After a long winter the waiting is finally over; the 2011 World Superbike season is upon us and kicks off this weekend (26th/27th February) with racing in Australia, at the legendary Phillip Island circuit. The talking and testing is done, and it’s time to go racing. Arai’s riders, Brits Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea, plus WSB legend Noriyuki Haga and the hard-charging Jakub Smurz are ready…
LEON HASLAM, BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT
After making the switch from Suzuki GSX-R1000 to factory BMW S1000RR Haslam, an Arai wearer since the start of his career, has worked methodically on set-up through pre-season testing. He finished 14th overall on combined times from the two day test at Phillip Island, 1.83s behind Carlos Checa, who was fastest, but will be looking to be up at the sharp end from the start come qualifying and racing.
LEON HASLAM, BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT
After making the switch from Suzuki GSX-R1000 to factory BMW S1000RR Haslam, an Arai wearer since the start of his career, has worked methodically on set-up through pre-season testing. He finished 14th overall on combined times from the two day test at Phillip Island, 1.83s behind Carlos Checa, who was fastest, but will be looking to be up at the sharp end from the start come qualifying and racing.
“For me the RR is a proven package. It’s the best selling bike from last year, it’s been winning championships and races all around the globe and in stock trim you will struggle to find a better package. I still feel we have a lot more to come in order to push the bike forward, but have already found a good base to work on. We now don't have long to wait until we will find out where everybody stands..."
JONATHAN REA, CASTROL HONDA
Jonathan Rea crashed on Tuesday afternoon, potentially jeopardising his participation this weekend. Rea had set the third quickest time in the morning’s session on day two of the official WSBK test ,and was on his first lap in the afternoon when he crashed at Phillip Island’s fast turn three, getting off his Castrol Honda CBR1000RR at around 210kph (130mph). He dislocated the ring finger on his left hand but was transferred to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne to undergo x-rays and scans on his left wrist; despite the crash, the 24-year-old set the third fastest overall time of the test and is hopeful about getting back on his bike.
“I’m so frustrated because we were just about there on race pace and everything was feeling really good. My finger and wrist are sore – in fact I’m pretty sore all over –and I certainly didn’t want to start this season the way I finished the last one!
NORIYUKI HAGA, PATA RACING APILIA
Long-term Arai wearer Noriyuki Haga finished the test 11th overall on combined times and, like Haslam, is riding a new bike, the Aprilia RSV4 Factory. Although dressed in PATA livery, this is the machine ridden to the 2010 championship by Max Biaggi so while it is essentially a privateer effort is sure to be competitive. Speaking before testing got underway Nori was upbeat about the coming season, but also aware he has some unfinished business…
“Throughout my career I achieved a lot, but I’m still not satisfied. I dream of winning the world title and it isn’t written that I can't do it on this motorcycle. For sure, on paper, official teams have an advantage, but Aprilia has already shown its willingness to give the greatest support to a racer fighting for a big goal."
JAKUB SMURZ, TEAM EFFENBERT-LIBERTY RACING
Smurz came away from the test with his hopes for the season, and his Ducati, fully intact. He also wound up a superb 4th overall, just .628s behind Checa.
“The two-day test is over, and we definitely leave with a positive result. We have done a lot of work, as evidenced by the total number of laps and have tried a lot of things on both bikes. Certainly I am very satisfied because 4th place, with the participation of everybody without the use of soft rubber and ride by wire is a good sign for the forthcoming race weekend.”
BROC PARKES, KAWASAKI MOTOCARD.COM (WSS)
Broc Parkes, racing in World Supersport, was only 0.014 seconds from equaling Fabien Foret’s fastest time over the two days. For Parkes, who raced for the Provec Motocard.com team at the tail end of last year, starting the season at his home round is an exciting prospect, especially after setting good consistent race pace to go with a personal best time that pushed him to second in the rankings.
“I am happy to have had another couple of days to test because in Almeria it was a bit cold, and it rained in Portugal. So here we did a lot of kilometres on used tyres to get to a good race set-up. We found some positive directions and the bike felt really good, so we stuck in a new tyre and went for a fast lap. I am ready for the weekend!”
2009 Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters is a wild card at Phillip Island riding the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 and finished testing in 12th place.
All of Arai’s riders will once again be wearing the Arai RX-7GP, a helmet considered by many as the benchmark against which all others are measured. Featuring a peripherally belted Structural Net Composite (SNC) shell, with hyper ridge strengthening in its lower section, a wider aperture with larger visor for better vision and a five position Air Wing to reduce drag, turbulence and buffeting, the RX-7GP is the most technologically advanced motorcycle helmet Arai has ever produced and easily surpasses ECE 22.05 and was the first helmet to meet the new Snell M2010 standard.
For more information on the Arai range call 2724UK on 01782 569800 or visit www.whyarai.co.uk
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