|
RED BULL HONDA READY FOR CROFT CHALLENGE |
|
|
|
Thursday, 10 August 2006 |
RED BULL HONDA READY FOR CROFT CHALLENGE
Red Bull
Honda riders Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty return to the track this weekend
(12/13 August) as they make their way to Croft circuit, North
Yorkshire for round ten of the challenging Bennetts British Superbike
Championship and the British Supersport Championship respectively.
Both of the Red Bull riders completed a successful two day test at the
2.17-mile track last month, Rea was the second quickest overall, behind
reigning Champion Gregorio Lavilla, while Laverty was the quickest in all three
of his Supersport sessions.
Superbike rider Rea is upbeat about the forthcoming weekend and sees no reason
why the Dunlop-shod Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade will not fair well in the two
20-lap races.
Rea currently lies in a strong fifth place in the overall Championship
standings and is determined to seek out more rostrum finishes in the remaining
four BSB fixtures.
Twenty-year-old Eugene Laverty makes a welcome return to the Supersport series
this weekend after being sidelined with a broken hand for the last two
meetings. While he has retained his second place in the standings, his points’
deficit from series leader Cal Crutchlow has increased to 69. So far this year,
Laverty has enjoyed three victories and two third places and is determined to
pick up where he left off last time out, with a pole position and win at
Snetterton in June.
Eugene Laverty: “I’ve had the all clear from my doctor back home in Ireland and all
I need to do now is have the ok from the BSB doctor on Friday. I have all the
movement and strength back in my hand and I really can’t see it giving me any
problems on the bike. I’m just really looking forward to getting back out on
the track, as it seems ages since I last raced.”
Jonathan Rea: “Croft should be good for us, it’s one of the better
circuits for me. It flows well and it’s nice and wide so I don’t see why we
can’t be up there on Sunday. I’ve had a nice break; I’ve been out motorcrossing
and had a fantastic day at Silverstone when I raced my Red Bull Honda CBR1000RR
against David Coulthard’s F1 car and Steve Jones’ Red Bull Air Race plane
around the circuit. I didn’t win but it was excellent fun. So yes, I had a good
time relaxing and now I’m ready to get back out there.”
Havier Beltran: “Both the teams are looking forward to getting back out
on track. We had a good test at Croft last month and came away with some
positive feedback which hopefully will prove beneficial this weekend and we’re
obviously pleased that Eugene’s
hand has mended well and that we have him back racing with the Red Bull Honda
team.”
Qualifying for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place on
Saturday 12 August at 15.00 with racing on Sunday 13 August at 13.55 and 16.15.
Qualifying for the British Supersport Championship takes place on Saturday 12
August at 10.05 and 16.35 with racing on Sunday 13 August at 15.25.
The ITV broadcast window is 13 August 15.30 – 17.00
|
