By David Swarts

Anthony “Slick” Bass, who formerly tuned for four-time Superbike World Champion Carl Fogarty, is now the Crew Chief for HMC Ducati’s Scott Russell. Roadracing World asked Bass how things were going as Russell took part in the CCS practice Friday at Daytona.

“We’re just shaking things down,” said Bass. “It’s mad out there right now with all of those people. We just need some track time. Scott just spent two years with the Harley. Now he has to get used to, how can I I put this nicely, a true racing bike. Right now, I’m just giving him a lot of stuff to try – just throwing stuff at him.” When asked about the details of Russell’s Ducati Superbike, Bass said, “It’s a 2000-model bike but it’s sort of a hybrid. I have taken the best components from all of the Ducatis through the years, parts from ’99, ’98, etc. The yokes are from the ’96. Those were the best.”

Sunday March 12, 2001, Russell will be attempting to win his sixth Daytona 200 on his third make of motorcycle. “Mr. Daytona” has won the spring classic five times with at least one win on both a Kawasaki and Yamaha using Dunlop and Michelin tires.