TODAY’S wet first practice session for the 11th round of the World Supersport Championship at the Nurburgring in Germany proved a tough test for the Parkalgar duo of Eugene Laverty and Miguel Praia who finished ninth and 18th with plenty of room for improvement.
Championship leader Cal Crutchlow on a Yamaha was fastest around the 5.137km Nurburgring circuit in the tricky conditions. There is a practice and qualifying session tomorrow before the race takes place at 1325CET on Sunday, September 6th.
Miguel: “My Parkalgar Honda is good but the weather conditions are very wet and cold. I took my time to settle in to the track in the rain, there is no sense pushing too hard in these conditions during practice. I am focussed on improving and challenging the top 10 again this weekend – and I hope the sunshine returns for tomorrow and the race on Sunday.”
Eugene: “I was trying relatively hard in that session but I couldn’t get a good sensation with the tyres as they were squirming; we need to look at pressures and I think that will solve the problem. The circuit seems less bumpy in the wet which is good but I would prefer it to be dry for the rest of the weekend. Don’t read too much into today’s position, we have work to do and will be better tomorrow.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “Both riders played it safe in the treacherous wet conditions - there are no points awarded today. Eugene needs to be closer to the front tomorrow and to put pressure on Cal Crutchlow; he needs to take the fight to the head of the timesheets. Miguel rode within himself and as he has proved in the last few races, he is better than 18th and we will be looking for him to improve as well. The forecast is for rain on Saturday and dry on Sunday so we will need to be sharp and on it from the off to get the best results this weekend.”
Friday Practice Times
1 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 2′13.170
2 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 2′13.480
3 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 2′15.119
4 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 2′15.120
5 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2′15.675
6 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2′15.688
7 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2′15.861
8 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2′15.863
9 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 2′16.423
10 Veneman B. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 2′17.314
18 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 2′19.150.
