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More World Superbike Notes
 

Chili and ?? at Suzuki
Rejuvenated Pier-Francesco Chili will continue with the Suzuki factory team in the year 2000 World Superbike championship although his team-mate is still to be named. Katsuaki Fujiwara has raced alongside the popular Italian in the Alstare-run squad this year but the Japanese rider is expected to be replaced for 2000. A best finish of sixth place at the Nurburgring, Germany in June is likely to be improved upon when Fujiwara contests the final round at Sugo in Japan on October 10 but it is understood replacements are already been discussed. Japanese riders Keiichi Kitigawa and Akira Ryo remain in the frame for the ride.
 

Gobert linked to Yamaha
Anthony Gobert is being linked with a possible return to the World Superbike championship with the Yamaha factory team. Gobert, seemingly unwanted by the factory Ducati team, would ride alongside Noriyuki Haga with Vittoriano Guareschi relegated to a kitted bike or even a Supersport ride with the Milan, Italy-based team. The move for Gobert would ironically mean he teams up with the exciting Haga - dubbed the Japanese Gobert when he first hit the world scene at the end of 1997.
 

British Ducati teams look to World Superbike championship
A change in organization and management of the British Superbike championship may lead to two of the biggest teams pulling out. Both the Red Bull Ducati and INS Ducati teams have said they need guaranteed terrestrial television coverage if they are to stay. At present the series has 30-minute packaged highlights on BBC television's peak viewing time, major sports show Grandstand. However, the series is now being controlled by a new organization, led by Brands Hatch chief executive Nicola Foulston who says negotiations for the year 2000 television coverage are still taking place. The problem stems from British satellite channel SKY Sports which has reached the end of its contract to screen the World Superbike series. Three terrestrial channels in Britain are believed to be keen to screen the World Superbike championship - until this is resolved the British championship does not have coverage. Both Red Bull and INS have said they would consider a switch to the World Superbike championship from 2000.
 

Two South African rounds for 2000
The World Superbike championship may have two races in South Africa in 2000 with the series opener again expected to be at Kyalami. A second South African round would be at Welkom, one week before the Laguna Seca event. The World Superbike championship is expected to be extended from 13 to 14 rounds in 2000.
 

Sidecars at Laguna Seca
The World Sidecar championship could be returning to Laguna Seca circuit in 2000. Now firmly a part of the World Superbike package the sidecar championship will be at all European rounds of the Superbike championship plus some of the rounds outside Europe. "We're looking at joining the Superbikes in South Africa, America and Australia," said sidecar teams' boss Theo van Kempen.
 

Ducati chasing Capirossi
Ducatis is believed to have made a big money offer to 250cc world champion Loris Capirossi to join Carl Fogarty in its World Superbike team for the year 2000. Although Capirossi is said to be undecided about the move he has made his comments clear about the amount of money factory World Superbike riders earn - a fact which took the diminutive Italian by surprise. If Capirossi does not agree to the deal it is expected Ducati will re-sign Troy Corser for 2000.

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