The first worldwide sighting of the new 2010 Rizla Suzuki GSV-R will be revealed exclusively on the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP website on Friday, March 12, 2010.

Images of the new Rizla Suzuki machine in its Troy Lee Designs-inspired livery will be available to view and download in hi-res from the team’s website – ahead of the GSV-R’s first sighting on-track at Qatar next week.

So make sure you log on to www.rizla-suzuki-motogp.co.uk from 10.00hrs GMT (5am Eastern Time) on Friday to see the bike that Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista will be riding during their assault on this season’s MotoGP World Championship.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki riders Simon Andrews and Gary Mason got to test the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R complete with Magneti Marelli electronics, but only after snow was cleared from the circuit of Guadix in Spain.
Gary, Simon and new Superstock rider Howie Mainwaring each rode more than 30 laps in the test to dial in the new electronics systems.
On Tuesday, the team awoke to a thick blanket of snow, but unlike in their British home, the show soon melted, allowing the riders to gain meaningful practice and log valuable data.
MSS Colchester continues testing through Thursday.

AMA Pro Road Racing
Daytona 200 Week
Daytona International Speedway
March 3 – 5, 2010

Daytona 200 (57 laps) – 3/5/2010 8:00:00PM
1 8 J. Herrin Yamaha YZF-R6 57 WINNER 1:50.4520 51 Team Graves Yamaha 31*
2 2 D. Westby Yamaha YZF-R6 57 +7.964 1:50.7200 44 Project 1 Atlanta 25
3 15 S. Rapp Ducati 848 57 +24.496 1:50.3930 35 Team Latus Motors Racing 21
4 1 D. Eslick Suzuki GSX-R600 57 +40.973 1:50.6020 26 GEICO Powersports, RMR, Suzuki 19^
5 25 K. Coghlan Yamaha YZF-R6 56 +1 lap 1:50.8390 18 Aussie Dave Racing 16
6 57 C. West Suzuki GSX-R600 56 +39.919 1:51.9520 6 Vesrah Suzuki 15
7 99 G. May Suzuki GSX-R600 56 +1:50.590 1:52.6520 30 GMR Racing 14
8 11 S. Higbee Buell 1125R 56 +1:54.030 1:50.9540 47 Higbee-Racing.com 13
9 23 T. Knapp Ducati 848 55 +2 laps 1:53.1660 28 Ducshop Racing 12
10 53 E. Wood Honda CBR600RR 55 +15.626 1:53.4450 5 Team Heyser • Woodcraft 11
11 19 E. Haugo Yamaha YZF-R6 55 +50.989 1:53.8500 52 Viking Moto 10
12 125 R. Patterson Yamaha YZF-R6 55 +1:16.795 1:53.6660 16 D and R Racing 9
13 30 B. Fong Ducati 848 55 +1:17.343 1:53.0590 6 Crozier Roberson Motorsports 8
14 12 R. Orlando Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 55 +1:40.129 1:54.5850 16 Ricky Orlando Racing 7
15 32 S. Villa Suzuki GSX-R600 55 +1:40.244 1:54.8620 44 RoadRacingWorld.com 6
16 70 P. James Buell 1125R 54 +3 laps 1:55.6780 21 James Gang • Hoban Bros. Racing 5
17 65 A. Padovani Ducati 848 54 +18.553 1:55.6850 25 CR2 Corse 4
18 49 A. Lazo Yamaha YZF-R6 54 +31.987 1:55.1510 5 Alex Lazo Racing 3
19 77 D. Marchetti Ducati 848 54 +1:09.585 1:55.3820 13 Ducshop Racing 2
20 221 W. Sipp Buell 1125R 54 +1:09.855 1:55.2810 54 Walt Sipp Racing 1
21 37 J. Ashmead Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 53 +4 laps 1:56.4390 12 Brady Racing
22 192 R. Vargas Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 53 +49.807 1:56.0780 13 Vargas Racing
23 69 K. Keesee Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 50 +7 laps 1:56.7940 44 Brevard Superbike Racing
24 20 C. Martinez Ducati 848 50 +3.965 1:59.9510 12 Mid Cities Motorsports
25 170 D. Dumain Yamaha YZF-R6 49 +8 laps 1:56.7460 31 Moto Journal-Crit
26 13 M. Paris Yamaha YZF-R6 47 +10 laps 1:53.9920 27 MPH Racing, Inc.
27 61 B. McCormick Suzuki GSX-R600 31 +26 laps 1:50.8390 15 Picotte Racing
28 38 K. Turner Suzuki GSX-R600 30 +27 laps 1:53.7200 17 Turner’s Cycle Racing
29 594 D. McPherson Yamaha YZF-R6 29 +28 laps 1:56.2620 16 McNology Racing
30 17 B. Long Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 24 +33 laps 1:56.0530 8 LEVEL 10 Racing
31 34 M. Barnes Yamaha YZF-R6 21 +36 laps 1:53.3800 2 VRC Racing
32 6 T. Aquino Yamaha YZF-R6 17 +40 laps 1:51.0170 14 Team Graves Yamaha
33 78 R. Wacker Suzuki GSX-R600 15 +42 laps 1:55.9210 14 Wacker Racing LLC
34 75 J. Wood Suzuki GSX-R600 15 +5:03.726 1:53.7900 6 Vesrah Suzuki
35 113 C. Moodie Yamaha YZF-R6 10 +47 laps 1:58.7980 9 Bulldog Racing
36 84 A. Fania Suzuki GSX-R600 8 +49 laps 2:00.4050 3 KSW Racing
37 7 F. Amantini Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 1 +56 laps –.— 0 Team Amantini
38 36 M. Cardenas Suzuki GSX-R600 0 DNS –.— 0 Monster Energy/M4 Suzuki
39 4 C. Seller Yamaha YZF-R6 0 DNS –.— 0 Project 1 Atlanta
40 47 J. Day Yamaha YZF-R1 0 DNS –.— 0 Four Feathers Racing
41 54 P. Jacobsen Suzuki GSX-R600 0 DNS –.— 0 Celtic Racing
42 474 B. Skubic Yamaha YZF-R6 0 DNS –.— 0 Inotherm Yamaha Racing Team Slovenia
43 16 R. Wikle Suzuki GSX-R600 0 DNS –.— 0 Wikle Racing
44 14 M. Crozier Ducati 848 0 DNS –.— 0 Crozier Roberson Motorsports

