Team HANNspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda news
2008 Supersport World Championship
Round 10, Donington, UK
Final qualifying, 6th September
Conditions: Wet, 15 C.
Track length: 4.023 kms
JOSHUA TAKES FRONT ROW PLACE AT DONINGTON.
HANNspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda rider Joshua Brookes dominated this morning's final free practice session, lapping the 4.023 km long Donington circuit in 1.46.198, despite the very cold and wet weather conditions. In the second and final qualifying this afternoon, the rain lessened and the track partly started to dry. The varying conditions made it very difficult for riders to know which tyres to use in order to set a fast qualifying time. Joshua managed to improve his lap-time on intermediate tyres, taking fourth place for tomorrow's starting grid. His team mate Robbin struggled to find the right set-up and tyres for the tricky conditions, until a few minutes left of the session, and will be start tomorrow's Supersport race from the 3rd row.
Joshua - 4th, 1.44.251
We changed the rear shock this morning and immediately the bike felt better. It was easy and controllable to ride and I felt really confident in the wet. Unfortunately, in qualifying the track began to dry. I was on rain tyres, but it was too dry for them. I went back to the garage to put on intermediates and was able to improve, so I tried to stay out on the track as much as possible to get a better lap-time. But, towards the end of the session, it started to sprinkle again and it was too wet for me to improve. We have a good understanding with the bike for wet conditions, so I really hope it carries on raining. I guess the weather will be decisive for us tomorrow.
Robbin - 12th, 145.878
It felt good in the wet this morning. We found a good rain set-up and that allowed me to improve. Unfortunately the conditions in qualifying were horrible, being half dry/half wet. I started on my number 1 bike, but I couldn't find good grip so I went in for a new set of rain tyres. But it was already starting to dry as I went back out again. After that we had some problems with the clutch, so I changed to my number 2 bike, putting intermediates on it. Once back out again, I could feel a big difference and managed to cut five seconds off my lap-time! That put me in 12th spot on tomorrow's grid, which is OK considering the circumstances. I hope the race will be dry tomorrow, but we will have to see.
Johan Stigefelt
We were unfortunate with the weather conditions in qualifying today. Josh is really fast in the wet, but he wasn't able to improve as the track started to dry. It was difficult for everybody knowing which tyres to use and which would give the best grip. I'm happy that Robbin managed to improve and find a good feeling in the tricky conditions. Both riders did well today, as it was a difficult situation. Hopefully the weather will stay more consistent tomorrow and we will be able to bring home some good results.
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