Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Australian Craig Connell has been confirmed to the Annandale Honda AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme team, according to Annandale Honda’s Anna Johnston, while Connell’s new teammate Ty Howard broke the lap record for Texas World Speedway in his Honda racing debut September 22.

Johnston told Roadracingworld.com Friday that Connell will join Annandale Honda and is currently in Fort Worth, Texas visiting the team’s headquarters and race shop.

Connell currently rides for Arclight Suzuki and holds commanding leads in both the Formula USA 600cc Sportbike and Unlimited Superbike Championships with one round remaining.

Earlier in the week, Howard told Roadracingworld.com in an e-mail that Bruce Byrd will be Annandale Honda’s Crew Chief, and former Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike Crew Chief Jerry Daggett will build the team’s CBR954RR Formula Xtreme machines.

Two weeks ago Howard rode a lightly modified Honda CBR929RR in CMRA/CCS club races at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas, his race debut on a Honda. Howard has raced Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki machines in recent years. Also riding on Michelin slicks for the first time after years on Pirellis and Dunlops, Howard broke the existing track record with a 1:44.09 lap time in the Shogun Grand Prix race. The old lap record belonged to John Haner at 1:44.11, and the new record time was confirmed by CMRA official Charles Brothers.

When asked about Howard’s ride on Michelins, Johnston said the tires were given to them for Howard to test, but the team has not decided which brand of tire it will run in 2003. Johnston said further team details will be announced in an upcoming press release.