Phoenix-based Buona Fortuna Racing and Glendale, California-based Pro Italia Motorsports have joined forces to form a Formula USA Unlimited Superbike team under the BFR/Pro Italia Aprilia banner. The team, owned by Gary Stiles, will campaign the 2001 Aprilia RSV Mille R with 2000 Aprilia Cup Challenge Champion Aaron Clark and Mark Ledesma.

A February 21 press release issued by the team quoted Clark, a New Zealander, as saying “The stock bike is awesome! It handled like it was on rails and the new brakes felt better than my GP bike. We have an accelerated schedule for race prepping, but having a bike that shows so much promise right out of the crate is encouraging. I’m also really happy to be back on Dunlop tires, which played a major part in my winning the 2000 Championship. From our December testing, we know they work well with the big V-Twin, too.”

The release quoted Ledesma as saying “I’ve spent a lot of time riding big Twins, and I feel that the Mille R will be an awesome platform for the F-USA Unlimited Superbike Class.”

According to the release, Pro Italia Motorsports, established in 1987 and specializing in Italian motorcycles, is a leading Aprilia dealer and is developing Mille R performance parts and engine kits available for both street and race applications.

The release quoted Pro Italia owner Bill Nation as saying “Many Italian bike owners already know the Pro Italia name and having Buona Fortuna racing on the national level as an extension of our shop is great! It’s our intention to create accessories for the Aprilia sport products and there is no other way to test for the highest quality and performance than to put them on the
track.”

More information is available from Buona Fortuna Racing at www.bfrusa.com or from Pro Italia Motorsports at www.proitalia.com