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MARTIN WITHOUT A RIDE FOR REST OF WSBK SEASON |
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Friday, 23 March 2007 |
MARTIN WITHOUT A RIDE FOR REST OF WSBK SEASON
 Steve Martin was today
unexpectedly informed that his ride with the DFX Honda World Superbike
team was no longer available, due to lack of finances for the Italian
squad.
Just days before being due to leave his home in
Switzerland for the next round of the championship at Donington in the
UK, the vastly experienced Aussie rider was clearly disappointed and
bemused by the news, commenting, “I’m absolutely gutted. Not just for
me but also my whole bike crew.
“Just before the start of the
season I was reassured by DFX that they definitely had sufficient money
to run both me and Fabrizio for the whole year, and on that basis I
decided to continue with the team, despite still having other options
of rides at that time. So to now be told, just two races into the
season, that the team doesn’t actually have enough budget is
unbelievable and puts me in a position that could have been avoided.
“It’s
also so disappointing after how much progress we’ve made with the bike
during testing over the off-season, to now not be able to progress with
that and turn it into some good results.
“But most of all I’m a
racer and just want to race, as I know I’m as capable and competitive
as ever to run with the front of the field.
“I’ve obviously
spent the day on the phone talking to everyone to try and secure
funding or avenues for another ride, but as expected, so early into the
season is not the time of the year to be trying to find either of
those.”
The DFX team will continue to run with team-mate
Fabrizio in the 2007 Superbike World Championship as he is a Honda
Europe rider, and therefore financed from that source.
Steve
will still be at Donington for the third round of the championship on
30/31 March - 1 April, and plans to remain in Europe for the remainder
of the racing season, rather than return to his native Australia, in
order to try and secure sponsorship or an alternative place on the
World Superbike grid.
For further information, news or images, please visit www.stevemartin99.com or email
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