PARKALGAR HONDA ace Eugene Laverty is on front-running pace at the sixth round of the World Supersport Championship at Kyalami in South Africa, leading the practice times with minutes to go and eventually finishing second fastest.
Miguel Praia ended the day in 18th as he got to grip with the new-for-2009 circuit on the Championship calendar. Honda’s Kenan Sofuoglu was quickest. A further practice followed by a qualifying session takes place tomorrow before the race at 1325CET on Sunday, May 17th.
Eugene: “That was pretty good; I am surprised how easy the lap times came. We expected the circuit to be bumpy and my Parkalgar Honda team made some preparations to the bike that let it work straight away. It was cold in the afternoon and the front felt a little harsh but we made some changes at the end and they worked and the lap time came down again. Because it was so cold I still haven’t made a decision on which front tyre to use. The rear tyre selection is made; the harder tyre simply doesn’t work around here. We’ll have a look at the gearing and chassis this evening to see if we can find a bit more for tomorrow.”
Miguel: “I spent today getting used to the track and it was more difficult than I expected. I normally take time to get used to a circuit and here I stayed out for as long as possible to gain track knowledge. Of course, this means I am doing many laps on the same tyres and saving my good ones. We are working hard on set-up at this bumpy track. We will look at the data and I am sure I will get a little help from Eugene as he is doing so well. I think my settings on the Parkalgar Honda are not so bad and tomorrow I will put in new tyres and go for it.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “We are happy, Eugene has a good setting with his Parkalgar Honda which is working really well and has gelled with the track. He tried three gearing changes and minor suspension tweaks but that was all, which is testament to his technicians for giving him a good bike right from the off. Miguel is still getting to grips with the circuit and he will analyse his performance with the team tonight and I am sure find time tomorrow.”
Practice
1 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1′41.566
2 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′41.812
3 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1′41.969
4 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′42.511
5 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1′42.597
6 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1′42.735
7 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1′42.797
8 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′42.823
9 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′42.990
10 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′43.258
18 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′44.162
