Once considered the Great Young Hope for American roadracing, Erion Honda rider Mike Hale is struggling to get his career back on track with the Erion team after two years out of motorcycle racing.

"Except for that Ducati I rode last here at the tire test, the only race bike or street machine I've ridden since 1999 was a Vespa," Hale said. The hiatus didn't stop Kevin Erion from signing Hale to ride his 600 Supersport and Formula Xtreme race machines in 2002.

Those that remember Hale's 1995 AMA season with Smokin' Joes Honda will recall it was the one that put him on the map. It lead to big time contracts with Ducati and Suzuki in WSC, then rides with Ferracci Ducati and Team Roberts in Grand Prix. Unfortunately for Hale, he's never replicated his '95 success.

"Maybe it's the tires," Hale said. "I haven't ridden on Dunlops since I left Honda."

So far this week, Hale has taken a cautious approach to getting his on-track swagger back. He's been in the low 1:55 range but more importantly gotten plenty of track time on last year's 600. "We're in the hunt. We've made some changes to the bike and I'm gradually building up my confidence and building up to the point where I can really cut loose."

With more testing to come before the season starts, Hale feels confident things will shake down well at Erion. "The team is great, they've won championships and proven themselves. I've done 49s here on a Superbike, so I know what it takes to go fast here. We'll be in good shape in March," Hale said.