StoneBaker to start third and seventh at Brands
02-08-2008
StoneBaker Racing's Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot will start tomorrow's seventh-round race in the 2008 European Superstock 600 Championship, held at Brands Hatch, in third and seventh place respectively. Damp track conditions during this morning's second qualifying period prevented any improvement on Friday's times for the full field of 36 riders.
With a restricted number of tyres available across the weekend, each rider must make a decision on which of their four on-track sessions they will use worn rubber. Rea played his hand yesterday, making the switch and lapping third-fastest at one minute 32.054 seconds as a result. In contrast, Linfoot chose to wait until today to put a fresh pair of boots onto his Stonebaker Yamaha, but still lapped at one minute 32.735 seconds to place himself seventh on the timesheets.
With the rain beginning to spit down just before today's second session began, both of the StoneBaker riders decided to sit the early stages out. In total, Linfoot completed six laps and was the second-quickest man on track with a time of one minute 35.204 seconds. Rea performed eight circuits with his best lap of one minute 44.141 seconds placing him 23rd. Although the weather began to clear up towards the end of the session, the improvement came too late for anyone to better their Friday times.
Both riders had simply wanted to check their machines over and acclimatise themselves to the track in case the conditions repeat on Sunday. They remain confident of performing well in tomorrow's 11-lap race - whatever the weather.
Gino Rea (3rd - 1:32.054):
"I just wanted to check the bike out today. I just took it easy, there was no point in pushing- no-one was going to go any faster than yesterday. The gamble on tyres paid off- and that was after we only changed the rear and left the front alone. We've got a good set-up for tomorrow, I just hope it's completely dry or really wet, not mixed like today."
Dan Linfoot (7th - 1:32.735)
"That was a good session. I finished second today, but seventh overall as there was no improvement on Friday's times. I'd waited until today to go faster, but because of the weather it didn't work out. I plan on making up those seven places tomorrow though - watch this space! ."
Andrew Stone (Joint Team Owner)
"Our aim in qualifying this year has been to always place both our riders on the front two rows of the grid. We've achieved that and I'm confident of a good result tomorrow."
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.
