2008 Qtel FIM Endurance World Champion Suzuki SERT is dominating once again after the first free practice session held on the Losail international racetrack (5380 m). Suzuki Endurance Racing Team riders, Matthieu Lagrive, Julien Da Costa and Guillaume Dietrich, even managed to lap faster than last year, with a best of 2’02.551 during the second session. A group of Yamaha are to be found in the SERT’s tail. Amongst them, YART, Folch Endurance and Phase One Endurance are all racing in Doha for a spot on the 2008 final podium, behind SERT and Maco Moto Racing. Yamaha Austria Racing Team holds the best position for now, as Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Steve Plater signed their best lap in the first session with a 2’03.307. The Yamaha YMES Folch Endurance is also on a good rhythm, with a 2’04.238 signed in the second session by Dani Ribalta and Pedro Vallcaneras. With Jason Pridmore, Thomas Hinterreiter and Jakub Smrz, the Yamaha Maco Moto Racing is just behind in 2’04.466, despite a mechanical problem on one of their YZF-R1. The Yamaha Phase One of Damian Cudlin, Scott Smart and Glen Richards took the fifth place of this first free practice session, with a 2’04”539 lap, ahead of Kawasaki Diablo 666 Bolliger. In the Superstock class, Qatar Endurance Racing Team IJT took the best and got the seventh overall time. Ridden by Mashel Al Naimi, Rashid Al Mannai and Anthony Delhalle, the Suzuki QERT IJT is ahead of the Yamaha LTG 57 of Michael Lalevée, Gregory Leblanc and Cyril Huvier. Slightly behind, Bolliger Kawasaki Switzerland is in ninth place ahead of La Fortezza Amadeus X-One and Endurance Moto 38, who lost some ground with serious suspensions set-up problems. The first qualifying session for the 8 Hours of Doha, last round of the 2008 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship, will take place this afternoon.
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Fastest In Practice At 8 Hours Of Doha
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Fastest In Practice At 8 Hours Of Doha
© 2008, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.