Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

During AMA team testing at Laguna Seca March 26-28, Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom revealed some of his 2002 season plans, beyond racing in the AMA Superbike Series.

“I’m looking forward to Sugo for sure,” said the 25-year-old Californian, referring to the April 19-21 round of the World Superbike series. “It’s going to be good. I’ve been wanting to see the Dunlops do good in one of these World Superbike races, but so far they’ve been getting kind of worked over. Hopefully, it will happen before that. Hopefully, my brother (Ben Bostrom) will win South Africa (April 5-7). If not, I guess we’ll have to go there and do it.”

Bostrom raced in a round of the All-Japan Championship series at Sugo after the 2001 AMA Superbike series ended. In that race, Bostrom rode a bike supplied by Kawasaki. For this year’s race at Sugo, Bostrom will bring over the fastest of his two AMA Superbikes. Bostrom’s Crew Chief Matt Worbes will again accompany the soft-spoken racer to Sugo. Also making the trip to Japan will be Bostrom’s AMA mechanics Kenny Hunter, Jeremy Robinson and data acquisition specialist Mike Perez.

Bostrom told Roadracingworld.com that he would be doing at least three World Superbike races in 2002. “We’re definitely going to try and do Sugo, Laguna and after the season we’re going to go over and do a German round at Oschersleben (8/30-9/1). There’s still two more rounds after that (Assen 9/6-8 and Imola 9/27-29). It’s just a matter of how well we do this season (as to) how much support we get, I think.”

Bostrom then went on to confirm that there are plans for him to ride the four-stroke MotoGP racebike that Kawasaki has begun to test. “Really, the only thing is we’re supposed to ride it a couple of times this year, but that’s it. I haven’t heard when or where or anything,” said Bostrom.

Kawasaki officials have said they intend to race their yet-unnamed MotoGP machine in select rounds of the 2002 MotoGP series. Considering that the AMA season ends on August 11, Eric Bostrom would be available to ride in seven different MotoGP rounds if the Kawasaki men decide to use him.