Who knows what the real reasons are, if it was a rider or machine failure we may never know but here is what Suzuki team manager Garry Taylor had to say, "It seems Kenny was unhappy with the engine. Clearly the machine has potential, which Kenny proved by leading the early laps, and holding a strong position for most of the first half of the race. Then he started to drop back, as we have seen before. We can understand Kenny's frustration, but the whole team is disappointed that he gave up today while holding a top-10 position," said Taylor.

It has been clearly obvious that Kenny has been disappointed with Suzuki's commitment to the sport this year and that he has been looking for other options in the paddock. 

Kenny is one of the best riders in the world, of that there is no doubt but this year has been an endless run of frustration for the American.

I don't think Suzuki's management in Japan will take kindly to him pulling in with no good explanation.  Suzuki have sacked riders for less in the past.....

What was a rumour circulating on the weekend though was that Shell Advance Honda are signing Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh to ride their 4-cylinder 500cc Honda in 2002.

Other rumours suggested that Katja Poensgen would ride a Shell Advance 250 from the next round and all of 2002.  It is understood that a lot of money from energy drink company 'Dark Dog' is helping to warm that seat.

It seems that the Shell Advance Team will use Brendan Clarke on their twin for the rest of the year but will not require his services next year.  Hopefully Clarke will be picked up by someone else in GP or he may even face a return to Australia.  As I heard it the Shell Advance 500 team will consist of Van Den Goorbergh and Leon Haslam.  But this is all just rumour and speculation so we will just have to see how things work out..........