Sofuoglu makes tracks at Istanbul MotoGP circuit

20/4/2005

Yamaha Motor Germany's Turkish superstock rider Kenan Sofuoglu had the honour of
taking the first lap of the newly built race track of Istanbul, Turkey which
will hold the first ever Turkish MotoGP race on October 23.

Despite the fact that the circuit is far from ready, about 1000 men are still
working non-stop to get it finished, Kenan rode a lap on a standard YZF-R1 to
get a first impression on its lay-out. According to the 20-year-old, who has
become a major star in his home country, the circuit will provide a stiff
challenge for the MotoGP stars. "My first impressions are very positive it's
seems to become a great circuit and very challenging," he said. "It's undulating
and there is even a section similar to the famous Corkscrew corner of the Laguna
Seca race track in the US."

Also in attendance was Turkish Prime Minister. Recep Taytip Erdogan. The
statesman and a delegation of the parliament were not only impressed by Kenan's
wheelie antics, Mr. Erdogan showed big interest in motorsports and Kenan's
function as role model for Turkish motorcycle racers. He has promised to try to
find a gap in his busy schedule to visit one of Kenan's races this season.

While Kenan has ambitions to race in MotoGP himself on day, this weekend he
starts his quest to win the 2005 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup. The winner of the 2002
German Yamaha R6 cup, Kenan finished third last year in his rookie season on the
R1 season, behind his fellow YZF-R1 competitors Lorenzo Alfonsi and Gianluca
Vizziello. With both the Italians moving on to the superbike class, Sofuoglu
will start the year as one of the favourites for the title.

"I want to win the title this year as a step to greater things to come, but the
competition will be hard," added the likeable youngster. "We have had some very
good tests, but only the first race this weekend at Valencia will prove exactly
where we stand."