round two in Atlanta. Georgia���s own Davi Millsaps leads the standings after winning the 125 East opener in Indianapolis on his factory Suzuki a few weeks ago. Millsaps, of Cairo, Ga., just turned 17 last week and one of the leading up-and-coming riders in the series. If Millsaps is to hang on to his series lead he will have to hold off former AMA Motocross Champion Grant Langston, who comes into Atlanta ranked second, and Josh Hansen, a second generation pro racer who is third in the series.

Matt Walker, of McDonough, Ga., is another home state hero in the 125 class. Walker comes into Atlanta ranked fifth.

The Atlanta Supercross will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 starting at 5 pm EST on Sunday, Feb, 27.

Tickets for the event are available at the Georgia Dome Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, all participating Yamaha dealers, or you can charge by phone at 404-249-6400.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2005 THQ AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES
QUALCOMM STADIUM, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA ��� FEBRUARY 19, 2005

250 Supercross Main event results
Pos. No. Rider name Hometown Bike Lap Pts Sponsors
1 22 Chad Reed Dade City, FL Yamaha YZ250 20 25 Yamaha Motor
2 4 Ricky Carmichael Havana, FL Suzuki RM250 20 22 American Suzuki Motor Corp / Makita / Bridgestone
3 5 Mike Larocco Corona, CA Honda CR250R 20 20 Amsoil Chaparral Honda
4 12 David Vuillemin Murrieta, CA Yamaha YZ250 19 18 Yamaha Motor Corp / Bridgestone
5 14 Kevin W Windham Centreville, MS Honda CRF450R 19 16 Amsoil Chaparral
6 103 Sebastien Tortelli Lake Elsinore, CA Suzuki RMZ450 19 15 American Suzuki Motor Corp / Makita / Bridgestone
7 26 Michael Byrne Murrieta, CA Kawasaki KX250 19 14 Kawasaki Motocross Racing
8 13 Heath D Voss Mico, TX Yamaha YZ450F 19 13 Yamaha, No Fear, Spy, Gaerne, Bridgestone
9 70 Travis A Preston Hesperia, CA Honda CRF450R 19 12 American Honda Motor Co Inc
10 2 Jeremy A Mcgrath Encinitas, CA Honda CR250R 19 11 American Honda Motor Co, Inc
11 20 Damon W Huffman Valencia, CA Honda CRF450R 19 10 TeamECC.com / Honda / AXO / Jardine / Honda Pro Chemicals /
12 47 Tyler D Evans Corona, CA Suzuki RM250 18 9 Evans Ent Group
13 57 Erick Vallejo Garland, TX Yamaha YZ250 18 8 Star Racing / Yamaha / Fly / WPS / NCY / Bobby J’s Yamaha /
14 55 Joseph W Oehlhof Hesperia, CA Honda CRF450R 18 7 Subway / Coca Cola / Answer / DGY / Michelin / Scott / Pro
15 56 Isaiah V Johnson Albuquerque, NM Yamaha YZ250 18 6 Star Racing / Yamaha / Fly / WPS / NCY / Bobby J’s Yamaha /
16 97 Robert S Kiniry Skaneateles, NY Honda CRF250R 18 5 TeamECC.com / Honda / AXO / Jardine / Honda Pro Chemicals /
17 24 Ernesto Fonseca Murrieta, CA Honda CR250R 18 4 American Honda Motor Corp
18 782 Michael G Young Palmdale, CA Honda CRF450R 17 3 Competitive Edge MX / Answer / Z Gallerie / Motoshow.com /
19 90 Brian S Mason Columbia, IL Honda CRF450R 17 2 MX Privateer.net / SoCal Racing / Interlakes Sports Center / Hot
20 33 Jason W Thomas Melrose, FL Honda CRF450R 12 1 Subway / Coca Cola / Answer / DGY / Michelin / Scott / Pro
RACE TIME: 17:20.22 min.
WINNER’S AVG. LAP TIME: 00:52.0

