More Afternoon Moto News - Yamaha Slashes 1000 Jobs & Ducshop Racing

Yamaha Motor Company is having to take further cuts to their workforce due to their continuing financial woes - due to the worldwide recession. These lay-offs actually include the earlier announcement of 800 job cuts in Japan, but they are also taking 200 more away from their foreign operations. Yamaha will also close 12 parts factories in Shizuoka prefecture. Let's hope that their sales pick up this year and they can hire back some of the people they are losing now.

http://tinyurl.com/yevjnbm

Ducshop Racing will be fielding two Ducati 848 motorcycles in the 2010 AMA Pro Racing Daytona SportBike class. Their two riders will be Jake Holden and Ducati test rider Dario Marchetti. Of course, they are using many products from their own catalog to improve the bikes, but the rules only allow so much. They will be in Daytona for the Daytona 200 race weekend and will be participating in all race activities.

http://tinyurl.com/ykfl2zc

Update from Phillip Island - Other Races Held Today at the Grand Prix Meeting

The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) is run in conjunction with the MotoGP visit at Phillip Island. There were several races today - and even an American was competing in the events. AMA Racing Superbike racer Jake Holden made the trip Down Under to join the superbike race and he finished fifth. Australian Wayne Maxwell dominated the same race, though, and took top spot on the podium. Check the link for other results and the schedule of ASBK races on Saturday...

http://tinyurl.com/yfbpegm