FIM Supersport World Championship Losail International Circuit Doha, Qatar February 23, 2008 Race Results: 1. Broc PARKES (Yam YZF-R6), 18 laps, 37:05.271 2. Joan LASCORZ (Hon CBR600RR), -0.048 second 3. Craig JONES (Hon CBR600RR), -0.755 second 4. Josh BROOKES (Hon CBR600RR), -9.502 second 5. Matthieu LAGRIVE (Hon CBR600RR), -11.962 6. Barry VENEMAN (Suz GSX-R600), -17.428 7. Robbin HARMS (Hon CBR600RR), -17.660 8. David SALOM (Yam YZF-R6), -17.888 9. Chris WALKER (Kaw ZX-6R), -25.883 10. Gianluca VIZZIELLO (Hon CBR600RR), -32.236 11. Gregory LEBLANC (Hon CBR600RR), -32.573 12. Ivan CLEMENTI (Tri Daytona 675), -35.117 13. Miguel PRAIA (Hon CBR600RR), -36.390 14. Vesa KALLIO (Hon CBR600RR), -36.608 15. Katsuaki FUJIWARA (Kaw ZX-6R), -37.096 16. Didier VAN KEYMEULEN (Suz GSX-R600), -38.526 17. William DE ANGELIS (Hon CBR600RR), -42.675 18. Lorenzo ALFONSI (Kaw ZX-6R), -43.375 19. Mirko GIANSANTI (Hon CBR600RR), -44.319 20. Santiago BARRAGAN (Hon CBR600RR), -45.924 21. Ilario DIONISI (Tri Daytona 675), -47.277 22. Attila MAGDA (Hon CBR600RR), -84.963 23. Danilo DELL’OMO (Hon CBR600RR), -85.440 24. Josep PEDRO SUBIRATESSP (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap 25. Fabien FORET (Yam YZF-R6), -1 lap, DNF, ran out of fuel 26. Luka NEDOG (Hon CBR600RR), -3 laps, DNF, jump start/ride-through, crash 27. Garry MCCOY (Tri Daytona 675), -11 laps, DNF, retired 28. Gergo TALMACSI (Hon CBR600RR), -11 laps, DNF, mechanical 29. Mark AITCHISON (Tri Daytona 675), -12 laps, DNF, crash 30. Graeme GOWLAND (Hon CBR600RR), -12 laps, DNF, retired 31. Arnaud VINCENT (Kaw ZX-6R), -13 laps, DNF, crash 32. Jonathan REA (Hon CBR600RR), -17 laps, DNF, crash 33. Andrew PITT (Hon CBR600RR), -17 laps, DNF, crash 34. Andrea ANTONELLI (Hon CBR600RR), -18 laps, DNF, crash 35. Gianluca NANNELLI (Hon CBR600RR), -18 laps, DNF, mechanical 36. Massimo ROCCOLI (Yam YZF-R6), -18 laps, DNF, retired FIM Supersport World Championship Point Standings (after 1 of 14 rounds): 1. Parkes, 25 points 2. Lascorz, 20 3. Jones, 16 4. Brookes, 13 5. Lagrive, 11 6. Veneman, 10 7. Harms, 9 8. Salom, 8 9. Walker, 7 10. Vizziello, 6 More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Dramatic crash ends difficult start of the Supersport season A short lived Supersport performance today put a premature end to a tough race weekend for the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Supersport team. After two days of training under harsh conditions, the outlook seemed a lot more positive for the team today. The morning’s warm-up session saw Rea performing well on pace and he seemed the team’s hope to reward the hard work put in over the last couple of days with a much desired podium place. Starting on the front row, Rea was off to a good start and immediately claimed a third place, while Andrew Pitt shot to a fifth place from his third row start. In the second lap Rea managed to further make his way to the top of field securing a second place, closely followed by Pitt in third, before disaster struck. Rea high sided and made it impossible for Pitt to avoid the falling machine in front of him, taking the latter down with him. Both riders were given the all clear after medical examination but couldn’t prevent the team’s first Supersport race of the 2008 to be cut short in a very unfortunate way. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager; Both Andrew and Jonathan were on the pace in this morning’s warm-up and comfortable with the final setting we managed to find for the bikes and everything was looking good for the race. Unfortunately, Jonathan came off with a high-sider in which Andrew was involved as well. Instead of having two riders on the podium I ended up with two riders in the Clinica Mobila. I have to give my compliments to the team and the hard work they have put in, it certainly hasn’t been the easiest weekend for us, but we managed to get everything working for the race. We can now only look forward and start bringing these guys onto the podium instead of the Clinica Mobila. Fortunately, both riders walked away from the crash with minor injuries. Jonathan’s injury is the worst, he’s lost some skin of his ring finger, but both riders have been declared fit to race at Philip Island next week. | Andrew Pitt; 2’02.903 I’m very disappointed with this race. After some problems earlier this week we finally managed to find the right set-up for the bike and solve the electrical problems we endured earlier. After some alterations to the suspension the bike was feeling really good and I was quite confident I could make it to the front and compete for a place on the podium. It’s a pity having to start the season in this way but I am confidently looking forward to racing at Philip Island next week. Jonathan Rea; 2’02.617 I am very disappointed for not finishing my first Supersport race. My main aim was to finish and get some points on the board. I’m