Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates may run in the British Superbike Championship race September 26-28 at Donington Park in England.

“It’s something we’re talking about,” said Yates Friday at VIR. “Cliff’s (Nobles, Yates’ manager) working on it. It’s at Donington Park, that’s why I want to do it. I don’t know if it will happen.”

Yates said he recently re-signed with Yoshimura Suzuki for two more years, through the 2005 season. In addition to Superbike, Yates said he will ride either Supersport or the new Superstock, depending on the final 2004 rule structure. “I want to ride the 1000cc,” said Yates.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

PICOTTE LEADS THE WAY

SHANNONVILLE, ON – Parts Canada Superbike Championship points leader Pascal Picotte set the pace in practice for this weekend’s final round at Shannonville Motorsport Park Friday.

The St-Cecile de Milton, QC racer recorded a time of 1:46.958 on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 in the day’s final practice session. Calgary rider Clint McBain was second Friday aboard his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 with a 1:47.506 he set in the morning practice. His teammate Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC was third at 1:47.521, also from the morning.

Picotte is trying to win his first national Superbike title at Shannonville this weekend. He comes into the event with a 17-point lead over Steve Crevier in the standings, 277-260. Martin is third in points with 245.

“In a situation like this it’s good to be fastest,” Picotte said. “I’ve got to get the job done and I’m feeling the pressure. I’m a little nervous.”

Crevier was seventh fastest Friday on his Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000. The Maple Ridge, BC rider, who has six Canadian Superbike titles to his credit set a best time of 1:48.232.

Joliette, QC’s Jean-Francois Cyr is fourth in the Parts Canada Superbike standings with 229 points and also has a shot at the title. He was sixth fastest Friday on his CyRacing/Michelin Yamaha YZF-R1 with a top lap of 1:48.143.

This weekend’s race lost one of its favorites when Orion Motorsport Honda rider Michael Taylor suffered a heavy fall in the final turn late in the morning practice session. The Toronto racer was originally transported to hospital in nearby Belleville with a broken pelvis, but was scheduled to be airlifted to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto Friday evening to undergo surgery.

In other action at Shannonville, Harrowsmith, ON’s Jeff Williams led the way in practice for the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike national support class. Williams set a time of 1:49.263 on his Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R600.

Picotte, who has already clinched the series title was second on his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:49.458 and Crevier placed third at 1:49.769 on the Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R600.

Wellesley, ON racer Bill Card set the fastest time in practice for the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class on his McBride Cycle Riders’ Club Honda CBR600RR with a time of 1:53.340.

Kitchener rider Craig Dixon placed second riding the Pro Action Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:53.433 and Ottawa’s Dan Henri was third with a time of 1:54.112 on the Barkman Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.

Class points leader Jeremy Leduc was eighth in practice on his Kelowna Yamaha-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6 at 1:55.485.

Qualifying for all three national classes will take place Saturday afternoon with feature races set to go on Sunday.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m. and on the Outdoor Life Network on Sunday, Oct. 26, also at 1:00 p.m. Action from Shannonville will also be shown later this year on Quebec’s RDS.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Provisional AMA Superbike Qualifying Results:
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.573
2. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:26.486
3. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:26.802
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.862
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:26.905
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:27.099
7. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.102
8. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.308
9. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.630
10. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.694
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.837
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.907
13. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.591
14. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.838
15. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.913
16. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.269
17. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.459
18. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.489
19. John Haner, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.549
20. Chris Voelker, Ducati 996, 1:30.786
21. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSXR-R750, 1:31.356
22. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.684
23. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.734
24. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.744
25. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.936
26. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.005
27. David Duprey, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.041
28. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.102
29. Rob Christman. Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.115
30. Tony Fania, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.120
31. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.284
32. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.558
33. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.608
34. Chuck Allen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.673
35. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.824
36. James Kerker, Honda CBR954RR, 1:33.094
37. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.186
38. Dyron Barbour, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.414
39. Chris Greer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.475
40. Kevin Lehman, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:34.007
41. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.242
42. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.421
43. Shane Gonyea, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.815
44. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.090
45. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:36.893


Top speeds at Start/Finish:

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 169.186 mph
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.168 mph
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 167.936 mph
4. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 167.122 mph


Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates crashed in turn five with two minutes remaining in the session. He was seen walking away from the incident.


More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

Rd’s 15 & 16 – 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia, USA
First Qualifying Session Report

MLADIN SETS FASTEST TIME IN OPENING SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING SESSION AT VIRGINIA

Alton, Virginia, USA (Friday, 29 August) – Three times American Superbike champion, Australian Mat Mladin, has dominated the first day of official practice and qualifying for this weekend’s penultimate double-header round of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship being held at Virginia International Raceway.

