Friday Newz

My sources say that Jason Pridmore is very close to signing a deal with Yoshimura Suzuki for 1999. Pridmore has been in negotiations with someone for the past week and that person is heavily rumored to be Suzuki boss Mel Harris. It is thought that Jason will ride a third GSX-R750 Superbike alongside Mat Mladin and Steve Crevier on the Yoshimura squad if the ink dries on that contract.

Harley-Davidson rider Tom Wilson, heavily injured in a crash at Loudon in June, will attend the Vegas round of the championship next week. Wilson will not be riding of course, Mike Smith will be taking his place as he has been doing since Brainerd. Just that Wilson is well enough to attend a race is encouraging news. And for all of you concerned with the cement barrier he hit at Loudon, my sources say the barrier is doing fine and will actually be protected this weekend at the AMA's Grand National race.

The infamous Tony G has not left Australia yet, but will be doing so Saturday (Aus time) and flying to the United States. Remember, Gobert will have to pass an AMA-mandated drug test before he is allowed to race at Vegas.

Vance and Hines Ducati will run three Superbikes at Vegas with Pridmore, Stevens and Gobert all riding Ducati machines. That means there will be six factory Ducatis on the grid: with Ferrach' showing up with three riders, (Kipp, Szoke and Rapp) and a Vance and Hines triple-threat, as well.

And folks, VHR only has a brace of A-bikes, guess who gets em? Nope, wrong. Pridmore, my sources say.

Riders who were unsigned as of this a.m., to my knowledge, are as follows: Larry Pegram, Tommy Hayden, Tom Kipp, Mike Smith, Tom Wilson, Tom Stevens and Tripp Nobles.

-- Dean Adams