PHASE ONE - NOW TAKING ON THE ISLE OF MAN...THE 2008 TT AWAITS
PHASE ONE PRESS RELEASE:
Yamaha Phase One Endurance - Britain's most successful
world endurance team, with three world championships behind them - will take
part in the 2008 Isle of Man TT Races this June. James McBride (GBR) and Jimmy
Moore (USA) will both ride Phase One Yamaha YZF-R1s in the Superbike and Senior
TT races, on the 31st May and 6th June. McBride is no stranger to the TT, with a
124mph lap and a best result of 7th place the highlights of his five years of
experience on the Island. Moore raced at the TT for the first time last year,
finishing as the fourth fastest rookie in the Superbike TT.
Phase One team manager Russell Benney was delighted to be invited to take part
in one of the most famous motorcycle races in the world.
"I'm really pleased to accept this invitation. We've got a
super rider line-up that is at a level perfect for our starting position and for
what we can offer. I think we can come home with a top ten finish or two. It'll
be our first time at the Isle of Man, but I'm surprised more world endurance
teams don't take part; like endurance, it's all about safety and reliability and
securing a good finish. The TT also complements our endurance season very well,
fitting in perfectly between the eight hour races at Albacete in May and the
Suzuka 8 Hour in July. I'm really excited to be part of this."
The team will shortly begin testing for the first race for
the 2008 World Endurance season, the Le Mans 24 Hour which takes place on the
19/20th April.
AND...
are playing at the Villa Marina!
...This is going to be one of the
best years - ever!
WORLD SUPERBIKES 2008 - DOHA/QATAR - FIRST QUALIFYING
1-CORSER 1'59.627 161,903 T. 11 Yamaha Motor Italia WSB 18
Yamaha YZF-R1 AUS
2-BAYLISS 1'59.853 0.226 161,598 T. 21 Ducati Xerox Team 18 Ducati 1098 F08 AUS
0.226
3-NIETO 2'00.307 0.680 160,988 F. 10 Team Suzuki Alstare 21 Suzuki GSX-R1000 ESP
0.454
4-HAGA 2'00.476 0.849 160,762 N. 41 Yamaha Motor Italia WSB 12 Yamaha YZF-R1 JPN
0.169
5-KAGAYAMA 2'00.599 0.972 160,598 Y. 34 Team Suzuki Alstare 18 Suzuki GSX-R1000
JPN 0.123
6-XAUS 2'00.695 1.068 160,471 R. 111 Sterilgarda Go Eleven 18 Ducati 1098 RS 08
ESP 0.096
7-LANZI 2'00.724 1.097 160,432 L. 57 R.G. Team 18 Ducati 1098 RS 08 ITA 0.029
8-BIAGGI 2'00.744 1.117 160,405 M. 3 Sterilgarda Go Eleven 19 Ducati 1098 RS 08
ITA 0.020
9-GIMBERT 2'00.857 1.230 160,256 S. 194 Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 22 Yamaha
YZF-R1 FRA 0.113
10-NEUKIRCHNER 2'00.904 1.277 160,193 M. 76 Team Alstare Suzuki 19 Suzuki
GSX-R1000 GER 0.047
11-FABRIZIO 2'00.937 1.310 160,149 M. 84 Ducati Xerox Team 19 Ducati 1098 F08
ITA 0.033
12-MUGGERIDGE 2'01.086 1.459 159,952 K. 31 D.F. Racing 17 Honda CBR1000RR AUS
0.149
13-CHECA (CARLOS) 2'01.409 1.782 159,527 C. 7 Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 20 Honda
CBR1000RR ESP 0.323
14-BADOVINI 2'01.677 2.050 159,176 A. 86 Team Pedercini 16 Kawasaki ZX-10R ITA
0.268
15-LAVILLA 2'01.729 2.102 159,108 G. 36 Ventaxia VK Honda 15 Honda CBR1000RR ESP
0.052
16-SMRZ 2'01.955 2.328 158,813 J. 96 Guandalini Racing by Grifo's 18 Ducati 1098
RS 08 CZE 0.226
17-CHECA (DAVID) 2'01.984 2.357 158,775 D. 94 Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 22
Yamaha YZF-R1 ESP 0.029
18-ROLFO 2'02.004 2.377 158,749 R. 44 Hannspree Honda Altea 18 Honda CBR1000RR
ITA 0.020
19-LACONI 2'02.100 2.473 158,624 R. 55 Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse 16 Kawasaki ZX-10R
FRA 0.096
20-IANNUZZO 2'02.256 2.629 158,422 V. 13 Team Pedercini 14 Kawasaki ZX-10R ITA
0.156
21-KIYONARI 2'02.494 2.867 158,114 R. 23 Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 18 Honda
CBR1000RR JPN 0.238