Mladin was the fastest rider around the 3.58km (2.225 miles) layout, heading the time sheets in both the morning’s opening practice session and then later in the afternoon in the first of two qualifying sessions scheduled for the weekend.

In hot and humid conditions, Mladin rode his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to a best time of 1:25.572, to lead the field by almost a second. Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts posted the second fastest time with a 1:26.486, followed by Italian Giovanni Bussei (Ducati Austin) with a 1:26.802 and Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore who completes the provisional front row of the grid with a 1:26.861.

“We were a bit off the times that we have done there over the past couple of years, but we still achieved what we needed to do so far” said Mladin. “It is difficult to get a clear lap in around here because of the nature of the track, but everyone is in the same situation as us. I was a bit surprised to see how much of a time gap we had on the others, so I’m not sure what they were up to. I know there was room for us to go a bit quicker, but we still have tomorrow to try and find a bit more with the bike.”

Heading into this weekend’s round, Mladin leads the championship points chase with a total of 431 and holds a 33-point break over second placed Aaron Yates on the second of the Yoshimura Suzuki’s. Yates posted the seventh fastest time in today’s qualifying session, which also saw him walk away from a crash in the final minutes of the session.

Qualifying for this weekend’s Double-Header Superbike round concludes tomorrow morning, before the first of two 26-lap AMA Superbike races takes place later in the afternoon.


QUALIFYING, Friday – Top 10
1. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:25.572 mins
2. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda) 1:26.486
3. Giovanni Bussei (Ducati Austin) 1:26.802
4. Jason Pridmore (Attack Suzuki) 1:26.861
5. Ben Bostrom (American Honda) 1:26.905
6. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) 1:27.099
7. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:27.102
8. Shawn Higbee (KWS Suzuki) 1:28.308
9. Jordan Szoke (Corona Extra Suzuki) 1:28.631
10. Michael Barnes (Prieto Suzuki) 1:28.693

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 14 of 18 rounds):
1. M Mladin (431); 2. A Yates (398), 3. B Bostrom (376); 4. E Bostrom (350); 5. K Roberts (349), 6. M DuHamel (332); 7. J Pridmore (315); 8. S Higbee (299), 9. V Haskovec (221), 10. J Szoke (212).

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superstock Qualifying
Provisional Times
1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:27.637
2. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.861
3. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.003
4. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.037
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.184
6. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.347
7. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.481
8. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.570
9. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.733
10. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.811
11. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.839
12. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.898
13. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.007
14. Lee Acree, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.166
15. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.286
16. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.623
17. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.818
18. James Ellison, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.127
19. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.185
20. Darren Luck, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.386
21. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.317
22. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.478
23. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.513
24. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.717
25. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.105
26. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.130
27. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.952
28. Steve Atlas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.025
29. Nathan Dressman, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.930
30. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.263
31. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:34.638
32. Gio Rojas, Triumph TT600, 1:34.893
33. Crash Loew, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:34.920
34. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.020
35. Jeremiah Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.168
36. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.460
37. Adrian Jones, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:35.620



More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Back In Action At Virginia

Following a month-long break in the AMA road racing schedule, Team Valvoline Suzuki got back onto the track Friday at Virginia International Raceway. The day produced mixed results for the Michelin-equipped squad, with all three riders will looking to improve on their Friday times as the weekend progresses.

Steve Rapp has grown accustomed to running up front in Superstock competition, having scored three podiums — including two race wins — over the past four events. So the Californian was understandably less than impressed by his third-row qualifying performance on Friday.

“I’m not quite sure what the problem was today,” admitted Rapp, who qualified eleventh with a 1:28.839. “I felt pretty fast, but the times just weren’t there. I’ll have to look over the splits, but I’m confident we’ll get everything sorted and move back up front.”

The new AMA rules designed to keep factory riders out of certain classes ended up hurting Rapp and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki this weekend at VIR. Rapp, who has entered the Superstock, Formula Xtreme and Superbike classes at many events this year, was initially told he would be forced to only enter Formula Xtreme class and not be allowed in Superbike this weekend. Eventually the AMA relented and allowed Rapp to choose Superbike over the Formula Xtreme class. Steve was 12th in Superbike on Friday with a time of 1:28.907.

Youngster Matt Furtek also qualified on the third row aboard his Michelin-shod GSX-R750. Just one spot behind Rapp in 12th with a best lap of 1:28.898, Furtek has continued to show improvement over the course of the season.

Afterwards he commented, “Today went really well for me. This has been my best day at the track this year and all the hard work is starting to pay off. Thanks to the team for having faith in me. It helps too that my arm is feeling a lot better since the surgery I had for the nerve problem earlier this summer. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better day for us.”

