BWM Gaining momentum

[MOKE1K]

Assen WSBK: Rea Takes Superpole
Saturday, 24 April 2010 16:00
Superbikeplanet:


1 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.944
2 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'35.062
3 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'35.306
4 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'35.330
5 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'35.633
6 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'35.892
7 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'35.909
8 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'36.405
9 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'36.027
10 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'36.061
11 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'36.069
12 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'36.094
13 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'36.327
14 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.348
15 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'36.574
16 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'36.581
17 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'36.906
18 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'36.989
19 77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'38.378
20 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'38.622
21 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'38.471
22 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'38.769


Let's just see if they can make something out of this great first row grid position. It would be great to see BMW become a regular and real threat to the SBK field. All in due time Iam sure, Good job Corser!!!

[MOKE1K]

WSBK » 'Technical' new corner posing challenges

The new Ruskenhoek chicane is proving popular with some riders, but less so with others...
The revised Ruskenhoek chicane has received mixed reviews from a riders following the first day of World Superbike action at Assen, as lap times tumbled across the board.

Alterations to the corner, which has made it less angular – and therefore faster – have seen times drop by approximately two seconds.

It is a change that has received a thumbs up from both Leon Haslam and Troy Corser, who appreciate the faster layout of the bend, even if they admit it is posing something of a technical challenge too.

“The new section of the track is going to improve the lap times for sure,” Haslam said. “It's still quite technical and high-speed, but that's the kind of corner I like.”

“The new section of the track is faster, but I am not sure if it is better to go in fast and exit slow or the other way round,” BMW's Corser added.

”In the race it could be a new passing place and that's good because there aren't many passing places around here. The track felt quite grippy today, especially in one area where I think there is some new tarmac.”

Noriyuki Haga however, who found himself down in 14th position at the end of provisional qualifying, is less appreciative of the changes, admitting it is precisely where he is losing his time.

“I'm still trying to understand how best to tackle the new corner, I don't especially like that point of the track and I'm losing precious tenths in the second split. We have however improved somewhat during the day and I know we can perform better tomorrow, I just need more time on the track but I'm feeling confident.”

The previous fastest WSBK lap around the Dutch circuit was 1min 37.626secs set by Ben Spies last season, while Troy Corser has already got the best time down to 1min 35.621secs this weekend.