We have already reported on how Ben Spies is trying to put together a superbike comeback, with an eye on the 2018 MotoAmerica Championship. There is a long road from here to there though, and the biggest hurdle for the American road racer is finding a ride.
Our Paddock Pass Podcast colleague Neil Morrison has some news on that though, and as he reported on Crash.net, Spies could be looking to Ducati for support on his return to motorcycle racing.
Talking to Ducati Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti, Morrison (that handsome devil) reports that Ducati is prepared to help the Texan…if he can foot the bill.
For Spies to race in MotoAmerica with a competitive Ducati Panigale R race bike, the former World Superbike and AMA Pro Superbike champion would need significant financial backing, as Ducati Motor Holding in Italy, as well as Ducati North America, do not have the budgets to support a MotoAmerica racing effort.
In order to take on the MotoAmerica racing campaigns put forth by Yoshimura Suzuki and Graves Yamaha – the two giants in the American paddock – Spies will need a budget easily in excess of $1 million to be only equal footing with the two “factory” efforts.
Whether or not he can raise that sum of money for racing is a lofty of a goal for any team, especially in the struggling MotoAmerica championship, and then one still has to wonder about the condition of Spies’ shoulders, and whether they can withstand the punishment of road racing.
We do know that Spies has the talent and drive to put together a MotoAmerica racing program though, and we also know that the American series would benefit greatly from his presence.
There is a legion of Spies fans who are hungry to see “Elbowz” racing a motorcycle again…and another marriage with Ducati could be the perfect fit. Time will tell whether the whole package comes together.
Source: Crash.net; Photo: Ducati
Comments