Daytona tyre test

The three-day Dunlop tyre test in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6 kicked off Monday at historic Daytona International Speedway.

At the centre of attention on the first day of Dunlop tyre testing was the debut of the new Honda CBR1000RR with rider Ben Bostrom. After completing Monday's session as the fastest rider with a lap of one minute, 48.9 seconds, Bostrom gave the new ride the thumbs-up.

"I've never smiled so much on a road race bike before," Bostrom said. "I don't want to stop riding the thing. I really love it."

Bostrom's solid start to the three-day Dunlop tyre test has raised his confidence level for the March 6 Daytona 200 By Arai motorcycle classic, which will be held for the first time in event history on a Saturday.

"I know this thing has a lot of power and tyre wear is going to be an issue," Bostrom said. "The boys are pretty good about setting up the bike. Even if you have to hurt the lap time initially, on the 16th lap, if you can still run a quick lap, that's the way you're going to setup the bike. Honda is good about that kind of thing. I've got a lot of confidence in them. Dunlop has built us some great tyres. This is the best tyre I've ever had here by far."

In the 2003 Daytona 200 By Arai, Bostrom was part of one of the most memorable finishes in the race's 62-year history. On the last lap, Bostrom and fellow Honda riders Miguel Duhamel and Kurtis Roberts were running nose-to-tail. Exiting the chicane, Duhamel passed Roberts in NASCAR Turn 3 and beat Bostrom to the start/finish line by .069 seconds.

Bostrom believes the experience of that three-bike last lap finish will help him in future drafting battles as he continues to pursue his first Daytona 200 By Arai victory.

"We're hoping that happens again, but I want to be in first this time," Bostrom said. "I did learn a few things. I'm going to put that in my pocket and take it to the race in March. It's all I can do."

Dunlop tyre testing continues on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Day 1 Times - (Taken with permission from Road Racing World)

1. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:48.981
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.438
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.552
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.853
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.877
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:50.047
7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:51.143
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:51.472
9. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:51.592
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:52.063
11. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:52.517
12. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.105
13. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.109
14. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.246
15. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.783
16. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:53.786
17. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR Supersport, 1:54.469
18. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:55.323
19. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:55.397
20. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:55.50
21. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR Supersport, 1:56.04
22. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:56.085