AMA Pro Racing Extends Partnership with KYMCO USA Through 2016 Season

AMA Pro Racing announced late last week that they have renewed another storied partnership with one of it's sponsors that will carry through the next two seasons of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship. KYMCO USA, the official supplier of track vehicles for all AMA Grand National events, will be returning for another two season to make their involvement with the greatest racing show on two wheels in the world extend to five total seasons.

In the shot above, riders at round 14 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season get ready to take their sighting lap in preparation for the upcoming 25-lap National main event at the Springfield Mile II on August 31.

(L-R/front row) Jake Shoemaker on the #55 USC Kawasaki/Hot Shot Motors/Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki EX650, Henry Wiles on the #17 Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/EA Racing-backed Kawasaki, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Moroney's H-D/Burt Ives Honda-sponsored H-D XR750, Bryan Smith on the #42 Villa Esparza/Crosley Radio/Howerton Products-backed Kawasaki, Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Las Vegas H-D/Blue Springs H-D-sponsored XR750 and Jake Johnson on the #5 Ramspur Winery/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Parkinson Brothers Racing-sponsored Kawasaki take their stance as the festivities are set to begin on the Illinois State Fairgrounds/IMDA-hosted mile oval.

(2nd row/L-R) Brandon Robinson on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/Bob Lanphere's Beaverton Motorcycles/Dan Wall Racing-sponsored Kawasaki, Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/White's H-D/Specialty Fabrications-backed Kawasaki, Willie McCoy on his #59 H-D of Wausau/Tucker Rocky/Independence H-D-backed H-D XR750 and Rob Pearson on the #27 KTM/GE Capital/Waters Autobody-backed KTM LC8 950 all get ready to roll for what will be another exciting event over the Labor Day weekend at the Illinois State capitol track.

You can check out AMA Pro's official press release below as we welcome back another great sponsor to The Rolling Thunder Show and shout out a big thanks to KYMCO USA for their continued participation in AMA Pro Flat Track for the coming two seasons!

AMA Pro Racing renews partnership with KYMCO USA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  (Feb. 19, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing and KYMCO USA have announced a renewed partnership that extends the successful relationship between the powersports brand and AMA Pro Flat Track and continues through 2016.   The two-year agreement names KYMCO the Official Motor Scooter and Side-by-Side of AMA Pro Flat Track. It also allows KYMCO, which makes a full line of high-quality scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides, to display and promote KYMCO brand products at AMA Pro Flat Track events. Additionally, the agreement allows for KYMCO paddock displays, banners, public address announcements at events, website and social media inclusion, KYMCO logo placement, promotional rights to AMA Pro Flat Track series marks, hospitality events and a host of other opportunities. Also as part of the agreement, AMA Pro Racing garners the use of KYMCO scooters to be used at events.   "Our partnership with KYMCO over the last few years has been very successful, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with them and use their products in the future," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Our use of KYMCO's quality products are a big part of ensuring AMA Pro Flat Track events are run smoothly and professionally."   KYMCO has been an official partner with AMA Pro Racing since 2012 and their products have been a mainstay in the paddock and provide a multitude of uses for official event staff.   "We're very pleased to have the opportunity to renew our sponsorship of AMA Pro Flat Track," said Rick Pawelka, Director of Marketing for KYMCO USA, Inc. "Getting our Motor Scooters and especially our ATVs and Side-by-Sides in front of the AMA Pro Flat Track fans is an essential part of KYMCO Brand Building in the USA."   The season begins with a doubleheader at DAYTONA Flat Track March 12 and 13. For tickets and information, please click http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.  Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.   AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

7-Time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr Announced as Member of Broadcast Team for 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Season

AMA Pro Racing announced early last week that 7-Time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr would be joining the FansChoice.tv broadcast team for the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season as a color commentator to round out their coverage of all of the races on this year's schedule.

