doug in action at fontana on the hmc ducati in 2002 image by tim huntington

Q. You recently rode the No Limits Honda. What did you think?

A. Well, I don't think they were legitimate bikes. We had one of last year's 600s and then a stock 954. It was more of a get together deal, meet, talk and work together a little bit with the guys. We were just kind of getting started.

Q. There is talk that you might ride some Superbike on the 954.

A. With the way that the rules are, possibly, yeah. For sure I'd like to do Daytona just because I have not yet won that one. And if we can get the quick-change stuff and a bike that shows promise, that's the one that I would really like to do. If not some more. It all depends on how competitive we can get the bike.

Q. So, you're thinking that a 954 in 2003 Superbike trim could be competitive? Opinions are all over the map on whether a 1000cc could actually win races.

A. Possibly. I think the weight is going to be the same as a Superbike (750/1000cc), and I want to say that the horsepower should be pretty close; it's just a matter if we can get the thing to work around a track.

Q. Who will crewchief the No Limits effort next year?

A. That's still up in the air, they're talking to different people. Hopefully we'll have something sorted by the end of the week.

Q. You've been linked to Gary Medley over the past five or six years.

A. He's definitely a possibility that I would like to see, simply because anything new, it makes it easier if you bring guys with you. It speeds up the process.

Q. Where is the No Limits Honda team based?

A. They're based in Southern California, sort of out by Magic Mountain. So, Vegas wasn't too awful far for them to get to.

Q. And that'd be driving distance from Med's house in So-Cal.

A. Yep.

Q. Would you be frustrated by racing a Formula Extreme and 600 program without Superbike?

A. My ultimate goal is to still race Superbike, to win races and possibly try for a fourth Superbike championship.

The way it is now, the rules, it's kind of funky. If I can't race Superbike this year then maybe next year. Ultimately, I think it would have been better to merge Superbike and Formula Extreme and have a better fill. I don't know, maybe that's what they have planned for the future.