World Superbike

WSS: Garnier Racing Team Junior Monza Friday notes

GOOD FIRST SESSION FOR BARRIER AND BLACK Monza is a very special track because of its layout. As there is no practice on Friday morning, Sylvain Barrier and Gregg Black used the only afternoon practice session to find the best possible setting ...

Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:54 PM

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GOOD FIRST SESSION FOR BARRIER AND BLACK

Monza is a very special track because of its layout. As there is no practice on Friday morning, Sylvain Barrier and Gregg Black used the only afternoon practice session to find the best possible setting for their R1s. Sylvain Barrier finished in 12th position and Gregg Black in 23rd.

Sylvain Barrier: " As soon as I started, I had a good rhythm. I did a few good laps, and then went back to the pits to fit a new shock absorber. Then I did two quiet laps and after that I went faster. I went straight when I braked too late entering a curve and I had a very small crash. I went back to the pits and after that I tried to go faster but I couldn't find a good slipstream. We have to set up the shock for tomorrow."

Gregg Black: " We changed many things on the bike before we came here, so I am getting used to it as the bike feels different. I am taking my time, this is the first time I am racing here on a 1000 cc and the brakings are different. I have now my confidence back. I am happy with this first session. I know I can progress."

Michel Garnier, team owner: " Good session. We are in the top 12 with Sylvain; Gregg takes it easy, without being overexcited. Sylvain tried to be with the leaders but here slipstream is important. It's only the first session-- Sylvain will try to be on the second row, or the third one at the worst."

The fastest track of the Championship

Monza is the quickest of the tracks used for the 2008 Superbike World Championship. The fastest lap was done last year by Noriyuki Haga on a Yamaha, with the average speed of 198.730 kph. This is not the quickest lap ever, as Pierfrancesco Chili on a 750 Suzuki averaged 203.960 kph at Hockenheim on June 4th, 2000. Last year in Monza, Michel Fabrizio had the best top speed on his DFX Corse Honda. It was during the first race and he went 322.7 kph, which is the fastest speed ever recorded in world Superbike.

A track with a great history

Monza was built in 1922 (in only 100 days!) by the Milan Automobile Club. The "Autodromo Nazionale di Monza" is only 15 km from Milan. It is the oldest permanent racing circuit still used in Europe and the third such circuit to have been built after Brooklands (GB / 1907) and Indianapolis (USA 1909). The track is 5.793 km long and features a 2.405 km long oval, which is no longer used. The main straight is 1.195 km long.

The first Grand Prix of the Nations (September 8, 1922) was won by Amadeo Ruggeri on a 1000 cc Harley-Davidson. In the 500 class, the winner was Italian Gnesa on 2-stroke 350 Garelli.

A very special circuit

Monza is the fastest circuit on the World Superbike calendar. The track has two very slow chicanes, the "Prima variante" and the "Variante della Roggia". It also has a long right-hander called the "Curva Parabolica". Monza only has one real left-hander, the "Curva Del Serraglio" after the Lesmo double right-hander.

Monza is different because the bike is upright for so much of the lap, during acceleration, top speed and braking phases. Monza is unique in that the bikes are running more often in a straight line than in a corner, the opposite of the other World Superbike circuits.

-credit: grtj

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