Read more…

Valentin Debise

Just a few days after the end of the first International Road Racing Teams Association privateer teams test at Valencia, the WTR San Marino Team returned to testing; this time in the rain at Jerez.

The first day, Saturday, was characterized by strong rain, which made it impossible to enter the track until 2pm, when, fortunately, the rain let up.  Both 125cc rider Johann Zarco and Moto2’s Valentin Debise gave the best of themselves, with Zarco finishing 2nd with a time of 1′57.479 – just 8 tenths off the pace -  and Valentin Vazquez finishing with the sixth-best time of 1′57.92; less than two seconds behind the Moto2 class leader, Alex De Angelis.

During the day Sunday, bursts of rain disturbed almost every session, forcing teams to withdraw almost every hour. The track remained wet and did not help either rider, who both posted their best times during the morning sessions. Debise finished 18th with a time of 1′46.821, and Zarco finished 11th with a fastest time of 1′50 .795.  Zarco also crashed twice during the day; once in the morning and once during the afternoon session.

Rain continued into Monday, and rather than risk injury to its riders and damage to its machines, the WTR San Marino Team called an end to their testing. IRTA testing continues at Jerez from March 27-29.

Johann Zarco
“These tests were a bit unstable, ruined by [lack of] time and by the heavy rain which fell. We could not try everything we wanted, but at least we managed to test a new engine, on which my mechanics have worked hard all winter and was really going strong.  We were therefore very happy about it. Saturday we rode until the afternoon because the morning was impossible for the wet track. I felt very good and the bike felt good. In fact, I finished in second place – positive for me and for the team.
Sunday we rode in both wet and dry conditions, but I didn’t feel as good as on the bike as I did at Valencia and I had no confidence. I should have stopped in to make more adjustments, but I kept racing, knowing that I had some problems, but it was a mistake because they continued, and I fell and ended my day. Throughout the evening the mechanics worked hard to fix the bike and to recover the lost time, but the weather wanted something else
I wanted to thank the mechanics for the work that they did on the bike and thank them for their efforts.
They are real fans and push me to always do better. I’m really happy because the bike is competitive and I have competent mechanics. I just have to relax and focus on my riding to catch up. ”

