World Endurance Superpole
Press Release | April 17, 2009
The following is from the World Endurance Series…The pressure was intense and the suspense was very high this afternoon in Le Mans for the Superpole of the 24 Hours Moto. This pole position chase was run in three sessions. The first session, opened to the twenty fastest teams after the qualifications, was fatal to BK Maco Moto Racing Team. Already in trouble fter Dani Ribalta broke his arm when he crashed during the qualifications, the Yamaha BK Maco Moto was eliminated as Jason Pridmore also hit the ground.This first session highlight was the best performance from Erwan Nigon on the BMW Michelin in 1’39.167, ahead of Sylvain Barrier on the Honda National Motos in 1’39.227 and Vincent Philippe in the SERT Suzuki in 1’39.269.In the second Superpole session, opened to the sixteen fastest, it was Suzuki RT Moto Virus’ turn to be eliminated as Frédéric Jond crashed. On the Honda National Motos, Sylvain Barrier also crashed but, however, managed to get back on track and improved his lap time in 1’39.646, which was enough to give him access to the Superpole third session. Julien da Costa did the session’s best lap on his Kawasaki GSR in 1’38.271, ahead of Vincent Philippe on SERT Suzuki in 1’38.384 and Erwan Nigon on the BMW Michelin in 1’38.176.The second session’s was really disappointed for Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone with the tenth time, since the third session is open only to the eight fastest.In that ultimate session, Julien da Costa confirmed the Kawasaki GSR’s domination as he signed the best lap in 1’37.783, ahead of the SERT Suzuki of Vincent Philippe in 1’38.011 and the Honda Elf BMP 99 with Matthieu Lagrive in 1’38.474. With Gwen Giabbani, the Yamaha Austria Racing Team finally managed to clinch the fourth place on the starting grid, ahead of the BMW Michelin and the Honda National Motos.This GSR Team pole position might be a strong sign of a great Kawasaki return at the highest rank of the World Endurance. We have to get back as far as 2000 to find a Kawasaki starting from pole position at Le Mans.The start of the first round of the 2010 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship will be tomorrow Saturday at 3 pm.