Chris Ulrich was just one position behind Furtek, qualifying 13th for Saturday’s 17-lap Superstock final. Chris might have turned in a better time but the beginnings of a rainstorm on his fast lap made him think better of it.

Ulrich explained, “I was going pretty well today until the end when it came time to do one quick lap. On my fast lap, I was catching Matt (Furtek) but I noticed some rain drops on my windscreen. I was faster than him in the first section but it was a judgment call. I eased up, he didn’t. After that, I was watching him go around in front of me and thinking he would crash but he never did. It turns out he made the right move.

“Race day will be a different story because some of the other guys in front of us used soft tires that won’t last the race,” Ulrich said.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jimmy Moore is attempting to come back to AMA racing this weekend at VIR after missing the previous three events due to injury.

“I’m just going to go out and see if I can ride,” said Moore Friday morning at VIR. “I’ve been trying to ride here ever since I got hurt. I was told it was going to be eight weeks, and this is eight weeks since my crash.”

Moore was seriously injured June 26 in a 160 mph crash during Thursday practice at Brainerd International Raceway. He suffered fractures to his hip, ribs, left arm and shoulder as well as a ruptured spleen, and it is the lack of strength in his left arm and shoulder that most hampers Moore.

“I know it’s pushing it to be here, but I want to be here trying instead of not trying, you know?” said Moore.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:25.354
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:26.296
3. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.054
4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:27.072
5. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:27.230
6. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:27.294
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:27.903
8. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.343
9. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.430
10. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.213
11. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.354
12. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.362
13. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.469
14. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.897
15. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.991
16. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.027
17. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.222
18. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.333
19. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.435
20. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.609
21. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.670
22. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.717
23. Chris Voelker, Ducati 996, 1:32.327
24. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.396
25. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.468

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Three-time AMA Superbike Champion and current AMA Superbike Championship points leader Mat Mladin says AMA Pro Racing has made a big mistake with its new 2004 Superbike rules for 2004, and complains that the new technical regulations will give 1000cc V-Twins an advantage over 1000cc four-cylinder racebikes.

“I think the AMA has made an absolute massive mistake in what they’ve done with the rules. All because one guy’s winning races this year they decide to change it? That’s crazy,” said Mladin, nine-time race winner in 2003.

The 2004 rules will require 1000cc Fours, like the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 ridden by Mladin, to go back to stock airboxes and stock fuel-injection throttle bodies while 1000cc V-Twins will be able to run near their current state of tune.

“They’re saying, yeah, but they can only have the same gearbox (one homologated and one standard gearbox) option as us, as the four cylinders, but Ducati doesn’t change their gearboxes anyway. So essentially they’re allowing a full V-Twin Superbike and we’re going to be handicapped by, who knows, 10-15 horsepower. So all the AMA’s gone and done is put the advantage straight back into the V-Twin’s hands, like the V-Twins have had.

“I think a better way is Ducati needs to abide by everyone else’s rules for once and not have everyone play by Ducati’s rules. Simple. How many years have V-Twins had an advantage over four-cylinder motorcycles? Ever since they’ve been around.”

Mladin believes 1000cc four-cylinder bikes and 1000cc V-Twins under the 2003 rules are competitive with each other and points out Honda’s 1-2-3 finish at Daytona and other strong V-Twin showings at Road America and Mid-Ohio.

“I believe our bike comes off the turn fractionally better, but I believe the V-Twins still have top end on us,” said Mladin.

Al Ludington, Crew Chief for American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel, disagrees with Mladin and complains that the AMA should have already done something to make V-Twins more competitive, mid-season. On Honda’s radar gun during the recent Dunlop tire test at Daytona, Ludington said Mladin’s GSX-R1000 hit 187 mph, RC51 Hondas ridden by Duhamel and Ben Bostrom hit 181 mph and a 2004 Superstock-spec GSX-R1000 ridden by Aaron Yates hit 181 mph.

“The 2004 rules will probably even things up (on horsepower),” said Ludington, “but the four-cylinder is going to be the way to go. The way the weight bias is on the Four helps its handling too much. They all have the power to blow away the rear tire. The Four gets turned and stood up on the big part of the tire quicker, allowing them to get on the gas sooner.

“The AMA doesn’t address the difference in parity in a timely manner,” said Ludington. “Look at NASCAR. I know people say it’s boring, but $2.2 billion in revenue isn’t boring. NASCAR has its own R&D facility with its own wind tunnel and engine development program.

“And NHRA. Have you seen that bike that Vance & Hines is drag racing now? They won a couple of races in a row, and NHRA called them up and told them to add 10 pounds to the bike for the next round. The problem lies in the AMA’s adjustments to the rules.

“You can’t write rules in the winter and hope they’ll be good for the next eight months.”

