Following a week of negotiations after being side-lined by DFX Honda due to the team's financial difficulties, Steve Martin will be lining up on the World Superbike grid for the third round of the championship at Donington this coming weekend.
Steve spent much of last week on the phone and in meetings trying to find a solution to DFX's financial problems, after two sponsors withdrew their support of the team at short notice.
Steve explained, "I have known Danielle Carli for the last six years so obviously it was with great regret that he had to inform me of the situation last week. But we've come to an agreement which will see me on track at Donington and from there, on a race by race basis for the next three races. If no sponsorship arrives during this time I will most likely be on the side lines again.
"This last week has been very difficult, having been worried about whether I will be riding or not and trying to help find a solution to the team's situation, when I really should have been thinking about what improvements we need to be making to the bike."
Although not ideal circumstances for Steve to be heading into the third round of the World Superbike Championship, the Aussie has been keeping to his training schedule and is optimistic for running well at Donington.
Steve continued, "Donington is the first track we get to ride this year where the factory teams haven't tested, so although my bike is unchanged from Phillip Island I feel it will be easier to be closer to the front as no one will have benefited from any testing there."
Steve and family will head to the UK on Wednesday to prepare for the race meeting ahead and would like to greatly thank everyone who has sent their best wishes and offers of assistance, so that Steve could work towards being on the grid this weekend.
