[fl-929]

No more honda

Honestly, does he really think he's going to GP?

Roberts & Honda Split
by dean adams
Friday, October 10, 2003
Although the story earlier in the week was that Honda was negotiating with Kurtis Roberts for 2004--to ride in the US, it now seems as if his days of riding for American Honda are over.

Steve Dicterow of International Racers, the management team that oversees the careers of Roberts, Nick Hayden etc, said this afternoon that they are no longer negotiating with Honda, and Roberts won't be on an American Honda machine next season.

'It's amicable,' Dicterow said of the parting of Roberts with Honda. 'Kurtis has not signed with anyone for 2004 and we'll continue to negotiate with others.'

Roberts has maintained for the last three months that he will be racing in GP in 2004

[fl-929]

I guess it was not his decision:

Roadracing World

Kurtis Roberts Will Not Be On An American Honda Superbike In 2004, Remains Unsigned


Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kurtis Roberts will not be on an American Honda Superbike in the 2004 AMA season, is currently unsigned and is continuing to pursue opportunities that may take him to the MotoGP World Championship.

“Honda has said they have no room for Kurtis on their Superbike team, so I just wanted to let you know he will not be back with Honda next year and as of right now he is unsigned,” said International Racers’ Steve Dicterow, Roberts’ manager, in a telephone call to Roadracingworld.com Friday afternoon.

“They said if we wanted to talk about, say, 600 Supersport and Superstock, they would talk to us, but there was no room on the Superbike team. And really it’s not in Kurtis’ plan to take steps backwards at this point. His plan is to take steps forwards and not backwards. Our feeling is he has been in the premier class for three years now, and to not be in the premier class next year and stay here would be, at best, perceived to be a step back, if not in fact a step back. That’s what our thinking is at this point.

“I want you to understand, there is no animosity there. It’s all on good terms.”

Reached in Las Vegas where he plans on attending this weekend’s U.S. Open Supercross race, Roberts felt the need to clarify the situation further. He said, “Honda and I, as far as American Honda, have decided to part ways. We’re going to see what’s out there.

“American Honda called us and said they’re not offering me a Superbike thing right now, but they also didn’t know if they were going to do a Superbike [team]. Suzuki has said they’re not going to do Superbike. It makes sense. Why put someone on a Superbike if you’re going to be the only company racing it? What’s the point?”

The two-time AMA Superbike race winner wants to go to the MotoGP World Championship, and like everyone else with an interest in MotoGP, says he is waiting for Valentino Rossi to finish his 2004 deal.

“They can’t offer a ride until Rossi says yes or no. So as soon as Rossi says yes or no to everybody, things will fall into place there for sure. Everyone is expressing interest and saying that it’s a possibility,” said Roberts.

Roberts did not completely rule out the possibility of racing in the AMA in 2004, saying, “There’s a chance of anything in this world. That’s why I always said there’s a 99 percent possibility of me leaving, because there’s that one percent [chance]. With the right company and the right plan and efforts behind it, I would definitely entertain it and look at it.

“I want to get to Europe. If the company laid out a plan for me to be here another year and go to Europe no matter what, then I would definitely think about it for sure.”

Roberts finished third in the 2003 AMA Superbike Championship with two wins, nine podium finishes, and 15 top-10 finishes in 18 races. He crashed out while battling for the lead in one race at Mid-Ohio and suffered tire problems while running away in the lead of another race in Virginia.

[CBRVFR]

Maybe Daddy has an extra Proton........

Wait, would that make him some kind of isotope?


Hope Zemke is the recipient of American Honda's generosity.

[risc32]

Gp. Kurtis must be a silly little bastard to think his name should even be mentioned with Rossi's.Well, maybe when his dad gets that proton running good, it'll have a tiny chance of competing with the first gen rcv. Good luck KR. you don't stand a chance.