20/07/08 - Brno, Czech Republic Race
Photos copyright © MotorBikesToday.com 2008
Brno
Gareth Jones, 18/07/08 - 20/07/08
FIM Superstock 1000 Cup
Round 6
Friday - First Practice
Three weeks after Misano we were back at Brno. We did a test at Brno before the Misano meeting, so it was the first circuit since Valencia, that I had ridden at before the round. I was really glad that at least we could go there for the race, with a basic idea of a setup to start with. I really liked the track as well, it was one of the longest, widest and one of the most challenging circuits I’d ridden at before.
In first practice the track was very dirty and slippery. Lap times were way off and it was only a matter of a few laps before the tyres were absolutely torn to bits. I was 17th in this session, however with the bad track conditions, most riders put in their fastest lap within the first 4 laps, so the positions were sure to change and times would drop considerably in the first qualifying session.
Friday - First Qualifying
After watching the time sheets from the other classes, times were dropping and the track was obviously getting quicker so I was keen to get back on track for the afternoon 45 minute qualifier. With a few adjustments, I tried to use the session constructively, as tyre ware, particularly front, was going to be a factor, and I needed to get in some good laps while the tyres were good. A lap time of 2.06.0 put me in 16th. I wasn’t too disappointed with this as I knew there were a few key changes we could make to assist with set up, I just hoped it wouldn’t rain for the next qualifier, as the weather was overcast and trying to rain.
Saturday - Second Practice
Superstock is out first up on Saturday morning and we were using old tyres in this session. Times would depend a lot on how well I could push on these tyres and more importantly how long they would last. We made a fork spring change and it certainly helped hold the front up more on corner entry where the front had been pushing. We made several changes during the session and I managed 13th fastest. Nevertheless, this was only free practice but we were moving in the right direction and this gave us a good base for some minor changes for the final qualifying at 4:45 that afternoon.
Saturday - Second Qualifying
The clouds had threatened rain throughout the day but luckily it held off giving everyone the chance to better their starting position. I was confident with new tyres that I could improve my first qualifying. I waited until I could find a clear patch of track and put in a few hard laps with the new tyres. I moved up to 13th on the grid from 16th, before pitting to make further changes. However in the closing minutes of qualifying I couldn’t get a lap together clear of traffic to improve further, but 13th has been my best starting position to date so I was happy that with a good start and consistent laps I could be much further toward the sharp end of the field.
Sunday - Race
Sunday morning and clear weather was sure to mean a dry race and 9th in the 10 minute warm up was a good start to the day. An hour later we gridded up to race. I got a solid start and was 11th across the line on lap 1. The immediate pace was quick so I pushed hard early on the stay with it and moved up into 9th before long.
The front group of 6 riders pulled a lead, then Seato was in a very lonely 7th, then trailing him was the group I was in, consisting of riders from position 8 to 15th, which was a freight train of hargy bargy, where we were constantly changing positions, banging fairings and elbows. I didn’t want to destroy my tyres early on, however my pit board said +0 every lap so I tried really hard to make a break from the group. About mid race distance I managed to move into 8th to lead the pack, nevertheless it was a real dog fight for every inch of track.
The 12 laps of the 5.5km Brno circuit went so fast, and before I knew it, the old last lap desperates were coming into play. I changed positions 3 times on the last lap and after some very close tussles I crossed the line 11th. It would have been nice to have finished in 9th where I was for most of the race, but it was definitely a hard fought race, lots of fun and quite frankly, with the way we pushing for positions, it was a big possibility that any one of us could have come down!!
We only have 4 rounds left in the Championship so I’m hoping to get a few solid finishes under the belt. Next weekend is Brands Hatch which is about 4 hours from where I’m living in England. I have ridden the short circuit there but not the actual long track that we will be racing. Who’s betting on a wet race???
Talk to you all soon.
Matt Bond, 20/07/07 - 22/07/07
FIM European Superstock 1000 Cup
Round 7
Friday - First Practice
After the success of the test a few weeks before hand, the first session was a simple re-familiarisation process, that didn’t take long, and instantly the bike was feeling really good and the times were consistent and improving.
The new internals inside the rear shock seemed to totally alter the way the bike gripped, making it much more stable under braking and acceleration, which made it ideally suited to the Czech track. Even if there was very little grip on the track, making traction somewhat non-existent and made for some very interesting sideways moments!
Towards the end of the session I started to push a little bit harder and managed to better my previous personal best lap time, putting me nicely inside the top 20, in 17th place. It was the best free practice result so far this season, so all was looking good for the opening qualifying session.
Friday - First Qualifying
I got onto the circuit with the front group straight away, but after 2 very hectic laps, I decided to pull back and wait for a tow from one of the fast guys. Cue Sheridan Morais on the Pedercini Ducati!
I hooked straight onto his back wheel and for four or five laps we were together, and I managed to follow his lines and match his pace round the majority of the track, and it was all clicking into place. Both Shez and myself managed to clock our fastest laps, just before we both let off, with the intentions of returning to the pit lane to put in a new pair of tyres for the last half of the session.
I blasted off in an attempt to make it back to the pits quickly, giving the guys more time to change the wheels, etc. Then the back made an almighty bang and all the power beneath me just disappeared. It sounded like a plug cap had come off, so, not knowing any better, I proceeded to tour back to the pits, with the engine getting worse all the way up the hill leading to pit lane.
As soon as I was back I could tell that our weekend was over by the looks on peoples faces. I was gutted. With no spare engine, the best opening to a meeting we had had slipped through our fingers, and I watched the timing screens as I slid from 12th down towards the bottom end of the field, but I wasn’t last! Far from it, but with no chance of returning to the track the last thing I could do was smile or see the good side of things.
The Rest Of The Weekend
I decided to just sit and watch and see what I could learn from the guys out on circuit, and it helped me to see just how to ride really hard for that one lap in qualifying, and also how to pace yourself in the race. It was useful.
On the good side I’d ridden the bike well and proved I can run at the sharp end of the field, and we’ve got a good bike set up ready for Brands. Whether we will have a new engine will be the major question, but I have faith in the team.
