Qualifying ordeal for FPR at Monza
 Foggy
PETRONAS Racing’s run of impressive qualifying performances
was brought to a halt at the high-speed Monza circuit today.
Having achieved consecutive front row starting positions
in the previous two rounds of the Superbike World Championship,
Steve Martin was only able to qualify in 23rd position having
missed out on Superpole. Team-mate Craig Jones, on his first
visit to the Italian circuit, will start tomorrow’s
races from 30th position.
Despite stability problems on the start-finish straight,
both riders were able to improve on yesterday’s times
by 1.5 seconds and Steve’s fastest lap on race rubber
was nearly two seconds quicker than his best time on qualifying
rubber last year.
However, in dry and warm conditions conducive to fast times,
Troy Corser claimed pole position with a new best lap at the
circuit of 1:46.564, while championship rival Troy Bayliss
set a new top speed of 314kmh, highlighting the power deficit
faced by the FPR team.
Steve said: “I can take some positives out of the day.
I think the lap of 1:48.9 this morning was about as quick
as we are going to go at this circuit. I am pretty sure we
are getting the most out of our package although we still
need to get rid of high-speed weave when the tyres are worn.
I will be happy if we can have two consistent and trouble-free
races tomorrow.”
Craig said: “We have tried everything except turning
the bike upside down to try and get rid of the wobble down
the start-finish straight. I am probably losing around half
a second down that straight alone and we need to make improvements
overnight if I am going to be able to race with anyone tomorrow.”
Superpole results, Superbike World Championship,
Monza, Italy: 1 Corser 1:46.058; 2 Bayliss 1:46.360;
3 Barros 1:46.511; 4 Laconi 1:46.597; 5 Walker 1:46.978; 6
Pitt 1:47.015; 7 Muggeridge 1:47.082; 8 Toseland 1:47.133;
9 Kagayama 1:47.156; 10 Haga 1:47.627; 11 Rolfo 1:47.975;
12 Foret 1:48.009; 13 Lanzi 1:48.170; 14 Nieto 1:48.240; 15
Fabrizio 1:48.969; 16 Xaus, no time.
Saturday qualifying results (best time bracketed):
1 Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:46.564;
2 Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1:46.984; 3 Pitt (Yamaha Italia)
1:46.985; 4 Haga (Yamaha Italia) 1:48.026 (1:47.007); 5 Toseland
(Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1:47.094; 6 Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki
Corona Extra) 1:47.199; 7 Barros (Klaffi Honda) 1:47.218;
8 Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 1:47.352; 9 Muggeridge (Winston
Ten Kate Honda) 1:47.414; 10 Xaus (Sterilgarda-Berik) 1:47.865
(1:47.851); 23 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:48.939; 30
Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:51.275
Free practice times: 1 Corser 1:46.576;
2 Bayliss 1:46.700; 3 Barros 1:46.866; 4 Muggeridge 1:47.154;
5 Laconi 1:47.233; 6 Toseland 1:47.422; 7 Haga 1:47.438; 8
Kagayama 1:47.526; 9 Pitt 1:47.555; 10 Foret 1:48.049; 25
Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:49.889; 29 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS
Racing) 1:51.501
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