22-MORELLI 2'02.980 3.353 157,489 L. 22 Alto Evolution Honda Superbike 19 Honda
CBR1000RR ITA 0.486
23-HOLLAND 2'03.006 3.379 157,456 R. 83 D.F. Racing 18 Honda CBR1000RR AUS 0.026
24-NAKATOMI 2'03.542 3.915 156,773 S. 38 YZF Yamaha 20 Yamaha YZF-R1 JPN 0.536
25-SOFUOGLU 2'03.765 4.138 156,490 K. 54 Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Jr. 19 Honda
CBR1000RR TUR 0.223
26-AOYAMA 2'03.796 4.169 156,451 S. 88 Alto Evolution Honda Superbike 20 Honda
CBR1000RR JPN 0.031
27-TAMADA 2'04.264 4.637 155,862 M. 100 Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse 14 Kawasaki ZX-10R
JPN 0.468
28-NAPOLEONE 2'06.363 6.736 153,273 L. 77 Grillini PBR Team 15 Yamaha YZF-R1 FRA
2.099
TROY CORSER - 1st, 1:59.627: "The tests we did here recently went really well and we found a good bike
set-up, so we were in the ballpark right from the start of the day. I did find
that the engine felt differently today then it did at the tests and that was
because the electronics were a bit different - not as good, for me anyway. So to
do the lap time I did makes me happy really. Today there was so much wind and it
was so inconsistent. Every lap was a bit different and you really had to keep
your wits about you or you’d easily crash! Also, exiting the turns was a problem
sometimes because the bike would wheelie and then the wind would push it off
course! For me, it was the worst wind conditions I’ve ever experienced, even
considering how Phillip Island can be sometimes! Today I was happy with me and
the bike, but not happy with the conditions. Hopefully it will improve tomorrow
and then for raceday."
TROY BAYLISS - 2nd, 1:59.853:
"I'm reasonably happy with how it went today but we all found it tough and every
lap had to be ridden in a different way simply due to the conditions. The wind
meant that I was never completely comfortable and there is only so much we can
do to change the settings of the bike because conditions may be different again
tomorrow. Looking at this weekend's entry list I reckon it's going to be a very
competitive championship this year, we're a strong field and I'm looking forward
to the competition!"
FONSI NIETO - 3rd, 2:00.307: "I'm happy with the first day of practice here in Qatar
and think that what we did today was a good result. It was hard today because of
the very strong wind and, because the wind was not consistent, it made things
quite difficult today. I'm particularly happy because Corser, Bayliss and Haga
all tested here recently, so to be up with them today is very satisfying. Both
the wind and the sand make it easy to miss your line and once that happens, you
lose time. We did a lot of good work on the bike today and hope to carry that on
tomorrow. I hope that the wind is not so strong and we can make good progress
throughout the day."
Noriyuki Haga - 4th, 2:00.476:
"It was difficult to make the best lap times in these conditions, but the
feeling with the bike was very good. Unfortunately I had a big highside at turn
one, on water coming from the bike. I landed straight on top of my head. I think
before the crash I was half a centimetre taller. I am in a lot of pain but I
will rest tonight and be better tomorrow. Top four is a good result for the
first day. Our target point for tomorrow is make some changes in suspension, but
I think we have the package right now anyway."
The World Endurance regulars are showing that they'll also be a
force to be felt in the short races; Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha GMT94) was on
strong form on day one, setting ninth fastest time, with his team-mate David
Checa (Yamaha GMT94) 17th...and in World Supersport, SERT World Endurance rider
Matthieu Lagrive finished first qualifying in a solid third on the Intermoto
Honda..
