Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Michelin North America AMA Road Racing Manager Jim Rhodes has told roadracingworld.com that the company didn’t see Dunlop’s buy-up of co-op AMA team test dates coming, but will conduct its own tests at what tracks still have dates available. The tracks with available test dates do not include Laguna Seca and Sears Point, however, which were prime targets in Michelin’s 2004 test program.

“We (Michelin) were originally working through (Austin) Ducati,” said Rhodes, via cell phone late Friday. “Vic (Fasola, of Ducati Austin) had been working with (primary renters for the co-op) Yoshimura and Yamaha and it didn’t look like a problem to test with them, so we (Michelin) didn’t pursue anything (else). Then Vic got a call from Don (Sakakura) from Yoshimura saying that basically Dunlop is (now) paying for the test days and Michelin is not allowed. So they will all be private Dunlop tests. I spoke with Tom Halverson at Yamaha and it was the same situation (there).

“We now have test days of our own planned,” continued Rhodes. “We were able to get into some of the racetracks, but not all of them, including Sears Point and Laguna Seca. But we will be going to Barber, Fontana, Colorado, VIR and one other I can’t remember off the top of my head. I think five tests, total. Our plan at the moment, which I have to get approved through France, is to open the tests to all the teams. If Yoshimura or whomever want to come, they will be welcome. It’s a shame, because sharing cuts the cost for everyone. It’s kind of a cheap shot this late in the game.”

Rhodes went on to say, “They are kind of cutting their own throats because they just made Michelin France angry about the whole thing. Now they are going to throw more resources at it. They just lit the fire under Michelin, and turned up the game.”



See related post:

1/8/2004 Updated Post: Dunlop Buys Up AMA Team Test Dates, Excludes Non-Dunlop Teams