Zug, Switzerland / Rome, Italy, 22 February 2008 – The 2008 HANNspree Superbike World Championship launches at the Losail circuit near Doha, Qatar this Saturday under the newly combined commercial direction of its promoter FG Sport and Infront Sports & Media, one of the world’s leading sports marketing companies.

The start of the 2008 SBK series marks Infront’s involvement with the property for the first complete season. As the new majority shareholder in FG Sport, Infront is utilising its extensive capabilities in the areas of host broadcast, new media production, rights distribution, broadcaster servicing and hospitality to elevate the Championship to the next level.

A truly global event
The 21st season of the world’s leading production motorcycle event will be truly global in its scope, with 15 races in 13 countries, covering four continents, visiting the world’s most prestigious racing circuits.

28 permanent riders including stars like Max Biaggi, Troy Bayliss and Noriyuki Haga and 16 teams will take part, involving five bike manufacturers – Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha – making the Superbike World Championship fantastic viewing. The series has an established fan base of considerable size, with more than one million ardent fans expected again to attend the races in the circuit stands.

First race in the US since 2004
For 2008, four new circuits were contracted: The Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City, USA (additional race); the Nürburgring in Germany (replacing EuroSpeedway Lausitz), Portimão in Portugal (replacing Silverstone, Great Britain) and Sentul in Indonesia (additional race – TBC) making this provisionally a 15-round series. The return to the United States on June 1, 2008 will be the first SBK event in the USA since 2004 (at Laguna Seca) and will propose a wider international impact by including the powerful American commercial market with a fanatic following of motor sports.

HANNspree takes over as new title sponsor
The sponsorship hierarchy of the series is led by the new Official Title Sponsor HANNspree, the Taiwan-based electronics giant, which has signed a three year agreement until 2010. The line-up of high-level commercial partners is completed by two Official Top Sponsors – Alfa Romeo (Italy, Automotive) and Pirelli (Italy, Tyres) – and six Official Sponsors, including Arrow (Italy, exhausts for motorcycles), Axo (Italy, rider’s equipment), Bennetts (UK, motorcycle insurance), HannsG (Taiwan, Consumer Electronics), IDS (Luxemburg, IT Distribution), and Pandora Energia (Italy, Power Provider).

Paolo Flammini of FG Sports said: “The Superbike World Championship starts its 21st year with a number of important changes. The agreement with HANNSpree as title sponsor, synergy with important partners such as Alfa Romeo and Pirelli and the high number of riders and manufacturers all indicate strong growth. We are on a path to long-lasting progress and success, which our sponsors will share.”

Infront’s takes an active role
Infront is using its expertise in host broadcasting to enhance coverage of the series and provide new insights for viewers. It is overseeing the host broadcast and new media production through its international production operation, which is structured into two divisions, Host Broadcast Services (HBS) and Infront Production. Infront is also distributing the international media rights. Together with FG Sport, it has secured agreements with more than 30 broadcast partners, ensuring worldwide live, delayed and highlights coverage.

The servicing of broadcasters and satellite coordination is being handled by Infront’s Broadcaster Servicing Team, which will contribute its tremendous expertise from various global sports events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.

In addition, Infront’s investment in FG Sport will create first class hospitality opportunities at all European SBK events, as Infront will utilise its Hospitality services and resources to offer SBK’s stakeholders and clients an unforgettable race experience.

Infront’s Executive Director Summer Sports, Stephan Herth, commented: “Our involvement with this series shows clearly how we are able to exploit synergies with the Infront group’s business areas. Last year, we outlined our development plans for SBK, and we are now implementing what we announced. By deploying our core competencies in this partnership, we will ensure that Superbike becomes ever more successful.”

About HANNspree Superbike World Championship
HANNspree Superbike World Championship is the only road racing World Championship using production motorcycles. The 2008 series is the 21st racing season in the history of the event consisting of 15 races staged in 13 countries. 28 permanent riders from eight countries compete in the Championship.

The series is one of the sport’s fastest growing and most promising properties; highly popular with fans, manufacturers, broadcasters and commercial partners. It is promoted by Rome based FGSPORT Group (managed by Maurizio and Paolo Alberto Flammini) and governed by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). In 2007, FG Sport became part of Infront Sports & Media, one of the world’s leading sports marketing companies, with an international sales network in both media and sponsorship.

2008 HANNspree Superbike World Championship calendar

For further information, please contact:

Jörg Polzer
Manager, Communication & PR
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
press infrontsports.com

www.infrontsports.com

Julian Thomas
SBK Press Office Manager
FGSport
Tel. +39-06-50 96 64 32
Fax +39-06-50 96 64 45
julian.thomas fgsport.com

www.worldsbk.com