Team SUZUKI MotoGP collect imp. data at changeable Le Mans
Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 7:01 am
Team SUZUKI MotoGP collect important data at changeable Le Mans
Team SUZUKI MotoGP successfully used the first day of testing for the Grand Prix Alice de France to gather crucial settings information on the Suzuki GSV-R prototype race bike.
This morning's test was held on a drying surface but with many damp patches covering the 4.18km historic Le Mans racetrack. The afternoon session was disrupted by a heavy rainstorm that left the track very wet for the majority of the hour-long practice.
Kenny Roberts Jr's technicians used the sessions to try a new geometry setting for the GSV-R and had a successful result from the test. Roberts Jr (1'35.623 FP1, 1'35.482 FP2) was still left a bit frustrated with the day. He said: "The weather controlled the day. We wanted to test a different dry setting this afternoon but because of the weather we were unable to that so we will try and do it tomorrow morning.
"We still need to do some more tyre tests to make sure we can get the correct compounds for the race because grip will certainly be an issue here."
John Hopkins (1'35.628 FP1, 1'35.127 FP2) was using a completely new chassis set-up and was pleased with the result. He commented: "I'm quite happy with today's test. This is not a track I like a lot as it doesn't really suit my riding style, but I'm actually quite pleased with the day.
"We were able to get through a lot of tests and changes. We were lucky to have a mostly dry session this morning and then to start this afternoon in the dry and confirm a few things.
"It was good as well to get out in the rain because the last time I rode at Le Mans in the wet I had three concussions in a weekend, so it was important for me to get rid of a lot of ghosts and I can now go out there and perform whatever the conditions."
Team Manager Paul Denning was happy with the two practice sessions. He said: "Both riders pushed hard in the different conditions we had today. John was trying a new chassis set-up and both his Chief Technician Stuart Shenton and John are pleased with the results.
"Kenny was looking to get the best out of the GSV-R and the Bridgestone tyres but was hampered by the weather as his plans for a new dry setting were quashed when the rain came down.
"We will now use tomorrow's final test session to get in as much work as we can before qualifying starts tomorrow afternoon."
The fastest time of the day was set by Alex Barros on a Honda, with less than a second separating the top eight riders.
Team SUZUKI MotoGP will have a final practice session on Saturday morning before qualifying gets underway at 14.00hrs CET. The Grand Prix Alice de France is the fourth round of the MotoGP World Championship and racing will begin at 14.00hrs CET on Sunday 15th May.
Grand Prix Alice de France Combined Free Practice Times
1. Alex Barros (Honda) 1'34.171: 2. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1'34.290: 3. Max Biaggi (Honda) 1'34.618: 4. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 1'34.701: 5. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1'35.067: 6. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) 1'35.067: 7. Marco Melandri (Honda) 1'35.125: 8. JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 1'35.127: 9. Carlos Checa (Ducati) 1'35.206: 10. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1'35.359. 12. KENNY ROBERTS JR (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 1'35.482:
Team SUZUKI MotoGP successfully used the first day of testing for the Grand Prix Alice de France to gather crucial settings information on the Suzuki GSV-R prototype race bike.
This morning's test was held on a drying surface but with many damp patches covering the 4.18km historic Le Mans racetrack. The afternoon session was disrupted by a heavy rainstorm that left the track very wet for the majority of the hour-long practice.
Kenny Roberts Jr's technicians used the sessions to try a new geometry setting for the GSV-R and had a successful result from the test. Roberts Jr (1'35.623 FP1, 1'35.482 FP2) was still left a bit frustrated with the day. He said: "The weather controlled the day. We wanted to test a different dry setting this afternoon but because of the weather we were unable to that so we will try and do it tomorrow morning.
"We still need to do some more tyre tests to make sure we can get the correct compounds for the race because grip will certainly be an issue here."
John Hopkins (1'35.628 FP1, 1'35.127 FP2) was using a completely new chassis set-up and was pleased with the result. He commented: "I'm quite happy with today's test. This is not a track I like a lot as it doesn't really suit my riding style, but I'm actually quite pleased with the day.
"We were able to get through a lot of tests and changes. We were lucky to have a mostly dry session this morning and then to start this afternoon in the dry and confirm a few things.
"It was good as well to get out in the rain because the last time I rode at Le Mans in the wet I had three concussions in a weekend, so it was important for me to get rid of a lot of ghosts and I can now go out there and perform whatever the conditions."
Team Manager Paul Denning was happy with the two practice sessions. He said: "Both riders pushed hard in the different conditions we had today. John was trying a new chassis set-up and both his Chief Technician Stuart Shenton and John are pleased with the results.
"Kenny was looking to get the best out of the GSV-R and the Bridgestone tyres but was hampered by the weather as his plans for a new dry setting were quashed when the rain came down.
"We will now use tomorrow's final test session to get in as much work as we can before qualifying starts tomorrow afternoon."
The fastest time of the day was set by Alex Barros on a Honda, with less than a second separating the top eight riders.
Team SUZUKI MotoGP will have a final practice session on Saturday morning before qualifying gets underway at 14.00hrs CET. The Grand Prix Alice de France is the fourth round of the MotoGP World Championship and racing will begin at 14.00hrs CET on Sunday 15th May.
Grand Prix Alice de France Combined Free Practice Times
1. Alex Barros (Honda) 1'34.171: 2. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1'34.290: 3. Max Biaggi (Honda) 1'34.618: 4. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 1'34.701: 5. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1'35.067: 6. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) 1'35.067: 7. Marco Melandri (Honda) 1'35.125: 8. JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 1'35.127: 9. Carlos Checa (Ducati) 1'35.206: 10. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1'35.359. 12. KENNY ROBERTS JR (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) 1'35.482: