Just gonna leave this here until I figure out the time zone / international dateline craziness. It looks like practice starts late Thursday for me here in NC. Circuit Information: Length: 5.543 Km Pole position: Left Corners: 15 Left corners: 5 Right corners: 10
Well this was expected, but I don't think anyone expected it this soon. Rea signs with Kawasaki for 2017-2018. http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2016/Jonathan+Rea+And+Kawasaki+Together+For+Two+More+Years
Note that the track is totally repaved, and just finished early this month. Also a bunch of new camber changes, some corners modified and desperately needed drainage improvements. Old lap times pre-upgrade won't apply, as the length is also a bit different. -jim
I got Chaz for the double. He finished 1/2 last year. The Panigake R is rocking and he is on his A game. Time to edge closer to the #1 sport for the title.
I just always root for Chaz, much simpler and he's raced with us. I'll root for Nicky too but he's got too much bike to overcome at this point.
i love me some WSBK, and Rea was my original favorite when i started following it (after The Ben) so i always root for him, then Chaz, and Nicky. i would like to see a split podium of Rea/Chaz between the two races, but wouldnt be surprised to see the panigale rip up this track. hopefully the weather is good.
Would love to see it, but I think he made the decision to go to Honda as a career/ambassador move. Honestly I wish he went a couple of years ago when he got the boot from the Ducati MotoGP team, but the past is the past. I think he could do some serious damage on that bike.
I remember when Nicky tested the Panigale in his Ducati days the rumor mills were saying he was breaking lap records on it. Oh what could have been... Who knows, maybe the 2017 Cbr1000 will be fire..."it could happen" -Kid from Angels in the Outfield
The fastest times from SBK FP 1 & 2 have the top ten(ish) within a second of each other. No one is putting in long sets close to their fastest lap yet, but that may have more to do with dodging rain drops. Nicky is actually looking pretty good with the second fastest time. PJ set the best super sport time in FP1. The second session was wet, so he's at the top of the pile right now.
Three rookies in the top three spots in WSBK on day 1. I know it is hard to call Hayden a rookie, but officially that is what he is in this class. Sykes quickest in P1, but relegated to Superpole 1 with the 11th fastest time.
Looking through the lap by lap analysis, Hayden's race pace is looking very good. He put in a block of ~10 laps in the low to mid 2:05's. The only other rider to do something similar was Rea. Rea's laps were a little bit faster but he only did 5 or 6 laps with consistency. I hope Nicky can fight for a podium here!