Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Aprilia Announces Superbike Team

by Bob Dragich

Aprilia’s Robert Pandya announced that Aprilia would field a Superbike Team in AMA racing with the new 2004 RSV1000 Factory R. The team, named Italica Racing, is owned by Jeff Jensen, director of “High Speed,” a British Film Co. release about World Superbike Racing. During filming, Jensen formed a close relationship with Aprilia, who supplied motorcycles and support for the movie. Attorney David Lewis, who has managed Colin Edwards, Doug Polen, Roberto Guerrero and others, will be the team director. Riders will be Mike Hale and Matt Wait, with AMA paddock veteran Vic Fasola as Crew Chief.

Hale, a former dirt-tracker and 1990’s Camel Pro Rookie of the Year, started his road racing career in 1993 in the AMA Twin Sports class, and went on to rider for Smokin’ Joe’s Honda in 1994. He was runner-up in both the Supersport and Superbike classes in 1995, and went on to race World Superbike in 1996-97. Hale rode for Kenny Roberts’ 500cc GP team in 1999, before turning to NASCAR racing.

Wait won the Twin Sports championship in 1996, beating current American Honda rider Ben Bostrom. In 1998, Wait rode an under-powered V-twin in the 500cc GP Championship Series, a year that Wait would later describe as “a great learning experience.” After a Ducati ride with Fast by Ferracci in 1999, Wait won the Formula USA Grand National Championship in 2002.

Fasola’s career as a sought-after professional road racing mechanic spans 20 years. From 1987 to 1991, Fasola was crew chief for Scott Russell, years in which Russell won four 750cc Supersport championships and was second in the Superbike class three times. In 1992, Fasola was crew chief for Doug Polen when he won the World Superbike Championship. From 1999 to 2002, Fasola was crew chief for Aaron Yates, first with Muzzy Kawasaki and then with Yoshimura Suzuki, with the highlight being Yates’ 600cc Supersport Championship in 2002.

Hale, who smiled broadly throughout the press confidence, said, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of riding the Aprilia.”

According to team officials, the team would debut some time in June, but they did not say at which round.