Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Ammar Bazzaz is leaving his position as Technical Liaison for the Yoshimura Suzuki team to start his own business.

“Basically, I’m going to go out and do some freelance work and do some design work on some projects that I wanted to work on,” said Bazzaz Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway. “The relationship with Suzuki is very good; there’s no problem there. I just felt, for me, it was time to look for some new challenges, both technically and personally.

“I’ll be starting out with some basic freelance consultation work, obviously using data acquisition as a pretty important tool, and also implementing integrated data acquisition and fuel systems for race machines. Then I’ll maybe move into some machine parts and possibly suspension, diversifying into some aftermarket fuel-injection equipment, throttle bodies or other aspects of racing, drag racing, etc. I’m working on getting a few projects going in racing. I’ll still be around (the paddock) next year.

“I’ll see where it goes. I’ve got plenty of work to keep me busy for a while, which initially was my fear but that’s gone away. It’s a little scary in one sense. In other ways, it’s a good change for me. It’s exciting, but it’s also strange to leave these guys. I’ve been here almost six years.”

Bazzaz was at the Daytona tire test filling as the data acquisition specialist for Yoshimura Suzuki in place of the departed Hiro Yamaguchi, who left to work with Cosworth Racing in the CART series. Yoshimura Suzuki is currently looking for a new data acquisition specialist.

Bazzaz’s first solo project will be working with the Annandale Honda team to set up the team’s data acquisition/engine management systems on its AMA Formula Xtreme racebikes.