WORLD SUPERSPORT:
1-FORET 2'03.495 156,832 F. 99 Yamaha World Supersport 12 Yamaha YZF-R6 FRA
2-REA 2'03.841 0.346 156,394 J. 65 Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 16 Honda CBR600RR
GBR 0.346
3-LAGRIVE 2'04.017 0.522 156,172 M. 14 Intermoto Czech 15 Honda CBR600RR FRA
0.176
4-LASCORZ 2'04.343 0.848 155,763 J. 26 Glaner Motocard.com 16 Honda CBR600RR ESP
0.326
5-NANNELLI 2'04.446 0.951 155,634 G. 69 Hannspree Honda Altea 15 Honda CBR600RR
ITA 0.103
6-JONES 2'04.766 1.271 155,235 C. 18 Parkalgar Racing Team 14 Honda CBR600RR GBR
0.320
7-SALOM 2'04.858 1.363 155,120 D. 44 Yamaha Spain 15 Yamaha YZF-R6 ESP 0.092
8-VENEMAN 2'04.880 1.385 155,093 B. 77 Ressoftware Hoegee Suzuki 15 Suzuki
GSX-R600 NED 0.022
9-PITT 2'04.996 1.501 154,949 A. 88 Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 16 Honda CBR600RR
AUS 0.116
10-CLEMENTI 2'05.211 1.716 154,683 I. 47 Triumph Italia BE1 Racing 14 Triumph
675 ITA 0.215
11-AITCHISON 2'05.217 1.722 154,675 M. 8 Triumph Italia BE1 Racing 14 Triumph
675 AUS 0.006
12-VIZZIELLO 2'05.264 1.769 154,617 G. 105 Berry Racing 13 Honda CBR600RR ITA
0.047
13-PARKES 2'05.301 1.806 154,572 B. 23 Yamaha World Supersport 15 Yamaha YZF-R6
AUS 0.037
14-MCCOY 2'05.349 1.854 154,513 G. 24 Triumph - SC 13 Triumph 675 AUS 0.048
15-KALLIO 2'05.445 1.950 154,394 V. 31 Benjan Racing Team 18 Honda CBR600RR FIN
0.096
16-GIANSANTI 2'05.495 2.000 154,333 M. 32 Berry Racing 16 Honda CBR600RR ITA
0.050
17-ANTONELLI 2'05.586 2.091 154,221 A. 61 Hannspree Honda Altea 14 Honda
CBR600RR ITA 0.091
18-ROCCOLI 2'05.715 2.220 154,063 M. 55 Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni 10 Yamaha
YZF-R6 ITA 0.129
19-FUJIWARA 2'05.742 2.247 154,030 K. 21 Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport 11 Kawasaki
ZX-6R JPN 0.027
20-VINCENT 2'05.941 2.446 153,786 A. 121 Gil Motor Sport - Solution F 16
Kawasaki ZX-6R FRA 0.199
21-GOWLAND 2'06.007 2.512 153,706 G. 81 Benjan Racing Team 18 Honda CBR600RR GBR
0.066
22-LEBLANC 2'06.033 2.538 153,674 G. 38 CRS Grand Prix 14 Honda CBR600RR FRA
0.026
23-HARMS 2'06.139 2.644 153,545 R. 127 Hannspree Stiggy Motors. Honda 13 Honda
CBR600RR DEN 0.106
24-ALFONSI 2'06.406 2.911 153,221 L. 4 PMS 15 Kawasaki ZX-6R ITA 0.267
25-BROOKES 2'06.468 2.973 153,145 J. 25 Hannspree Stiggy Motors. Honda 13 Honda
CBR600RR AUS 0.062
26-PRAIA 2'06.751 3.256 152,804 M. 17 Parkalgar Racing Team 10 Honda CBR600RR
POR 0.283
27-WALKER 2'06.755 3.260 152,799 C. 9 Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport 7 Kawasaki ZX-6R
GBR 0.004
28-DIONISI 2'07.246 3.751 152,209 I. 57 Triumph - SC 14 Triumph 675 ITA 0.491
29-DE ANGELIS 2'07.327 3.832 152,112 W. 37 Intermoto Czech 16 Honda CBR600RR RSM
0.081
30-BARRAGAN 2'07.681 4.186 151,691 S. 51 Glaner Motocard.com 17 Honda CBR600RR
ESP 0.354
31-VAN KEYMEULEN 2'07.935 4.440 151,389 D. 83 Ressoftware Hoegee Suzuki 13
Suzuki GSX-R600 BEL 0.254
32-NEDOG 2'08.761 5.266 150,418 L. 75 CRS Grand Prix 17 Honda CBR600RR SLO 0.826
33-TALMACSI 2'09.165 5.670 149,948 G. 15 Factory Racing 15 Honda CBR600RR HUN
0.404
34-DELL'OMO 2'10.891 7.396 147,970 D. 199 HP Racing Team 16 Honda CBR600RR ITA
1.726
