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.
