Bimota back to WSB in 2013, 2014
Bimota looking to test the World Superbike waters with wild-card entries in 2013
BIMOTA are looking to make in-roads back into racing starting with potential wild-card appearances in 2013 before a full-time return the following year.
Speaking at the Motorbike Expo in Verona, Italy, Bimota's new Sporting Director Ruben Xaus told Motoblog.it: "We are developing a bike for 2013, when they should change the rules which should lean towards more stock specs.“
Xaus is taking a hands on roll in the development of the DB8, he continued: "We don’t know if we’d start immediately with a full time entry or if we’ll just-wild card a few times in 2013 and then compete full time in 2014. We have to see first if we’re competitive, and then there’s the topic regarding sponsors, if we were to have a partner with a lot of capital we could start right away and gradually develop the bike, but we will be there “
Should Bimota appear on the grid it would mark a storied return for the Italian manufacturer, after notable achievements including Davide Tardozzi's victory in the inaugural World Superbike race at Donington Park in 1988 and Anthony Gobert's fairy tale win in race one at Phillip Island on the SB8R in 2000.
In his new role with the Italian manufacturer Xaus is also working on Bimota's Moto2 project, the HB4.