From a press release issued by Eric Bostrom’s agent, Norm Viano:

Dunlop trying to defuse Eric Bostrom?

Commenting on the recent news reported on Roadracing World’s website that Dunlop had bought up the AMA preseason test dates to the exclusion of non-Dunlop teams, is Michelin rider Eric Bostrom. “It’s disappointing for us, because when everyone’s on the track together it’s a much better measuring tool for where you stand against everyone else, not just with bikes but with tires. It’s beneficial for everyone. You have the same conditions on the same day, and I would think that from a competitive standpoint you would welcome that, because that is the challenge you want in racing. And it’s the same challenge that you face on race day.

“Ultimately, all it’s done for us, and maybe this was the purpose, was made it difficult for us to secure track dates because we had a testing schedule that doesn’t exist anymore and it’s very late in the off season for us to secure track dates. So it’s put our team behind the gun a little bit on testing.

“And it’s a shame because I really enjoy riding on the bikes and the tires so much that I’d like to be on the track more. But I don’t suspect it’s going to have too much of an impact on us. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in my team and my tires.”


See related post:

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