Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Ben Bostrom, Eric Bostrom and Nicky Hayden are on the verge of signing deals for the 2003 racing season, but none of the big American names have made any announcements yet.

Many of the potential deals around the world seem to be based on where 2002 AMA Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden ends up for 2003. Thought to be entertaining deals in MotoGP, World Superbike and AMA Superbike, Hayden said he had “no news” when reached on his cell phone at his home Tuesday, but is expected to announce his plans any day.

Eric Bostrom is very close, but what Hayden and other riders do will factor into his decision. “Nothing to report yet, but hopefully within the next week we’ll have a much better idea because this seems to be an important week for those who are making decisions,” said Norm “Lawdog” Viano, Eric Bostrom’s manager. “We had a pretty productive time in (Oschersleben) Germany. I got done what I needed to get done. We’re still waiting on a few pieces, sort of based on what other people do. Like with the GP ride, we have to wait on a few GP people to make some moves.”

Viano laid Bostrom’s cards out on the table for Roadracingworld.com, saying “What we’re looking at is, in MotoGP, there’s Kawasaki. That’s the only MotoGP possibility we have. And Aprilia (in) World Superbike. As far as overseas, those are our two most likely opportunities.

“Here in the States, you can kind of figure out the rest, but that sort of depends on what happens overseas.”

When asked if the yet-to-be-determined 2003 AMA Superbike rules were playing into their choices here in the States, Viano said, “Absolutely. Unfortunately, they are, big time. The problem is some of the teams don’t know exactly what they are going to run. They’re really not looking at Superbike like they were last year. It’s unfortunate, but the rules and the fact that it’s taken this long to have any sort of answer and we’re still talking about it is pretty disappointing. It’s certainly a factor in what we’re going to do here in the States.”

Viano is also representing Tony “The Tiger” Meiring. “We’ll probably have an announcement by the end of this week, I hope. We’re still talking to people, but I think we came to terms with somebody. I can’t say yet, but we’ll probably have it sorted out before Eric’s (deal). It was a lot easier.”

While some of the Ducati Superbike and MotoGP seats have been filling up, L&M Ducati rider Ben Bostrom is still on the market, according to his manager, Fred Bramblett of OMS Sports.

“I’m leaving to go meet with some of the race teams in Europe tomorrow,” said Bramblett. “Probably expect to do an announcement within the next two weeks off the offers that we have. It’s just a matter now of going and sitting down with everybody and trying to iron out some of the details to determine which is the best overall package for him.

“Right now, there’s three different offers in Europe and those are the ones we are taking serious. They’re spread out. There’s MotoGP as well as World Superbike opportunities.” Bramblett said that Ben Bostrom was not considering any deals to return to racing in the U.S.

One of Bramblett’s other clients, two-time AMA Formula Xtreme Championship runner-up Jake Zemke, is much closer to his 2003 plans, however.

“There’s probably a 90 percent chance he will be at Honda here (in the United States) next year,” said Bramblett.

When asked if there was anything about a Superbike in the deal Zemke was considering, Bramblett said, “Nothing I can comment on until it’s signed and done. Right now there’s just the letter of intent stage. Once it’s actually signed-signed, I can let you know. It’s just conversation until the ink’s on the paper. Right now I don’t want to speculate on conversation.”