DUCATI US-FACTORY TEAM ON DUNLOPS FOR 2005 AMA
 

Ducati Corse Press
Ducati Corse wishes to announce that its US-based Factory Team has chosen to use Dunlop tyres for the 2005 and 2006 AMA Superbike championships.

The agreement means that the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin pairing of Eric Bostrom and new signing Neil Hodgson will race their factory Ducati 999R machines on Dunlop tyres in the 11-round/18-race series.

Neil Hodgson will get his first chance to test the 2005 “package” at the Ducati Corse development tests organised at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) on December 16-17. Both riders will then continue their preparation for the new season at Daytona from January 3-5.

Ducati Corse would like to express its gratitude to Michelin, the team’s partner for 2004, for their valuable collaboration which culminated in Eric Bostrom’s pole position at Daytona, two second places at Fontana and a win at Pike’s Peak.

......Interesting.....

GP now bridgestone
AMA dunlop (although factory means US really)
WSB ?

Seems Michelin aren't flavour of the month in Bologna

Or as mentioned before elsewhere on this site, Michelin pulled the plug because the Ducati Factory Team remained in WSBK.

Don't always assume that the race team get to choose the tyres they want to race on.

Some tyre manufacturers choose the race teams/manufacturers they want to support.

Sometimes there is a deal involving OEM supply for the road bikes.

Didn't it used to said that when WSB went to Laguna that it was "dunlop country" so was Sugo.

Ray.

Unlucky Neil - you're coming nowhere again, just like I predicted :lol:

Neil used Dunlops when riding for GSE

Aye, but things change a lot in 4 years. Last time he rode on them was on a 996 in 2000. Last time he rode a 999 it was on Michelins with specially developed fronts. He's got a lot of catching up to do...

So when WSB goes stateside will Hodgson take part as he would have to run Pirellis if he did. The current rules does spoil it for the wildcards and in that respect spoils it a bit for the home fans.

err?? Think you need to check the AMA results. American circuits are even more Dunlop circuits than the UK. I think Dunlop won every race bar one this year, - the only reason Ducati did not do better this year was due to the Michelins. You have to remember that Michelin have for years thrown all of their effort into World Championships, - WSBK and GP, - they have left domestic racing alone. I would say that the only reason that Hodgson agreed to do AMA was that he knew about the Dunlop deal. Now he has a chance to win races.

Does n't take a genius to work out that Michelin are not on the Ducati Christmas card list this year. - Live by the sword then prepare to die by it.

Skids, - don't think AMA boys will do Laguna, - actually I think it is off of the WSBK calander??

[Edited on 9-12-2004 by Ian]

Erm, what about 2001, 2002 wsbk GSE on Dunlops?

In US, 80% of the tracks are Dunlop tracks.

2-3 weeks ago, Hodgson rode a 2004 999 FO4 with the Fila boyz ;)

Best you check some facts! :P

Kev, whats the avtar? 600 SS or summat?