Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Two-time FIM Endurance World Champion Stephane Mertens will race in the 2003 Daytona 200.

Mertens, 43, raced in the 2002 Daytona 200-miler, but it was the Belgian’s first time at Daytona since racing a 250cc machine on the high banks in 1986. Last year, Mertens raced a Dick Suarez-tuned privateer machine in the 57-lap classic, running as high as ninth until a broken transmission knocked him out of the running late in the race. Mertens was credited with finishing 38th, 11 laps down from winner Nicky Hayden.

Mertens’ effort this year will be more official and more potent. Mertens will ride the same Dunlop-equipped 2002 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (modified to be legal under AMA Pro Racing’s new-for-2003 Superbike rules) that he co-rode with teammate Warwick Nowland to the 2002 Endurance World Championship, including full quick-change hardware and quick-fill fuel equipment, and his 2002 World Endurance pit crew will fly in from Paris to work the race. Suarez will again assist the effort.

“My plan this year is to get the world title again, be safe and have a lot of fun especially at Daytona, which I consider as the best motorcycle event in the world,” Mertens wrote in an e-mail to Roadracingworld.com.

In addition to his 1995 and 2002 Endurance World Championships, Mertens raced in World Superbike for seven years (1988-1994) recording 154 race starts, 45 podium finishes and 11 race wins. Mertens finished fourth or better in the World Superbike Championship from 1988-1991 with a best Championship finish of second in 1989 to Fred Merkel, when both rode Honda RC30s.

In addition, Mertens won the 2002 BMW Boxer Cup Championship but stated that he will not defend his title and will not race in the BMW Boxer Cup event at Daytona.