BMW Motorrad Motorsport continues preparations for 2012 with a successful test in Spain. Jerez de la Frontera, 25th November 2011. Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport returned to the racetrack in preparation for the 2012 FIM Superbike World Championship. The team carried out an extensive three-day test this week (23rd to 25th November) in Jerez de la Frontera (ESP). As it continues to develop the 2012 version of the BMW S 1000 RR, which has been optimised in many areas, the team was greeted by sunny conditions and mild temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius in southern Spain. The three-day test in Jerez passed without any problems. This allowed the team and the two riders, Leon Haslam (GBR) and Marco Melandri (ITA), to work on all areas of the RR, especially on the chassis and the revised BMW electronics. It also tested various set-up solutions for the new engine specification and modified frame geometry of the 2012 bike. Generally speaking the test confirmed the positive impression of the new bike, which the team gained while testing in Portimão (POR) in October. Numerous modifications have been made for the coming season. For instance, the aerodynamics have been optimised and modified according to the new 2012 production RR design. The new engine spec also improves rideability and low end torque. Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport will now remain in the south of the Iberian Peninsula as it moves on to Portimão, where another three-day test is scheduled for next week (28th to 30th November). “This test went really well,” said BMW Motorrad works rider Leon Haslam. “We made some good progress over these three days. We did a lot of development for next season and here we have been able to tick many boxes on our things-to-do-list. We also worked very productively regarding engine mapping and ride dynamic strategies. Overall, the team spirit is really high. We have a few new people in the garage and everyone is working together very well. Now we are looking forward to another three days in Portugal.” “That was a very successful test for us,” explained BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Bernhard Gobmeier. “We were able to complete an extensive test programme and gather important data and information in all areas of the bike. We have seen that we are on the right track with our 2012 version of the RR. We have another three test days with a packed schedule ahead of us in Portimão next week. The knowledge gained in Spain and Portugal will form an important basis for the ‘homework’ that lies ahead in the coming weeks before the season starts at Phillip Island in February.” More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing Team: MARC VDS TOP THE TIMESHEET AT FINAL MOTO2 TEST OF 2011 The Marc VDS Racing Team successfully concluded the final test of the 2011 season at Jerez today, with Scott Redding topping the timesheet for the third day in succession. Mika Kallio set the fifth fastest time of the three-day test, which was held in almost perfect weather conditions. With rain causing disruptions to two previous post-season tests in Valencia, the three days at Jerez provided Redding and Kallio with their first real opportunity to work on finding a base set-up for the Kalex Moto2 bikes they will campaign in next year’s Moto2 World Championship. Redding posted his fastest time on the first day of testing, despite crashing at the ultra-fast turn seven on his first exit from pit lane. The 18-year-old Marc VDS rider focussed mainly on refining his riding position and machine set-up on the first two days, before moving on to complete a 26-lap race simulation today. As well as learning his way around the Kalex Moto2 machine at Jerez, Kallio also had the opportunity to work with his new crew for the first time. Like his teammate, the Finnish rider evaluated a range of different settings over the three days, as he worked with his crew to identify the best base set-up for the bike. Redding and Kallio declared themselves happy with the progress made during the three days at Jerez and, although looking forward to a well-earned break, both are keen to resume testing again in February once the annual test ban ends. Scott Redding #45: 1’42.9 “This has been a really positive test for us with the new Kalex bike. It’s the first time since we took delivery of the bikes that we’ve had good testing conditions and we certainly made the most of them. We’ve made some changes to my riding position, as well as making the bike quicker to turn, but I think there’s still more to come in terms of set-up. Today’s race simulation was really important, because it was the first chance for me to see how the handling is affected once the tyres started to go off. I was quite surprised with the result; there is definitely a drop off, but it’s nowhere near as steep as we experienced in the races this year, and it’s possible to maintain a pretty consistent lap time. So, overall, I’m pleased with how things have gone here at Jerez and it’s always good to leave a test as the fastest rider on track! Right now I’m looking forward to the winter break, but I know I’ll be itching to get back on track in a matter of days!” Mika Kallio #36: 1’43.4 “The Kalex is still a new bike for us, so we are still learning a lot about how it works. Here at Jerez we tried a lot of different settings, to get a better idea about how each change affects the bike. We were lucky, as we’ve had three days of perfect weather here, which means I’ve covered a lot of laps and we’ve managed to test more or less everything that was on the plan. Of course, sometimes we pushed to make a good lap time and we were more or less where we wanted to be, especially today, when we found almost half a second with a set-up change. Our race simulation today was also good, with every one of the 26 laps was faster than my fastest lap in the race here at Jerez back in April. Overall it’s been a very positive test.” Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager “The riders and the team have worked hard these last three days, completing a pretty extensive testing program as we learn to get the best from the Kalex Moto2 bike. Scott posted the fastest lap of the test but, more importantly, his average over the race simulation was only a couple of tenths outside his fastest time. Mika and his new crew have worked well together here in Jerez, quickly building up a rapport that will stand them in good stead next season. Mika ended the test inside the top five on the timesheet, which is great, but it’s his consistency that has been really impressive. Overall, the test has been very positive for the Marc VDS Racing Team and a perfect way to finally bring to a close the 2011 season.”