WORLDSUPERBIKE PRE SUGO NEWS AND NOTES
Capirossi talks increase
Further to the initial rumours regarding a possible move to the Ducati World Superbike team for Loris Capirossi, the speculation increases with the news that Troy Corser is seeking alternative employment.
Although Corser's place in the Ducati team alongside Carl Fogarty would be safe if Capirossi turns down the move from 250 GPs, it leaves the Australian with no alternative and he is believed to have contacted a number of teams with regard to the year 2000 season.
Okada linked with Superbike
Honda's Tadayuki Okada has been linked with a World Superbike ride on Honda's new RC51 but the Japanese star - winner of Sunday's Australian 500cc grand prix - is almost certain to stay with the Repsol Honda squad for 2000.
Okada has done much of the development and testing on the 1000cc VTR machine which will spearhead Honda's year 2000 World Superbike campaign.
He has also been rumoured to be setting up his own, two-man 500cc team. However, with Mick Doohan's injury leaving the five times champion's future uncertain, it is likely Honda will keep Okada to partner its other potential title winner Alex Criville.
The third Repsol Honda rider, Sete Gibernau continues to be linked with a possible third place at Suzuki for 2000.
Xaus talent spotted
Ducati scored a coup on the opposition with its signing of talented Spanish rider Ruben Xaus last week.
The 21-year-old was the sensation of this year's World Supersport series and he will now partner former champion Paolo Casoli in the class in the year 2000.
Xaus was known to be a target for Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda teams for the 2000 campaign.
Both Xaus and Casoli will race Ducati's new 748 machine in the series which runs alongside the World Superbike championship.
Riba chased by Yamaha
Castrol Honda's Pere Riba could be on his way to Yamaha for the 2000 World Supersport championship season.
The Spanish rider took Honda's best result of the 1999 series with a third place in the Albacete round in Spain in May.
It is unclear of Yamaha's plans and who Riba would replace. In 1999 Yamaha ran Massimo Meregalli and Piergiorgio Bontempi in the Supersport class but both riders' suffered arm and wrist injuries in the 11-round series, missing vital races.
Three-wheeled Cars gain factory support
The World Sidecar championship will again run alongside the World Superbike, World Supersport and European Superstock championships in 2000 but next year could feature factory-supported teams for the first time.
Two of the UK teams are to receive assistance from Honda, one with a Blackbird motor and the other using a Fireblade engine.
Isle of Man TT specialist Dave Molyneux will enter the world championship using the 1100cc Honda Blackbird engine.
And Steve Abbott, third in the 1999 world sidecar series, will use the new 930cc Fireblade motors. Both crews will be supported by Honda UK.
World Sidecar championship rules mean all machines must be four-stroke for the 2001 series. This is a move which has annoyed two-stroke powered Klaus Klaffenbock and passenger Adolf Hanni who finished 1999 championship runners up. Hanni owns the ADM company which manufacturers the 500cc two-stroke motors.
Ryo or Kitigawa for Suzuki?
Katsuaki Fujiwara's brief World Superbike career is expected to be at least temporarily halted at the end of this year and two Japanese riders are in the frame to replace their fellow countryman.
Akira Ryo and Keiichi Kitigawa are thought to have been shortlisted to replace Fujiwara in the Alstare Coronas factory team alongside Pier-Francesco Chili.
It is thought that the Belgian-based squad can choose one rider and the Japanese Suzuki factory the other.
VTRs to rescue British Superbike series
With many manufacturers uncertain of their commitment to the year 2000 British Superbike championship Honda has launched a privateers' programme with its new VTR SP1 /RC51 machine.
Honda will offer the machine and race kits to around six leading privateers in an effort to continue the success of the series which has grown in popularity since the introduction of terrestrial television coverage on BBC four years ago.
Honda is expected to announce which teams will receive the support at the NEC Motorcycle Show in Birmingham from November 4 - 14.###