Carr, who has served in an advisory role as a rider/coach for the Zanotti Racing team for the last couple of season's to National #80 Stevie Bonsey, has tasted the tv booth role in the past during the former Speed Network's coverage of the Daytona Short Track season openers, and has done a superb job of bringing his over 25 years of professional racing to the average viewer in best explaining what really happens on the track during an AMA Grand National Championship race. His color commentary should be most rewarding to those who are somewhat in the know, or even totally out of the loop in understanding the battle looming in the series and against riders banging bars on the tracks themselves.

In the shot above, The Prince of Peoria talks with one of the more innovative members of the AMA Pro Flat Track paddock during round 11 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Indy Mile on August 8 just in front of the Zanotti Racing pit area. Rick Howerton, who designed and developed the original Howerton Products/Motorsports Kawasaki EX650 that saw Bryan Smith #42 take the professional flat track world by storm starting in the 2012 season. The original incarnation of the MotoGP-styled mount was also ridden by Australian Luke Gough during the 2011 season while on the former Eaken Racing team.

Howerton finally saw his dream of winning in front of his hometown crowd during the 2013 event at the Indy Mile when Flyin' Bryan Smith outpaced the field on Howerton's mount to take the win in front of a rousing crowd at the Indiana State Fairgrounds-hosted event. Several hours after this shot was taken, Smith brought the Villa-Esparza/Howerton Products-backed Kawasaki rocket home in 2nd-place behind winner Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Zanotti Racing XR750.

Carr's work behind the scenes since his retirement at the end of the 2011 season has seen him not only providing commentary for some of the races, advising as a rider/coach, but also returning at times to the track to do battle in the sport he loves and has been a part of for the better part of his almost-lifelong career. His work this season should again prove unparalleled to the hardcore fans and the general public while watching the races online that they cannot be in attendance to see in person, and his level headedness in all situations should play out to all those checking in on what surely will be another rousing season of bar banging in The Rolling Thunder Show. Personally speaking, we can't wait to hear more of his expertise come to fruition behind the camera and the microphone.

You can check out AMA Pro's official press release below as we say a big 'congrats' and tip of the helmet to the folks out of Daytona Beach and to former 7-Time Double C for their pairing for the season ahead. This is great news and will help make the frosting on the proverbial racing cake even better this year!

AMA Pro Racing announces on-air team for 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track live streaming broadcasts on FansChoice.tv

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  (Feb. 16, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing is adding a racing legend to its AMA Pro Flat Track team. Seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr will be the color commentator for the 2015 season, joining veteran play-by-play man and former GNC rider Scottie Deubler on the FansChoice.tv broadcasts. Motorsports reporter Dani Medin will also join the team as pit reporter for every round of the AMA Pro Flat Track schedule.   Between 1986 and 2008, Carr won 78 Grand National Championship races and the Pennsylvanian ranks second all-time behind only Scott Parker in terms of total victories. His seven GNC1 titles include a run of five straight from 2001 to 2005. Few riders throughout the storied history of dirt track racing have garnered the same respect throughout the paddock as Carr.   "There's no one better to help us convey the message of what it takes to compete in AMA Pro Flat Track than one of the most successful riders of all time," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Chris Carr is a legend in the sport, and adding someone of his caliber to lend insight and knowledge to our FansChoice.tv broadcasts is beyond exciting for our fans. We really have a world-class team with Chris, Scottie and Dani, and we're confident our FansChoice.tv product will take a huge leap forward in 2015."   Carr's experience extends well beyond on-track action, including providing color commentary for AMA Pro Flat Track's broadcasts on SPEED in recent years. Most recently, he provided commentary during the December Superprestigio exhibition race in Barcelona, Spain, drawing rave reviews.   "After doing color commentary for some of the television programs AMA Pro has done in the past, I look forward to being at every round, giving my view of what I'm seeing in the flat track world," said Carr.   Medin has experience as a television reporter and host for outlets such as FOX Sports, SPEED, MAVTV, CBS Sports and others. The Californian has reported on all forms of motorsports and is a former professional snowmobile racer.   "I've been involved in almost every type of motorsports: off-road racing, snow cross, road racing, you name it," said Medin. "AMA Pro Flat Track is new territory but still pretty similar to other series I've been involved in. I am a die-hard motorcyclist and I've had my license for almost ten years. Since I've grown up around motorcycles, I'm really looking forward to this new challenge."   The two fresh faces will join Deubler, who has been the respected voice of AMA Pro Flat Track since 2009, making for a supremely knowledgeable, diverse and exciting group of on-air talent.   "I'm super excited about the upcoming season," said Deubler. "There is a ton of talent in both GNC1 and GNC2 and I think it's really going to be a fun year. I look forward to working with seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr. I think he's going to bring some incredible insight to the sport as he'll be able to give his thoughts and commentary."   The season begins with a doubleheader at DAYTONA Flat Track March 12 and 13. Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.   AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Race Schedule Highlights from the AMA for 2015 Daytona Beach Bike Week March 6-15

Kick off your riding season at Daytona Beach Bike Week, March 6-15

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- February 19, 2015 -- For 74 years, Daytona Beach, Fla., has welcomed motorcyclists from around the country. This year riders will converge on the central Florida vacation hotspot between March 6-15 for 10 days of racing, rides and more to kick off the 2015 season.

Getting the action started is the first round of the 2015 GEICO AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series on Friday, March 6. For the first time ever, stars of one of motorcycle racing's most exciting shows will compete during Bike Week. The event will be held inside the Ocean Center, just a few miles from Daytona International Speedway. For tickets, see www.endurocross.com.

The following evening at the Speedway, Saturday, March 7, AMA Supercross will bring fans to their feet as stars Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen, Trey Canard and more continue their battle for the AMA National No. 1 plate. The 250SX class will feature red-hot eastern regional competition. Ticket information is at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

On Sunday, March 8, and Monday, March 9, the Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross returns to the Speedway for its sixth annual event. The biggest two-day amateur Supercross event on the planet features competition on the same track raced by the pros the night before. Information about the event is available at www.racedaytona.com.

Another top attraction, the first round of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, an AMA National Championship, will be held at the Rodman Plantation in Palatka, Fla., on March 7-8. The two-day event will feature ATV racing on Saturday and motorcycle competition on Sunday. For tickets or to register to race, see www.gnccracing.com.

Dual sport and adventure riders will enjoy their fill of backcountry roads and trails at the Devil's Creek Dual Sport and Adventure Ride on March 7-8, in Brooksville, Fla. The AMA-sanctioned event is the first round of the Beta USA AMA National Dual Sport Series and the Yamaha Super Ténéré AMA National Adventure Riding Series. For information, see www.dixiedualsport.com.

Also taking place on March 7-8 is a two-day observed trials event held by the Florida Trials Association Motorcycle Club. The event is held in nearby Ocala, Fla., at the Hard Rock Motorcycle Park. For information, see www.floridatrials.net.

AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series competitors will get their season started on Saturday, March 7, in Savannah, Ga. The half-mile event takes place at Oglethorpe Speedway. The second round is Monday, March 9, in Barberville, Fla., at the Volusia Speedway Park half-mile track, and the third round is Tuesday, March 10, at the facility's short-track. All three rounds are promoted by Steve Nace Racing (www.stevenaceracing.com).

In addition, all three vintage dirt track rounds will include amateur dirt-track classes that will pay points toward AMA Major Event No. 1 plates. AMA Major Events and Series are premier AMA-sanctioned events that draw top racers from around the country.

Each round of the AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series also earns points for road riders participating in the 2015 AMA Vintage Grand Tour. Road riders participating in the grand tour earn points for spectating at AMA-sanctioned vintage races. It's free to register, and top points earners will win prizes. For a full list of dates and to register, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/amavintagegrandtour.

In addition to the vintage and amateur events, the 2015 All-Star National Flat Track Series will take place Friday, March 6, in Oglethorpe and Sunday, March 8, in Volusia. Also promoted by Steve Nace Racing, the event will feature the sport's top amateurs and some pro class riders.

Also on March 8, amateur dirt trackers will have an opportunity to race on the Daytona Flat Track. Practice is at 11 a.m., with racing starting a half hour following practice. The event is promoted by Dave Joiner, and information is available at www.fastfridays.com.