35-MAGDA 2'11.246 7.751 147,570 A. 72 Factory Racing 16 Honda CBR600RR HUN 0.355
36-PEDRO SUBIRATS 2'12.619 9.124 146,042 J. 888 Yamaha Spain 16 Yamaha YZF-R6
ESP 1.373
ALSTARE SUZUKI - NO MORE CORONA - BUT A LAST-MINUTE
REPRIEVE FROM PEPEPHONE, MEYLUNA AND DARK DOG
DAMIAN CUDLIN BRUSHES OFF THE COBWEBS IN NEW ZEALAND - UPDATE
ON THE UPDATE OF THE UPDATE
Taree’s Damian Cudlin has secured a remarkable podium finish on
his ‘Street Race’ debut at Paeroa in New Zealand on the weekend. The young
Aussie, riding for the Bernard Motorsports Yamaha Team, took a spirited 3rd
place in both the Formula Paeroa as well as the big event, the ‘Battle of the
Streets’ race. Despite having never seen the circuit before, Cudlin secured a
front row start before lining up for his first race on the streets.
“I was pretty nervous before the first race, just trying to get my head around
what I was about to do. I had just been scraping my knee at around 280kph
directly in front of shop windows…it was pretty daunting, so I decided to start
off safely and build up my speed as the race went on.”
Damo quickly moved to 5th and then 4th before a red flag caused
the race to be stopped when a rider went down at the esses. In the
restart, showing more speed as his confidence continued to grow, Damo made a
pass on Fitzgerald to move to 3rd which he held to the flag.
“Finishing 3rd in my first street race felt good but like any
racer I began focusing on getting away with the leaders for the Battle of the
Streets”
said Damo. With the fastest 30 riders from all classes eligible to race in the
‘Battle of the Streets’ all eyes were on Jones, Shirrifs and Cudlin as they
blasted away from the Yamalube Start Line three abreast. Cudlin held on to
Shirrifs and Jones and stalked the pair for the next 4laps before deciding to
play it safe and take home another podium finish.
“I was able to get a good start and hang with the leaders for the first half of
the race but the pace was hotting up and the boys were risking a lot, more than
I was willing to risk, so I calmed it down and brought it home. That was the
difference. I’ve got to take my hat off to both Craig and Gareth for riding that
hard on a circuit like this.”
Damian will now spend the week at the Teams base in Wanganui were they will
prepare for the next round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Manfield and carrying this momentum
with me. I’m aiming for a big finish in the series, so here’s hoping it’ll all
come together for us.”
TEAM PIT STOP - QATARI TEAM ON A MISSION
World Endurance
third-placed winner Carrasco to race for Qatari team - TEAM PIT STOP Doha: Team Pit Stop is back at the racing track. The management decided
to field the team in the upcoming second round of the Qatar International Road
Racing Championship, to be held at the Losail International Circuit during the
World Superbike weekend. The season-opening World Superbike Race is scheduled in
Qatar at the Losail International Circuit. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle
Federation's decision to hold the Qatari support race round two will draw a lot
of international media attention.
