Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The new Ducati 999 will make its racing debut at the final round of the 2002 World Endurance Championship at Vallelunga, Italy October 4-6, reports Octagon Motorsports, organizer of the FIM Endurance World Championship.

A press release issued by Octagon states that the new machine will be entered by Ducati France and will enjoy direct support from Ducati Corse, the racing arm of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.

Zongshen 2 has already clinched the 2002 World Endurance Championship, but Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Zongshen wants to finish the season with its two teams 1-2 in the final standings. To that end, Zongshen 2’s normal riders, Stephane Mertens and Warwick Nowland, will ride on the Zongshen 9 Suzuki GSX-R1000 while Bruno Bonhuil, Igor Jerman and Pierrot Lerat will man the Zongshen 2 machine.

With 25 points available at the final round, Zongshen 9’s position in the standings is within reach of Yamaha YZF-R1-mounted Endurance Moto 38 and Suzuki GSX-R1000-equipped GMT94, third and fourth in the current Endurance World Championship point standings, respectively.

QB Phase One, fifth coming into the final round, will do without the services of AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore; his teammates Frederic Moreira and Mike Edwards will try to hold the team’s ground in the standings.

American/Belgian team Herman Verboven Suzuki has a chance to take fifth from QB Phase One and has re-secured the services of Americans Michael Barnes and Mike Ciccotto to ride the team’s Pirelli-equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000 at the final race.