still struggling to understand the Pirelli tyre on the rear; I’ve crashed on it twice this weekend. I’ll have to watch the footage of this race and come back to Philip Island and find a new feeling. For sure when I push I am pushing hard and might have to change this a little. I’m also disappointed for the team and for Andrew as my mistake was his misfortune. I think we can take a way some positives as well though. We were up front when it happened and not struggling somewhere halfway the field. We had a good race pace and the bike’s set-up was good so we can go to Philip Island with a positive feeling and look forward to starting the next race. More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Racing: The three HANNspree-supported teams endured mixed fortunes in the opening race of the 2008 World Supersport Championship in Qatar today. There were high hopes for British newcomer Jonathan Rea aboard the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR after he recovered from an accident during qualifying yesterday to secure a front row start. The Ulsterman took the holeshot from fourth place on the grid for the perfect start to his world championship debut. However, the race ended in disappointment for the team when Rea crashed out of contention while running in second position. HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate Andrew Pitt had been running in third place and was unable to avoid Rea’s accident in front of him – forcing both riders out of the race. HANNspree Honda Althea’s two riders were also unable to complete the 18-lap race at the Losail circuit. However, HANNspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda enjoyed a successful first race with Josh Brookes finishing in fourth position and Robbin Harms passing the chequered flag in seventh place. The points-scoring finishes for both riders ensured a strong start to the season for the team. More, from a press release issued by Parkalgar Honda: Mature podium for Jones and Parkalgar Honda PARKALGAR HONDA’S Craig Jones kicked off his 2008 World Supersport Championship campaign with a well-earned podium at the challenging Losail circuit in Qatar. Brit Jones was racing for the podium right from the start, leading the opening lap of the season for his new Parkalgar Honda team. He was lying in a close fourth on the last lap when leader Fabien Foret on a Yamaha ran out of fuel promoting him onto the rostrum. Parkalgar Honda Portuguese ace Miguel Praia targeted a top 15 finish and a determined ride saw him take his just reward in 13th. His progress over the course of the weekend has been quick and he is looking forward to challenging for the top 10 next time out. Yamaha’s Broc Parkes won the race. The second round of the World Supersport Championship takes place at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia next Sunday, March 2nd. Craig Jones: “You could say I was gifted the podium when Fabien ran out of fuel but that just shows the importance of the team and back-up you get and I must thank my Parkalgar Honda crew for all of their support and preparation this podium is for them. “On the last lap I was in contention with the riders in front for the win. Going into the hairpin I missed first gear and lost all drive out of the corner which meant I had to settle for third – otherwise I would have tried an overtake for sure. “A headwind on the straight matched to my choice of gearing using first gear for the hairpin rather than second meant I was losing out a little on the straight every lap. I reeled the riders in through the rest of the circuit and was quicker. Overall, I am happy with the speed of my Parkalgar Honda and am pleased to get third place points in the bag. Miguel Praia: “That was a very tough race and I was in a battle constantly for position. I know that some riders failed to finish but that is racing, so I am very happy with my 13th place, this is a great result and start to the season for me. “Everyday this weekend I improved and now I have less than one week to wait before getting on track again and I can’t wait. The top 10 is my next target.” Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager: “That was a superb effort from Craig. His CBR600RR was a little down on speed compared to his rivals; but rather than throw it all away trying to over-ride, he kept a level head and brought the bike home for solid points. I am very impressed and he has out-performed his target of a top five finish at a circuit we had no set-up information for, which is a great start to his title campaign. “Miguel is learning very quickly and it is realistic to see him challenging in the top 10 within the first half of the season. That would be a big accomplishment and one the team will do all it can to make a reality. “My thanks to the Parkalgar Honda team from Pirelli to the technicians and all the sponsors, I couldn’t have asked