QUALIFYING 1 Supersport REPORT 03/10/2008
Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport Team) overcame the less than ideal conditions and 10°C track temperatures in the first qualifying session at Magny-Cours to record the second fastest time of the day. His best was only 0.158 seconds from provisional pole, and despite the cold track conditions, the best times were only just off lap record pace.
This race marked the return of legendary Yamaha WSS rider Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) who secured a qualifying position of 26th as he stepped onto his R6 machine for the first time since his crash at the Brno round.
The bad weather that has followed World Supersport this season continued once again, with occasionally wet track surfaces and an all-pervading cold robbing the track of consistency of grip.
Unlike some other teams in the championship, the Yamaha World Supersport squad did not test at this venue recently, making the first day showings an impressive display.
Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) finished an encouraging 11th on day one, while David Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport) was 20th.
Broc Parkes (2nd - 1'43.007 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"It's good for a first day because we didn't test here and Ten Kate did, so it's always a good feeling when you can just wheel out the bike and be on top. The Yamaha always works well here and I like the track, so we just need to get as much time on the track as we can and get ready for Sunday. I'm happy for the first day."
Fabien Foret (26th - 1'46.914 - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"Not too bad but not the best track conditions I could expect before I got back on the bike. It was cold and there were some wet patches around, so that was not good for my confidence. I need to get some more reference points on the track to get more confidence. Everything is a bit sluggish now and it is like I have restarted. If the weather is good tomorrow and I can work from the first thing in the morning, we should be better."
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"We did not have ideal track conditions to set-up the machines, especially as we have not tested here, but Broc likes the track and was fast right away. That's great. The Ten Kate guys were testing here but it seems we can compete straight away without testing.
Let's wait and see tomorrow what we can do. I will not say anything about weather for tomorrow because it seems very unpredictable! Fabien has no pain but it will take some time for him to get back into it. Small things matter when you come back and he has to get used to the speed again.
Nothing can simulate that and the co-ordination you need to ride fast. But he qualified and tomorrow is another day. I can say that he has come back to be ready for next year more than be ready for the next race in Portimao."
Massimo Roccoli (11th - 1'44.636 - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni)
"This morning I only had four laps because of the wet track, but it was important because I rode with a wet set-up, just to test it. In the second session, I rode with a dry set-up and it went better lap-by-lap. With a new clutch fitted tomorrow we will be able to make more improvements, if the weather is OK of course!"
Circuit Length: 4411
2008 WSS France - Magny-Cours 03/10/2008 Qualifying 1
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 1'42.849
2 Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 1'43.007
3 Barry Veneman Suzuki NED 1'43.343
4 Matthieu Lagrive Honda FRA 1'43.390
5 Joan Lascorz Honda ESP 1'43.445
6 Andrew Pitt Honda AUS 1'43.601
7 Didier Van Keymeulen Suzuki BEL 1'43.710
8 Gianluca Nannelli Honda ITA 1'44.010
9 Joshua Brookes Honda AUS 1'44.390
10 Josh Hayes Honda USA 1'44.615
11 Massimo Roccoli Yamaha ITA 1'44.636
12 Miguel Praia Honda POR 1'44.636
13 Robbin Harms Honda DNK 1'44.712
14 Julien Enjolras Yamaha FRA 1'44.788
15 Katsuaki Fujiwara Kawasaki JPN 1'44.790
20 David Salom Yamaha ESP 1'45.608
26 Fabien Foret Yamaha FRA 1'46.914
- Yamaha Racing -
More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
