| | | You may be revving down for Christmas, but we’re all revving up for 2018 and the Australian round of world superbikes at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit from February 23-25. |
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| | | | | | | | | Hi World Supers Fans,
You may be revving down for Christmas, but we’re all revving up for 2018 and the Australian round of world superbikes at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit from February 23-25. Yamaha Finance is back on board as our major sponsor, signing on for the next three years to ensure that nothing beats World Superbikes…LIVE at the ISLAND.
The best news for 2018, is that any three day pass holder gets FREE Paddock Access. It’s a mighty deal saving you lots of $ and making your long weekend at the world supers, SUPER!
Access to the privileged paddock was unheard of in the past. It means you’ll mingle amongst all the colour of the international teams and be freely able to attend autograph sessions, rider media conferences, and on-stage entertainment in the Paddock Show from Friday morning through to close of play Sunday afternoon.
World Superbikes is super affordable with a three day pass just $120*, making it the ideal Christmas gift. Bring your bike, as there’s no charge for parking whatsoever at supers. In fact, we welcome you and your machine and you can ride your bike to any point on the circuit, park up and view the action from your favourite vantage point.
As a tip, think about camping on circuit to make your world supers adventure fun and affordable. Camping is available for four nights from Thursday to Sunday inclusive, and is purchased with your event ticket. Makes your visit so easy. Imagine this….roll out of your sleeping bag and tent, belt down your cornies for breakfast, wander over to the circuit to see world supers racing, sneak in a little go-karting late afternoon before heading to the café for dinner. Sounds perfect to us!
Advance ticketing is the way to go for the most affordable deals so go to www.worldsbk.com.au for all options, or direct to www.ticketek.com.au to book your tickets. |
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| | | | | | Yamaha Finance back on board for three years |
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| | | | | | | The 2018 world supers entry list should be finalised by mid Dec. The big names are all back, so we look forward to having you on track to see our tried and trusted like Jono Rea and Tom Sykes, Chaz Davies and Alex Lowes plus some new young guns like American PJ Jacobsen who has just stepped up to world supers with Honda.
It’s been quite a year for world superbikes, especially for our quasi-Aussie Jonathan Rea who walked away with his third successive world superbike title, the only rider in history to do this.
As you know he married his Phillip Island sweetheart, Tatia a few years ago, has two beautiful kids and spends summer time at the island. So while he is proudly born and bred in Northern Ireland, last December we made him a Phillip Island citizen and gave him the key to Phillip Island just because he’s a good bloke, he’s married to Tatia, he can ride that Kawasaki and we like him!
That Phillip Island key must have been a good luck charm, because 2017 has been a total winner for Jono, winning his third title with a massive 556 points, the biggest winning margin in history. During 2017 he secured 16 victories and 24 podiums, six of these as doubles, and at Magny Cours (the round Jono won his third title) he took his 50th WorldSBK victory.
To top that off, last week he was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace from none other than Prince William; plus this week he’s being nominated for the BBC Sports Person of the Year. |
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| | Jerez Testing - November 20-24, 2017 |
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| | | Rea stuns with record lap
Reigning Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) continued to impress with his ZX-10RR machine, as he completed the first winter test at the Spanish circuit of Jerez with a lap time over a second faster than the circuit record, as well as beating MotoGP™ bikes out on track. Uncatchable in Spain, the British rider is certainly heading into 2018 as the man to beat.
Able to work through his full testing regime with the Kawasaki Racing Team, Rea was so delighted with his pace in Andalusia that he finished the day early after setting the time of 1.37.986. Explaining: “After a long hard season, my energy levels are quite low and we got through our checklist for the test and I’m so happy. But I’m looking forward to some rest, relaxation and getting ready for 2018!” |
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| British team-mate Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) finished the day second fastest overall, with a lap time of 1.38.326s. Leaving the test with a spring in his step, the Yorkshire-born rider was thrilled with the set-up and pace found on the Ninja ZX-10RR, and with 71 laps put in, the final lap time saw Sykes happy heading into the winter break.
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team duo of Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark had a positive week in southern Spain, as the duo began to work according to the 2018 regulations. British rider Lowes was particularly impressive with his lap times, ending the week with a 1.38.622 and running times competitively compared to the MotoGP™ riders. Van der Mark has been pleased with his testing plan so far, ending in the top seven overall. |
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| Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider Marco Melandri was able to work a lot on the new regulations and collected a lot of data for Ducati technicians to work on over the winter. Fastest on day four, he spent a lot of time out on track on the final day and clocked in 76 laps overall. His time of 1.39.577 was enough to put him in the top six, whilst team-mate Chaz Davies was at home recuperating following a big crash on Wednesday.
