Foggy/Slight to battle on four wheels?

Maybe a career in Single-seaters is not an option for current World Superbike stars Carl Fogarty and Aaron Slight, but a four-wheeled future is a very real possibility for two of the most exciting riders ever to get on a bike.

Slight was a guest of Honda at the recent BTCC round at Donington Park and has tested one of this year's Super Touring Accord's while Fogarty has revealed that he may make the jump if he decides to retire from the WSB scene as he is expected to do at the end of the year.

Both riders contested the 1997 Tourist Trophy at Donington and admitted that they had been bitten by the racing car buzz. Slight has close links with the Honda factory, for which he rides, while Fogarty should have no shortage of offers if he decides to make the switch.

Any more for either rider could be at least one year away as Slight has shown no indication of giving up his current ride and Fogarty has said that he would like to take some time out after he retires to spend more time with his family.

Both also have injuries to consider when it comes to deciding their future. Fogarty is currently convalescing from a broken arm that has kept him out or much of the year while Slight underwent surgery last winter for a bruising on the brain. In the case of the New Zealander in particularly, one nasty crash could have devastating affects.

However it is Slight who is the more likely of the two to make the switch and he has openly offered his future services as a touring car driver. If Honda commit to the BTCC next year as expected, Slight may switch earlier than predicted as the new rules would put him at less of a disadvantage against his more experienced rivals.

Fogarty meanwhile has remained cool on the subject and is still considering finishing off his career on two wheels. The 'Blackburn Bullet' has said that despite the injury, bike racing is still his passion and car racing is a mere afterthought at the moment. Fogarty's temperament may also clash with the rough and tumble BTCC environment.

Carl is a rider who likes to control races from the front and he does not take well to the continuous bashing and rubbing that is an integral part of touring car racing. With the climate in the BTCC currently focused on expansion and innovation, Carl's promise to decide on his future within the next month could be perfect timing if he does choose to make the switch for next year.

One way in to the series next year, albeit on a part time basis could be the proposed 'Guest Driver' entries that the series promoters BMP, will run at each round. Similar to the concept seen in the Porsche Supercup, BMP hope to enter a two car 'all stars' team at each round of the 2001 Championship and is targeting ex-drivers (and riders!) to give the series regulars some real competition. Although it would be a toe in the water effort, one or two races next year could whet the appetite even further.