World Superbike 2008 - Round 11 - Donington (Great Britain)

World Superbike 2008 - Round 11 - Donington (Great Britain)

Day 2 Report - HRC

Ryuichi Kiyonari and Carlos Checa will both start from the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s two 11th round World Superbike races at Donington Park in Derbyshire, GB.

The HANNspree Ten Kate Honda pairing set the second and third fastest times respectively in this afternoon’s wet Superpole session, as rain continued to drench the 4km circuit. The team’s third rider, Kenan Sofuoglu, missed out on Superpole and will start from 20th on the grid.

Despite highly contrasting riding styles to cope with the wet conditions – Kiyonari sliding spectacularly around Donington’s sweeping curves and tight hairpins – the Ten Kate duo lapped their Honda CBR1000RRs within one tenth of a second of each other as Ducati’s Troy Bayliss grabbed pole position for tomorrow’s two 23-lap encounters.

Ryuichi Kiyonari – P2, 1m42.353s
I enjoyed myself today, although the bike was sliding a bit too much. I like to have a little slide to feel in control in those wet conditions, but I had to be very sensitive with the throttle today because it was very difficult and many riders crashed. I was pleased not to crash again today – it was important because it gave me more time on the bike, so we were able to try many things. But second place on the grid is very good for tomorrow and we are ready for the races.

Carlos Checa – P3, 1m42.486s
In those difficult conditions, I’m very happy that our strategy paid off at the end of the session. I tried to ride very smoothly today, but doing it at the right time was very important. It has taken all the sessions here to learn how to ride fast in these conditions on this track. Starting from the front row is always good, especially in the wet. But, if it turns out to be dry tomorrow, I’m confident we will have a good setting anyway.

Kenan Sofuoglu – P20, 1m46.471s
I’m not so happy with the weather we have had this weekend, especially since we have had almost no wet testing this season. The situation is not extremely bad, but it’s not very good, either. I hope it stays wet for tomorrow because we have had no dry time here, but I will try for a good result.

Ronald ten Kate – team manager
Of course, we’re happy to have two riders on the front row after the conditions we have endured yesterday and today. The constant rain over the weekend has given us a good opportunity to work on a wet setting for the bikes and we have definitely made big improvements there. Things might change if it’s dry tomorrow, but we’ll have to wait and see.

World Supersport Championship round ten – Donington Park, GB
6 September 2008

Jonathan Rea will start tomorrow’s tenth round World Supersport race at Donington Park from the front row of the grid after setting the second fastest time in today’s final qualifying session. In constantly changing conditions, the Irish HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider was pipped to pole position by Honda rider Matthieu Lagrive.

Rea’s team-mate, Andrew Pitt, fell victim to intermittent rain in differing parts of the circuit to record the fifteenth fastest time. The championship leader, however, is confident of a strong race setting for tomorrow’s 22-lap encounter at the 4km Derbyshire circuit.

Jonathan Rea – P2, 1m43.773s
I hate those conditions – nether wet nor dry – but, luckily, I was getting good signals from my mechanics and we picked the right window to go out on intermediates. But even then, it was touch and go and I was off the bike going down Craner Curves. Both legs and one arm were all over the place but I managed to land back on the seat. Anyhow, it’s good to be on the front row for the race, because it might be dry tomorrow. We’ve got a good set up from the test we did earlier in the year, but I don’t really mind if it’s wet or dry. As long as it’s one or the other, and not something in between.

Andrew Pitt – P15, 1m46.230s
That’s really disappointing, considering I’ve been near the top of each session and making constant improvements. I went out first on an intermediate and it started raining. Then I went out on a wet and that wasn’t right, either. I’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow but I know that we’ve got a good race set-up for wet or dry. As long as I can get away well, I’m sure I can be there in the mix at the end of the race.

Ronald ten Kate – team manager
Mixed conditions can bring mixed results and that’s exactly what we got this afternoon. There were a few moments in that session when, if you were on the track at the right time with the right tyres, you could be near the front. We succeeded in that with Jonathan but, unfortunately, not with Andrew. However, I’m quite sure that he will play a role in the race, no matter what the conditions tomorrow.