The stumbling block has been Ducati initially stating that they needed to run a non-standard piston, but that statement was never followed up with a satisfactory engineering reason as to why.
However, things have now moved on: "There have been no changes to the rules, instead the bike is being made to fit the BSB rules," said Wright, "The 1098 will run a standard piston."
The turnaround came only two weeks ago leaving the Airwaves team to pick up where it left off, signing riders and planning ahead. Wright said: "We are all very excited, I've just been in a meeting with the team as we have been keeping them up to date all along. We have two new riders; new bikes and we've got jobs!"
The 1098 has had some success with Niccolo Canepa winning the European Superstock championship on it. Buildbase Ducati in British Superstock has also picked up podium finishes with John Laverty and Brendan Roberts.
When asked how competitive he felt the new Ducati would be Wright quipped, "I have no idea is the truth!" He went on to say, "I can assure you the team owner Darrell Healey wouldn't be spending the amount of money that he is spending if we were going to struggle. We will see as soon as we get on track. It is supposed to be capable of 200bhp which is on equal terms with other BSB bikes."
The team has signed Leon Camier, who is still recovering from his bad smash at Cadwell Park where he crashed on the Mountain and sustained a dislocated knee, broken femur and cracked pelvis.
But Wright isn't concerned about his newly-signed rider's injury: "At the end of the 1999 season at
Brands Hatch I signed
James Toseland and he had a broken thigh. His injury didn't impact on the decision. I've also been interested in Leon since early in the season."
The team is also thrilled to have Shane 'Shakey' Byrne join up and he too was on Wright's rider list. "Shakey was fifth in the championship and therefore on my list... I'm really excited, we will all do the best job that we can and it will be fun," he said.
Now it is a waiting game as Ducati need to deliver the race bikes before the team can hit the track.
"We could start testing as early as December or as late as February. Ducati have only just made the decision to make the bike fit the rules so it will depend on the supply of the bikes," he concluded.