Heat race 1 results
Pos. No. Rider name Hometown Bike Lap Sponsors
1 22 Chad Reed Dade City, FL Yamaha YZ250 8 Yamaha Motor
2 14 Kevin W Windham Centreville, MS Honda CRF450R 8 Amsoil Chaparral
3 12 David Vuillemin Murrieta, CA Yamaha YZ250 8 Yamaha Motor Corp / Bridgestone
4 2 Jeremy A Mcgrath Encinitas, CA Honda CR250R 8 American Honda Motor Co, Inc
5 13 Heath D Voss Mico, TX Yamaha YZ450F 8 Yamaha, No Fear, Spy, Gaerne, Bridgestone
6 103 Sebastien Tortelli Lake Elsinore, CA Suzuki RMZ450 8 American Suzuki Motor Corp / Makita / Bridgestone
7 70 Travis A Preston Hesperia, CA Honda CRF450R 8 American Honda Motor Co Inc
8 912 Stephan Demartis Murietta, CA Yamaha YZ250 8 FMF / Fly / Electric / Tag / One / 661
9 782 Michael G Young Palmdale, CA Honda CRF450R 8 Competitive Edge MX / Answer / Z Gallerie / Motoshow.com /
10 55 Joseph W Oehlhof Hesperia, CA Honda CRF450R 8 Subway / Coca Cola / Answer / DGY / Michelin / Scott / Pro
11 20 Damon W Huffman Valencia, CA Honda CRF450R 8 TeamECC.com / Honda / AXO / Jardine / Honda Pro Chemicals /
12 80 Doug Dehaan Thorndale, ON Honda CRF450R 8 Butler Bros / MSR / Air Nautics
13 38 Ryan D Clark Waddell, AZ Yamaha YZ250 7 Team Solitaire.Com / Fly Racing
14 156 William A Browning Rushville, OH Suzuki RM250 7 American Suzuki / Bikesellerz.com / Sport Cycles Racing / Mays
15 965 Antonio Balbi Junior Riverside, CA Honda CRF450R 7 ONE / Tag / Fox / MotoBH / Enzo Racing / Zela?� / John Burr
16 125 Daniel M Blair Corona, CA Yamaha YZ250 7 Yamaha / Pro Circuit / AXO / Utopia / Powerhouse
17 133 Kris R Papworth American Fork, UT Suzuki RM250 7 Bikesellerz.com / shot / 1FX / American Suzuki / Pro Circuit /
18 977 Pierrick Paget Legna, Yamaha YZ250 2 Yamaha / Moto Evasion / Eafit / Bridgestone / Renthal / DID / 3P
19 524 Brandon W Butler Gainesville, FL Honda CRF450R 2 Champions Honda / Air Nautique / UF / ASMF / Serious / MSR /
20 81 Thomas L Hofmaster Grand Prairie, TX Suzuki RM250 0-DNF Motoworld Racing.com / Suzuki / Fly / Healthy Fontana / Young
RACE TIME: 7:07.76 min.
WINNER’S AVG. LAP TIME: 00:53.5

Heat race 2 results
Pos. No. Rider name Hometown Bike Lap Sponsors
1 24 Ernesto Fonseca Murrieta, CA Honda CR250R 8 American Honda Motor Corp
2 26 Michael Byrne Murrieta, CA Kawasaki KX250 8 Kawasaki Motocross Racing
3 5 Mike Larocco Corona, CA Honda CR250R 8 Amsoil Chaparral Honda
4 47 Tyler D Evans Corona, CA Suzuki RM250 8 Evans Ent Group
5 56 Isaiah V Johnson Albuquerque, NM Yamaha YZ250 8 Star Racing / Yamaha / Fly / WPS / NCY / Bobby J’s Yamaha /
6 28 Sean D Hamblin Murrieta, CA Kawasaki KX250 8
7 159 Jiri Dostal Murrieta, CA Honda CRF450R 8 MX Privateer.net / SoCal Racing / Interlakes Sports Center / Hot
8 73 Justin Buckelew Riverside, CA Honda CR250R 8 Moto XXX / FunBikeCenter / Oneal / TiLube / Dunlop
9 90 Brian S Mason Columbia, IL Honda CRF450R 8 MX Privateer.net / SoCal Racing / Interlakes Sports Center / Hot
10 57 Erick Vallejo Garland, TX Yamaha YZ250 8 Star Racing / Yamaha / Fly / WPS / NCY / Bobby J’s Yamaha /
11 46 Clark Stiles Athens, AL Honda CRF450R 8 MX Privateer.net / SoCal Racing / Interlakes Sports Center / Hot
12 586 Dennis J Ewing Lake Elsinore, CA Honda CRF450R 8 Team ECC.COM / CPR / Troy Lee Designs / Utopia
13 52 Keith R Johnson Albuquerque, NM Yamaha YZ250 7 Star Racing / Yamaha / Fly / WPS / NCY / Bobby J’s Yamaha /
14 97 Robert S Kiniry Skaneateles, NY Honda CRF250R 7 TeamECC.com / Honda / AXO / Jardine / Honda Pro Chemicals /
15 426 Chris L Barrett Pinon Hills, CA Honda CRF450R 7 Maxxis / Yoshimura / Outlaw Racing / Factory R&D / Smith /
16 33 Jason W Thomas Melrose, FL Honda CRF450R 7 Subway / Coca Cola / Answer / DGY / Michelin / Scott / Pro
17 4 Ricky Carmichael Havana, FL Suzuki RM250 4 American Suzuki Motor Corp / Makita / Bridgestone
18 544 Forrest R Butler Miami, FL

