Team Suzuki Alstare engaged in talks with Suzuki for 2012 WSBK season – WBSK news
Belgian team Suzuki Alstare is engaged in talks with Suzuki Japan to make plans for the 2012 World Superbike Championship season.
After a tough 2011 WSBK season, the Suzuki team has decided to cut off on its budget for the project. According to reports, Suzuki Japan is considering to reduce its participation with the team.
A representative from Alstare said, “At the moment, Suzuki Japan has not made their final decision regarding the 2012 World Superbike Championship. Currently, Suzuki Japan is able to offer Alstare the current bikes and spares, but is not in a position to
provide funds for research and development. Furthermore any parts that Suzuki produces in 2012 would have to be purchased.”
During the 2010 WSBK season, Suzuki claimed the runner up seat with Leon Haslam. However, from the start of the 2011 season, Suzuki chose to step down with its practice in the team.
For the 2011 WSBK season, Alstare was forced to run with a sole rider, Michel Fabrizio. The Italian rider holds the tenth seat in the championship with a single podium finish in third place.
In the next 2012 WSBK season, Suzuki is said to be only offering Alstare to carry on with some new points. The technical support from the factory will be even further. The new parts and research will not be sponsored by the Suzuki factory.
It is also said that Suzuki is counting on Samsung Crescent Suzuki team from the British Superbike series. Suzuki and SCS are aiming to bring John ‘Hopper’ Hopkins to a greater level of exposure in the motorcycle-racing world.
The Alstare representative further added, “Alstare understand that Suzuki Japan are not in discussions with any other team regarding the 2012 World Superbike Championship, save for perhaps Paul Denning in UK, should Alstare not be involved with Suzuki in
2012.”
At the moment both are analysing the situation and are expected to come to an appropriate decision by the French WSBK round at Magny Cours.
On the other side, Alstare is also engaged with new sponsors that could help in running a proper factory setup with a handsome budget for the research development programme. Following the negotiations, Alstare will make any official statements.
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