WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
VOL. 51 ISSUE 21 MAY 28, 2014 P67
Briefly...
The first of three qualifying sessions
at Donington Park for the Super-
bikes saw the fastest riders just over
a second from the absolute track
best. A remarkable feat and very un-
typical of a Friday, where normally
everyone is two or more seconds
from their best before more suitable
changes can be made to the set-up.
There was no unifying reason why
according to the teams, but the pos-
sibility of rain later in the day may
have explained a few fast last laps on
sticky tires.
After the FIM warned the teams that
they would be taking a much stricter
line on the possibility of cheating in
terms of chassis sizes, thickness-
es and materials, the FIM brought
a special 'measuring arm' machine
to measure chassis dimensions in
three dimensions. Four of the top
teams had their chassis checked on
Thursday, but it was not yet part of
the official homologation process.
Initial results are that few people - if
any - were cheating in terms of chas-
sis dimensions and shapes.
Voltcom Crescent Suzuki brought
a new dash for their Motec electron-
ics system to Donington, as they
have to homologate a new system
to match the electronic budget re-
strictions that will be in place next
year. The new-for-2015 dash fea-
tures clearer displays to counteract
bright sunshine, and bigger warning
messages on the screen to get the
rider's attention.
The Donington weekend kicked off
with a Riders For Health event, with
Ron Haslam and Niall Mackenzie
Tom Sykes was the
man of the day at
Donington Park,
the Brit and his
Kawasaki winning
both races.
continued on next page
SYKES'
DOUBLE TOP
TOM SYKES GETS IT
DONE. TWICE.
