The opening day of the second official World Superbike test at Misano, Italy, provided more encouragement for the Foggy PETRONAS Racing pair of Steve Martin and Craig Jones. Although the cool conditions did not resemble those expected for the June race, Steve was able to run two race simulations and finished the day 11th fastest of a near-complete World Superbike field. However, spots of rain towards the end of the afternoon session prevented the Australian, from using a qualifying tyre and finishing further up the standings.
Team-mate Craig Jones, on his first outing at the circuit, made steady progress throughout the day and finished with a creditable time of 1:37.999, only just over half a second slower than Steve’s fastest time in the races here last year.
Steve “We had a nice safe day and, although it is a pity we weren’t able to use a qualifier, I am more concerned about finding a setting for the race than doing fast times during these two days. I was also able to test an engine specification with a lighter crankshaft and, while there was no noticeable difference, I did go faster on that bike by around half a second.”
Craig“I was happy to do more than 80 laps and my times came down gradually throughout the day. I hit a bit of a brick wall mid-way through the afternoon session but conditions were not too great then and times were dropping. I like the circuit as it has lots of flowing corners and the very fast corner on to the back straight and I am hoping to start tomorrow where we left off today as I think it is now just a case of getting more track experience. But I am still learning more about the bike with every session and am not too far off the point when I can start pushing for lap times.”
Day one times, Superbike World Championship official test, Misano, Italy1 Bayliss 1:34.460;
2 Nieto 1:35.253;
3 Corser 1:35.274;
4 Lanzi 1:35.355;
5 Kagayama 1:35.641;
6 Haga 1:35.911;
7 Pitt 1:35.926;
8 Xaus 1:35.966;
9 Fabrizio 1:36.036;
10 Borciani 1:36.075;
11 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:35.608;
25 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:37.999
Related Linkswww.foggyPETRONASracing.com
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