GixerGaz
10-04-2007, 16:48
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9100&stc=1&d=1176220038
Chris Walker proved he has the speed to win BSB races on his return to the championship this season, but will need to find a cure for late race rear grip problems that dropped him from a podium position in both of Monday's season-opening races at Brands Hatch.
Starting from fifth on the grid, Walker shot to second by the first corner in both races. In the opener he held third right until the final two laps, but then slipped to fifth. In the second pace-car interrupted race he was second for the first eight laps before dropping back to an eventual eighth. In both cases from the mid-point onwards, he suffered from a lack of rear grip.
"It's been a frustrating day as we certainly had the pace to run at the front and compete for the podium," confirmed The Stalker, a WSBK race winner in 2006. "At the half-way point of both races my bike lost rear grip - it was like a switch was flicked and there was nothing I could do about it. Tyre choice wasn't easy this weekend so we'll be working hard with Dunlop to ensure we get it right at the next round.
"Two top-10 finishes give me a solid start to the season and I am absolutely delighted to be back riding in front of the British crowd again; it's the best ever motivation. Thanks to all the 'Stalker' fans and I hope you enjoyed the racing!"
Rookie Rizla Suzuki team-mate Cal Crutchlow also struggled for grip during both races despite showing early on he could run with the top riders. He eventually finished 13th and 18th places on his Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut..
"I didn't get quite the same storming starts as Chris in either race but I had a lot of confidence in my Rizla Suzuki and was carving my way towards the front when I started to lose rear grip. In both races I was wheel-spinning everywhere and that is not the way to make a fast lap," explained the reigning British Supersport champion. "Once I get the tyres to last race distance, it's going to be a very different story. Roll on the next round."
"Chris and Cal had the pace to race for the podium but ended up down the results sheets because of a lack of rear grip," confirmed team manager Simon Buckmaster. "They tried different tyres for the two races and while improvements were found, they didn't work as planned. We'll be working with Dunlop to find tyres better-suited to our powerful and fast Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000.
"Well done to Chris for showing tremendous courage, determination and skill. He had us all on the edge of our seats fighting at the front and it's fantastic to witness the support he has in the crowd - it really keeps him motivated like nothing else can.
"My hat goes off to Cal; making your Superbike debut is not easy and he gritted his teeth and brought the bike home in difficult circumstances. He also proved his undoubted skill and ability and will have much better days.
"It's a quick turnaround for Thruxton next weekend and we are looking forward to putting on a good show for our home crowd. See you there," Buckmaster concluded.
Chris Walker proved he has the speed to win BSB races on his return to the championship this season, but will need to find a cure for late race rear grip problems that dropped him from a podium position in both of Monday's season-opening races at Brands Hatch.
Starting from fifth on the grid, Walker shot to second by the first corner in both races. In the opener he held third right until the final two laps, but then slipped to fifth. In the second pace-car interrupted race he was second for the first eight laps before dropping back to an eventual eighth. In both cases from the mid-point onwards, he suffered from a lack of rear grip.
"It's been a frustrating day as we certainly had the pace to run at the front and compete for the podium," confirmed The Stalker, a WSBK race winner in 2006. "At the half-way point of both races my bike lost rear grip - it was like a switch was flicked and there was nothing I could do about it. Tyre choice wasn't easy this weekend so we'll be working hard with Dunlop to ensure we get it right at the next round.
"Two top-10 finishes give me a solid start to the season and I am absolutely delighted to be back riding in front of the British crowd again; it's the best ever motivation. Thanks to all the 'Stalker' fans and I hope you enjoyed the racing!"
Rookie Rizla Suzuki team-mate Cal Crutchlow also struggled for grip during both races despite showing early on he could run with the top riders. He eventually finished 13th and 18th places on his Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut..
"I didn't get quite the same storming starts as Chris in either race but I had a lot of confidence in my Rizla Suzuki and was carving my way towards the front when I started to lose rear grip. In both races I was wheel-spinning everywhere and that is not the way to make a fast lap," explained the reigning British Supersport champion. "Once I get the tyres to last race distance, it's going to be a very different story. Roll on the next round."
"Chris and Cal had the pace to race for the podium but ended up down the results sheets because of a lack of rear grip," confirmed team manager Simon Buckmaster. "They tried different tyres for the two races and while improvements were found, they didn't work as planned. We'll be working with Dunlop to find tyres better-suited to our powerful and fast Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000.
"Well done to Chris for showing tremendous courage, determination and skill. He had us all on the edge of our seats fighting at the front and it's fantastic to witness the support he has in the crowd - it really keeps him motivated like nothing else can.
"My hat goes off to Cal; making your Superbike debut is not easy and he gritted his teeth and brought the bike home in difficult circumstances. He also proved his undoubted skill and ability and will have much better days.
"It's a quick turnaround for Thruxton next weekend and we are looking forward to putting on a good show for our home crowd. See you there," Buckmaster concluded.