Until last season Team Pit Stop had been racing four local riders...but this
time, the team management has chosen to enter Spanish rider Victor Carrasco,
whose presence is certain to add plenty of spice and excitement to the series. ,
In November 2007 Carrasco had raced for the Qatar Endurance Racing Team in the
World Endurance Championship. In the sixth and final round in Doha, he raced
brilliantly and helped QERT to finish third. Carrasco has been an experienced
rider with three Supersport races to his name. The Spanish rider is sure to test
the Qatari talent as well as other riders from different countries. His arrival
is not only good for the series but also for the Qatari riders.
Team Pit Stop, the first official team run and managed by Qatari Nationals, has
had a sound reputation at the national circuit.
"Our riders had done very well over the past two seasons and we're runners-up in
the Superbike category - when we raced the Supersport category for the first
time in 2007, we secured the 4th and 5th position overall,"
said Mansour Al Ansari, the manager.
"This year, we decided not race in the QIRRCH
(Qatari International Road Racing Championship)
as we faced some unavoidable problems, but we love racing and want to contribute
positively to the growth of the sport in Qatar. So we thought to bring a
professional rider to race for us during the World Superbike weekend," Mansour
said about the reason for racing this season. We are grateful to our Title
Sponsor, Qatar Building Company for partnering up with us. Also, Gulf Agency
Company, Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Pronto Printing Press have contributed
to making the Team Pit Stop's participation a reality. Without their support, it
would have just impossible for us to race on such short notice. We express our
deepest gratitude to our sponsors again. We hope to do well in the race to
justify their faith in us,"
added Mansour.
CARL FOGARTY - BACK ONLINE!
You can't keep a good man down - Carl Fogarty is back. His new
website is HERE and it's now quite
possible that Carl will be setting his sights slightly lower in order to once
again become a force in World Superbikes. It's widely acknowledged that the
Petronas connection was a good financial deal but the bike would only deliver
90% of what was needed to compete at the top level in WSB. The MV AGUSTA bid for
the 2008 season would only become reality if a big-money sponsor would also come
onboard, as the factory never had the funds to mount a challenge on their own.
FOGGY - LEAVING ALL THE RUBBISH BEHIND HIM
Now that all the tacky 'behind-the-scenes' glad-handing,
finger-crossing and pride-swallowing is over, the Fogster can start to rebuild
from scratch...and (hopefully) he'll have a team made up of enthusiasts funded
by enthusiasts - not pencil-pushers.
WORLD SUPERBIKES - QATAR TESTS
DUCATI:
Bayliss got back to business after an enforced rest period
due to a broken collarbone, and clocked up a total of 55 laps on Wednesday with
a fastest lap time of 1m58.8s. Team-mate Fabrizio registered a fastest lap time
of 1m59.6s, completing a total of 71 laps on this, the second and last day of
testing for the Ducati Xerox Team.
Troy Bayliss 1m58.8s "I'm pretty happy with how things have gone here. On
Tuesday we sorted out a few "gremlins" so to speak. We had a brand new bike here
and it always takes a bit of time to run in so we hope that we have solved those
problems before next week's race. We've tried different things today with regard
to set-up and I managed to complete 55 laps. Lap times were good and we were
able to do a long-run after lunch too which went well. I'm also pretty positive
about my condition, as although yesterday I wasn't feeling so comfortable with
the bikes settings, I felt much better today after we changed a few things and I
think I can say I'm pretty much back to normal. I'm happy I still have another
week to get even fitter before next week."
Michel Fabrizio 1m59.6s "It went well here this week. Yesterday we had a few
technical problems but today it all went much better and I'm happy with the
progress we made. Today I managed to do 10 laps, each in under 2 minutes, and a
total of 71 laps. I'd say that we're ready for the race next week and I can't
wait for the championship to begin!"
YAMAHA:
Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (both Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) made their
final pre-race preparations for the 2008 World Superbike season at the Losail
International Circuit today; the same venue that serves as the championship kick
off on Saturday 23 February. The Losail track surface was not in as good
condition as it was for the team’s previous winter test around the 5.380km
circuit in Qatar, but the main objective of this showing was to ensure that all
the latest equipment would be in prime condition when points become available
for real next week.
