Positive Test Opener for FPR in Germany
 Foggy
PETRONAS Racing riders Steve Martin and Craig Jones today
completed a trouble free first day of testing at the three
day Pirelli organised test at EuroSpeedway Lausitz, in Germany.
Ideal and sunny testing conditions enabled both riders to
maximise track time on the 4.265km tight and twisty circuit,
making strides forward with engine development and tyre evaluation,
as well as chassis set-up of their PETRONAS FP1s, in preparation
for the German round of the Superbike World Championship on
10 September.
Steve Martin completed over 80 trouble free laps and a race
simulation, to evaluate tyres and further engine developments.
The Aussie consistently reduced his lap times throughout the
day and was able to lap faster than in the race at the German
circuit last year, with a best time of 1:40.79, further highlighting
the progress made with the development of the PETRONAS FP1.
Team mate Craig Jones, used his debut outing at Lausitzring
to familiarise himself with the track, before progressing
with his testing programme tomorrow. The young Brit completed
over 75 laps and posted a best time of 1:42.47.
Steve commented, “I’ve had a good day and one
which was a lot less troublesome than the first day of our
last Brno test, so that shows we’ve resolved some of
the niggling issues we were experiencing and made steps forward.
I did a long run for a race simulation and, on standard race
rubber, was able to lap faster than I did in the race last
year, so everything in heading in the right direction. I know
I can get my times down further so hopefully we’ll have
another good day tomorrow and test an alternative race set-up,
to evaluate the most favourable option for the race here in
a few months.”
Craig said, “I’ve enjoyed my first day at Lausitzring
and I’m confident with my familiarisation of the track.
We didn’t change much on the bike at all as I wanted
to make sure I was happy on the track before making alterations
to the set-up. My times have been coming down all day and
I’m feeling comfortable with the FP1’s handling,
so we shouldn’t have too much to change tomorrow either.
This isn’t the most exciting circuit but there are a
couple of sections I like, such as the chicanes, and I’m
looking forward to more of the same tomorrow and getting ourselves
in good shape for the race here later in the year.”
The three day EuroSpeedway test, which concludes on Monday,
has been organised by the sole WSBK tyre supplier, Pirelli.
It is being attended by all the tyre development teams representing
each World Superbike manufacturer (PETRONAS, Yamaha, Suzuki,
Ducati and Honda) along with all of the top team riders in
the championship.
First Day Times (race tyres):
1. Bayliss (Ducati) 1:39.00
2. Haga (Yamaha) 1:39.00
3. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1:39.3
4. Pitt (Yamaha) 1:39.3
5. Lanzi (Ducati) 1:39.5
6. Corser (Suzuki) 1:39.5
7. Toseland (Honda) 1:39.5
8. Muggeridge (Honda) 1:39.7
9. Walker (Kawasaki) 1:40.5
10. Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:40.7
11. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1:41.1
12. Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:42.4
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