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."
Promising start for Beowulf Racing at Cartagena
28-02-2008
Beowulf Racing have just completed the first day of their pre-season test at the Spanish circuit of Cartagena. Although all three of the team's riders, Dan Linfoot, Gino Rea and Pat McDougall, became progressively faster aboard their Yamaha YZF-R6's as the day wore on, the Somerset-based squad sensibly decided to concentrate on machinery set-up rather than chasing lap times around the 2.2-mile track. A light afternoon shower provided a slight hiatus to the day's proceedings, but the team ended the practice sessions comfortably on the pace alongside the other British Supersport teams which are present.
Andy Stone, Team Owner:
"All three riders are on very similar lap times but we're here to work on testing and set-up, we've another month to go before we race. I've been working mainly on the Ohlins suspension for Pat and Gino's bikes today and I'm very happy with what we've achieved. Dan's running White Power shocks on his machine so he's been working directly with his own mechanic, John Preston. Pat's Supersport engine is bedding in well and is easily a match for the other British championship teams which are here."
Pat McDougall, British Supersport Cup:
"I'm still getting used to the R6, but I'm very happy with the engine - it's got plenty of power. We've experimented a lot with suspension today, putting in harder springs at the front and making rebound changes at the back. We'll go softer at the front tonight and maybe harder at the rear and then see what tomorrow brings. It's more a case of making lots of little changes than one big change."
Gino Rea, European Superstock 600 Championship:
"I started the day on my number two bike and then switched to my number one bike later on. The number one bike definitely felt better. I'd like to have gone faster but we've been using old tyres which was a little frustrating. Overall I'm happy. We're making some overnight suspension changes and with fresh rubber tomorrow I should get to where I want to be."
Dan Linfoot, European Superstock 600 Championship
"It's a shame it rained today as it brought a slight halt to our progress. We went backwards and forwards on our settings for the WP suspension this morning but we found a good baseline in the afternoon after we popped in a new tyre. I've been working on the bike I'll be using at the faster circuits today and I'll move onto my other bike, which we'll use at the majority of the races this year, tomorrow."
Beowulf Racing back at Cartagena
27-02-2008
Alongside a horde of teams from the BSB championship, Beowulf Racing have returned to the Spanish circuit of Cartagena and are now preparing for a three-day test. The bikes are prepped, the riders are ready and we take to the track tomorrow. Stay tuned for a feast of photos, videos and reports direct from the circuit.
Sponsors
Team Beowulf Racing.
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.
