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HANNspree Ten Kate Honda>> Sofuoglu leads the way at Portuguese finale

October 23 2009

Ten Kate Racing - Nieuwsbrief

Kenan Sofuoglu set the fastest time at a warm and sunny Portimao this afternoon as practice for Sunday’s final, championship-deciding World Supersport race got underway.

The Turkish rider saved his best until last, after overcoming one or two technical issues during the session. Sofuoglu lapped the undulating 4.59km Portuguese circuit in a time of 1’45.355s, three tenths faster than series leader Cal Crutchlow, who tested at the circuit last week.

Sofuoglu’s Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Andrew Pitt, was tenth fastest this afternoon as rear grip problems restricted the Australian outgoing World Champion to a lap time of 1’46.894s.

Kenan Sofuoglu – P1, 1’45.355
I was not able to put more than two or three laps together this afternoon. First we had some brake problems and then, when I went out on the other bike, there were a couple of suspension settings to try. The bike is really strong going into downhill turns but I honestly expected to be maybe a second slower than the championship leaders because they tested here last week. We have developed a strong set-up in the last three races and it’s working here. It was only at the end that I was really able to push and the time came quite easily, so I am confident for the rest of the weekend.

Andrew Pitt – P10, 1’46.894s
I really struggled with rear grip from the word go this afternoon. It’s just as bad on entry as it is on exit so we’ll have to look closely at the data to see if we need to put a bit more weight on the rear of the bike. Kenan doesn’t seem to have an issue with it, though, so we’ll overlay our data on his and see if there’s a clear direction we need to go in.

Ronald ten Kate – team manager
Not such a bad start to the weekend, in which we have to be on top of our game to help Honda secure its seventh manufacturers’ title in World Supersport. Kenan couldn’t get into much of a rhythm this afternoon but still put in a good time at the end. Andrew has some more issues, but we should be able to work through those this evening and aim to get him up to speed tomorrow.


2009 World Supersport championship,
round 14 – Portimao, Portugal
Friday free practice – results:
1 Kenan Sofuoglu (TUR) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’45.355s
2 Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha 1’45.652s
3 Eugene Laverty (IRL) Honda 1’45.727s
4 Mark Aitchison (AUS) Honda 1’45.863s
5 Joan Lascorz (ESP) Kawasaki 1’46.069s
6 Garry McCoy (AUS) Triumph 1’46.464s
10 Andrew Pitt (AUS) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’46.894s

HANNspree Ten Kate Honda is sponsored by Hotbodies Racing and uses our windscreens and bodywork on all of their bikes. Hotbodies Racing specializes in manufacturing high-performance parts for high-performance sportbikes, and is the North American distribution of KR Tuned performance parts. Hotbodies Racing is the market leader in Undertails, Huggers, Windscreens, Flush-Mount Signals, Megaphone Exhausts and full-race Bodywork. Hotbodies Racing supports the sport with sponsorship around the world and encourages dealer and distributor inquiries. For more information visit: www.HOTBODIESRACING.com.