Nicky Hayden Gets Dry Time At First WorldSBK test
Gordon Ritchie | November 16, 2015
Hayden had some good first impressions on his new CBR.
Nicky Hayden (Honda WSBK) added some dry Motorland laps to his early wet experiences of his CBR1000RRSP Honda in what was his first day with his 2016 team.
The available track time was limited but he had the chance to make some adjustments and evaluations before the second day of testing gets underway on Tuesday, November 17th.
“I got to do about four or five exits with slick tires and it was very nice to at least get some laps in and get going, get started,” said the 2006 MotoGP World Champion. “We have a lot of work to do, for the rider, for everything, but it is nice to start.”
A wet start on track gave way to a dry finish, as the latest WorldSBK recruit made friends with his new machine. “I went out with the wet tire and it was still pretty wet but it was enough to understand the handlebars and footpeg positions,” stated Hayden. “Then on the second exit it was still wet on one part and completely dry in the others. In the last four or five exits, although it is hard for me to say because I do not know the bike or the tires and there were a few places where there was still water on the kerbs on the line, but the grip did not feel too bad and enough to get the heat in the tires. It was enough for me to ride.”
Hayden knows there is a lot still to learn about his new machine but he has already made some set-up changes from where he started day one. “The lap time was quite slow so I do not want to say too much but at the moment I did not have any major problems with anything,” he confirmed. “We changed the spring a little bit and quite a lot with engine braking. We were quite far out from what I know on the engine braking and really had to free that up because on a cold slippery track it was locking a lot on entry. I did not ride with anybody else to say where the strong point is or where the weak point is.”
Hayden now hopes for a completely dry and clear second day so he can accelerate his test program as he swaps categories for the first time in more than a decade.