Valentin Debise
“Jerez is a circuit that is very different than Valencia, and we had to change the setup of the bike because it was all new to us. In Valencia there were only tight corners, whereas here they are very wide: so it was very, very different. Now I think we can be ready for the next test, here at Jerez later this month. “

Worx Crescent Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama stole the honor of recording the fastest lap-time from the Cartagena 2010 BSB test today in Spain after he slashed nearly a second off the previous best times and lapping at a scintillating 1:33.51.

With team-mate Tommy Hill only 200ths-of-a-second behind, the pair easily bettered the official lap record and finished first and second at the top of the BSB test times.

Jack Valentine – Team Manager:
“We’re very, very pleased with today’s outcome. We had only planned for three days’ testing here but considering the high workload and the teething issues we’ve experienced, we felt the extra day would help prepare the team better for the next test at Guadix on Tuesday.

“Yukio’s had his work cut out these last few days, but today he was able to put in 42 laps – nearly equal to what he did over the entire three previous days. This brought him up to Tommy’s pace and it was a real pleasure to see the pair of them all-but sharing the best lap time. But, just as importantly, those lap times weren’t one-offs for either of them as they were able to lap consistently at this very fast pace.

“So we’re really happy with the progress made: We’ve come here with a team that’s much bigger than we had last year and we’ve come with new kit in the form of the Öhlins suspension and Motec engine management. The bikes, the riders; and the team are really starting to gel and we’ve achieved everything we set out to do.”

Unofficial overall top 10 test times:
1 Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 1m: 33.51s
2 Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 1m: 33.53s
3 Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki) 1m: 34.3s
4 Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) 1m: 34.4s
5 James Ellison (Swan Honda) 1m: 34.5s
6 Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 1m: 34.8s
7 Neil Hodgson (Motorpoint Yamaha) 1m: 34.9s
8 Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki) 1m: 34.9s
9 Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 1m: 35.0s
10 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 1m: 35.2s

National Guard Jordan Motorsports' Jake Zemke leads the field at Daytona

Suzuki continued its tradition of owning the racetrack at the opening round of AMA American Superbike series in Daytona Beach, Florida this weekend – the GSX-R1000 taking seven of the top-10 spots overall after two days of racing.

National Guard Jordan Suzuki team rider Jake Zemke took first place in both 44-mile, 15-lap races and Tommy Hayden steered his Rockstar Makita Suzuki GSX-R1000 to second place in both races. On Friday, he and Zemke were only .009 seconds separated as they crossed the finish line.

Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates took pole position after setting the quickest qualifying lap in the day leading up to the double header; ending up fourth overall at the end of the event, while Blake Young, in his second year with the Rockstar Makita team, took fifth overall after grabbing the holeshot in Thursday’s race and leading for a few laps.

The RoadRacingWorld.com Suzuki, with Chris Ulrich aboard, took sixth overall. Taylor Knapp and his RidersDiscount.com Suzuki took seventh, and Shane Narbonne finished ninth on his DASPerformance.com GSX-R1000.

In the 69th running of the legendary Daytona 200, Geico Powersports RMR Suzuki’s Danny Eslick raced his GSX-R600 to the pole position and won the Rolex award for fastest qualifier. Eslick battled through the cold and challenging 200-mile race and took fourth, as Vesrah Suzuki’s Cory West took sixth overall. 

