FPR pair on track in Italy
The opening day of the second official World Superbike test
at Misano, Italy, provided more encouragement for the Foggy
PETRONAS Racing pair of Steve Martin and Craig Jones.
Although the cool conditions did not resemble those expected
for the June race, Steve was able to run two race simulations
and finished the day 11th fastest of a near-complete World
Superbike field.
However, spots of rain towards the end of the afternoon session
prevented the Australian, from using a qualifying tyre and
finishing further up the standings.
Team-mate Craig Jones, on his first outing at the circuit,
made steady progress throughout the day and finished with
a creditable time of 1:37.999, only just over half a second
slower than Steve’s fastest time in the races here last
year.
Steve said: “We had a nice safe day and, although it
is a pity we weren’t able to use a qualifier, I am more
concerned about finding a setting for the race than doing
fast times during these two days. I was also able to test
an engine specification with a lighter crankshaft and, while
there was no noticeable difference, I did go faster on that
bike by around half a second.”
Craig said: “I was happy to do more than 80 laps and
my times came down gradually throughout the day. I hit a bit
of a brick wall mid-way through the afternoon session but
conditions were not too great then and times were dropping.
I like the circuit as it has lots of flowing corners and the
very fast corner on to the back straight and I am hoping to
start tomorrow where we left off today as I think it is now
just a case of getting more track experience. But I am still
learning more about the bike with every session and am not
too far off the point when I can start pushing for lap times.”
Day one times, Superbike World Championship official
test, Misano, Italy: 1 Bayliss 1:34.460; 2 Nieto
1:35.253; 3 Corser 1:35.274; 4 Lanzi 1:35.355; 5 Kagayama
1:35.641; 6 Haga 1:35.911; 7 Pitt 1:35.926; 8 Xaus 1:35.966;
9 Fabrizio 1:36.036; 10 Borciani 1:36.075; 11 Martin (Foggy
PETRONAS Racing) 1:35.608; 25 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing)
1:37.999
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