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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127759
Another rider on a new team was Steve Crevier. The Canadian had
his first outing on the Smokln' Joe's Honda RC45.
(Right) Chris Carr was some three seconds quicker on the VR1 000
than a year ago at this time.
How they fared?
Superbike times (hand-timed)
1. Anthony Gobert (1 :50.73)
2. Miguel DuHamel (1 :50.89)
3. Mike Smith (1 :50.90)
4. Colin Edwards II (1 :50.99)
. B·riefly..:::..:.:::...·.:.:.=--...,...·_
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Chris Carr
A year after getting on the VI,UOOO, Chris Carr was a full four seconds a lap faster
than he was in the Daytona 200 right off the bat - and he knows that there's more to
come. A full season of AMA Superbike racing produced some commendable finishes
toward the end of the year. tn 1996, the former Grand National Champion is concentrating on the pavement for the first time ever.
..
.
"I'm a lot more comfortable than I was seven or eight months ago. I'm a little faster
everywhere. The bike's a little quicker. I'm certainly a better rider than I was. My exit
speeds are a lot better. My midcomer speed is better. I'm still not getting in as good as
I'd like.
"The bike'S' a lot different. We had this big old gas tank last year because we
thought we could do it on one pit stop. The bike sits a lot fower than it did. Things are
tucked away a lot better. It was scraping stuff in every tum. I haven't touched a boot all
week. There are a lot of little refinements. I'm starting to feel as one with the bike. I
didn't expect to go as fast as I'm going. Qualifying in March in the 535 may not be out
of reach. (Carr qualified at 1:57,534 in March). I may hit that today. I did a 54.6. Then I
went 54.7,.7, .8, .6, .9, .8 - six laps in a row. I'm not doing one lap wondering why it is.
I'm doing 18-19l.aps in the 55-second bracket.
.
"1 was hired this year to go road racing. I'm at the mercy of Harley-Davidson as to
what I can do in dirt tracks. Last year I had more freedom. This year it will be on a
much more limited basis. I'd certainly like to do some miles. Certainly, I'd like to do
Peoria. I may know as late as two weeks prior to a race whether I'll be racing. Part of
the reason I did it last year was for financial reasons. I'm getting a nice salary from
Harley-Davidson; it's comparable, maybe a little better than when I was dirt tracking.
"1 had a good relationship with Kenny Tolbert and I wanted to pay him and I wanted to keep him in work. He's a dear friend first and mechanic second. Harley-Davidson
of Sacramento is going dirt tracking and he's going with them."
Thomas Wilson
About three weeks prior to the
Daytona Dunlop test, Thomas Wilson, formerly of Kinko's Kawasaki,
got a call from Harley-Davidson's
Steve Scheibe to find out if Wilson
was interested. After a few conversations and a tour of the race shop,
Wilson decided to trade in his
Kinko's coIoJ"s for two years of
black and orange, but it wasn't an
easy choice to make.
"It was a tough decision to lose
that crew. They were very good to
.
me. I can't say enough good things about them. What decided it was the Superbike
ride. That and seeing the program, because the £act is that Harley-Davidson is putting
forth a big effort to make the thing work. Ii I get some good showings, a lot of big
doors will open. A lot of people pay attention and there's a fan following.
"It's different. I've got a lot to learn because the powerband is totally different than
what I'm used to. It's not as fast as I'd like, but a large part of that is getting the bike set
up for myself. This has got a lot of power off the comers.
"I've had a few problems getting the bike to work well under me. Comer entrance,
turning in toward the apex, it feels kind of vague. I have a hard time feeling where the
wheel's at. Every time 1 get on the bike it's a little better. I'm getting into 55s and
there's room for more. (Wilson ended with a best of 1:54.76). We'll test again before the
200. This will be the toughest race of all year for Harley. I believe we're a little down on
top speed. It' will definitely hurt us here. Once We get to other tracks, we'll fare rl,!ally
-----
good:'
Ben.
a
5. Doug Chandler (1:51.00)
6. Tom Kipp (1 :51.00)
7. Pascal Picotte (1 :51.24)
8. Norihiko Fujiwara (1:52.47)
9. Aaron Yates (1 :52.61)
10. Steve Crevier (1 :53.22)
11. Chris Carr (1 :54.32)
12. ThomasWjlson (1:54.76)
than .the new SUzu.kiGSXR750,.-The ihing
·needs to 99 On 'a diet;" Steyens said.. "The,
biggest ,thing is· to work on. the susp.ension.
We know the' motor is' capable. we have'a .
long way to go and .we ,took a cOuple of steps'
in the [il/ht direction." Stevens speol rTIuch 01
the final day testing Ounlop .oOT tires 'on the
'1995 Kinko 600. . '
"
.
Bostrom tested Smokin; Joe;s.Honda
F-3. at -Daytpna