Login | Password dimenticata? | Registrati

World Superbike Donington, Honda preview

In SBK

25 giugno 2009

Both the World Superbike and World Supersport Championships arrive at Donington Park for round nine only a few days after a thrilling raceday at Misano World Circuit. With so much still to play for in each class there is expected to be no let-up in the intensity of race action all through the field, with much of a 14 round season still to be completed.

For many of the main players Donington will be their only chance to run in front of their local crowd in 2009, as there is no Brands Hatch or Silverstone WSB round this year.

Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) is aware that Donington could not have come along at a better time, as he has just taken his first WSB race win, at Misano, putting himself into a clear fourth place in the championship. His team very recently swapped suspension suppliers, and practice at Donington should offer more chances to find an optimal base setting before the races on Sunday.

Leon Haslam (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR) had a less happy Misano meeting than Rea, but is still involved in a close battle for fifth in the championship, after securing three podium finishes so far. It is almost a literal home race for Leon, as he lives very close by, and his father still operates the Honda Ron Haslam Race School at Donington.

Just to continue the home-race aspect of this round, John Hopkins (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR) is American born, but to British parents. He is expected to be back to a higher level of fitness at Donington than Misano, where he was forced to miss out on the action on Saturday and Sunday when his hip, fractured at Assen in late April, started to swell up.

Jonathan Rea: “I think the changes we’ve made, and the development with the CBR1000RR that we’ve followed for the last few races, were each demonstrated quite well in Misano. Of course, it felt amazing to get that first win under my belt and I think it all bodes well for the remainder of the season. To be honest, I’ve never set the world on fire at Donington but it was the same at Misano before I went there last week. We need to keep making progress, and to have a good Friday and Saturday to set us up for the race on Sunday. I hope it’s a good one because the British fans will only get to see one World Superbike meeting this year.”

Leon Haslam: “I know Donington well and I was running second there last year as a wild card before being taken out, so we know our pace is good there. The last four rounds have been tough for me because they have been held on some circuits that I have never been to before, and that just added to us not having been on top of a few issues as well. I’ve had three no finishes in those four rounds. There should be a big crowd at Donington and it will be their only chance to see us at a British race this year as well.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “I hope for the same kind of results as last year at Donington, but I don’t mind if the weather is wet or dry – as long as I can go faster. I think we made the wrong tyre choice in Misano and Sunday seems to be the day when we have problems. In the last two races, we have had good pace on Friday and Saturday but then have problems or bad luck on Sunday. I will try the new suspension on Friday and compare the data to see the best way to go for me. But this weekend, I know we have to work even harder for a good result on all three days.”

Carlos Checa: “Donington is not my favourite circuit, I must admit, but we will try our very best to make it enjoyable! We made some good improvements at the weekend in Misano and, Johnny showed with his win in the second race that the package is getting very strong now. Every part of the circuit at Donington is very important – not just the fast part, or the slower part – the whole lap, including the up and down parts, needs to be just perfect. The weather is very important I believe so I hope it stays dry.”

John Hopkins: “We couldn’t race in Misano simply because my leg was so swollen. But now I have started to break the scar tissue inside the leg I will keep cycling and working it and hopefully we’ll be a lot stronger going into Donington, and make the full weekend there. That was the ultimate goal anyway, make the full return at Donington.”

Matthieu Lagrive: “I'm looking forward to racing at Donington Park. I always like to race there. After my first two Superbike races in Misano, I can say that I really like the Superbike category - even if it’s a very difficult one to compete in. For Donington I don’t expect anything spectacular, but I’ll be aiming for Superpole and looking to score points in both races.”