PARKALGAR HONDA racers Eugene Laverty and Miguel Praia were third and 11th in the opening rain-interrupted practice session for the ninth round of the World Supersport Championship at Donington Park in the UK.
The rain started to fall with 18-minutes remaining and effectively foiled any attempts to improve lap times. With rain forecast for tomorrow’s practice and qualifying and dry weather for race-day the set-up data gathered today may be crucial to determining a race set-up. Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow was quickest. The race takes place at 1325 on Sunday, June 28th at Donington Park in the UK.
Miguel: “That was a good session, perhaps our best one so far. I like Donington, it suits my riding style and the Parkalgar Honda chassis felt strong from the off. Through the slow sections the bike is excellent but I need a bit more help through the fast changes of direction. We tried a new Pirelli tyre but I preferred our normal race tyre and when I put it in my lap times tumbled. I am already faster than my best lap time from 2008 so we are happy.”
Eugene: “We tried all the tyres today in case it rains tomorrow and know which front and rear we will use if it is a dry race. Towards the end we decided to try a spring change in the front forks of my Parkalgar Honda but it rained and we didn’t get a chance to ride. I am not pushing hard yet but the lap times are fast which is encouraging. We will look at the data now and see where we can cut the lap times further. I would prefer a dry race on Sunday because when it is wet here the surface is very slippery, but either way we are in good shape.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manger: “Miguel has had a good session and is performing well. The top 10 result last time out has boosted his confidence and there is more to come from him. Eugene missed the chance to try a change to the front of his Parkalgar Honda but he is comfortable and recording fast lap times so that’s good as well. On both sides of the garage we have had a good start and know the directions we want to go to improve.”
Practice
1 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1′33.323
2 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′33.650
3 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′33.871
4 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1′33.928
5 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1′34.175
6 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′34.219
7 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′34.578
8 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1′34.986
9 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′35.015
10 Veneman B. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1′35.061
11 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′35.141.
