All change at MonsterMob Ducati

By Dan Moakes
October 31 2002

The off-season personnel shuffles were started this year with the shock announcement that reigning British Superbike champion Steve Hislop has been dropped by his MonsterMob Ducati team.

The split has apparently been an amicable one, but leaves the 39-year-old Scot without a current ride for his title defence. Paul Bird, MonsterMob’s team owner, has stated a desire to move his team forward to the World stage in 2004, and he has therefore opted for a pair of younger riders. Replacing Hislop will be Team Renegade’s Shane Byrne, who was fourth overall in 2002. His team-mate will be Stuart Easton, the British Supersport champion.

Meanwhile, Byrne’s place in the Renegade team has gone to Sean Emmett, putting the Englishman back on the Ducatis he’s ridden so successfully in recent years. Emmett had apparently been targeted by both Suzuki and Yamaha, but now joins up with Michael Rutter, who goes into the off-season as the man in form, and either could be a great tip for the title.

In other BSB news, a date for the teams to race at the Irish circuit of Mondello Park has been confirmed. In recent years, the series has only ever ventured outside of England to the Knockhill track in Scotland. Mondello represents a new departure for the championship, although apparently at the expense of either the Scots venue or Mallory Park. The Superbikes hit Ireland in July. Click the menu link for the full 2003 race calendar.