Emmett looks to the U.S. as Reve hopes fade

Sean Emmett’s dream of a WSB Aprilia ride with Reve Racing is fading forcing him to look to America for his 2002 ride.

He had hoped to race a 2001 factory V-twin for Ben Atkins’ team but it is now possible the well-known British superbike Reve team may not run at all next year. They are believed to have less than half of the estimated £2.5million required to lease the factory V-twins for the season and a number of their key technicians have already moved on.

Atkins said he is still chasing cash – but only for WSB. He said: ” It’s World Superbike or nothing for us – Reve will never race in the UK again. We’ve achieved what we set out to do there and now it’s time to move on.

” We’re tantalisingly close to putting everything together but time is running out.. There’s no problem with technicians, as Aprilia would supply their specialists to join our guys.

” Sean is definitely part of our plans, but he is well aware of our situation and is a looking at the alternatives – which I respect ”

Emmett says he is talking to the HMC Ducati team which competes in the AMA superbike series. He insists he will only make the move if he gets a 2002-spec Testastretta, the equal of that supplied to his potential team-mate Pascal Picotte.

If the move doesn’t come off, Emmett is even considering running his own British superbike Ducati team.

” I’ve got a few options open to me, but the one that excites me the most is going to race in America, ” he said.