FIM Supersport World Championship Phillip Island Melbourne, Victoria, Australia February 27, 2009 Qualifying Practice One Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Andrew Pitt (Hon CBR600RR), 1:34.833 2. Kenan Sofuoglu (Hon CBR600RR), 1:34.895 3. Fabien Foret (Yam YZF-R6), 1:35.063 4. Garry McCoy (Tri Daytona 675), 1:35.431 5. Cal Crutchlow (Yam YZF-R6), 1:35.469 6. Mark Aitchison (Hon CBR600RR), 1:35.589 7. Anthony West (Hon CBR600RR), 1:35.641 8. Gianluca Nannelli (Tri Daytona 675), 1:35.644 9. Robbin Harms (Hon CBR600RR), 1:35.778 10. Eugene Laverty (Hon CBR600RR), 1:35.833 11. Matthieu Lagrive (Hon CBR600RR), 1:35.885 12. Barry Veneman (Suz GSX-R600), 1:35.947 13. Joan Lascorz (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:36.075 14. Miguel Praia (Hon CBR600RR), 1:36.220 15. M. Pirro (Yam YZF-R6), 1:36.234 16. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:36.247 17. Massimo Roccoli (Hon CBR600RR), 1:36.286 18. Gianluca Vizziello (Hon CBR600RR), 1:36.493 19. Russell Holland (Hon CBR600RR), 1:36.915 20. T. Pradita (Yam YZF-R6), 1:36.918 More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Reigning World Supersport champion, Andrew Pitt, got 2009 off to an impressive start by setting the fastest time in today’s opening qualifying session at the season opener at Phillip Island, Australia. Pitt was joined on the provisional front row by 2007 World Supersport champion and Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Kenan Sofuoglu, who set the second fastest time, followed by Fabien Foret and Garry McCoy. The Ten Kate Honda pair were the only two riders to lap the 4.445km Phillip Island circuit in under 1’35s this afternoon and the only two to head the timing sheets. As well as setting the fastest time today, Pitt attempted a simulation for Sunday’s 21-lap race, which may well be run in cooler conditions than today’s 31-degree sunshine. Andrew Pitt P1, 1’34.833s I don’t have any problems at all, really, apart from a question mark over whether the rear tyre will last the race. We tried both the harder and softer compounds today, both in cool conditions this morning and when it was hotter this afternoon. Other than that, I’ve got no worries – the bike is perfect and the new crew is working really well. Kenan Sofuoglu P2, 1’34.895s Today I was not pushing very hard for a fast lap time and, instead, I preferred to concentrate on being consistent. Tomorrow, we will simulate a race distance in free practice and aim to stay on the front row in the afternoon. As long as I can qualify there I know am capable of winning Sunday’s race. Ronald ten Kate team manager That was a good start to our first race weekend of the new season and it’s good to have both riders already matching their best times from the test we had here last weekend. There are still some problems that we must iron out but, all in all, it’s a perfect base to work from to prepare our race set-up. Results 2009 World Supersport championship, Phillip Island, first qualifying: 1. Andrew Pitt (AUS) HANNspree Ten Kate Honda 1’34.833s 2. Kenan Sofuoglu (TUR) HANNspree Ten Kate Honda 1’34.895s 3. Fabien Foret (FRA) Yamaha 1’35.063s 4. Garry McCoy (AUS) Triumph 1’35.431s 5. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha 1’35.469s More, from a press release issued by Parkalgar Honda: Parkalgar Honda in good shape after opening day of 2009 Championship EUGENE LAVERTY and Miguel Praia are confident for Sunday’s opening round of the World Supersport Championship after a strong showing by the Parkalgar Honda pair in the first practice and qualifying sessions of the season at Phillip Island in Australia today. Irishman Laverty is 10th and Portugal’s Praia is 14th after the first dry qualifying session, with both riders slashing their lap times as the day progressed. Honda’s Andrew Pitt is on pole position ahead of tomorrow’s second practice and final qualifying sessions. The race starts at 0325 CET on Sunday, March 1st. Eugene: “My lap time is good and I am one of the fastest riders who did not test here recently Harms just edged me but everyone else in front of me had the benefit of a test. We haven’t changed a lot on my Parkalgar Honda since the last test as it feels good but we will alter a few things for tomorrow on the chassis and with the gearing to suit the circuit better. I had a small spill at the Honda Hairpin carrying too much brake into the corner but I am not hurt as it was very slow. I am looking forward to the race and in the cool conditions we can run consistent lap times; the rest of the weekend is set to be cooler so that’s good news.” Miguel: “Today has been quite good; I am 1.2secs faster than my best lap time of last year already. I still have some work to do with the setting on my bike but it is comfortable and I am improving my riding as well. The window for a quick qualifying lap was quite small and I missed out slightly as the temperature increased in the last 20-minutes and the circuit is faster when cooler. I didn’t score points here last year but that is what I want this time round and I feel it is on the cards and a top 10 is very possible.” Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “It’s been a good opening day to the new season for Parkalgar Honda. The riders may not have tested here but they have already closed the gap on the field and that will reduce tomorrow and will not be a factor in the race. Eugene is still finding his feet and is less than half a second from the front row so I expect him to improve his grid position. Miguel is riding really well and in a much better position than last year. The Parkalgar Honda race bikes look fantastic, the team is working well together and we are in good shape.” More, from a press release issued by Team ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing: Team ParkinGo Triumph BE1 Racing clinched provisional first and second rows after day 1 of the opening round of the 2009 WSS as Garry McCoy and Gianluca Nannelli set fourth and eighth time respectively. Tomorrow though, the starting grid will be decided after the second official test session as the two riders hope to finish on top. GARRY McCOY | Triumph Daytona 675 | 4th in 1’35.431: “I am very happy with the result because my goal is to finish on first row all the time. Nonetheless, I am confident I can improve tomorrow and I hope to record the same time of last week’s testing. Today, I slipped because of some issues on the front which caused chattering but fortunately nothing serious happened”. GIANLUCA NANNELLI | Triumph Daytona 675 | 8th in 1’35.644: “I have to thank my teammate for helping me correct some of the trajectory errors that prevented me from performing at my best on this particular track. I worked on bike setting today and at the end of testing I really started to feel comfortable with the bike. I scored a pretty good result but I would really like to do better tomorrow”. GIULIANO ROVELLI – team manager: “We are really pleased with our riders’ results especially these being the first tests of the new season. We are there, fighting for the top positions against factory teams that have been competing for years in the WSS and this makes us really happy.