World Superbike

Phillip Island: YZF Yamaha preview

HOPE FOR AUSTRALIA If the results of Shinichi Nakatomi were not exactly as good as it was hoped in Qatar, the team nevertheless keeps the spirit high and will do its best to make things better at Phillip Island. With a 21st position and a DNF ...

Published: Feb 29, 2008, 7:49 PM

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HOPE FOR AUSTRALIA

If the results of Shinichi Nakatomi were not exactly as good as it was hoped in Qatar, the team nevertheless keeps the spirit high and will do its best to make things better at Phillip Island.

With a 21st position and a DNF at Losail, the team could not do as well as it was expecting. This weekend in Australia, the situation should be better.

Martial Garcia (team manager): “On paper, the 21st position is not such a bad result when you consider the number of factory bikes that are entered. The performances of the motorcycle are satisfying, especially the engine with good top speeds. Unfortunately, the strong wind did not help to set up the chassis. I am sure that Nakatomi will do his best to make the situation better at Phillip Island after our not so good result in Qatar.”

The track

Back in the twenties, the roads around Philip Island were very popular with local speed freaks. In 1928, the first Australian car Grand Prix was held at the Island on a 6.5 miles/10.4585 km course. 1931 was the year motorcycles first raced at the Island, for an event that was a lot like the Isle of Man TT on a 12 mile/19.308 km course. The permanent racing facility was opened in 1956.

Philip Island is a varied and demanding 4.445 kms with everything from hairpins (minimum radius 23 m) to fast turns (maximum radius 207 m). Right-hand turns are scarce with only two such corners, Honda and Turn 10. In the fastest of left-handers, like turn 12 (the last turn before the start/finish straight), tyre temperatures go above normal. Standard running temperature for a rear slick is between 80 and 110DEGC but at Phillip Island, they often go beyond 130DEGC.

-credit: yzf

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