for any more and each member of the squad deserves to have stood on the podium with Craig. Well done to one and all, the beers are on me this evening.” More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Triumph-SC: BAD LUCK FOR SCUDERIA TRIUMPH-SC IN QATAR RACE (Losail – Qatar February 23, 2008) Scuderia Triumph SC’s showed their potential at the opening round of the World Supersport Championship in Qatar with Garry McCoy running his high as fourth before having to retire and Ilario Dionisi gaining a solid finish in his debut Supersport race. After a strong qualifying performance as seventh, McCoy made a good start and got away with the leaders. The Australian was soon embroiled in a tough battle for position with his Scuderia Triumph-SC fairing well against his factory backed Honda and Yamaha rivals. McCoy used his extensive racing knowledge to progress through the field and up into fourth before suffering a reduction of power. The 35 year old tried to get the bike to the finish by reducing the revs but it was not possible and he unfortunately had to retire to the pits. Team-mate Ilario Dionisi had an exciting first Supersport race after spending the full 18-laps of the 5,38km track in a battle for position. After a tough race the young Italian finished in 21st place and is confident of improved results next weekend at Phillip Island. Garry McCoy commented: “During the whole weekend the bike has felt good, so it’s a real shame it stopped in the race. In practice I’ve been lapping on my own so but in the race when I was behind other riders the temperature started to come up, which is what I think caused the problem. As everyone knows it’s very early stages for us but up until the problem the bike felt really good. I think Qatar and Phillip Island are really going to an extension of our testing, but once we get back to Europe and back in the workshop things will get easier. My leg has felt OK today, but not as good as yesterday, I think it’s the three days of riding have caused some pain but I’m confident I’ll be fine by the time I get to Phillip Island.” Ilario Dionisi said: “It was a nice race but it was difficult. In Superstock I’m used to a much shorter race so to complete the full distance in Supersport was hard. I feel really good on the bike and I was battling with a lot of experienced Supersport riders. The tyres felt good through out the race and now I feel that I have learned a lot of experience from my first race. which will help a lot in the future. Now I need to change my style to suit this bike and get on the gas harder and earlier.” Team Manager Stefano Caracchi added: “For sure this is not so bad given that it was the first race in the life of this bike in the World Championship. We have improved the power but now we don’t have so much engine life so now we have to stop developing the power and start to concentrate on reliability. We are happy because we have shown a lot of potential, the bike is very good base and for sure with alittle more time we will be fully competitive.” More, from a press release issued by Pirelli: Many of the Supersport observers could not see past Fabien Foret and his new Yamaha R6, but plenty of riders started the race thinking about a big result. Unfortunately after a few laps, due to crashes and technical problems, some of the protagonists went out, like Pitt, Rea, Nannelli, Roccoli and the race was led – predictably – by Foret, fighting with Parkes, Lascorz and Jones. The Pirelli DIABLO SUPERCORSA offered really outstanding performance on this racetrack, allowing the riders to push to the limit for the whole race distance, without losing the feeling you need when riding only three seconds slower than the SBK lap times. At the very last lap the turning point came: leader Foret ran out of fuel and left the win to his team-mate Parkes, who was able to overtake Lascorz by slipstreaming on the final straight. More, from a press release issued by Honda: World Supersport Championship A crash involving Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) and Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) on lap two of the Supersport race at Losail prevented either rider finishing the race, after Rea had highsided on a corner exit and Pitt could not avoid his stricken machine. Rea had also highsided in final qualifying, but remounted to finish fourth and on the front row, while Pitt had been on row two for the start of the race. Rea suffered an injury to the fourth finger of his right hand in the race crash, but has already stated he will race at Phillip Island in round two next week. The 18-lap World Supersport race at Losail almost featured a Honda winner, with Joan Lascorz (Glaner Motocard HondaCBR600RR) capitalizing on long time race leader Fabien Foret’s eventual misfortune to lead out of the last corner. Lascorz’ hard won advantage was overhauled by Foret’s team-mate Broc