Knowledgeable sources say that Pascal Picotte is very close to cutting a deal with the Austin Bell County Superbike race team to race their Ducati Superbike in 2002.

Picotte was fired from the HMC Ducati team after Daytona.

If the deal does come to fruition, which is a fairly large if at the moment, Picotte will be riding a mix of 2000/2001 and 2002 equipment, some of it purchased from HMC.

The team would like to have bikes on track next week at Fontana, and were at HMC today picking up machines and parts. They are in the process of hiring new crew as well.

For it all to come together and have the bikes on track next week at Fontana will be a major undertaking.