TYCO BMW TOPS LAP TIMES IN POSITIVE PRE-SEASON TEST
Tyco BMW have completed their five day pre-season test in Cartagena, where despite several small weather interruptions the team made the best of the spring-like Spanish climate to work through a number of technical developments on the BMW S 1000 RR Superbike and Superstock specification machines.
As conditions improved for the final day of testing, Christian Iddon clocked an unofficial fastest lap of 1’32.5s, within 0.2s of the circuit lap record.
This was the first opportunity to have each of the four riders for 2018 together with a full team and support crew line-up ahead of an exciting season in both the British Superbike Championship and International Road Racing.
Leaving the Spanish circuit in a strong position, the Tyco BMW team now look forward to further track time during an official Metzeler road racing tyre test next week ahead of the official British Superbike test at Donington Park 20th March.
Christian Iddon, British Superbike:
“Throughout the test we tried various development parts which are definitely a marked step up in the places that we struggled last year.
“On the last exit that we worked heavily on corner entry with the electronic side of things and the team and I made a massive stride forward – the bike was so much easier to ride. My entry was a lot faster, allowing me to roll the corners a lot more, which resulted in my fastest ever lap round Cartagena by a fair amount and ended the day topping the timesheets which is awesome. I’m feeling good on the bike and we have some good direction – it’s nice to end the test in such a positive way. Now the plan is to work hard and get more laps under our belt ahead of the first round at Donington Park. Thank you to the whole Tyco BMW team for all their hard work.”
Michael Laverty, British Superbike:
“It’s been a great first test for us, as a team we all gelled, with new members of staff and new equipment on the bikes. We have Donington Park test coming up where we look to confirm our findings from Cartagena. We leave here feeling content with the work we got through, our race pace was good and the overall understanding of the BMW S 1000 RR has taken a step forward. As always we will continue to work to fine tune our overall set up, I have a good feeling with my bike and look forward to getting racing in a few weeks”
Keith Farmer, British Superstock 1000:
“After a good five day test, I am starting to find my feet on the BMW S 1000 RR with loads of laps under my belt which has helped to adapt my style to the 1000cc bikes again. Hopefully with what we have learnt and achieved, we can have a good crack at it this year. Massive thank you to Michael, Christian and Dan for helping me learn the bike and the whole Tyco BMW and TAS Racing team for doing such a good job so far.”
Cartagena Pre-season Test – unofficial times
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) 1m:32.5s
Shane Byrne – (Be Wiser Ducati) 1m:32.7s
Jake Dixon – (RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki) 1m:32.7s
Tommy Bridewell – (Movuno.com Halsall Racing Suzuki) 1m:32.8s
Michael Laverty – (Tyco BMW) 1m:33.2s