The team brought four all-new machines and all of the latest specification, but
as this was not an official test the riders had to use a more limited stock of
tyres than usual. Corser was second fastest rider of all on the final day,
posting a 1’59.0, with Haga only marginally behind with a time of 1’59.3.
Shinichi Nakatomi (Team YZF Yamaha) was also out testing in preparation for the
start of the year, running his latest spec of Yamaha YZF-R1 machine in his
one-man team. He set a best of 2’00.7, on off-the-shelf Pirelli control tyres.
Yamaha’s second French WSB team GMT94 did not attend this last pre-season test.
Troy Corser (2nd - 1’59.0 - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
“We tried a few new things with the variable intake settings for example, but
only a little bit at this test. That said, we still found a lot of positive
stuff over the past two days. It was mostly a shakedown test, with a bit of
back-to-back comparison of the different bikes and I feel really confident with
our starting package for this coming season. The only downside was that I felt a
bit feverish this afternoon, aching a bit, like am catching the ‘flu, so it
wasn’t that much fun on the bike sometimes. The results were still good, so I’m
confident in the bike and team. With what we found today, I would be happy to go
and start the championship tomorrow.” Noriyuki Haga (3rd - 1’59.3 - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
“It has been good to test so close to the start of the season and things went
well with the bike. We only really had one type of tyre to test so we had to
make changes in our suspension settings to be able to work with them. We found a
setting that worked, which shows that we know how to adjust the bike in a good
way. We will see how we get on during the race weekends but my long run this
morning went well. I think when we get the real race tyres, we will be ready to
go.”
Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
"Things went well, a positive test for us all. We arrived here with four
completely new bikes, so the first day was spent mostly running things in and
checking the bikes over. On the final day we did some long runs and in the end
we were quite satisfied with the performance of both riders and the bikes. We
used tyres that we didn’t use in the previous Qatar tests as well. The times
were not as good as they were in November but the track conditions at this
circuit are quite changeable. The important thing was to make our final
preparations and I can say that we are ready to race now.”
Broc Parkes and Fabien Foret (both Yamaha World Supersport Team) declared
themselves ready to take the 2008-specification Yamaha YZF-R6 into competitive
action after their final pre-season test was completed earlier today in Qatar.
Although the ever-changing Losail track provided the team with less than perfect
conditions in the pursuit of absolute lap times, the last-minute alterations to
the all-new machine provided both riders with a confidence-boosting set of
results, especially when simulating real race conditions. Parkes was the faster
of the two on the stopwatch, setting a best of 2’02.9, with Foret 0.6 seconds
from his team-mate. Foret, the 2002 World Supersport Champion, found
improvements in two main areas of performance and each rider is now ready for
the task of qualifying and then racing, at the first round on 23 February. David
Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport Team), recovering from a hand injury he
sustained in a recent test at home in Almeria, was also fast on the slippery
Losail circuit yesterday, setting a 2’03.1 after his two days of testing.
Salom’s regular team-mate David De Gea could not make this test due to a serious
injury to his left leg, but his place was taken by Spanish Championship regular,
Josep Pedró, who will substitute for De Gea in the opening two WSS rounds of the
season. Pedró set a best of 2’09.2 on his first visit to the fast and tricky
Losail circuit.
Broc Parkes (2.02.9 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"I’m happy with how the test progressed. We were really lucky to have this
test now to get everything ready at the same place we’re having the first round.
We had some new equipment and parts to get bedded in and the test was good. The
track was a bit slippery over both days, and that’s why we only got into the
high 2’02s. That wasn’t bad considering how different the grip was. The main
thing here was to get the bike the way we wanted it and to find out all the
little things you don’t want to find a week from now. We basically ran the same
set-up as the Phillip Island test, so it’s very positive that it also worked
here.”
Fabien Foret (2’03.5 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"We fixed a lot of small but important things and it helped me gaining
confidence, mainly in the area of the rear traction and corner entry. I have a
bit more feedback than before on the front, so I have to be happy. We will
always be searching for better and better, but we learned a lot at this test and
I feel good going into the first race.”