The American Sportbike Racing Association will hold a round of the AMA-sanctioned ASRA Team Challenge Series on Sunday, March 8, at Roebling Road in Savannah, Ga. Then, on Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, the ASRA Sprint Series will take place at Daytona International Speedway. To sign up or to learn more information about competing with ASRA, see www.asraracing.com.

Pro ATV riders will get their turn on Daytona's Supercross track on Tuesday, March 10, with the 2015 ATV Supercross at Daytona. Featuring stars from the AMA Pro Racing Motocross National Championship, this inaugural event will use heat races and last chance qualifiers to seed the field of riders into a main event in each class. In addition to the pro classes, support classes are available for riders on 71cc machines up to amateur senior and vet classes. For tickets and class information, see www.atvmotocross.com.

The Daytona 200 Motorcycle Club will hold its annual AMA-sanctioned road run, the Alligator Mystery Tour, on Wednesday, March 11, in Daytona Beach. Founded in May 1943, the Daytona 200 MC is one of Florida's oldest established motorcycle clubs and recognized as Florida's oldest continually operating motorcycle club. The Alligator Mystery Tour is a guided ride through parts of Florida that most never see. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. The $15 fee covers lunch. Learn more at www.daytona200mc.com.

On Thursday, March 12, the famed Alligator Enduro will be held in Ormond Beach, Fla. The 65-mile course is celebrating its 65th year in 2015. The enduro is running a restart format for 2015. For information, see www.floridatrailriders.org.

Dirt track competition reaches its pinnacle on Thursday and Friday, March 12-13, when the Daytona Flat Track will feature some of the closest two-wheel racing action fans will ever witness. AMA Pro Racing Flat Track's stars will thunder around the Daytona Flat Track located outside the Speedway's Turns 1 and 2. Get your tickets at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

The second round of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series will take place on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, at Aonia Pass Motocross Park in Washington, Ga. It also will feature ATV racing on Saturday and motorcycle competition on Sunday.

The activities at Daytona Beach are just a fraction of the thousands and rides and races organized by AMA-chartered clubs and promoters each year. The best riding and racing events are part of the AMA calendar. To find an event near you, see the AMA website at www.americanmotorcyclist.com and search all events.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

 

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling.

 

For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

Media contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org

Team Pata Honda Results from Round 1 of World Superbike Season Opener at Phillip Island