From a press release issued by WERA:

WERA NATIONAL SERIES HITS THE MID-WEST FOR ROUND EIGHT AT HALLETT

TULSA, Okla.- Round eight of the WERA National Challenge Series and the Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series will be held this weekend, August 29-31, at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit.

Friday, August 29, will be an all-day practice for the racers. Many of the National Series competitors have never visited Hallett and will be busy learning the 1.8-mile, 10-turn road course.

The Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series race will start at 11:30 am on Saturday, August 30. It will be the final six-hour race of the season, and riders will be faced with the physical and mental challenges of endurance racing.

Vesrah Suzuki will aim for their eighth consecutive win overall on their Suzuki GSX-R1000. Army of Darkness, who has won the Mediumweight Superbike class in every round, also hopes to continue their season-long winning streak.

Sunday, August 31, will feature the WERA National Challenge Series as well as the Mid-Central Sportsman Series races. There will be 15 sprint races, and each one will be eight laps long.

The National Challenge races include Open Superstock, Pirelli Formula 1, 125 GP, 600 Superstock Expert, STAR School 600 Superstock Novice, and expert and novice divisions for 600 Superbike, 750 Superstock and Superbike, Lightweight Twins, Heavyweight Twins, and Formula 2.

Hallett Motor Racing Circuit is located just 35 miles outside of Tulsa. Three-day tickets are available for $30, Saturday/Sunday tickets are $20, and Sunday only is $15. More information about the track, including directions, can be found on Hallett’s website, www.HallettRacing.com.

More information about WERA, including a full schedule for the weekend at Hallett, can be found at www.WERA.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

British rider James Ellison will race a Suzuki GSX-R750 in the AMA Superstock race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) this weekend.

Ellison, 22, will ride the STAR Suzuki School machines left vacant by Hawk Mazzotta; Mazzotta is still recovering from knee and foot injuries suffered in a crash during an AFM race in July at Thunderhill and will not ride at VIR.

According to STAR Suzuki School Crew Chief Jeremy Daniel, Jason Pridmore and Mazzotta collaborated on the deal to bring Ellison over for the race.

In addition to riding with Pridmore on the Endurance World Championship-leading Suzuki GB Phase One team, Ellison has raced in 23 European Superstock Championship events, has won seven and has finished on the podium 12 times.

Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes, who raced with Ellison recently in the Oschersleben 24-hour Endurance World Championship race, said Ellison is “a cool kid. I’m glad he’s coming over. It’ll be fun to have him here. I think he’ll do well.”

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy Feels His Age at Valencia Test

Carl Fogarty took to the saddle of the PETRONAS FP1 during Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s first day of a two day private test in Valencia, Spain for further development of the Malaysian superbike.

“I am officially old!” commented a surprised Carl. “It’s amazing how different it felt to be back out on track after three and a half year. I did a couple of runs of three or four laps but when I came back in to the garage my head was spinning. Going down the start finish straight I was finding it difficult to comprehend the speed and then found I was braking early and cruising round the corners really slowly!

“It would have been easier if I was at a circuit like Donington, which I know well, and also on a bike that I know as I’m obviously not familiar with the handling, characteristics and sounds of the FP1. I’ve only ever tested, not raced at Valencia which is a technical track and I didn’t find the seating position on the FP1 comfy, particularly given my injuries and dodgy knees!

“That said though, today’s ride round certainly put an end to any joking thoughts I may have had about racing again. It was hard work and every part of me was aching when I got off the bike. I managed to knock seconds off my lap time with every lap but I couldn’t, and didn’t want to, push to the limit. It was an experience for sure but that’s it – I can’t believe I have to say I’m now too old for this,” Carl concluded with a smile.

James Haydon was unable to ride having woken up with seized neck muscles, leaving team-mate Troy Corser to work through the testing programme, although joined by British rider Jamie Morley on a second FP1. He achieved promising lap times for his first outing on the bike and commented to be impressed with its chassis and handling.

Team Manager Nigel Bosworth commented, “We have a number of areas to test which wouldn’t necessarily be most productive for Troy and James to work on, so it was good to have the opportunity for Jamie to ride the bike and also obtain a third opinion and good feedback for the team and engine manufacturer.”

Troy Corser was happy with the day’s work having made valuable in-roads particularly with clutch settings. “It’s been great to have time to really test different areas today as we understandably never have enough time during a race weekend. We tried different combinations of spring and pre-load settings and found something I’m very happy with. I’m comfortable with my lap times, averaging around 1:37s, as that’s about the same as in the race here at the beginning of the season and I’ve not been trying as hard as I was then and, the track condition is also not as good. Being back at Valencia I’ve been able to benchmark just how much improvement we have made since the first race here 6 months ago, and there is no doubt that the bike package as a whole is stronger.”