On the 14th and 15th of February MGM Yamaha and I tested at Cartagena in Spain. With riders Jörg Teuchert and Andrzej Pawelec. The 4 new bikes performed without any problems and allowed the two riders to get on with clearing out the winter cobwebs. The team worked closely with Dunlop who are keen to spoil Pirelli’s year after they secured the deal to supply the BSB Championship. Light work was made of adjusting the bikes settings from last years Pirrelli setup used in European Superstock, to the new Dunlop rubber. This was achieved by the combination of Steven Casaer on data logging and lots of consistently fast laps by Jörg Teuchert. By the end of the test Jörg had just managed to break into the 1:34s with a 34.95 which made us the fastest at the test.
On the 9th and 10th of March Phase One and I were in Almeria in Spain for a Dunlop test that continued at Albacete on the 12th and 13th. The weather was excellent throughout, and a good time was had by all. The riders for this test were Glen Richards who rode for Phase One last year when he wasn’t busy winning the British Superstock title with his team’s first foray into motorcycle racing. Along with Guy Martin; known for his excellent road racing performances, and rediculous accent. These two riders were able to use the test to get back up to speed after the off season, while Phase One used their individual specialisms to improve the bike. Glen Richards is an excellent development rider so he was used to test Dunlop’s new tyres and check the bikes were setup as well as they finished last year. Guy is a truck fitter, engine builder, and very tidy rider. He was able to use this background to test some of the engine refinements we were working on. The results were excellent and much speed and knowledge was gained. By the end of the tests we had two bikes in one piece, and an excellent base setting for the season.
Almeria- Richards 1:40.0
Martin 1:41.8
Albacete- Richards 1:32.5
Martin 1:34.3
More Winter Testing:
From the 28th to 30th of March MGM Yamaha and I attended the Yamaha Race Training test held every year at Valencia. The blue skies and sunshine, made a weclome combination, when compared to the snow and rain we left in Germany. The test was a chance for the team to see if the base settings reached at Cartagena, would work at a different track. As well as to continue the Dunlop tyre testing started in Cartagena.
Jörg Teuchert was again able to complete lap after lap at a fast and consistent pace, without incident. Using his feedback, minor adjustments were made to the bike early in the test. Then Dunlop were free to use Jörg and the bike to test all manner of compounds and constructions, in the pursuit of still more speed. Jörg was able to maintain a race pace in the mid 1:37s and managed several 1:36,9s on slightly softer tyres.
Jorg was also testing a prototype thumb brake that Gilles are developing for the team. After some minor modifications it was declared perfect. So many thanks to the Gilles team.
Andrzej showed great pace from the first day onwards, and ended the test with consistant low 38s and a best of 1:37.8. Prooving he will be a strong contenter in 2008.
Nina Prinz prooved how unfounded women rider jokes are, by lapping in the 38s with a best of 1:38.2. I think this is a pace that will dominate in the womens cup, and should secure finishes around the top 10 to 15 in IDM, although we won’t know for sure until the first race.
Also at the test was Damian Cudlin who was testing the SKL Bike Promotion R6 he is to race in the IDM Supersport Championship. He’ll also be racing in the Phase One Endurance team I work with, so it was great to see him going so well.
The next test is in Lausitz, before which I have 2 crashed bikes to repair, plenty of small developments to make, and also need to prepare the Phase One bike for the Le Mans 24hrs that takes place immediatly after the Lausitz test. Beats working for a living.
