Here I am with the Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties sales reps at JapanÕs Twin Ring Motegi circuit with hosts from Bridgestone.

     The Parts Magazine staff earned lots of airline miles this past month. To get you the event reports you'll see in this issue, we had writers and photographers in many different corners of the planet.
     My assignment was to cover the Parts Unlimited/Drag Specialties sales rep trip to Japan courtesy of hosts Bridgestone Tire and EK Chain. A number of reps from the combined sales force earned their way for the trip to see the facilities of the two companies, as well as experience life in Japan and watch the MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan. I went along to capture the trip on film and see for myself what Japan is all about. That was my first trip there, but hopefully not my last.
     While I was in the Orient, there were a lot of events happening here closer to home. The UP300 dealer trail ride was held for the 6th time up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Dick Burleson and the Moose guys worked with the Parts Unlimited staff and the Sandstormers Motorcycle Club to organize another great trail ride. Kinney Jones sent us his photos from the event, just one of many places he ended up for the month.
     There was still plenty of good racing going on during our production window for this issue. The 125 Motocross National season came down to a thrilling conclusion at Glen Helen. Just when it looked like Ivan Tedesco had the title sewn up, a few things happened on that final day to make it a real nail biter. Be sure to check out that story in this issue.
     With the MX Nationals out of the way, a couple of one-off race events were still to be run and, of course, we were there. Steve Cox made the trip to France to capture the highlights of this year's Motocross des Nations. Thor-sponsored Ivan Tedesco made his first-ever appearance in the event and contributed to America's winning effort.
     Back home, the annual U.S. Open of Supercross in Las Vegas is always a fun event. It normally is looked at as the first race of the new season, but everyone seemed to agree that it really was the last race of the 2005 Supercross/Motocross season. Our Managing Editor Jen Emde was there to capture the highlights. Viva Las Vegas!
     On the business side, a key event for all of us in the Parts Unlimited world is the annual LeMans National Vendor Presentations and Dealer Showcase. Kinney, Jen and myself were all on hand in Wisconsin to talk with the many vendors, sales reps, racing stars and dealers who attended. It was time well spent and the business climate was very positive.
     Yes, it's been a busy year. It seems like a long time ago that we were at the Indy trade show, and Daytona to kickoff 2005. Then in July there was the first-ever running of the fantastic MotoGP machines at Laguna Seca. We covered a lot of miles in 2005 to bring you the stories presented in the magazine. Watch for all that, and more in 2006. We're just getting warmed up!
     In closing, the staff of Parts Magazine wishes you and your family the very best of the holiday season.