Phillip Island - Australia    22.02.2015                 Positive start to Pata Honda's 2015 SBK campaign Sylvain Guintoli took two positive results from the opening round of the 2015 World Superbike championship at Phillip Island in Australia this afternoon, with his Pata Honda team-mate Michael van der Mark impressing with a strong fifth place finish in the first race, his WSBK debut. The two 22-lap races around the 4.445km Phillip Island circuit were won by British riders Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam, with 2014 champion Guintoli riding hard in the first outing from his ninth place on the grid to post a seventh at the flag.   Guintoli’s crew made further changes to his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP for race two, but with temperatures above 30°C, the 32-year-old Frenchman, injured in a big testing crash in Spain recently, endured another tough physical battle to bring the CBR home in fifth place.   Fifth was where Dutch sensation Michael van der Mark finished his debut World Superbike race after starting from fourth on the grid and battling in the early stages with the leading group before dropping into a solitary race and finishing four seconds ahead of 2013 WSBK champion Tom Sykes.   The 22-year-old reigning World Supersport champion enjoyed an even better start to race two, blasting past Rea’s Kawasaki into the lead at the start of the eighth lap. Van der Mark led for the following five laps before rear tyre wear forced him back. He finally crashed out of fourth place with just three laps to go but was more than satisfied with his World Superbike debut. Sylvain Guintoli  - 7th and 5th I tried everything I could and we did both races with very different set-ups, although the results were much the same. But at least we’ve got some good data that we can work on now. After missing so much winter testing, I’ve really been treating this weekend as another live test session because I’m still not quite yet clicking with the bike. We’ll just keep working though and come back strong in Thailand. To be honest, I’ve never felt so physically drained after two races. I think the injury from Jerez must have somehow added to the dehydration because I felt really ill during both the races. I’ll focus on recovering as much as possible before the next races now. But one of the highlights of the weekend for me was being on the track with Troy Bayliss. He had already retired when I came to SBK but we had a few laps scrapping out there in race two which was a bit special! Michael van der Mark  - 5th and DNF Friday morning started as a bit of a nightmare really because we changed the bike a lot compared to the test earlier in the week. It was just not working but from the second free practice we started getting faster and faster and when the temperatures went really high yesterday we were still fast and managed the tyres well. I had a good feeling for the races but we were a bit unlucky that the weather was not as hot as yesterday. I had quite a good start to the first race and was aggressive in the first couple of laps, but I couldn’t stay with the front guys. I had a big drop in the tyre as well, so I had to focus on the guy behind me and save some tyre to bring it back in fifth. We made a couple of small electronics changes for the second race but I was hoping for a bit more hot weather. The start wasn’t reall y great but I was really aggressive and could stay with the front guys this time. I even led the race for a few laps which felt really good before I had another big, big drop in the tyre. I tried to follow the guys but just pushed a bit too hard and lost it. But my guys did an amazing job this weekend and to be fifth in my first Superbike race was incredible. To be leading in my second Superbike race was just too good to be true!  Pieter Breddels  - technical co-ordinator We didn’t have an easy first weekend with Sylvain but we kept changing the CBR to give him more feeling for the race and he finished seventh in race one. For race two we changed the bike again and he finished fifth. He’s fifth in the points and considering everything that’s not too bad. We’ll study everything to consider the best way forward but I’m confident that we’ll be stronger in Thailand. Race one for Michael was a lonely ride but to get fifth in your first Superbike race was a very good effort. We made some changes for race two to work the tyre a little better and it worked out well. He got a good start and even led the race for a few laps before dropping back to fourth. He had a small crash three laps from the end so no points there, but for sure he showed the world that on the Honda he has all the speed and talent needed to run at the front. Weather Sunny Intervals Air 30°C Track 42°C Humidity 47%   Race 1 Results   1   Jonathan Rea 33m58.385s GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 2   Leon Haslam +0.039 GBR APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 3   Chaz Davies +0.496 GBR DUCATI Aruba.it Racing-Ducati Superbike Team 4   Jordi Torres +2.259 ESP APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 5   Michael van der Mark +9.838 NED HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team 6   Tom Sykes +13.761 GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 7   Sylvain Guintoli +14.021 FRA HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team 8   Nicolas Terol +15.954 ESP DUCATI Althea Racing 9   Alex Lowes +21.106 GBR SUZUKI Voltcom Crescent Suzuki 10   Leon Camier +24.771 GBR MV MV Agusta Reparto Corse Weather Sunny Intervals Air 31°C Track 38°C Humidity 47%   Race 2 Results   1   Leon Haslam 33m58.711s GBR APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 2   Jonathan Rea +0.010 GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 3   Chaz Davies +0.298 GBR DUCATI Aruba.it Racing-Ducati Superbike Team 4   Tom Sykes +5.242 GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 5   Sylvain Guintoli +14.649 FRA HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team 6   Nicolas Terol +16.025 ESP DUCATI Althea Racing 7   Randy de Puniet +22.300 FRA SUZUKI Voltcom Crescent Suzuki 8   Leon Camier +23.606 GBR MV MV Agusta Reparto Corse 9   Matteo Baiocco +23.818 ITA DUCATI Althea Racing 10   Roman Ramos +35.775 ESP KAWASAKI Team GO Eleven   Championship Standings   1   Jonathan Rea 45 pts GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 2   Leon Haslam 45 pts GBR APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 3   Chaz Davies 32 pts GBR DUCATI Aruba.it Racing-Ducati Superbike Team 4   Tom Sykes 23 pts GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 5   Sylvain Guintoli 20 pts FRA HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team 6   Nicolas Terol 18 pts ESP DUCATI Althea Racing 7   Leon Haslam 14 pts GBR APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 8   Jordi Torres 13 pts ESP APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 9   Matteo Baiocco 12 pts ITA DUCATI Althea Racing 10   Michael van der Mark 11 pts NED HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team   Copyright-free images for editorial use only © 2015 Pata Honda.

