Mission accomplished for Beowulf Racing
29-02-2008
The second day of Beowulf Racing's pre-season test at the Spanish circuit of Cartagena has proved so successful that the Somerset-based squad has elected to skip their final planned day tomorrow and instead return to the UK.
The team had previously visited the track towards the end of last year and, riding Suzuki GSX-R 600's, lapped in the high 1:39's. Now aboard Yamaha YZF-R6's all three riders, Gino Rea, Pat McDougall and Dan Linfoot lapped comfortably inside the previous margin setting a best time in the high 1:37's.
Two final test sessions now await the team, both held at the Spanish circuit of Valencia during the final weeks of March, before they embark on their European and British championship campaigns at the start of April.
Andrew Stone, Team Owner:
"We've had a very successful day and the whole team has worked really well. We've achieved everything we can with what we've got here so there's no point taking any risks tomorrow. There's still a few more kit parts to come for the bikes next week and that should let us move forward again. Our Superstock bikes are matching the pace of British Supersport machines that are here so I couldn't really ask for much more than that."
Pat McDougall, British Supersport Cup:
"It's been a great day, I'm really happy. I've dropped my lap times by more than 1.2 seconds compared to what I did yesterday which was more than I expected, to be honest. The overnight suspension changes we made have all worked out and I've now got a good baseline setting going into the British Supersport Cup. Everybody's worked really hard to help me today, so I just like to say thanks for all their efforts."
Gino Rea, European Superstock 600 Championship:
"I've had a very good day - the weather's been excellent and that's helped a lot. We've worked mainly on suspension - I was suffering with slides mid-corner yesterday but we've largely managed to dial those out today. I've gone considerably faster today, even though we've run a few sessions with worn tyres - which is important for racing when you come down to the final few laps. We've put some long hours in over the past two days and I want to say thanks to the team for all their hard work."
Dan Linfoot, European Superstock 600 Championship
"We came here with the goal of getting the suspension of the bike sorted out and we've certainly achieved that. I'm now pretty much 100 per cent comfortable with handling of the bike going into the season ahead. I'm lapping quickly consistently, rather than just banging in one single fast lap per session, and that's what you need to do for the race. It's been a great test and I must thank Andrew Stone and John Preston for all their help."
Sponsors
Team StoneBaker.
The great race at the new Portimao circuit brings an end to our season in World Superbike Superstock 600, with riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot.
The season has been a success with Gino third and Dan fifth in the championship standings following three victories and five additional podiums in total. The results have also acted as a stepping stone to the riders for next season, with both securing high profile, career progressing rides for 2009.
Thank you for all of the emails, calls, texts and visits throughout the year. It has been much appreciated.
