Bushiee46
26-02-2007, 21:30
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7903&stc=1&d=1172521809
Chris Vermeulen's first ever laps on a 800cc Rizla Suzuki with qualifying tyres ended in the Australian netting the eighth fastest lap time during Sunday's 40-minute shoot out at the Jerez test.
"I haven't used qualifiers all winter on the 800 so it was a good session for me, as I got to learn a lot about them. I used five rear qualifying tyres in the whole 40 minutes so we made full use of it," said Chris, who lapped 1.6secs behind fastest man Valentino Rossi. "We tried four different compounds and constructions, and we got a lot of information for Bridgestone.
"It was quite difficult during the session as there were some spots of rain and I actually pulled in on one of my laps as there was quite a bit of rain on one of the corners and I didn't want to risk anything. It's the quickest lap I've ever done at Jerez, quicker than my qualifying here last year, so it shows we are making progress and with a clear lap I am sure I could go even quicker! Although we have learned a lot from the qualifiers our main focus is still to get the best tyre we can to do 27 quick laps in the race!" he added.
"Today's timed session was a great opportunity to see all the MotoGP riders riding at 100% and pushing their abilities to the maximum. More importantly for us it helped us verify a qualifying tyre choice, not only for here but the general direction for the season," said team manager Paul Denning. "Chris performed strongly and dependably today, lapping at just over 0.1 of a second away from the fastest Bridgestone rider [Kawasaki's Randy de Puniet in fifth] and finishing in the top-eight is not a bad result at all. We also got through some good testing today with consistently good results. Everything we have done here this week will certainly help both Chris and John when the season starts at Qatar in two weeks time."
Test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi, helping shoulder the team's testing burden in the absence of John Hopkins, had a more troublesome BMW session - being left sitting on the track after a high-side on his 10th lap. The Japanese was unhurt but unable to re-join the other riders and had to settle for 18th quickest. He also completed a detailed test day as he gets ready for his race debut at the Spanish circuit next month.
"I am very disappointed to crash. I was getting quicker all the time and I am sure I would have done better.," said Akiyoshi. "I had a high-side on the second corner and wasn't able to get back out again in the timed session. I have done lots of testing and learnt the track and I am looking forward to coming back here for the race."
Meanwhile, Hopkins – present at Jerez as a spectator - is making good progress with his rehabilitation following his high-speed accident at Qatar last week and is on course to take his place on the grid for the season opener, also in Qatar, on March 10.
Chris Vermeulen's first ever laps on a 800cc Rizla Suzuki with qualifying tyres ended in the Australian netting the eighth fastest lap time during Sunday's 40-minute shoot out at the Jerez test.
"I haven't used qualifiers all winter on the 800 so it was a good session for me, as I got to learn a lot about them. I used five rear qualifying tyres in the whole 40 minutes so we made full use of it," said Chris, who lapped 1.6secs behind fastest man Valentino Rossi. "We tried four different compounds and constructions, and we got a lot of information for Bridgestone.
"It was quite difficult during the session as there were some spots of rain and I actually pulled in on one of my laps as there was quite a bit of rain on one of the corners and I didn't want to risk anything. It's the quickest lap I've ever done at Jerez, quicker than my qualifying here last year, so it shows we are making progress and with a clear lap I am sure I could go even quicker! Although we have learned a lot from the qualifiers our main focus is still to get the best tyre we can to do 27 quick laps in the race!" he added.
"Today's timed session was a great opportunity to see all the MotoGP riders riding at 100% and pushing their abilities to the maximum. More importantly for us it helped us verify a qualifying tyre choice, not only for here but the general direction for the season," said team manager Paul Denning. "Chris performed strongly and dependably today, lapping at just over 0.1 of a second away from the fastest Bridgestone rider [Kawasaki's Randy de Puniet in fifth] and finishing in the top-eight is not a bad result at all. We also got through some good testing today with consistently good results. Everything we have done here this week will certainly help both Chris and John when the season starts at Qatar in two weeks time."
Test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi, helping shoulder the team's testing burden in the absence of John Hopkins, had a more troublesome BMW session - being left sitting on the track after a high-side on his 10th lap. The Japanese was unhurt but unable to re-join the other riders and had to settle for 18th quickest. He also completed a detailed test day as he gets ready for his race debut at the Spanish circuit next month.
"I am very disappointed to crash. I was getting quicker all the time and I am sure I would have done better.," said Akiyoshi. "I had a high-side on the second corner and wasn't able to get back out again in the timed session. I have done lots of testing and learnt the track and I am looking forward to coming back here for the race."
Meanwhile, Hopkins – present at Jerez as a spectator - is making good progress with his rehabilitation following his high-speed accident at Qatar last week and is on course to take his place on the grid for the season opener, also in Qatar, on March 10.