Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Larry Pegram’s shot at riding a spare 998RS for Ducati Austin at Brainerd was derailed by a tire problem, sources close to the situation say.

Specifically, sources said, Dunlop would not supply tires for Pegram, who finished on the podium in the second Superbike race at Road America two weeks ago using Michelin tires.

The fact that Pegram recently put it on the box on Michelins was one factor, and the other is that Dunlop’s racing budget is already stretched, the Goodyear-owned company holding a virtual monopoly on the AMA Superbike grid.

Ducati Austin team owner Terry Gregoricka declined to comment when asked about the situation.

Pegram is looking for a ride because Dream Team Ducati has imploded. “I’ll ride anything, Superstock, whatever,” said Pegram. “I just don’t want to go to Brainerd and stand around.”

Pegram said he has physical possession of the Dream Team Ducati truck, trailer, bikes and equipment at his home in Ohio and is seeking a lien toward contract payments he says the team owes him.

In related news, Pegram said that the team has not yet paid Mitch Hansen for the semi-trailer, which Dream Team Ducati took possession of last year. Pegram said that he bought the tractor himself, and has also not been reimbursed.