This press release just in from Ducati:


Scott Russell to race again

Pompton Plains, NJ, August 21, 2001: Ducati rider Scott Russell has announced he will make his comeback to racing in the final round of the AMA Superbike Championship. After his five-month lay-off recovering from major injuries, the former World Champion will continue to ease his way back into the series by riding in Friday’s practice session at this weekend’s Championship round at Pikes Peak.

Both Ducati Superbike teams are combining resources to get Russell back in the saddle. His current team, HMC Ducati Racing, will supply an extra 996RS for this weekend’s practice. Competition Accessories Ducati will provide two Ducatis for Russell’s return to racing at the Championship’s final round in Virginia.

Still recovering from bone grafts, Russell returned to the racetrack earlier this month at the Virginia test, and took to it like a duck to water. After a staggering 50 laps, he finished the two-day test a promising 2.5 seconds off the fastest pace. The Virginia test sparked Russell’s determination, and he has since been working out religiously at the gym and riding his dirt bike and streetbike.

HMC Ducati team owner, Mitch Hansen is thrilled to have Scott back as a third rider to compete alongside Steve Rapp and Andy Meklau. It will mean some juggling for the team but Hansen feels it’s well worth the effort to see Scott Russell back on the racetrack.

“It’s great to see Scott back doing what he loves,” said Hansen. “It meant a lot to the team to have him back on the bike but it was truly awesome for him. No amount of money would replace seeing that huge smile he had after his first session at Virginia. It’s going to be great seeing him ride again at Pikes Peak and even better to see him racing at Virginia. He’s already won the race as far as we’re concerned.”

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won eight of the last ten World Superbike Championship titles and more individual race victories than the competition put together. The company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and SportTouring. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. Ducati North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ducati Motor S.p.A.. For more information about the company, please visit the corporate website at www.ducati.com. Publicly traded on both NYSE and Borsa Italiana S.p.A as DMH.