|
news
01 Mar 2008
Jones digging deep down under
PARKALGAR HONDA’S Craig Jones will be digging deep into his reserves to battle for a top six position in the second round of the World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island in Australia after qualifying on the third row in 12th place.
The British title contender from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, admits that he has not got to grips with the fast and flowing 4445m track yet. He set his qualifying time on a race tyre – while most other riders used a sticky qualifying tyre - which means he has genuine pace to compete for the top six.
Parkalgar Honda Portuguese racer Miguel Praia continued his steady improvement in lap time during qualification, ending up 29th. He believes there is more to come once he gels with the circuit. Australian Honda rider Andrew Pitt is on pole position.
The racing starts at 0320CET on Sunday, 2nd March, with all the action broadcast on Eurosport or available to watch online at www.worldsbk.com.
Craig Jones:
“It has been a frustrating couple of days. The Qatar circuit clicked with me and I immediately found a fast line around and was able to get on the podium. Phillip Island is not like that and no matter how hard I am working, it is difficult to find time. No previous testing here is playing against us.
“On the positive side we are making a small change to my Parkalgar Honda for the race that will help it through the corners. On a race tyre there are a lot of us close together but I think I can achieve a top five, particularly if I can figure a way around the track. The bike’s great, so I've got to dig deep and go for the result.”
Miguel Praia:
“I am happy with my Parkalgar Honda and think that the improvement in lap time is down to me. My bike will have the same change for the race as Craig’s, which should make me slightly faster, but really the big time gain will come from me understanding the circuit better and riding faster.
“My target was top 10 for this race and that will be hard to achieve from 29th on the grid. I am not sure where I can finish but I will be examining the circuit in my mind before the race and will do my best.”
Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager:
“Phillip Island is a difficult circuit to learn and there is a definite advantage for home based riders or those that have raced here a lot before. Both Parkalgar riders are suffering from a lack of time on track, whether testing or racing.
“Craig’s qualification was on a race tyre which indicates he is good for the top six when you compare against other people’s times on similar rubber. We will be making a change to the forks on his bike that will help his CBR600RR turn and hold its line better and that will help. The top six is realistic and compared to last year when he qualified 18th and finished 14th, that would be a big step forward.
“Miguel will benefit from the same change to his bike as Craig and then it will be down to him to see how well he can finish. It is a tough Championship and the pace at the front is relentless and he needs to find more performance from within.”
Final Qualifying:
1: A Pitt, AUS, (Honda) 1:34.592
2: J Brookes, AUS, (Honda) +0.298
3: B Parkes, AUS, (Yamaha) +0.467
4: F Foret , FRA, (Yamaha) +0.603
5: J Rea, GBR, (Honda) +0.624
6: R Harms, DEN, (Honda) +0.649
...
12: CRAIG JONES, GBR, (PARKALGAR HONDA) +1.393
...
29: MIGUEL PRAIA, POR, (PARKALGAR HONDA) +2.840
|