Parkes, who used the slipstream to lead across the line by 0.048 seconds. The supported machine of Craig Jones (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) propelled him to third in the race, one place lower than his second place qualifying performance. Josh Brookes (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR) was an assured and aggressive fourth after only qualifying 12th, and finished the race four places higher than his team-mate Robbin Harms (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR) who was breaking himself back into competitive action at high speed, making a remarkable recovery from 22nd on the grid. Gianluca Nannelli (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR600RR) did not finish the first lap due to a technical probem, while his temporary team mate Andrea Antonelli also went out on lap one. Pitt said: “I’m all right, it was a bit scary and I’m battered and bruised. I was about 20cm behind him when Jonathan high sided and then there was his bike lying on the road in front of me. I just hit it flat out and went over the handlebars. It’s shame because it was the first time that the bike has felt good all weekend and I had good rhythm. I got a good start and I was right there. Now we just need to get qualifying sorted out because we would have had no problem in the race.” Rea stated: “I think I got on the gas too early and I am still learning the tyres and how they work in Supersport. I have some tendon damage to my finger and I have decided not to have it operated on and go to Phillip Island for the race next week.” Jones said: “I think I was over-riding from the mid section of the race. It was a shame Johnny and Andrew went out, as it would have been a different race. We struggled a bit later on with the gearing we were running, but I made a little mistake near the end when I had pulled myself back to the tails of the other leading guys. The bike has been competitive and as good as we could expect after losing some time in qualifying. I’m over the moon to be on the podium at this race because we knew it would be hard.” Brookes said: “Not too bad considering we qualified 12th. I hung with the front guys as long as I could but I felt were a bit off the pace this weekend. For some other riders to not finish played into my hands, but I hope the Ten Kate guys are OK. We made a good strong race, by making the best of our situation.” Harms said: “It has been a long time since I raced; last one for me was Brands Hatch. My first priority was to get my body and mind into race mode again, so it worked out well for me. We are doing better and better.” Nannelli said: “I still don’t understand what problem my bike had. It’s disappointing after having started off so well but when I was in fifth position the bike stopped. Now our technicians are busy at work trying to understand what happened. Now more than ever my goal is to obtain excellent results in Australia.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Parkes Wins On new YZF-R6 As Foret Is Forced Out Broc Parkes scored a win on the 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 first time out in World Supersport Championship, in a dramatic race that seemed almost certain to go the way of his team-mate Fabien Foret until the very last lap. Foret and Parkes had been looking for a one-two finish almost throughout, with Foret looking all set to win the 18-lap race, until he ran out of fuel on the very last lap. At that time he was leading by over two seconds from Joan Lascorz, Parkes and Craig Jones. Foret and the new Yamaha leave the circuit with the new lap record to their credit, a 2’02.626, set on lap nine. Unable to cross the finish line, Foret was not classified with a finish, but Parkes redoubled his efforts on a tense last lap to re-pass Lascorz on the home straight, and gain maximum points in round one. He now heads off to his home race at Phillip Island next week as the championship leader, on 25 points. David Salom continued his good form in qualifying through to raceday, earning a strong eighth place after a race-long fight with two other riders. Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) retired on lap one with a clutch problem. Broc Parkes (1st – 37’05.271 – Yamaha World Supersport Team) “A good result for our side of the garage and the new YZF-R6 because at the end I was struggling a little bit for grip and when I saw Fabien go our I knew it was up to me to win so I pushed on anyway. I had a few front end slides on the last lap just because I was trying so hard, even though the tyres were good all race. I could still push them that hard at the end of the race and on the last corner I got into the slipstream and used the power of my Yamaha to get Lascorz over the line. It was a great win for me and we have struggled sometimes this weekend, but we got this season off to a good start. ” Fabien Foret (DNF – Yamaha World Supersport Team) “It was really disappointing to be out of the race in such a fashion, especially as we had done so well all through practice, qualifying and the race itself. It was just fuel running out, not the bike, but it is still hard for the team and myself to take.” Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team) “It looked like two good results for almost all the race but bad luck for Fabien at the end. We filled the tanks completely before the race, that is sure, and our calculations showed we would have a safe amount of fuel left at the end of the race, obviously we used more. I am really happy for Broc to take the win and it is a relief after Fabien’s misfortune. The season is long and we have two guys who can fight for the championship, but only one was able to get the result today. We won first time with an all new bike so we are happy, but we obviously have mixed feelings.” Laurens Klein Koerkamp – YME Racing Division Manager “The story of raceday is clear – the bike was nearly perfect, the riders were nearly perfect, qualifying had been great and we just had some bad luck for Fabien at the end. It’s a great result for Broc to win, especially in the first race for the new Yamaha YZF-R6, showing that the new roadbike technology works on the track as well.” David Salom (8th – +17.888 seconds – Yamaha Spain World Supersport Team) “Not a bad race but my I didn’t started very well and I could not make up the time in the first few laps. It was too late to go any higher than my group of riders, but it took us eight or nine races last year to reach the level that we have started this season at.” More, from a press release issued by GIL Kawasaki: WALKER INTO THE TOP TEN AT LOSAIL Doha/Losail, Quatar, 23 February 2008 Chris Walker (GIL Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R) made his way from 20th on the grid to ninth in the World Supersport race at Losail, fighting until the last lap to improve his position. WALKER INTO THE TOP TEN AT LOSAIL Katsuaki Fujiwara (GIL Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R) had a tough race but also improved on his starting position, taking a point for 15th place in raceday track conditions that suited his machine settings more than they did in qualifying. The race, over 18-laps of the 5.380km circuit, had 24 finishers. Each rider in the GIL Kawasaki team is new to the squad for 2008, making their early points scoring performances more than respectable. Many of Fujiwara and Walker’s championship challengers failed to finish the Losail race, which was won by Broc Parkes, from Joan Lascorz and Craig Jones. Chris Walker: “I’m happy with the finish and I thought to myself this morning if I could scrape into the top ten I knew I would be pleased. Ninth for everyone in our garage is pretty cool. I really enjoyed the race, even if I was not in the place I wanted to be in. I was right there until the last five laps, then I had to slow a bit. But until then, it was really good and I learned a lot once again. The boys in the garage worked well today and we went back to the setting we had in the pre-race tests. It has been a bit tough for us this weekend so to finish ninth is good. This is actually my best ever finish at Qatar, even in Superbike!” Katsuaki Fujiwara: “I’m really happy to get 15th because that one point could be very important when we arrive at the final round. Last week we tested here and the feeling was good but for the race weekend there was a lot of wind and lower track temperatures, which made qualifying difficult. Today the conditions were better and we made some small changes to the settings. Although it was not perfect I felt good and was able to be very consistent.” More, from a press release issued by GPR Stabilizers: GPR Stabilizer on the podium in Qatar. Circuit: Losail, Qatar. GPR Stabilizer’s Joan Lascorz (ESP) and the Glaner-Motocard.com Honda team scored an impressive second place finish in the season opener of the World Supersport Championship. The Espania team capitalized on it’s sixth place qualification after days of windy set-up conditions. Joan found himself in the top spot after Yamaha’s Fabian Forey (FRA) seemed to run out of fuel on the last lap. Just meters before the finish, Yamaha’s Broc Parks (AUS) effectively utilized the draft and passed Joan for the win. This is the second podium in three races for GPR Stabilizer and the Glaner-Motocard.com team. Video – www.worldsbk.com “SuperParkes” GPR Stabilizer is recognized world-wide for designing and producing the motorcycle industrie’s most asked for rotary steering damper. Unyielding standards for performance and functionality have resulted in GPR Stabilzers winning championships in dirt bike, sport bike and ATV. For more information about GPR Stabilizer please visit our website at www.gprstabilizer.com World Superbike Championship www.worldsbk.com