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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127748
Final round: Firebird International Raceway
A tale of two teams. .
(Left) One half of the
Fast By Ferracci team
was eliminated In a
second-lap crash.
(Below) Smokin' Joe's
Honda's Mike Hale
. (left) and Miguel
DuHamel (right)
finished 1-2 in both
the ral:e and the
Superbike National
Championship,
really disappointing. This starting system is the joke of the world. I can't cheat;
it's not in me to cheat, but if they don't
fix it next year I'll just have to be a
cheater like the rest of them."
Behind Spencer came Picotte after
narrowly holding off Stevens.
"Gary (Medley - Muzzy's crew chief)
told me to be careful and not jump the
start," Picotte said. "I started rolli'ng, put
the brake on and they dropped the
green flag."
Stevens was seventh in his final ride
•
y.ear oontract will allow Camei and Honda to
build a program. around DuHamel, 'and also
gives the -AMA a Superbike National Champion
.' whO is ac\ually staying in the series...
Eraldo Ferracci. went to Australia lqoking to find.
another Troy. Corser; and he's come back with
Whel~er or' not Hondacan.~eep DuHamel's
Damon·BuckmaSter. Well; Ferracci didn'l'.actu- . teammat.e;Mlke Hale, is aflothe~question. The
'ally go to'Ausiralia,'but he:s.bee~ in phone COA-' young. Texan is expected to make a decisi.on in
tact witti .Buckmaster ihroughQut the' Au.stralian
the next few weeks after getting offers ,froin.
road racing season.' The result: Buckmaster .both.Promotor,Ducati·and Smokin' Joe's Honcla
was.invited to compete in the· final round of the . for .the 1996,season. Repo.rlS filte'ring through
AMA sedes. "I"ve' been. keepfng Ferracci
the pi,ts were .that Hale has asked Honda for a
·.informed all year,' we:ve spoken on the phone," . fiVe-year. $29 mil.lion contract. Pmmotor Ducati
the 22"year-old Australian' said. "He asked me . has r-eport~dly made a substantial offer· for Hale
.about this a couple. of weeks ago; ,I didn't have. ' to j.oln Australian T~oy Corser In the World
to be asked·twice. I packed. my bagS and here' I .Superblke .Champlonship: "I've got soml) ideas,
.am. I'd like to.be here next year.. It;s .one ·step. but I don't have any comments nght now."
· oioser to World 'Superbike' and thaI's where' I
.
want to go:" Buckmaster, 'who '"ides for Kawasa-' Smokirf'Joe's team owner Martin Adam. isn't·
ki' Australia; currently lies ttiird 'in the Australiari
opiimistlc about re-signing Hale. "I.thlnk Honda
600'::t $uper.sport Championship atter tfiiee . : is making an offer to him today,.Or Yery shOrtly,"
rounds, 'ana he ended up eighih in the superAdams saJd on' Sunday' afternoon' at F.irebird.
"It's' my 'suspicion' that· he already has some-'
.bike title after ~acing in only' four of the.si,x
(1)unds as a replacement .riaer for the ioj'u~ild, ·thing· si,gne~. seriOusly' believe that he needs
'Mat Milldin. F.riday's· session was·Bi!Ckrnaster'.s . another season here'before he experiElnCeS for'first on..a .Ducati: "We'rr:)' getting faster every. 'eign 'circuits, foreign crews and foreign competi- .
time' out and tMt's·the main thing," Buckmlisler . tion: .But he's young and it's .his decision. I-je's
· salCl after. qua.litYing '11 tho "We:~e ·nO.t go;ng· . done us.a 'World of ,good and lowe him a great
baCKwards. It's miles different ,than tl:le Kawasa, .deal of gratitudll no matter how it comes out;" .
Is-i, It took me all day "to get used to the torque.
.
,
.
,
Mi9U~i DuHam~I's' Superbike and· 600cc. Super'I'm just cruisin' around." F.erracci was using the
race. as a, test· for Buckmaster and.he ~ay sign .. sport Natiol)al Championships aren't Smoki~'.
the Aussie for the 1996 AMA'Superbike NationJoe's only major accomplishments in 1996. The