Leon Camier’s (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) first appearance on the Fireblade CBR1000RR SP2 was much anticipated, and he was able to deliver with some impressive performances over three days. His final time of 1.39.333 which he set on his final lap of the week boosted him into fourth position overall, leaving Jerez with a strong result into the winter. |
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| Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) continued to have a strong test as he awaits the 2018 parts for his Panigale, ending the test in fifth position overall, focusing heavily on his swing arm and weight into the rear. After re-signing for the satellite Ducati team, he has begun a strong testing regime and has been working with the new regulations.
The next major test for the world superbike contingent will be January 23-24 at Jerez. Then the teams pack up their wares and ship them to Oz for the Yamaha Finance 2018 season opener at Phillip Island from February 23-25, 2018. Tickets at www.ticketek.com.au or www.worldsbk.com.au |
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| | Full WorldSBK Combined Times: | | 1. | Jonathan REA | 1:37:986 | | | 2. | Tom SKYES | 1:38:326 | +0.340 | | 3. | Alex LOWES | 1:38:622 | +0.636 | | 4. | Leon CAMIER | 1:39:333 | +1.347 | | 5. | Xavi FORES | 1:39:384 | +1.318 | | 6. | Marco MELANDRI | 1:39:577 | +1.591 | | 7. | Michael van der MARK | 1:39:577 | +1.591 | | 8. | Niccolo CANEPA | 1:39:855 | +1.869 | | 9. | Michael RUBEN RINALDI | 1:40:223 | +2.237 | | 10. | Loris BAZ | 1:40:468 | +2.482 | | 11. | Eugene LAVERTY | 1:40:551 | +2.565 | | 12. | Jordi TORRES | 1:40:595 | +2.609 | | 13. | Chaz DAVIES | 1:40:630 | +2.630 | | 14. | Lorenzo SAVADORI | 1:41:841 | +2.855 | | 15. | Leandro MERCADO | 1:41:034 | +3.048 | | 16 | Yonny HERNANDEZ | 1:41:476 | +3.490 |
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| Here's what the riders had to say... |
| | Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) “This test is really important for us and it is always held at a good time of year. The weather has been consistent so we have been really lucky. There is a lot of rubber down on the track so we were able to evaluate all the components we had to test and we ticked everything in the box. We had to confirm chassis components and a swingarm, and we worked a lot with Showa suspension on Wednesday. When we had everything boxed off we were able to test some new tyres from Pirelli. We also used this test to try out a qualifying tyre and to see our true potential over one lap. I was surprised to be so fast and go into the 1’37s. Good results do not just happen; it has been a lot of hard work. I am very proud of the team as they understood the regulation changes. We were able to hit the ground running when we came here on Monday." |
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| Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) “I am really happy with the way the tests have gone. That put a bit of a smile on my face and a spring in my step for the winter.
I could honestly not have asked for any more. A big thanks to all the boys, they prepared two top-level bikes which made the testing much more efficient and I have to say I am very pleasantly surprised with my performance on race tyres. We tried a Q tyre, but it was in a bike with a slightly different set-up and chassis package. Since using that Q tyre we have improved the bike again and am very happy about this. It is a good way to go into the winter.” |
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| | Alex Lowes (Yamaha) “It’s going quite well, we worked really hard today and tried lots of different things. Obviously this is one of the main points of the test, to collect all the data to improve the bike over the winter. Already we have made a couple of steps forward and it’s going to be an interesting last day tomorrow. One of the biggest areas I am working on personally is corner entry, as this year I was forcing the bike on corner entry, so I’ve been finding a few solutions to help me, but as a team there’s been a lot of new parts but we’ve been working a lot. Today we used the new RPM, in this track there are a few corners where we need to make one extra gear shift up, so I had to get used to that and it will be interesting to see how this in on other circuits.” |
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| | Chaz Davies (Ducati) post crash: "Unfortunately, a fall on the first day of testing has prevented us from doing most of the planned program. Now I will observe a few days of absolute rest to reduce inflammation, and on Monday I will visit a sports physiotherapist to evaluate a recovery program. It's the first time I carry a knee injury, we just have patience but I hope and I think I can start training again within a few weeks." |
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| Xavi Fores (Ducati): “Overall today was a good day, we tested something with the rear parts, putting more weight on the rear for it to be easier for us to stop the bike, as this can be a challenge around this kind of circuit. So it was a positive test, I was not able to do a fast lap but my pace throughout the day was constant. We are really happy because we made a big improvement on the race, which means we are working in the right way.”
