PARKALGAR HONDA racers Eugene Laverty and Miguel Praia left the team’s home track of Portimao frustrated with an 11th and DNF to show for their efforts but confident that they will do better at the next round of the World Supersport Championship.

Laverty led for the first 15-laps of the race before dicing with rivals Kenan Sofuoglu on a Honda and Joan Lascorz on a Kawasaki. He crashed out of third on lap 17 but remounted to take 11th on a severely damaged bike. Praia was enjoying the best race of his career, fighting for seventh place when his bike lost power suddenly on the same lap as his team mate crashed. The third round of the World Championship is at Valencia in Spain in two-week’s time on Sunday 11th April.

Miguel: “I was comfortable riding with Fujiwara and Foret and was preparing to make a big effort on the last laps to go for the places in front – fifth was possible I think – when my bike lost power suddenly and unexpectedly. The good news is that I made a strong start, I think running fifth in the first corners. I was then able to ride with the group fighting for fifth to eighth and our race pace was better than qualifying so we have some big positives to take with us for the rest of the season; it shows what we can achieve. For the fans that came here to support us – thank you very much.”

Eugene: “That didn’t go to plan and at the start I struggled a little with a full tank of fuel. I had the lead so I pushed hard and used the best part of the tyre trying to get away but Lazcorz and Sofuoglu came back at me. When they passed me I was trying hard to stay with them and drove hard out of turn three up to the blind turn four. I just touched the kerb slightly but that was enough to lose the front end. I picked my Parkalgar Honda up and thankfully we operate a strategy that uses the very best parts to survive any crashes and it was rideable. I was losing brake pressure as the master cylinder had emptied so I was lucky the race finish was only a couple of laps later and glad to take 11th. Thanks to all the Portuguese fans and my team for their support, these points could make a big difference at the end of the season in the title race.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “Miguel was riding his best race and competing further up the field than ever before so we are sorry that he was not able to finish. Eugene was fighting at the front of the race for the win and crashed out while pushing hard. We expect him to push hard and go for the win every weekend. He did well to pick up a much damaged bike and race to 11th place. We didn’t get the results we wanted or deserved this weekend but the attitude from the riders and the team is to never give up and we will learn from this and be stronger at Valencia. Thank you to the circuit and the fans for making us so welcome here.”

Race Result

1: Sofuoglu

2: Lascorz +0.031

3: Pirro +8.879

4: Davies +15.270

5: Foret +22.096

6: Fujiwara +23.041

7: Harms +30.830

8: Rea +35.171

9: Roccoli +35.225

10: Salom +35.239

11: LAVERTY PARKALGAR HONDA +49.540

DNF: PRAIA PARKALGAR HONDA

Championship Positions (after two of 13 rounds)

1: Sofuoglu 41

2: Lascorz 40

3: LAVERTY PARKALGAR HONDA 30

4: Foret 22

5: Salom 19

6: Harms 18

13: PRAIA PARKALGAR HONDA 7

PARKALGAR HONDA’S Eugene Laverty took a well-earned pole position while Miguel Praia secured a strong eighth during final qualification for the second round of the World Supersport Championship at the team’s home circuit at Portimao in Portugal.

Sunny warm conditions changed during the session as the wind came up, forcing riders to adjust their style to compensate. The fans were out in force to support the Parkalgar Honda duo and more are expected tomorrow for the race which starts at 1330 local time at the dramatic high-tech circuit.

Eugene: “That’s my second ever pole position and the last time was here at this circuit at the end of 2009, so I am really happy and glad to do it at Parkalgar. The wind came up during the session and may have made a difference but we concentrated on what we wanted to do which was test front and rear tyres. We can improve the front end of our Parkalgar Honda and we will see what we can do in the morning warm-up. I call on all the Portuguese bike fans to come here tomorrow to support me and Miguel – it makes a difference and will help us in our title challenge.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “It was hard work but in the end Eugene took a well-earned pole position. He has won two races in a row now – here last year and then Phillip Island last month; we all want it to be a hat-trick and it would mean a lot to the team’s home support at our own track in Portugal. Miguel is once again on the second row here at his home track and given himself a great opportunity to fight for a top six finish and take his personal best ever result. Well done to all of the Parkalgar Honda team, great work today.”

