SpidermanSS
04-11-2007, 05:04 PM
SETUP REPORT - 11/04/2007
Yamaha looking for more wins going into the fourth round at Valencia
The Ricardo Tormo Circuit will host its first international race of the season
this coming weekend, with the fourth round of the World Superbike Championship
coming to this popular track for its eighth consecutive year.
Valencia is a tight and twisty circuit built with spectators in mind. The venue
was designed to be a 'circuit within a stadium' and this has been achieved with
over 65,000 grandstand seats that allow spectators to view the track, and the
action on it, from the one position. The popularity of this circuit is evident,
with over 3 million spectators visiting since its opening in 1999.
Valencia's complicated track, excellent facilities and favourable winter
weather conditions make this circuit ideal for all kinds of racing. It is in
demand by national and international championships and is not restricted to
just motorcycles. Everything from trucks to Formula One cars use this circuit
which means that grip levels can be unpredictable, causing conditions to change
by the hour and requiring constant adjustments to the set-up of the bike.
Pirelli held their official tyre test here in March, with Yamaha's World
Superbike, Supersport and Superstock teams all taking part. The data gathered
at this test could be of a big help to put all the Yamaha teams in a good
position for their race set-up this weekend.
The last round at Donington saw Haga take the team's first win of the season,
showing the potential of the new R1. This was supported by Corser's second and
third finishes. Haga goes into the fourth round in third place in the
championship standings with 88 points with Corser just behind on 81 points.
Both riders want to win at this round, so the gloves will be off from the
outset.
In 2006 Haga claimed two fifth places in Valencia but as he has won here
previously in 2000 and 2004, he is keen to add another race win to his one from
Donington. "Valencia is one of my favourite circuits and I have won there
before," he says. "It is a technically challenging circuit though, and chassis
and tyre set-up are very important there. With the testing we have done there
recently with Pirelli I am hopeful. After winning at Donington I am feeling
very positive and looking forward to winning again!"
Team mate, Corser is looking to take some race win glory himself this weekend,
after just missing it at Donington. Last year he took second place in both
races and is looking to better that result this year.
"Valencia has a good layout and the weather is normally makes for good riding
conditions, although it can get a bit windy and, depending on which way it
blows, it can sometimes be a problem. The track grip is different every time we
go there because it depends on what's been racing there previously - trucks or
Formula Ford - and what rubber they've left."
With regard to the bike, Corser says, "The bike feels good following the
testing we have done there, although every team has done testing there so it's
going to be a close race."
The third round at Donington was a very tough one for the Yamaha World
Supersport Team, with both Curtain and Parkes crashing and breaking their
collar bones in practice, putting them out for the race. The team goes into the
fourth round with a lot of hard work to do. They know they need a good result
to put them back into contention for the championship, but are very conscious
of both riders still nursing injuries. Both riders had operations immediately
following the race and are determined to ride at Valencia if at all possible.
Currently, Curtain lies in fifth in the championship with 25 points and Parkes
lies in tenth on 16 points.
"I'm feeling pretty good despite the crash at Donington. A friend in Belgium
helped me get operated on straight away and I now have a late and eight bolts
in my left shoulder, which is lucky as I'm right-handed. As soon as I was out
of surgery I started exercising the injury because the longer you leave it, the
longer it takes to get going again. I now have full movement and a fair amount
of strength in my left arm, though the scar is a bit tender," says Kevin of his
injuries.
When asked about Valencia and his expectations, Kevin said, "I'm looking
forward to returning to the championship this weekend. I'd like to get on the
podium' that's what I'll be aiming for."
At the time of going to print, it is expected that Broc Parkes will race at
Valencia, though this will be confirmed in the next 24 hours.
Claudio Corti got his Superstock Championship fight off to a good start at
Donington with a second place, just in front of Didier van Keymeulen on another
new R1. Corti's team mate, Michele Pirro has something to prove this weekend
after crashing out of the last race. He had been showing great potential in his
rookie season in the Superstock Championship prior to the crash and is keen to
make up for his mistakes with a good result at Valencia.
Track length: 4005
Tracked opened: 1999
2006 winner: Troy Bayliss (Ducati)
2006 fastest lap: 1'35.374 (Troy Corser, Suzuki)
WSB lap record: 1'35.007 (Neil Hodgson, 2003)
Circuit tel: +34 96 2525220
Circuit website: http://www.circuitvalencia.com (http://webmail.valueweb.com/index.cgi?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitvalencia.com×tamp=1176332109&md5=A0%2FWqHaMT4sTMhqMHPIkVw%3D%3D)
Yamaha Racing Communications