“We have something to test tomorrow,” continued the Spanish rider. “Not something new but to see if we can have some benefits or not, from the material that we have had throughout the season, and especially waiting for the new rules and new parts on the bike in January.” |
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| Leon Camier (new recruit to Red Bull Honda) on his new machine for 2018: “Good to be honest,” begins Camier. “I was trying to come with an open mind and it was good. My first feeling with the bike was good, the chassis works well, but there are some other things which are obvious that we need to work on. We’ll see, we need to look at the balance and work with the electronics and engine, and see where we end up. We’ve tried a lot of things in a short space of time, so we will keep working to try to find our way.”
Delving more into what he wants to review tomorrow, he adds: “Predominantly we need to work on electronics, we were playing around and we were trying to find the right engine map. We need to see how the bike accelerates because we are not happy at this point. I also want to be able to turn the bike, so we need to look quite a lot at the rear tyre. I have a lot of control with how I can move with the chassis, but we need to be able to turn the bike and at the minute that’s not working. There’s a few areas to improve which is a combination of engine and electronics, and then we can try some chassis parts and the changing of geometry.”
Finally, the 31 year old lists his first impressions: “The chassis is working really good, and there’s some strong points to the bike already. It’s a case of me learning how to make the most out of the bike, and how the bike needs to be ridden. We have already made a big step today.” |
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| | Jono Awarded an MBE - Nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year |
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| | | Jonathan Rea with his MBE
As if getting the key to Phillip Island last December from Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield wasn’t enough, three times world champion, Jonathan Rea, has now added an MBE to his collection!
An award given by the Royal Family to an individual for outstanding service to the community, an MBE is a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire - one of the highest orders in Britain.
Taking a day out from the WorldSBK test at Jerez last week in which he blitzed the time sheets, the 30 year old travelled to London last Tuesday to collect the award at Buckingham Palace.
Greeted by bike fan himself Prince William, the triple champion was honoured in the Queen’s birthday honour list for his achievements in motorbike racing.
Overwhelmed by the achievement, Jonathan Rea MBE explained to the BBC: "Prince William is a bit of a motorcycle fan himself, we talked about his bikes. I am very honoured to be invited here and receive an MBE. It's been more than a dream, more than I ever expected. To come here today it kind of really sinks in what I have achieved.”
Jono has also been nominated this week for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. He will go head to head with 11 other British sportsmen and women on Sunday 17th December as the British public decide who should take the crown. |
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| | PJ Jacobsen Steps Up To WorldSBK |
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| | | American PJ Jacobsen joins World Supers for 2018
American, PJ Jacobsen, will make his world superbike championship debut at Phillip Island in February, following the announcement that Triple M Honda will be running the official satellite Honda team for 2018 with PJ as their rider.
Joining the WorldSSP field back in 2014 with Honda, the 24 year old finished as runner up in 2015 and has always been locked in the title fight in the ever competitive class. Returning to a Honda team for next season – but this time in WorldSBK - he is looking forward to the challenge ahead as an officially supported rider. No stranger to a superbike machine, Jacobsen is keen to get underway with his new challenge.
Delighted with the news, Jacobsen explains: “It’s a great opportunity for me to be finally racing in this class and I want to thank the team and Honda for making this possible. Both the team and I will be rookies in the WorldSBK championship so there’ll surely be a lot to learn, but it’s a challenge that stimulates me and I can’t wait to get started. I enjoyed racing the Fireblade in the EWC two years ago and I love riding 1000cc bikes, so I’m looking forward to trying the new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.” |
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| | Put World Supers on Santa's List |
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Put world supers on your Christmas list and get SANTA on the case.
World Superbikes is super affordable with a three day pass just $120* or opt for BAR SBK with access to undercover areas at Lukey Heights, Doohan Corner and Siberia just $260*. Camping can be added onto your entry ticket for a SUPER package.
For tx or camping send SANTA to www.worldsbk.com.au or www.ticketek.com.au Or tell SANTA he can ring the World Superbike hotline on 1300 728 007 at Phillip Island for a chat. We might even give him a quick lap around the circuit on his sleigh come Christmas eve…
Nothing beats World Superbikes…LIVE at the Island. Be there!
*All ticket prices quoted purchased in advance and subject to Ticketek processing fee. Book now and save on gate prices.
^Children 15 and under are free and must be accompanied by a paying adult
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| | | | Photocredit: Graeme Brown |
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