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Feb. 17, 2005) — AMA Pro Racing and Clear Channel Motorsports have announced that Friday practice for this weekend���s San Diego round of the THQ AMA Supercross Series has been cancelled due to impending weather. In making the announcement, AMA Pro Racing SX/MX Series Manager Steve Whitelock said the decision was made in the interest of protecting the integrity of the track. ���If we get serious rain on Friday and destroy the track during practice that will negatively impact Saturday���s program including both main events,��� said Whitelock.

“We���ve had our eye on the regional weather forecast all week and there���s a very strong possibility that we���ll get hit with a storm as early as this evening. By taking this step now we can protect the track as long as possible and help ensure a good show for the fans on Saturday.���

Saturday���s schedule, including practice and qualifying heats, is expected to run as planned. Severe weather could impact the event schedule further. Additional information will be issued if necessary.

The Motocross Of Nations is the oldest official motocross race. Established in 1947, the event is the ancestor of all the Grands Prix events produced by the Federation Internationale Motocycliste.

This years event takes place September 24 & 25 in Ernee France and Canada will once again field a team to take part in this prestigious event. Last years team of Blair Morgan, Dusty Klatt and Jean-Sebastien Roy finished in 8th place, Canada���s best finish ever and we have an even higher goal in 2005.

The Motocross Of Nations is the single most important event on the World Calendar and exposes our riders to representatives from most nations with Motocross programs and all the Manufacturers and many Sponsors. Most of the worlds publications write about the event for months afterward and as well, it receives more pre-promotion than any other event.

The MXON fund established to assist the team in 2004 is accepting donations for the 2005 event. In addition, an effort is underway to form an organization that will support and encourage the participation of more Canadian riders in International competition outside North America. Hopefully this organization will give further support to our 2005 MXON effort.

There will also be an effort this year to have Canadian fans attend the event to support our team riders. Information for those interested will be available throughout the summer.

Donations to this years team can be made at any branch of the Bank of Montreal, by mail, or credit card by phoning 519 794-2434 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday Eastern Time. Those making donations at a bank should contact us at motopark@log.on.ca or by phone letting us know the amount of donation, date and name it should be listed under.

BANKING INFORMATION MAILING ADDRESS
Name of Account: Motocross Of Nations Fund Motocross Of Nations Fund
Bank of Montreal 622794 MotoPark Rd.
899-2nd Ave. East Chatsworth, Ontario, Canada
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada N0H 1G0
N4K 5P3 Tel. 519 794-2434
Transit Number 00322 Fax 519 794-4750
Account # 1040-134 email motopark@log.on.ca
ABA for U. S. transfers only Official Website
026007760 www.mxforum.com

The 2004 Z1R Helmets WMA Cup, presented by DGY.com, will be featured on this week�?s 2 Wheel Tuesday Show, February 1st, on the Speed Channel.

The segment will include race coverage of some the best women�?s pro motocross racing ever, including the remarkable rides of Tarah Gieger and
Jessica Patterson who both defeat Steffi Laier, the KTM rider from Germany, who previously dominated every women�?s pro moto she entered, with Gieger taking top honors.

The 2004 Z1R Helmets WMA Cup was held at the Cycle Ranch MX Park, Floresville, TX, November 28, 2004.

For more information on WMA Pro Racing visit www.womensmxassociation.com

The segment on the Z1R Helmets WMA Cup that was scheduled to air in today�?s 2 Wheel Tuesday Show, on the Speed Channel, has been moved to February 15th.

Thank you,
WMA