By Peter McLaren
Team Roberts held mid-season discussions with MV Agusta about the possibility of running a factory
WSBK outfit next year, but the Italian factory - whose planned partnership with Foggy Racing was recently scrapped - seems to be backing away from the series.
"Although we had some exploratory discussions with MV, that was in the middle of summer and we have not really spoken since. I think their interest in participating next season has gone away, but that is something you would have to ask them directly," Team Roberts team manager Chuck Aksland told
Crash.net.
"If an opportunity to participate in World Superbike came up, then we would certainly look at that as one option," Aksland continued. "We already develop parts for some teams participating in World Superbike, so this could be a natural progression. Of course, it takes either working with a manufacturer or having a sponsor to have this sort of project make sense. As I mentioned, if the right opportunity came up we would certainly look at it."
But the main aim is MotoGP, where Team KR - the only independent outfit on the 19-rider grid - has used Honda engines and Michelin tyres to compliment its Banbury-built chassis for the past two seasons.
The first year of the collaboration was a spectacular success, with former world champion Kenny Jr coming within one lap of winning the 2006 Portuguese Grand Prix, during a season in which he scored two podiums and claimed sixth in the championship.
However, the change to 800cc engines and introduction of new tyre restrictions for 2007 hit Honda and Michelin hard - and combined to deliver a hefty double-blow to Team Roberts. With Honda's new engine lacking output, HRC threw all its resources into the factory Repsol Honda Team in a bid to close the gap to its rivals as quickly as possible. Much needed new parts then slowly filtered down to the satellite Honda teams from mid-season onwards, but are still to reach Team Roberts.
Meanwhile, the new process of selecting tyres before the grand prix weekend had begun caught Michelin off-guard, compared to Bridgestone, which had effectively been operating in that way since joining the premier-class. Add to that the unique characteristics, and therefore tyre demands, of the KR211V and Team Roberts were left in difficult situation.
At first Team KR concentrated on the most significant component under its control, the chassis, and tried to build its way out of the early-season problems. Kurtis Roberts replaced exasperated brother Kenny as that process took place but, although progress was made, it was soon apparent that engine power and more appropriate tyres were needed to lift the team from the back of the grid.
Neither looks likely in the three remaining rounds of this season, but Team Roberts now has one eye on the creation of a full, sponsor-friendly, two-rider team for 2008 - which would mean an end to the Honda partnership.
