Octagon buys Brand Hatch

Troy Corser in Italy, has pen

As you'll be reading in the next few days elsewhere, it has been announced in the UK that Octagon, which owns WSC, has purchased (or merged with) Brands Hatch and their related properties including other little tracks in and around England. What are the far-reaching by-products of this deal? Unknown. But if you owned a facility where people clawed at each other to get in when the WSC lads were in town, would you not schedule a second Brands Hatch race?

Read more here. And here.

My sources say that 1994 AMA Superbike champion and recently fired Ducati rider Troy Corser is in Italy as this is being written and he has a working pen in his pocket. This writing device will be used to sign a contract with Aprilia for 2000. No word as yet on a second rider. It is a mighty coup for Aprilia to nab a rider of Corser's caliber ...
 

They're getting 20,000 a day though the doors at the NEC motorcycle show this week in the UK.

Is everybody non-bummed that the series won't go to Willow next year (probably)?

One AMASuperbike.com reader reported that he is indeed bummed, stating, "I sure hope they can work it out. As a former racer, now fan, I've really enjoyed going to Willow Springs for the AMA National the last two years. The relaxed atmosphere makes it fun to be a spectator, you can ride around on your dirt bike or scooter without ending up in jail, see the whole track from your free campsite, etc. The track layout lends itself to great battles, where the lead pack often is bigger and more varied than usual. Great weather in the spring, bands at night, Buell demo rides, stunt shows, all that stuff makes for a great weekend getaway. All in all, well worth the 4-5 hr drive from San Francisco. Hope it all works out."

Here's more on the Rossi/Honda/Aprilia/Doohan soap opera. If it is true that Rossi will be working with Jerry Burgess, Doohan's er, former crewchief ... then what'll Doohan be doing?

More later.

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