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WORLD SUPERBIKE PADDOCK GOSSIP
news, views and rumors from across the pond
Tire concern at Hockenheim
Major tire manufacturers Michelin and Dunlop were caught out by the excessive air and track temperatures at the 12th round of the World Superbike championship, at Hockenheim in Germany. The tire technicians were concerned at the amount of heat building up in the tires as riders reach speeds of 190 mph in the two races at the spectacular, high speed track. Although the tire companies refused to admit the problem publicly, Troy Corser was forced out of the first race with a rear tire problem and Peter Goddard's last lap crash in the first race is also believed to have been caused by a rear tire problem. One technician said: "It's not a problem we can't handle but we could have made tires specifically for the heat had we forecast the high temperatures."
The problems at Hockenheim do highlight the problem of prototype GP four-strokes which could produce more than 60 bhp more than a superbike at the rear wheel.
Harris set for World Supersport
New European Superstock champion Karl Harris is likely to move into the World Supersport championship next year with Ducati and Suzuki favorite to get the 19-year-old British rider's signature on a contract. Harris won the inaugural European Superstock series on a 750cc Suzuki. He impressed enough at the start of the nine-round series to be handed a World Supersport chance mid season when the Endoug Suzuki team's regular rider Yves Briguet was injured. Harris stepped in and was quickly establishing himself as a hot young talent.
The day he clinched the European title with victory at Hockenheim in Germany he also came a creditable fourth in the World Supersport championship, having qualified in fifth place.
Chambon and Pirovano stay Alstare
New World Supersport champion Stephane Chambon and last year's champion Fabrizio Pirovano are expected to remain with the Alstare Suzuki team for the year 2000 championship. Chambon wrapped up this year's title with a round to go while Pirovano finished seventh after an injury-hit season for the 38-year-old Italian.
Xaus the hot property - with nowhere to go ?
Sensational Ruben Xaus is expected to stay in the World Supersport championship next year with no World Superbike places available to the Spaniard. Xaus won one race, finished runner-up in three and spent the early part of the year crashing his Dee Cee Jeans Yamaha R6. He took fifth place in the series and at 21 years of age is considered one of the hot properties in the Supersport series.
MacPherson joined by Pitt
Kawasaki's Iain MacPherson will no longer be the sole rider in the factory's official World Supersport championship team from 2000. Scotsman MacPherson - second in this year's championship - will be joined by 23-year-old Australian Andrew Pitt. Pitt has impressed during his debut season in the Australian Superbike championship and has been signed by the Harald Eckl-run factory squad for 2000. It is believed that former Kawasaki World Superbike team manager Peter Doyle - now the Australian Kawasaki team manager - was influential in setting up Pitt's move.
Edwards and Slight to stay at Castrol Honda ?
Rumors at Hockenheim suggested Colin Edwards and Aaron Slight will remain with the Castrol Honda team for the year 2000 season. Both riders tested the VTR SP1 - or RTV RC51 as it's know in America - in pre-season testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. "It's a great bike and should be able to challenge for the title," said Edwards.
Teuchert and Kellner up for grabs
Yamaha Germany's decision to withdraw from the World Supersport championship after just one season has left its riders, Jorg Teuchert and Christian Kellner looking for rides in 2000. Teuchert has been a revelation of the series. Relatively unknown at the start of the campaign, he scored wins Spain and Austrian and finished fourth in the championship. Kellner's sixth place in the series was highlighted with a second place to Teuchert at the A-1 Ring in Austria.
Kocinski's Aprilia offer
Former World Superbike champion John Kocinski is believed to have been offered a ride alongside Peter Goddard in the factory Aprilia team for 2000. Kocinski, the champion in 1997, has had a difficult 1999 season in a private, Erv Kanemoto-run 500 GP team and the Superbike offer may tempt Kocinski. Simon Crafar, who tested the Aprilia at Mugello in Italy last month, has also been linked with the vacant Aprilia seat. It is also understood that Ralf Waldmann has turned down the ride but may still appear on the RSV1000 as a wild card rider at two rounds in 2000.
Kocinski's price tag for next year? He's told team insiders he'll cost 1-1.5 million US.
Fogarty to stay Ducati
Carl Fogarty has dismissed any rumors about his future by confirming he will be with the same Davide Tardozzi-run Ducati team in 2000. Fogarty will chase a record fifth World Superbike title after deciding a move to 500 GPs was not for him. "Eight years ago I was beating Criville and Barros and a load of today's GP regulars and that was the time for me switch," says Fogarty. "The opportunity wasn't there then and it isn't really there now, just a load of talk about a possible Doohan team place - I don't think Mick Doohan even knows what he's doing next year. "I know I would need a year to learn how to ride a 500 and I haven't got that time. Plus, I'm not sure I want to be back in a GP paddock. I didn't enjoy the atmosphere the last time I rode in 500 GPs and right now Superbike is where I want to be, it's a growing series but remaining friendly."
Muggeridge heading for World Supersport
Talented Australian Karl Muggeridge is expected to move from his Castrol Honda British championship team to the World Supersport arena in the year 2000. The 23-year-old was given the chance to ride for the Dutch G.Ten Kate team in the last two World Supersport rounds this year. He took fourth place at Assen in Holland before retiring from the German final round with clutch trouble. Muggeridge says he has at least three options for the 2000 World Supersport championship.
Kawasaki to stay the same
Akira Yanagawa and Gregorio Lavilla are expected to continue their partnership in the factory Kawasaki team in next year's World Superbike championship. With one round remaining Yanagawa is fifth in the points standings with Lavilla eighth.
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