Race win for Beowulf at Valencia
22-03-2008
There's been further success for Beowulf Racing during the second day of their four-day test at Valencia. Today's session took on a race format with free practice in the morning, timed qualifying in the afternoon and a 14-lap open-class race in the afternoon. Running against a number of full-specification Superbike machines, the YZF-R6's of Beowulf riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot held their own and finished in first and second position respectively. With rain starting to spit down at the half-way point, teammate Pat McDougall decided to retire from the proceedings early. It proved to be a wise decision - the race was red-flagged on lap nine when the shower turned into a monsoon.
Although the team is under no illusions about the race not being a truly competitive affair, there are many positive points to come out of today's performance:
Firstly, the lap times set today by Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot at 1:40.84 and 1:40.85, are well within the circuits Superstock 600 lap record of 1:42.628, although it should be borne in mind that better tyre compounds are permitted now than when the record was set.
Secondly, Rea and Linfoot crossed the finishing line only a couple of wheel lengths apart which is a sure sign of a competitive, yet fair, rivalry within the team when the season starts next month.
Next, the fourth, sixth and eighth place qualifying positions of Rea, Linfoot and McDougall ensured they were the top three 600cc machines on the grid.
Finally, although the Superbike machines all were running on slick tyres and thus had to retire as soon as the rain began, they were all entered by professional European race teams. The Beowulf riders more than held their own against the larger-capacity machines during the opening laps.
Tomorrow's sessions will follow the same format as today's but the race will be purely for 600cc machines. With the 1:40 lap target now comfortably achieved, the goal is now to push forwards again into the 1:39 zone.
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.
