KUCIAR666
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Pirelli Qatar Test Starts Today
After the November session held at Valencia in Spain, the SBK development teams will soon be back on the track for Pirelli?s second, end of season tests.
These are due to be held on the 4th, 5th and 6th of December at the Losail circuit in Qatar, where next season?s racing calendar kicks off on the 25th February 2006.
The event is of special importance because it will enable Pirelli to carry on essential development on the tyre types they will be supplying to all teams and riders in the next championship season. It is also the very last effort that teams and riders will have to make before taking their well-earned Christmas break.
Provided the weather remains favourable (which seems likely in Qatar), these tests should see the first real chronometric comparison between the Ducatis ridden by Lorenzo Lanzi and Troy Bayliss and the Suzuki of world champion Troy Corser. These bikes were not matched in Valencia.
Noriyuki Haga and James Toseland will also be out to impress, and Toseland in particular will be making full use of the entire three days to establish a feel for the Honda of Team Ten Kate.
Of all the development teams, only Kawasaki will not be in Qatar. Team PSG-1 have chosen to stay home in Italy to concentrate on the development of their new ZX-10 Rs.
Martin and Jones Make Good First Day Progress In Qatar
The first day of Foggy PETRONAS Racing?s final test of 2005, at Losail
circuit in Doha, Qatar, proved very positive for both Steve Martin and
Craig Jones.
Ideal weather provided the pair with perfect testing conditions for the
first day of the three day Pirelli organised test, enabling them both
to work progressively through the comprehensive FP1 testing and
development programme which includes braking systems, temperature management
packages, suspension, wheels and electrical system modifications,
alongside continued engine development.
Although still to make a full recovery from his kidney operation, it
was as if Steve had been riding his FP1 yesterday, rather than two months
ago, and he immediately set about putting his experienced development
skills into action. The Aussie completed almost forty laps and without
pushing hard, finished the day with a best time of 2:04.04 ? a lap time
quicker than his qualifying and also best race time at Qatar earlier in
the year.
Craig continued to make steady progress on his Valencia chassis set up
and also test a number of development parts, completing over fifty laps
and achieving a creditable lap time, for only his second outing on the
FP1, of 2:04.7.
Steve said, ?It?s fantastic to be back on the bike and I?m pretty happy
with the first day. When I first got here I just wanted to ease myself
back into things but I?ve already exceeded my expectations and am
definitely on the road to full recovery. I didn?t push too hard today as I?m
also not here to chase times, but to thoroughly test and evaluate all
the new and development parts to put us in as good a position as
possible for next season.?
Craig commented, ?I?m happy with the day in general and have got a
really good feel for the bike now. It was nice to keep reducing my times
right down to just behind Steve and I?m pleased with my progress for my
first time out here at Losail.?
UNOFFICIAL TIMES:
1. Corser (Suzuki) 2:00.44; 2. Lanzi (Ducati) 2:00.88; 3. Bayliss
(Ducati) 2:01.20; 4. Toseland (Honda) 2:01.76; 5. Haga (Yamaha) 2:01.92; 6.
Kagayama (Suzuki) 2:01.97; 7. Muggeridge (Honda) 2:02.18; 8. Pitt
(Yamaha) 2:02.65 ; 9. Martin (PETRONAS) 2:04.04; 10. Jones (PETRONAS) 2:04.7
Lanzi And Bayliss in The Top Three on Day 1of Qatar Test
The first day of the Ducati Xerox Team's final 2005 testing session in the Gulf state of Qatar was a positive one as both Lorenzo Lanzi and Troy Bayliss set top 3 times on their Ducati 999 machines.
The three-day Pirelli tyre test at the Losail circuit is being attended by most of the World Superbike Championship's top teams and is an ideal opportunity for winter development work in perfect conditions in view of the opening round of the championship in February of next year at this same venue. Both Ducati Xerox Team riders concentrated on notching up the mileage with Pirelli tyres, with Bayliss in particular getting to know his new bike for 2006.
Lorenzo Lanzi continued his impressive form of late and the young Italian was quickest on the track all day until half an hour from the end, when 2005 champion Troy Corser (Suzuki) shaved tenths of a second off to go quickest overall. Lanzi then crashed with a couple of minutes to go before the end of the session, but was unhurt.
"Today was a good day for us" declared Lorenzo. "I was particularly motivated and managed to set a good time early on, a time that remained unbeaten for most of the day. Unfortunately shortly before the end of the session I suddenly lost the rear of my 999 in the quick chicane round the back of the circuit and crashed. I was unhurt but I'll be OK for tomorrow, when we hope to improve with the new Pirelli development tyres".
After not being able to test much at Valencia due to the poor weather conditions, Troy Bayliss spent most of the day familiarising himself with his new bike and tyres. The 36-year-old Australian was satisfied with his third quickest time behind Corser and Lanzi.
"Things were really good up to lunchtime and in fact I set my quick time in the morning" declared Troy. "Then in the afternoon I mainly concentrated on testing the front tyres, trying hard to feel the limit of the bike and I wasn't really looking for the lap times. We've got a lot more to test in the next couple of days and I'm sure I can improve. My wrist has had a couple more weeks to heal up and is now a lot better than it was at Valencia, and I'm feeling good on the bike so things are going well".