Final Qualification

1: LAVERTY PARKALGAR HONDA 1:45.169

2: Sofuoglu +0.144

3: Pirro +0.659

4: Lascorz +0.734

5: Foret +0.913

6: Davies +0.992

7: Fujiwara +1.246

8: PRAIA PARKALGAR HONDA +1.397

9: Salom + 1.485

10: Disalvo +1.610.

Eugene Laverty is proud to announce that he is will be sponsored by Eybis for the remainder of the year.

EYBIS (standing for “Enjoy Your Bike In Safety”) organises circuit events in 9 European countries, on mainly GP and TOP tracks like Portimao, Motorland Aragon, Jerez, Magny-Cours, Brno, Salzburgring, Assen, Dijon, Nürburgring, Hockenheim, and even on the Swedish Gotland Ring.

For more info and enrolling for an event: go to EYBIS.com, register yourself, login and click on the calendar button to choose the event and group you like.
The first coming TOP event of EYBIS is on Fri-Sat-Sun 2-3-4 April 2010 @ the MotoGP track “Motorland ARAGON” in Spain. For 395 €, you ride 6 sessions of 20′ during 3 days.
Enrolling per day is also possible.

PARKALGAR HONDA’S Eugene Laverty was the only rider to dip below 1min 46secs to take provisional pole position and Miguel Praia was an impressive sixth during the opening day of the second round of the World Supersport Championship at Parkalgar near Portimao in Portugal.

Parkalgar is the 2009 Circuit of the Year with some of the best facilities in the world. It is also the title sponsor to the Parkalgar Honda race team and the riders are counting on home support from the fans on race day, Sunday 28th March, starting at 1330 local time.

Eugene: “It is nice to go quickest today; it is not often I am fastest in practice or qualifying. I need to keep improving as the rest of the riders will be faster tomorrow. We still have some small changes we need to make to improve my set-up and that will allow us to cut the lap time. The front end of my Parkalgar Honda is feeling very good and is giving excellent feedback and predictability that gives us a strong platform to progress with.”

Miguel: “I am happy with sixth and the performance behind that position as well. I am consistent with my lap times while riders around me are not. I am disappointed to crash on the last lap when my ideal time shows I was fifth fastest. I lost the front going into the VIP Tower hairpin but I am unhurt and very positive looking forward. It is brilliant to be racing here in front of my home crowd and already the support is helping me; I want to keep improving all weekend and give the fans that come to Parkalgar something to cheer about.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Team Manager: “Well done to the team for a great effort this afternoon at our home track. Eugene did a lot of work on his bike and was consistently fast –well done to Phil and his crew for their efforts. Miguel is riding well and impressed despite a late crash. Mark and his crew have delivered him a fantastic bike capable of running top six. We have a good start to the weekend; it is a pleasure racing here in front of our home crowd and a big motivation for everyone in the squad.”

Qualifying Practice

1: Laverty (PARKALGAR HONDA) 1:45.797
2: Pirro +0.230
3: Sofuoglu +0.319
4: Davies +0.484
5: Lascorz +0.687
6: Praia (PARKALGAR HONDA) +0.928
7: Foret +0.962
8: Salom +0.963
9: Disalvo +0.982
10: Rea +1.127.

Almost a month has passed since Round One where we were victorious at Phillip Island. I head to Round Two looking for more of the same, but knowing at the same time that a repeat performance is unlikely. I just can’t see my two chief rivals letting me head off into the distance again so I predict a three way tussle all the way to the flag.

After Phillip Island Pippa and I spent a week up on the Gold Coast of Australia. Unfortunately we were hit by a week of freak weather which typically cleared up the moment we left for home! Nevertheless it was a fantastic week, it’s hard not to enjoy the Aussie way of life. Gino Rea was also up on the Gold Coast for the week so we hooked up with him briefly. The work started when we arrived back in Northern Ireland as it was moving in time. I thought it was going to be stressful times but the excitement of making our new house a home took over. That and the fact that Pippa was on the case sorting most things! For two weeks many of those days were long as I’d get up around 7.00 to train then carry on with moving in duties before taking on my second training session of the day later in the evening. We did have some time off last weekend with Pippa’s parents coming over to stay. On Friday we visited the Giant’s Causeway which is always a nice way to get away from the world.

