From a press release issued by Parkalgar Honda: PARKALGAR HONDA World Supersport racer Craig Jones has set his sights on challenging for the 2008 Championship and aims to start his campaign with a win at the opening round of the series at the Losail desert circuit in Qatar on Saturday 23rd February. Craig, from Peterborough in England, completed a single three-day pre-season test at Almeria in Spain last month where he was more than one-second ahead of his nearest rivals on his Honda CBR600RR. After finishing fifth in the Championship last year he is a real title contender for 2008. Next fastest at the test was Team Parkalgar Honda’s Miguel Praia who spent his time getting to know his new Anglo-Portuguese technicians. Based in Portugal, he is happy to be chasing Craig and is looking to match his British team-mate. The high speed 5.4km desert circuit will suit both riders and their Honda CBR600RR as it continues to develop. Jones finished 12th in the race last year learning the circuit. Praia finished 19th at Losail last time out and is determined to cement his credentials as a front runner this time. The Parkalgar Honda team is backed by the Autodromo Internacional Algarve, a new Portuguese circuit that will host its first World Superbike event in November, giving the Parkalgar riders the chance to shine on home turf. Craig Jones: “I can’t wait to get out there as we have more improvements coming for my Parkalgar Honda CBR600. Losail is a fast track with long straights and fast corners which should work well with our new engine specification. “In the lead up to our test last month we thought we would be using the first two rounds as damage limitation, our plan was to come away with a couple of top fives. However, since the test was so successful we feel we can go out for wins straight off.” Miguel Praia: “I’m really pleased with my new team, since joining my lap times have dropped and my confidence has increased. I want a podium finish this season and with the Parkalgar Honda team I know I can achieve that. I learnt lots from Craig at our test and now I want to put what I have learned into practice at the first round.” Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager: “The Almeria test has really boosted the team’s confidence. We are not going just to make up the numbers, Craig has a good shot at the title and Miguel will be a capable team-mate who is able to run at the front of pack. I’m really fired up about the season ahead as is the team, we can’t wait to get racing.” You have been sent this e-mail as a registered contact of the www.parkalgar-honda.com fan club or press list. If you do not wish to receive these e-mails in the future, please visit our web site, log in using your user name and password and update your profile.