Ted Collins on WorldSSP debut at GoEleven Kawasaki

Ted Collins reflects on debut WorldSSP practice sessions with GoEleven Kawasaki in Thailand

At Team GoEleven Kawasaki it is an all Australian affair this weekend with regular team rider Lachlan Epis joined by countryman Ted Collins, who was drafted in at the last minute to replace the injured Michael Canducci for the second round of the World Supersport Championship in Thailan.

Lachlan Epis ended the day 23rd on the timesheets while Collins finished 26th, 1.5-seconds behind his teammate but learning fast.

Ted Collins

“After the Wakefield Park ASBK round last weekend I was driving home on the Monday when I took a call about a vacant World Supersport ride with Team GoEleven Kawasaki that I had 15-minutes to decide on.  I made a couple hectic calls to confirm what I already knew then repliued to themm, ‘yes, where do you want me?’ From that point it was 36-hours before I was face to face in Thailand with the crew from GoEleven.

“As the start of the season are fly away rounds and the rider I’m replacing, Michael Canducci, had crashed at Phillip Island, the bike I was to ride was a complete work in progress. I mean I was starting at a frame on the floor. I let the team do what it had to and 30-minutes before my very first World Supersport roll out I sat on the bike.

“FP1 rolled around and my only instruction was to learn the track, if something wrong come in. I came in after 9 laps and all my fears were put to rest the bike was in my words, F —— awesome.

“They sent me out again with a few key areas to focus on and we began to move forward. Albeit from the back, but we were happy that we had a good package to build on. FP2 the team made some small changes but mainly just gave me the key areas to work on after over laying my data with previous team riders . We improved 1.3-seconds in the second session.

“You can look at it from the angle that yes we are las,t and four-seconds from the front. But I am seeing it as that I am four-seconds inside the qualifying time, which 2 days ago was my main concern. We have had a good day and seriously we have so much more the team and I will be giving it my best in Qualifying on Saturday.”

#THAIWorldSBK WorldSSP at Chang International Circuit: Friday

1. L. MAHIAS FRA GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Yamaha YZF R6 1’37.469
2. R. KRUMMENACHER SUI BARDAHL Evan Bros. Team Yamaha YZF R6 1’37.503
3. F. CARICASULO ITA GRT Yamaha Official Yamaha YZF R6 1’37.692
4. J. CLUZEL FRA NRT Yamaha YZF R6 1’37.786
5. A. WEST AUS EAB antwest Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’37.838
6. H. OKUBO JPN Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’37.922
7. S. CORTESE GER Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF R6 1’37.940
8. R. DE ROSA ITA MV Agusta Reparto Corse MV Agusta F3 675 1’38.112
9. L. STAPLEFORD GBR Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675 1’38.256
10. T. WAROKORN THA CORE Kawasaki Thailand Team Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’38.438
11. A. KAMARUZAMAN MAS Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’38.519
12. R. WILAIROT THA Yamaha Thailand Racing Team Yamaha YZF R6 1’38.557
13. N. TUULI FIN CIA Landlord Insurance Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’38.569
14. K. SMITH GBR GEMAR Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1’38.589
15. A. BADOVINI ITA MV Agusta Reparto Corse MV Agusta F3 675 1’38.661
16. J. KENNEDY IRL Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675 1’38.783
17. T. GRADINGER AUT NRT Yamaha YZF R6 1’38.945
18. M. DI MEGLIO FRA GMT94 Yamaha Yamaha YZF R6 1’39.146
19. N. CALERO ESP Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’39.298
20. L. CRESSON BEL Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF R6 1’39.302
21. D. KRAISART THA Yamaha Thailand Racing Team Yamaha YZF R6 1’39.384
22. J. VAN SIKKELERUS NED GEMAR Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1’39.684
23. L. EPIS AUS Team GoEleven Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’39.851
24. SOOMER EST Racedays Honda CBR600RR 1’40.182
25. A. IRWIN GBR CIA Landlord Insurance Honda Honda CBR600RR 1’40.907
26. T. COLLINS AUS Team GoEleven Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’41.365