2006 World Supersport Championship
WSS Round 1 - Day 1, Losail, Qatar
SOFUOGLU FASTEST DESPITE DESERT RAINS IN QATAR
A sensational debut for new Winston Ten Kate Honda rider
Kenan Sofuoglu saw him score provisional pole position in
what were unexpectedly wet surface conditions at Losail. Such
was his pace that he was almost two seconds clear of his nearest
challenger, Kevin Curtain. To make Sofuoglu’s impact
all the more remarkable, this was his first ever World Supersport
timed session, and despite his lack of experience Sofuoglu
made the best of his recent test experiences at Qatar, and
the slowly drying line around the circuit in the last few
minutes of action.
The 5.4km track, in the deserts outside Qatari capital Doha,
was not so kind to reigning World champion Sebastien Charpentier,
who started his title defence for his Winston Ten Kate Honda
team with the 12th fastest time of the 33 starters. Unhappy
with early track conditions when the rains were at their worst,
he sat out the morning untimed session, venturing out in the
afternoon to put in a safe qualifying lap, even though conditions
are fully expected to be dry from now on.
Ronald Ten Kate – Team Manager
“It’s peculiar to have rain once more in Qatar,
in a place where you expect it the least. But the circumstances
on track are the same for everyone, so it is good to see Kenan
performing well. He has shown more of his potential today
and has been very good in testing in the off-season. Tomorrow
may be a very different day when it is dry, and I’m
sure Sebastien will be picking up a bit of form in those conditions.
Sebastien has a quite good rhythm at the moment, and he thinks
he can immediately pick up the pace he enjoyed in testing,
when he was two seconds quicker than the former best. But
for now, I think Kenan will sleep very well tonight, and he
can enjoy the moment.”
Kenan Sofuolgu – WSS Winston Ten Kate Honda
Rider
(Provisional Pole – 2’21.890 )
“I am very happy about this but it was in wet conditions.
If I can score this position again in the dry tomorrow, then
I really will be happy. In the rain we are not so bad, but
if I can be second in the dry conditions, behind Sebastien,
then I will be even happier.”
Sebastien Charpentier – WSS Winston Ten Kate
Honda Rider
(12th – 2’27.755)
“I’m happy because I qualified at least, in 12th.
I felt bad on the bike right away because the track was not
clean. I didn’t ride in the morning free session, but
tomorrow is a new day. The bike is ready and the weather should
be better, so I am prepared. Kenan did very well, he is a
good asset for the team. Today was difficult for me, but I
have good possibilities here when it dries out, because of
the very positive test we made here in the winter.”
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