Daytona Superbike Race 1:
1. Jake Zemke (Suzuki)
2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) +0.238
3. Larry Pegram (Ducati) +0.259
4. Aaron Yates (Suzuki) +0.291
5. Blake Young (Suzuki) +0.307
6. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki) +27.398
7. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki) +27.43
8. Shawn Higbee (Ducati) +1 lap
9. Shane Narbonne (Suzuki) +9.078
10. Barrett Long (Ducati) +16.377

Daytona Superbike Race 2:
1. Jake Zemke (Suzuki)
2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) +0.009
3. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha) +0.081
4. Aaron Yates (Suzuki) +0.212
5. Larry Pegram (Ducati) +0.858
6. Josh Hayes (Yamaha) +1.838
7. Blake Young (Suzuki) +22.383
8. Brett McCormick (Suzuki) +29.235
9. David Anthony (Suzuki) +34.124
10. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki) +34.404 

Top 10 Points Standings:
1. Jake Zemke 62
2. Tommy Hayden 50
3. Larry Pegram 37
4. Aaron Yates 37
5. Blake Young 30
6. Taylor Knapp 25
7. Ben Bostrom 24
8. Chris Ulrich 24
9. Josh Hayes 23
10. Shane Narbonne 20

Worx Crescent Suzuki riders Tommy Hill and Yukio Kagayama concluded their three-day British Superbike Championship pre-season test at Cartagena in Spain today having made important progress – and taking the unofficial lap record in the process.

While Hill unofficially broken the lap record and set the fastest time – and with his team-mate only tenths-of-a-second behind – Team Manager Jack Valentine warns that these tests aren’t about lap times; but detailed bike-preparation in readiness for the BSB season, which gets underway at Brands Hatch in just 26-days time.

The BSB test, following on from private tests at the Portimao circuit in Portugal in February, has not been without its problems: Kagayama’s bike has suffered teething problems with its new engine management system, which has limited his track time. Both riders have suffered crashes too: Hill crashed yesterday while passing another rider and Kagayama high-sided in the final session today. Both riders escaped injury and both bikes have been fully repaired.  During the three days, Hill completed 90 laps of testing, while Kagayama made 52.

Tommy Hill:
“The testing has been really good and I’m very happy with progress. We came here with a big list of jobs to work through and it’s been good to get through these; working with different chassis and suspension settings. The lap times have come down and now the bike is really starting to feel my own. This circuit is really tight and twisty and so I’ve been able to ride the bike in a way that’s similar to how we ride the UK circuits, so everything we’re doing here is relevant. It’s going well.”

Yukio Kagayama:
“It hasn’t been easy for me with the problems we’ve had, but even on my side of the garage we’ve still made good progress and the speed is there. We’ve focused on working through many settings. We need to try many settings as there are many circuits in the season, so we need many ideas, many answers so that we can always be fast. So, good progress, but still more work to do!”

Jack Valentine – Team Manager:
“Testing is a serious business and it’s not at all straight forward. It’s been fairly-cold here and it’s been a job for the riders to find grip, so to get the lap times they have is excellent progress. As well, this test has been organized in sessions – rather than an open pit lane – and this has given the team a good taste of the kind of approach we’ll need to take in race-qualifying under the new one-bike rule. So far, all is good.”

The team had intended to conduct only three days testing at Cartagena but will now take part in the fourth and final-day of testing tomorrow, before moving onto the Guadix circuit later in the week for the final tests before the BSB season begins.

After losing out on the Daytona 200 victory in 2009, No. 8 Team Graves Yamaha YZF-R6 rider Josh Herrin secured his name in the history books by becoming the 69th winner of the Daytona Beach classic.  Held for the second year in a row under the lights, Herrin battled a number of riders before pulling away after a super quick pit stop on lap 39.  After that, he rode with tremendous composure and skill to take the checkered flag with a 7.964 second margin of victory on the historic 3.55 mile Daytona International Speedway.

Dane Westby and his No. 2 Project 1 Yamaha YZF-R6 took a well deserved second place and up until the last pit stop, it was a two man race.  Westby showed his skill by running up front all night, trading the lead with Herrin several times over the course of the 57 lap race.  Finishing third was 2007 Daytona 200 winner Steve Rapp on his No. 15 Team Latus Motors Racing Ducati 848.  Rapp also ran up front all night and was one of five riders to lead during the race. 

Leading the field off the line was pole winner Danny Eslick on the No. 1 GEICO Powersports RMR Suzuki GSX-R600 and as the field took the green flag from the standing start, fellow front row rider Martin Cardenas, riding the No. 36 Team M4 Monster Energy Suzuki GSX-R600, shot into the lead and led the field through turns one and two.  In a heartbreaking moment, Cardenas had the front end slide out on him going into turn three and down he went, his race over.  It was a devastating moment for what was clearly a big pre-race favorite.  Further back in the lineup, a number of riders came together in the next turn, necessitating a red flag and immediate race stoppage and full restart from the original grid.

One rider, P.J. Jacobson, was transported from the scene to Halifax Hospital but was later released.  Four other riders were examined at the infield care center and released and one rider, Bostjan Skubic, later complained of dizziness, was taken to Halifax for precautionary evaluation and was later released.  After a brief delay, the race was restarted and this time the field had three riders go off in turn one but with no impact on the race.  A tight group of 10 riders were drafting and swapping positions, with many changes every lap. Rapp, Herrin, Eslick, Team Graves Yamaha teammate Tommy Aquino, Kev Coghlan riding the Aussie Dave Racing Yamaha, Westby and more were all part of the action. 

Read more…

Another packed house turned out on another cold night for Round Two of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship.  The new DAYTONA Flat Track presented the riders with a whole different race track from the Series opener. Despite being much smoother and faster the slick surface proved to be a major challenge all night.

Jake Johnson is sporting a new number on a new team, but the Zanotti Racing backed veteran ended the night with his fifth Daytona National win on his number 5 Zanotti Racing / Leo Vince backed Honda. “I knew I had to get out front and stay smooth,” said Johnson. “I could hear someone back there and with about four laps left I peeked. I saw that big number two and thought, ‘Oh oh here comes Coolbeth.’ I knew I had to keep my concentration and stay on my lines.”

Johnson had obviously been fast all night, but last night’s winner Sammy Halbert had been fast qualifier on his # 7 Woody Kyle Racing / Fredericktown Yamaha / Kings Kustoms backed Yamaha, picking up the $250 Arai fast qualifier check.

Johnson’s win in the second qualifying heat would put him on the pole for the National as the other two heats were red flagged at some point, ending any chance for fast time.

In the GNC Dash Sammy Halbert showed the same speed and determination as he had with last night’s win. Halbert stayed glued to the bottom while Joe Kopp had his # 3 American Agip / Latus Harley-Davidson backed Honda riding the rim.

Kopp came up just inches short at the line as the two Washington riders charged out of turn four. Johnson was just a tick back in third.

The start of the twenty five lap National saw Johnson on the point with Sammy Halbert right on his heels. As Halbert tried to shoot under Johnson exiting turn two he hit a slick spot starting and started a slow spin right in front of the entire field. Somehow everyone missed him and with the engine still running Halbert rejoined the chase.

Johnson had been presented a gift of a little space on the field as the avoided the # 7 bike and he made the most of it. Kopp was back up at the top of the track in second with Johnny Lewis and his # 10 Scott Powersports / Pit Posse / Monster Energy backed Honda in third.

Defending GNC Singles Champion Henry Wiles was also on the high line with his Kawasaki USA / Don’s Kawasaki / Shift Racing / Jones Brothers Racing backed # 1 Kawasaki, but that high line would go away and both Kopp and Wiles would fade into the pack.

While Johnson was cruising, the large crowds attention was riveted on the # 7 as Halbert caught the back of the pack by lap night and started working his way to the front, by lap fourteen he was in tenth place and still working forward. That was where the fairytale ended however as his Yamaha gave up and Sammy’s night was over too soon.

Almost unnoticed, Jared Mees had been working his Pro Honda Oils / Montgomeryville Cycle Center / Rogers Lake Racing backed # 21 Honda into second, but that was short lived as Kenny Coolbeth was coming from even farther back on his # 2 Bettencourt’s Honda / Jason Perry backed Honda.

Coolbeth was able to come from ninth to second by lap twelve, but that is where is drive stalled. Coolbeth cut into Johnson’s lead, but never challenged.

Johnny Lewis capped off a fine couple of days on his # 10 Scott Powersports / Pit Posse / Monster Energy backed Honda with a fourth place finish. Jethro Halbert kept Halbert Family racing in the mix as he rode a steady race to fifth on his # 69 Woddy Kyle Racing / Fredericktown Yamaha / Kings Kustom backed Yamaha.

