Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Former factory Superbike racer Mike Smith and former HMC Ducati crew chief and team manager Mark Sutton plan to build an AMA Superbike/Formula Xtreme Ducati for the 2003 season.

Speaking at Road Atlanta October 26, Sutton said, “We’re trying to put together a Formula Xtreme team with a Ducati 998. It would have to have the generator and electric starter, but we would build it to also be legal in Superbike. The team is called Moto Britalia/Ducshop Racing right now, but the sponsorship we’re looking for would carry naming rights.

“We’re looking for sponsorship to make the team happen right now. We have people who will be there to help us, but to do it right, we need more sponsorship. We could get most of the old HMC guys for the team. Richard Boyd, the fabricator and chassis guy, is ready to come over.

“Mike will be the only rider unless some one wants to come on as a support rider, like where they pay us to run their team and they fly in to ride at the races.”

Sutton is at Road Atlanta working with Smith, who is racing in the GSX-R600, GSX-R750 and GSX-R1000 Suzuki Cup Finals.

Sutton and Smith teamed up in 2000 to win five of nine AMA Pro Thunder races on a Ducshop Ducati 748 and finished second in the Championship behind Jeff Nash..