I went trials riding on Sunday for the first time in a few months and it was great to be back in the forest having the craic with the boys. Nowadays we do more talking than riding, when the sun’s on your back sometimes it’s just nice to lie back and talk rubbish! Usually it’s one person trying to climb a hill while the rest stand scattered across the hill ready to catch both bike and rider when they inevitably fail to make it to the top. After a few attempts that person will park it up then it’s times for the next person to be picked on. I’d like to say the selection is random but it’s more a case of going after the person who’s most likely to bite! Our new recruit Barney is good entertainment, he stands at the top of the hill and provides us with some comedy. He brings a jerrycan filled with fuel but I’m sure a little vinegar jar would be ample for all the riding he does!

I’m travelling to Portugal a day earlier than usual so I hope to catch up with my teammate Miguel and our team owner Paulo at some stage. It’s a nice feeling to go to the team’s home round as the leader of the World Championship, I hope I leave there in the same position.

See ya,

Eugene

PARKALGAR HONDA Portuguese racer Miguel Praia is looking for the ‘race of his life’ to get a top five finish at this weekend’s second round of the World Supersport Championship at his and the team’s home circuit at Portimao in Portugal.

World Championship leader and first round winner Eugene Laverty will be looking to repeat his 2009 victory on home soil for Parkalgar Honda and give the Portuguese fans plenty to cheer. There are practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday before the race at 1330 GMT on Sunday, March 28th, at the state-of-the-art world track of the year near Portimao. For up-to-date information during the race weekend visit www.parkalgarhonda.com.

Miguel: “Racing at home at Parkalgar is a big responsibility as I am the only Portuguese rider in the World Championship; but this is my third time racing here and I am experienced with this. I am also more relaxed after showing in a normal race situation in Australia I can compete for and finish in the top 10, equalling my best result ever. I want to make a better race and fight for a similar performance as our test here when I finished fourth in January. I need to make baby steps as I have never finished in the top five before. It is a realistic target because I have a fantastic bike and team but I will need the race of my life to achieve it. I have finished on the podium in second and third in off-road bicycle races the last two weekends and it would be fantastic if I could get the same result on my Parkalgar Honda - one thing is for sure, I am fit enough and ready for the challenge. I look forward to meeting my fans this weekend, please come and support me and Eugene at Portimao!”

Eugene: “We know from last year’s race and the January test - as well as our performance at Phillip Island - that we are in good shape but will continue to work on set-up; you never get bored at Portimao, it is that sort of a circuit and there is always something to improve. I think Joan and Kenan will be strong and while they didn’t focus on race set-up in Australia, the tyre life problems there are fairly unique and in Portugal if you can do one fast lap you can probably do them for the whole race. It is great to get the support of the local fans in Portugal; they really get behind the whole team. I have been training hard in the nice spring weather and I am refreshed and ready for the race.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “We are going home to Parkalgar as the favourites to win the race after victory in the opening round and in the last round at Portimao last year. But it certainly won’t be easy as Joan Lascorz is strong and last year Kenan Sofuoglu showed he could ride a quick race and kept the pressure on behind Eugene. Miguel comes here after equalling his best ever result but he didn’t ride his best ever race to do so. If he can ride to his potential then he can score a good result on home soil and we’ll be doing all we can to support him.”

SINCE my first column created interest with some people suggesting I was provoking Ten Kate before the opening round I’d like to say it’s a good job Eugene lived up to my predictions and won the race then - eh.

Great performance but I don’t think either myself or Eugene thought it would be as comfortable as that for us. One thing for sure I don’t think they will all pan out as easy as that, but we all enjoyed a great start for the team with Miguel equalling his best result in 9th .

We move to our home track round in Portimao in confident mood for both riders and once again for the win I only expect a challenge from Joan Lascorz or Keenan Sofuoglu. I am sure Pirro will be in contention for the front row but doubt he can match the pace of Eugene in the race.

I think practice and race results will be very similar - not like in Philip Island where although Joan and Kenan had a quicker practice lap than us we had concentrated on the race tyre and knew we had great race pace.

Looking at the other two title rivals they seemed to not work as much in practice with the race tyre and in Kenan’s case I think the criticism of Pirelli in his post race interview to be unfair. He had a CBR600RR and the same race tyre as us and we were very happy with the race tyre. I expect him and his Ten Kate team to come out fighting in Portimao which is just what we and I am sure you fans all want to see. Just to put the record completely straight I have nothing but the utmost respect for Ronald Ten Kate and the whole team. I, like them, just want to come out on top so here is to a great contest and may the best team win - be it us them or Motocard Kawasaki. That said I still believe we can do it.

