JACOBSEN FIGHTS THROUGH EXTREME HEAT TO FINISH OFFICIAL TEST ON HIGH NOTE
PJ Jacobsen and the Honda WorldSSP Team have concluded their two-day official test at Phillip Island, the last winter preparation they will have before the opening round of the season, which will start in three days time at the same venue. The 22-year-old American was reunited with the same Honda CBR600RR he rode to the runner-up spot in the series last year, with the goal to find the best set up for the weekend ahead.
Despite the inconsistent weather encountered on the first day and a small crash this morning at Turn 2, Jacobsen was able to complete 119 laps of the Australian circuit – more than any other World Supersport rider on track – while trying different settings at the front and the rear of the bike, as well as evaluating new rear Ohlins suspension units. He eventually finished with the fourth fastest time (1’34.415), which was set during the second of the four sessions – in much cooler conditions compared to today’s extreme heat.
The team will now analyse the data gathered over the next two days to fine-tune the package and get ready for the first free practice session of the 2016 FIM Supersport World Championship, scheduled for Friday at 11:30 local time (00:30 GMT).
Patrick Jacobsen 99
4th/1'34.415“It was a really positive test at the end. Yesterday went particularly well and we were able to go through a lot of stuff, including new Ohlins suspensions. The team and I have just been working hard and I think we have finally found an encouraging point and we’re looking forward to going into the weekend with a strong setup now. It was a shame I crashed; we were just playing with the new settings and trying to figure out the new rear end. I just got on the gas too early and the bike spun around. But I am sure we have it figured out and it now feels good, so I’ll make sure that it’s not going to happen to me again!”
Pieter BreddelsTechnical Manager
“It was not an easy test for us but in the end it turned out positively. We had our difficulties in finding the right setup with this afternoon’s extreme conditions; at the end we made a change in settings at the front and PJ’s feeling with the bike improved a lot. We definitely made a big step in the right direction and I feel we now have a good package for the weekend ahead.”
# RIDER NUM NAT. TEAM CONSTRUCTOR TIME/GAP1 RANDY KRUMMENACHER 21 SWI KAWASAKI PUCCETTI RACING KAWASAKI 1'33.6782 KENAN SOFUOGLU 54 TUR KAWASAKI PUCCETTI RACING KAWASAKI +0.0923 JULES CLUZEL 16 FRA MV AGUSTA REPARTO CORSE MV AGUSTA +0.5554 PATRICK JACOBSEN 99 USA HONDA WORLDSSP HONDA +0.7375 LORENZO ZANETTI 87 ITA MV AGUSTA REPARTO CORSE MV AGUSTA +0.7776 KEVIN WAHR 19 GER GEMAR BALLONS – TEAM LORINI HONDA +0.9017 ALEX BALDOLINI 25 ITA RACE DEPARTMENT ATK#25 MV AGUSTA +1.0528 GINO REA 4 GBR GRT RACING TEAM MV AGUSTA +1.3279 ONDREJ JEZEK 69 CZE TEAM GO ELEVEN KAWASAKI +1.48510 NICOLAS TEROL 88 SPA SCHMIDT RACING MV AGUSTA +1.50011 KYLE RYDE 77 GBR RANIERI MED – SC RACING YAMAHA +1.56912 KYLE SMITH 111 GBR CIA LANDLORD INSURANCE HONDA HONDA +1.63013 AIDEN WAGNER 41 AUS GRT RACING TEAM MV AGUSTA +1.77114 ANTHONY WEST 13 AUS TRIBECA RACING YAMAHA +1.83315 HIKARI OKUBO 78 JPN CIA LANDLORD INSURANCE HONDA HONDA +1.91216 CHRISTIAN GAMARINO 11 ITA TEAM GO ELEVEN KAWASAKI +1.99217 ZULFAHMI KHAIRUDDIN 63 MAL ORELAC RACING VERDNADURA KAWASAKI +1.99318 ROBERTO ROLFO 44 ITA TEAM FACTORY VAMAG MV AGUSTA +2.01619 GLENN SCOTT 68 AUS GEMAR BALLONS – TEAM LORINI HONDA +2.23620 LUKE STAPLEFORD 81 GBR CIA LANDLORD INSURANCE HONDA HONDA +2.28821 FEDERICO CARICASULO 64 ITA BARDAHL EVAN BROS. HONDA RACING HONDA +2.37422 MITCH LEVY AUS LANDBRIDGE RACING YAMAHA +3.02623 NACHO CALERO 10 SPA ORELAC RACING VERDNADURA KAWASAKI +3.34324 ALEX PHILLIS 48 AUS AARK RACING HONDA +3.36425 KANE BURNS 30 AUS BURNS RACING SUZUKI +3.61726 STEFAN HILL 35 GBR CIA LANDLORD INSURANCE HONDA HONDA +4.33127 LACHLAN EPIS 83 AUS RESPONSE RE RACING KAWASAKI +5.505