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"Our test went quite well, even if our times were not as fast as the last time
out here. We didn’t find any problems, no crashes, and we found some good points
to focus on. It was important to give the riders this test or they would have
had a month off the bikes, so it was very helpful to be here so soon before the
race. Because it was not an official Pirelli test, we could not use a lot of new
tyres but this was useful to us as well, because we could see the behaviour of
the bike with worn tyres. We found some benefits compared to when we were here
before, and we can say that we are fully ready to start the season.”
David Salom: (2’03.1 Yamaha Spain World Supersport Team)
"I am very satisfied with the whole test. I have improved 1.8 seconds from
last year's lap time and we have made good times with a race set-up. I feel
optimistic. I am also very happy with the work of the team, especially with the
improvements in suspension and the engine."
DAMIAN CUDLIN BRUSHES OFF THE COBWEBS IN NEW ZEALAND - UPDATE
ON THE UPDATE
Remember the race scene in the film "On The Beach"?...well,
maybe you're too young...but in the good old days, races used to be held on
normal streets with a bit of protection afforded by a couple of
strategically-placed (and highly inflammable) straw bales. Aah, memories...
PAEROA 2007
It's Paeroa in New Zealand and the "Battle of the Streets" this
coming weekend 16th/17th February as Damian Cudlin continues in his NZ
Championship chase. It's going to be Damo's first-ever street race and the
prospect of all the 'road furniture' has yet to hit home, I think. "Racing on
the street is something I haven't done before but I'm looking forward to the
experience. I've watched the footage from last years event and it looked like a
blast so I decided to give it go, plus I think I realised I'd never hear the end
of it from my team mates if I didn't "Man Up! Riding the fast Bernard R1
Superbike at a race track is one thing, but wrestling it around on the streets
will be something else... I can't wait."
Damo's going to have fierce competition from Road specialists Andrew Stroud and
Craig Shirrifs, along with fellow Aussie Gareth Jones.
Having just recently returned home to Australia, Taree’s Damian
Cudlin is already eagerly awaiting his return to New Zealand where he hopes to
turn his New Zealand Superbike Championship chase around. Currently 5th in the
standings, Cudlin competed in the first 3 rounds of the series for the Bernard
Racing Yamaha Squad aboard the potent Yamaha R1, but faced stiff competition as
well as some bad luck whilst racing in the land of the long white cloud.
The season opener in Ruapuna saw Cudlin qualify on the front row
before battling to a 5th place finish in race 1. After making some adjustments
to the machine, Cudlin was confident of a stronger showing in race 2, but an
altercation with Andrew Stroud (remeber him?...ex-GP racer) on the first lap saw
Cudlin crashing through the gravel trap at over 200kph. Shaken but unhurt Cudlin
returned to form at Levels Raceway for Round 2, where another front row start
assured he was in the mix of it on race day. Damo didn’t disappoint the crowd on
Sunday, joining a 5 bike freight train battling for the lead, whilst smashing
the lap record in the process. Cudlin’s final laps however cost him a chance for
the win as he finished 4th at the flag.
Race 2 should have been more of the same but another first lap
incident saw Damo punted off the track only to re-join the race dead last. A
spirited ride saw him dramatically claw his way through the field to take a fine
5th place finish. Teretonga’s Round 3 saw the same 5 protagonist’s of Bugden,
Stroud, Jones, Shirrifs and Cudlin all fighting for the top spot, however a
determined Bugden continued his hold on the series claiming two more wins,
leaving Cudlin with only a 5th and 4th place finishes on the score card.
“It’s been a tough 3 weeks, tougher
than I expected it would be. Learning the tracks while trying to find a set up
that will allow me to ride the bike fast from beginning to end has been hard,
but I’m enjoying the challenge all the same. The competition has been strong too
with Bugden, Stroudy, Shirrifs and Jones all riding well, Bugden especially. But
I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it could happen and we have been pretty
close already, so I’ve just got to make it happen. The Bernard Yamaha Team have
been fantastic to me throughout and Rob and Denis from Ohlins have really been a
help to me recently, so I know that side of things is covered. It’s really up to
me to step up my game and come back stronger in the next four races, and show
them what I came for.”