Moving away from our races there were a couple of things which caught my attention in recent times; the first was an incredible four-pages (I think) including the front and back covers in MCN on the fact that Suzy Perry was no longer going to be part of the MotoGP commentary team. Now whilst I can appreciate that her presence and enthusiasm may have helped the image of Motorcycle racing in the BBC, let’s keep it all in prospective, does it really matter? Will any of us even notice she has gone after the first round? I very much doubt it. I was beginning to think Motor Cycle News had been taken over by the Daily Sport when I saw that headline.

It was great to see BSB testing get under way in Spain but there were two things that caught my attention there: First one being how my good old mate Gary Pinchin has been sucked in once again by Rob Mac’s team. Does he seriously believe they will be on the pace when the season starts? If so I will be willing to have quite a large bet with him. Let me know if you’re interested Gary I could do with some easy money!

I know I predicted Eugene would win Philip Island ahead of the race but I was backing a proven winner. It was a bold statement from Dan Linfoot saying he was ready to race anyone when I do believe he is yet to threaten the top 10 seriously on Rob Mac’s bikes in the few races he did last year. If I was him I would have kept quiet and seen if I could at least challenge for the top 10 before saying that.

The second thing was that anyone is surprised that they get bad weather in Guadix. Great little track but hey it snows there most times they go. The argument that is good testing for British tracks also does not stand up so well now since it was resurfaced and most of the bumps went. I know it rained when Worx Suzuki went to Portimao but at least they could get track time. If I was back in BSB I would certainly look to Portimao for testing. Now that really is good testing for any type of track it had a bit of everything. Before you say I am biased how many people have you heard make negative comment about this track?

On the actual testing times although Suzuki went quick in Cartagena; when the snow finally cleared in Guadix the man I am tipping for BSB title glory this year started to get going. I think it will take a very good rider to beat Josh Brookes this year. He knows most of the tracks now and don’t forget Troy Bayliss did not win BSB at his first attempt. Here is my top three predictions for BSB: Brookes, Kiyo Easton.

Well I hope you like our new web site? The shop will be up and running soon so keep visiting and soon you’ll be able to buy everything we use as a race team right up to Eugene’s bike if you want it! www.performancetechnicalracing.com

Simon

PARKALGAR HONDA is proud to offer its fans the opportunity to purchase tickets to the second round of the World Superbike Championship at the stunning Parkalgar circuit in Portugal, near Portimao, at a minimum of 15% discounted prices.

Parkalgar Honda’s Eugene Laverty won the opening round of the World Supersport Championship at Australia and Portimao local racer Miguel Praia was ninth, his best start to a racing season ever. Both will be hoping to put on another good show at the team’s home circuit - with Miguel Praia going for the top six in front of his home fans.

On top of that there will be two races in the all-action World Superbike Championship, with Suzuki’s Leon Haslam and Ducati’s Carlos Checa sharing the spoils at the opening round - as well as a Superstock 1000 race.

As a fan to the Parkalgar Honda team you can buy tickets at the 15% reduced prices below until 22nd March 2010:

1: Pack of four Grandstand A tickets (with access to all grandstands) for the price of three at €102 for race day or €153 for all three days (25% discount).

2: Grandstand A tickets (includes all grandstands access) at €34 for one day or €51 for all three days access.

3: Other individual stand tickets at €24 for one day or €30 for all three days.

4: Paddock access tickets (cost on top of tickets above) at €43 for one day or €55 for all three days.

On top of these fantastic offers, for spectators wanting nearby hotels, the circuit is offering the below advantageous rates over race weekend only:

- 5* Hotel - 75,00€ per night per room;
- 4* Hotel - 47,00€ per night per room;
- 3* Hotel - 33,00€ per person per room

World Supersport Championship leader Eugene Laverty said: “I am going to do everything I can to win in front of my team’s home Portuguese crowd. When I won there in 2009 I felt the Portuguese adopted me as one of their own and that is just fine with me, I love the place. It is the best race track in the world bar none and if you haven’t visited yet, you don’t know what you are missing, book your discount tickets now.”

To book tickets visit http://trackshop.autodromodoalgarve.com/default.aspx. For more information on Parkalgar Honda, visit www.parkalgarhonda.com.