Honda's Grand Prix Four-Stroke?

HONDA'S GRAND PRIX FOUR-STROKE?

Honda's VTR1000F-based roadracer is nearing fruition. Factory Superbike stars Colin Edwards and Aaron Slight recently tested the fuel-injected,

996cc V-Twin alongside the factory’s two-stroke Grand Prix bikes at Australia’s Phillip Island. Riding the fully faired four-stroke, Edwards circulated in the low 1-minute,

35-second range, about a second slower than the 1:33.415 posted previously by Ducati’s Troy Corser.

Lap times aside, in which series will the new bike race? Honda’s current AMA and World Superbike entry, the RC45, is nearing the end of its homologation period. Insiders say the RC’s replacement will also be a V-Four, which could leave the less costly Twin for privateers. There also is a remote chance that an ultra-exotic version of the latter could be used in 500cc GPs, as the FIM has confirmed that 1000cc four-strokes will grid alongside two-strokes in the year 2001.