Team Pata Honda's van der Mark 4th, Guintoli 9th in Phillip Island World Superbike Season Opening Superpole Qualifying

Phillip Island - Australia    22.02.2015                 Van der Mark fourth in Superpole debut Michael van der Mark will start tomorrow’s two opening 2015 World Superbike championship races from the second row of the grid after setting the fourth fastest time in this afternoon’s Superpole at Phillip Island in Australia.   The 22-year-old World Superbike rookie from the Netherlands, who topped the timing sheets after Free Practice 4, fired his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP around the 4.445km circuit in a time of 1m31.613, 0.4s behind the pole position time of Jonathan Rea.   Like all the other riders in the second of this afternoon’s two Superpole sessions, van der Mark was unable to use his allocated Pirelli qualifying tyre after red flags brought the session to an early conclusion following a crash involving Spain’s David Salom.   Van der Mark’s Pata Honda team-mate Sylvain Guintoli continued his adaptation to the CBR machine after missing out on much of the pre-season winter testing. The reigning world champion switched to Honda after the conclusion to last season’s championship but a big crash three weeks ago at Jerez in Spain has limited his track time.   The 32-year-old French rider is adapting his riding style to suit the different characteristics of the CBR but is also confident that a change in settings for Superpole was a step forward. His Superpole time of 1m32.446s puts him in ninth place on the grid for tomorrow’s two 22-lap first round races. Michael van der Mark  - P4, 1m31.613s This morning was really good and we improved the lap time as well as making a really good run. I was also happy with FP4, not just because I was fastest, but because of the bike and the tyres. I was really looking forward to qualifying but I got to the first corner with the Q and the red flags came out. I really watned to finish the lap but fourth place for my debut is not too bad. Of course, you want it to come in a different way, but I think we are ready for tomorrow. Sylvain Guintoli  - P9, 1m32.446s The bike felt much better in the Superpole laps that I did on the race tyre and the lap time was coming really easily, even though I wasn’t pushing. I need to find the right balance between aggression and speed and it’s quite different from what I’m used to. I’m working on being more efficient on the CBR and because I didn’t really get proper track time before we came here I’ve been playing catch up a bit. Of course, I’m trying to go fast but I think maybe I’m trying a bit too much and need to chill out a bit and concentrate on enjoying myself. The more frustrated I get the slower I get and, as I said before, I need to get dialled in. We made a big change for Superpole that felt good and hopefully in the warm-up tomorrow we can keep chipping away at the race pace.                      Pieter Breddels  - technical co-ordinator Michael really improved throughout the weekend and he and his crew have already worked well on the race distance to get the bike dialled in. He seems to be fast in conditions where a lot of guys struggle. He has a really good pace and in the end this brought him fourth place on the grid in this blistering heat. That was on a race tyre of course and, for his first World Superbike race that’s a really good result. We’ve still been trying a lot of things with Sylvain, but we’ll keep working on that because we have a lot of data from a lot of years to help him get more comfortable with the bike. Weather Sunny Air 33°C Track 58°C Humidity 42%   Qualifying Results   1   Jonathan Rea 1m31.212 GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 2   Chaz Davies 1m31.238 GBR DUCATI Aruba.it Racing-Ducati Superbike Team 3   Leon Haslam 1m31.507 GBR APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 4   Michael van der Mark 1m31.613 NED HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team 5   Alex Lowes 1m32.042 GBR SUZUKI Voltcom Crescent Suzuki 6   Nicolas Terol 1m32.081 ESP DUCATI Althea Racing 7   Jordi Torres 1m32.243 ESP APRILIA Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 8   Tom Sykes 1m32.265 GBR KAWASAKI Kawasaki Racing Team 9   Sylvain Guintoli 1m32.446 FRA HONDA Pata Honda World Superbike Team 10   Matteo Baiocco 1m32.841 ITA DUCATI Althea Racing   Copyright-free images for editorial use only © 2015 Pata Honda.