The Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team had a solid start to this weekend's race at Brands Hatch in the UK with Corser finishing third and Haga sixth in qualifying. Both riders focused on finding the right set-up during today's two sessions and by the end of the day both had identified a direction to go in.
Corser knocked almost a second off his best morning lap time as he worked on a range of different settings and got a feel for how the Yamaha works around the Brands circuit. Haga tried several different tyre options and identified where he needs to focus to realize his full potential in tomorrow's qualifying and Superpole sessions.
Shinichi Nakatomi had less luck in the first day of qualifying, high-siding at Graham Hill bend and suffering minor injuries. The spirited rider was determined not to lose any more set-up time than necessary and continued to go out in the second session. He was rewarded with a provisional qualifying place of 16th.
This weekend sees Steve Martin join the Team Yamaha YZF squad. This year Steve has already helped out the Yamaha World Supersport Team standing in for Kevin Curtain at the Assen round in April and he is now riding in the British Superbike Championship for the Virgin Media Yamaha Team for the remainder of the season. With this experience in mind, he is helping the Team Yamaha YZF squad with comparisons between the UK and French R1's. Steve's first day went well with him finishing the day in provisional 15th position.
Tomorrow, Corser and Haga's sights will be set on Toseland and Bayliss who occupy the top two slots at present.
Troy Corser (3rd - 1'26.746 - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)"I came here today with no real experience of the combination of this track and this bike so today has been all about trying lots of different settings and gradually working out what works. We've made some good steps forward during today and I'm content with our progress. I'm sure we'll make even more progress tomorrow and be ready for the race."
Noriyuki Haga (6th - 1'27.351 - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)"I've got some suspension problems to resolve, which will be my focus for tomorrow. I tried three different tyres today, two in the morning and one this afternoon, and am happy with progress there. The suspension is where we need to concentrate; I get a lot of movement over the bumps and then the rear starts stepping out. If we can solve then I'm comfortable that I'll be up there."
Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)"Tonight we'll go through all the data we've gathered so far today and work at solving the small problems we've got. The good thing is that we didn't use many tyres today so we've still lots left for tomorrow. The weather forecast is good and I'm positive because I know both riders are fast here."
Steve Martin (15th - 1'28.262 - Team Yamaha YZF)"It's difficult because I've got two bikes and two different teams to think about. But I've found a good direction today and I'm confident I can go better tomorrow; I'm not too far from the group ahead so I think I can catch them."
Shinichi Nakatomi (16th - 1'28.545 - Team Yamaha YZF)"I had a big high-side in this morning's practice and crashed. I wanted to go out on the second bike but everyone wanted me to go to the medical centre, which took about half and hour. By the time I got back there was only six minutes of the session left so I feel I have lost a complete session today. This afternoon I focused on finding a good set-up and worked with both bikes. I hope I can make up the lost time tomorrow and improve my qualifying position."
Martial Garcia (Team Manager, Team Yamaha YZF)"Tomi crashed this morning and hurt himself a bit, which wasn't good, but he showed courage in this afternoon's session. With Steve in the team this weekend we are able to compare the UK and French Yamaha's, which will help us I'm sure. I'm pleased with Steve's provisional Superpole position so far and am hopeful of even better results tomorrow."
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