In the Pro Singles class JD Beach had been road racing at the neighboring speedway all day and missed practice, but was allowed to ride one four lap qualifying session. He was able to turn sixth fast time his # 95C Alpinestars / Arai / Oakley / Team 95 backed Honda.

In the Pro Singles Main, defending Pro Singles Champion Brad Baker got the hole shot on his # 1 Mike Velasco Racing / Brothers Power Sports / Rod Lake backed Honda, but he had a whole horde of riders right behind.

On lap four Beach wedged himself under Baker as they exited turn two and took command for the remaining twelve laps. Stephen Vanderkuur pushed the # 10J Dallas Fort Worth Honda / D&D Exhaust backed Honda to the front of a three way battle over second.

As Beach cruised, the podium appeared to be set, but a last lap shake-up saw last nights winner, Jeff Carver slip his # 24P Van`s Yamaha / Yamaha Motor Co / GYTR / Carver`s BBQ backed Yamaha into second. Baker held on for third.

RESULTS:

Grand National Championship: 1. Jake Johnson (Hon); 2. Kenny Coolbeth (Hon); 3. Jared Mees (Hon); 4. Johnny Lewis (Hon); 5. Jethro Halbert (Yam); 6. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 7. Joe Kopp (Hon); 8. Henry Wiles (Kaw); 9. JR Schnabel (Yam); 10. Don Mullen (Hon); 11. Brandan Bergen (Hon); 12. Rob Pearson (Yam); 13. Mick Kirkness (Suz); 14. Raun Wood (Hon); 15. Chris Carr (Hon); 16. Gary Conklin (Hon); 17. Sammy Halbert (Yam); DQ. Matt Weidman (Hon).

Pro Singles: 1. JD Beach (Hon); 2. Jeffery Carver (Yam); 3. Brad Baker (Hon); 4. Stephen Vanderkuur (Hon); 5. Mikey Avila (Hon); 6. James Rispoli (Hon); 7. Cory Strickler (Yam); 8. Shane Narbonne (Hon); 9. Mikey Martin (Hon); 10. Rob McClendon (KTM); 11. Mickey Fay (Hon); 12. John Long (Suz); 13. Mike LaBelle (Hon); 14. Wyatt Maguire (Yam); 15. Andrew Smith (Hon); 16. Adam Cobb (Yam); 17. William Cato (Hon); 18. Jacob Constantine (Hon).

GRAND NATIONAL POINT STANDINGS: 1. Jake Johnson (42 pts / 1 win); 2. (TIE) Henry Wiles / Joe Kopp / Johnny Lewis (34); 5. Sammy Halbert (33 / 1 win); 6. Kenny Coolbeth (32); 7. Jethro Halbert (29); 8. Jared Mees (25); 9. Bryan Smith (18); 10. Don Mullen (17).

PRO SINGLES POINT STANDINGS: 1. Jeffery Carver (42 pts / 1 win); 2. JD Beach (35 / 1 win); 3. James Rispoli (32); 4. Stephen Vanderkuur (31); 5. Brad Baker (30); 6. Mikey Avila (29); 7. Mikey Martin (19); 8. John Long (14); 9. (TIE) Cory Strickler / Mike Poe (13).

James Ellison & Stuart Easton

James Ellison and Stuart Easton had their first chance to get to grips with the Swan Honda at Cartagena on Thursday as the team’s testing schedule kicked off in Spain.

Both riders made the most of the first day as a shakedown test to work on basic set-up with Easton focusing on the electronic system while Ellison readjusted to the Honda on his return to the team.

Ellison said: “It was great to get the first day of testing underway and get back out on the Swan Honda. The team has worked really well today and it is like being back with the family again and it’s like I have never been away. We have been in and out of pit lane all day getting the bike to feel like mine again and I have been working on the gearing as it is so different from the Yamaha. We made a few slight changes to positioning but for me it was valuable time back on the Honda. It is definitely all smiles here tonight.”

Easton said: “We had a plan of what we needed to work on today and we have surpassed that so it bodes well for the next three days here at Cartagena. We have mainly focused on the new electronic kit and I have to say that it already feels better than I was expecting. We haven’t been clocking up the laps today but have solved a few teething problems that you always have at the first test. Tomorrow we plan to work further on the electronics as this is vital but after day one we are heading in the right direction.”