Damo will return to New Zealand to face the Superbike field
again at the next round on February 24th.
GMT94 TESTING AT ALMERIA
STEVE PLATER REPORT:
Steve Plater linked up with the GMT Yamaha World Superbike
team for a shakedown test at Almeria in Spain recently. GMT Yamaha have a busy
season ahead of them as they are to contest the World Superbike series with
David Checa and Sebastian Gimbert plus the two riders will team up with Woodhall
Spa ace Steve Plater to challenge for glory in the Le-Mans and Bol d’Or 24 hour
World Endurance races during 2008. Plater is also on stand by as a reserve rider
in the World Superbike championship should either of the two riders suffer an
injury. Plater left England amidst flood warnings and heavy rain to be greeted
at Almeria airport with bright sunshine and a temperature of 24 degrees. While
his two teammates concentrated on set-up for their World Superbike challenge
Plater was left to accustom himself with the new R1 Yamaha Endurance Superbike,
Pirelli tyres and getting to know the team.
“I didn’t really expect too much time
on the bike as with three riders you normally spend an equal amount of track
time before making a joint decision on settings etc but with Checa and Gimbert
concentrating on the bikes they are to use in the World Superbike campaign it
was left to me to test the Endurance bike all by myself,”
said Plater. The first session was spent familiarising
himself with the bike and trying out the Pirelli tyres.
“I spent all of last year in the World Endurance campaign
on Pirellis but with a different bike, not a Yamaha so was a little
apprehensive. I instantly felt at home with the bike and the team but have to
admit that tyre wear was an issue, not just for me but for every team who were
testing at Almeria from Ten Kate to Craig Jones on his World Supersport bike. I
didn’t have to worry about set up and lap times in this test as the R1 will be
around 8kg lighter at the next one with a further 10bhp and a different
swing-arm fitted. However I was lapping within 1½ seconds of the World
Superbikes on worn tyres so was pretty happy with myself."
The track surface was very abrasive
towards the Pirelli tyres and by the end of the second of three planned days of
testing most teams had run out of tyres and decided to call it a day.
“Despite losing the third day I am very happy with the
race bike and also the team and am now looking forward to the next test at Le
Mans where most of the teams will be present for the first official World
Endurance pre-season test in March.”
As well as the World Endurance campaign,
Plater will again contest the British Superbike championship for AIM Yamaha. He
is to take on the role of team co-ordinator, a role he is looking forward to.
“I will look after the day to day running of the team
leaving Steve Mellor to concentrate all his time into engine preparation. We
have an extremely busy year at AIM Yamaha as both Ian Hutchinson and myself will
also contest the major road races this year.”
Steve will contest the British Superbike championship in
2008 while Hutchinson will ride in the British Supersport championship for AIM
Yamaha plus both riders will attend the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT
races.
2008 WORLD ENDURANCE ENTRY LIST (PROVISIONAL)
...Now up HERE...and along
with the expected strong Spanish entry from Folch Yamaha, there's a surprise in
the Midi Pyrenees Team, running the MV Agusta. Sebastien Scarnato, Patrick Piot
and 24 year old 2006 Italian Superstock Champion and AMA Rookie of the year 2007
Luca Scassa look like a top five team immediately, if not top 3. Seriously
strong teams to take the fight to the tradition class leaders SERT, Phase One
(now with added Pridmore!), Yamaha Austria and the Swiss Bolliger team.
Discuss...
HORST SAIGER...TAKES ON DAYTONA...
This in direct from Bolliger (the best wheelie team in the
business) Superstar Horst Saiger:
"I'm going to daytona:)))) No.710 in
class stocksport and superbike. I'm going with one bike , nearly original. Its
the safest way for me. After a test in Cartagena I see no big difference between
my tuned engine and the stock one..."
About Daytona...The International Horseshoe turn has been
shortened allowing more runoff. The total track length has been decreased to
2.90 miles (4.667 km). The Daytona 200 by Honda will be extended to 69 laps.
Track maps in PDF format are
HERE and HERE.
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