Castrol Honda rounds out 2011 with Doha test
The Castrol Honda World Superbike team has concluded its 2011 on-track activities with a three-day test at the Losail circuit in Doha, Qatar. Jonathan Rea was joined by his 2012 team-mate, Hiroshi Aoyama, for the test with the riders completing differing agendas at the 5.38km desert circuit. Both used the 2011 version of Honda's CBR1000RR Fireblade, which will be comprehensively updated next season with a 20th anniversary edition of the iconic sportsbike.
Rea used the Qatar test to try a new swingarm, Ohlins suspension and other chassis components, which can be utilised on the new machine, while Aoyama joined his new team for the first time in Qatar after completing the 2011 MotoGP season with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini. The Japanese rider spent the three-day test getting comfortable on the CBR machine and testing Pirelli tyres for the first time.
Jonathan Rea: "We've got through a lot of work these three days and ended with two long runs today, which was pretty tough in the heat. We've tried heaps of stuff and, like the last couple of tests, we ended up running out of time. But it's still been really productive and I'm looking forward to starting the next test on my favourite combination of components because we weren't able to finish on that today. We've been making some quite big changes to the bike, just to feel the difference between the various set-ups and everyone has been working really well. It was good to be back at this circuit too; I like it here, and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the bike again in January."
Hiroshi Aoyama: "I got food poisoning before I left Spain to go for the test so I was a bit uncomfortable to start. Also, my leather suits didn't arrive in time so I was forced to use an old one. But it was a very interesting test and a good opportunity for me to meet my new team and spend some time getting used to the new bike and the tyres. We still have some work to make the bike more comfortable for me to ride so I was not able to push really hard. I don't know much about the bike yet and there is still a lot to discover, so I will continue to learn, little-by-little. But the test has been really good and I hope we'll get some new materials for the next time I ride the bike."
Double champion Corser speaks of 2011 season
Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) took part in his last full season of competition in 2011, the two-time champion for Ducati and Suzuki finally topping-off a career which was frequently laden with silverware and included two full Superbike Word Championships, in 1996 and 2005. WorldSBK.com caught up with the 39-year-old rider at his home in Monaco, shortly after he had attended the EICMA show in Milan and shortly before he was due to head to the Motorcycle Live Show in Birmingham, England. We asked him about how his last season panned out and about his long career.
How did 2011 turn out for you personally, compared to what you expected?
"Personally, I was hoping that we would get the bike a bit more competitive throughout the season. At the end of last season the bike was getting strong and we expected to keep going, but we did not seem to make too much of a step, whereas the other guys did make a bit of a step. But also in qualifying... the format, the way it is laid out, it makes qualifying position really important and nine times out of ten we would have a bit of an issue in qualifying. Starting races from row three, four or five always made the result difficult. Towards the end of the season we made the bike more competitive and consistent, but if we qualified a bit far back then we would finish sixth, seventh or eighth. In a race those are normally not good results to have but from where we came from it wasn't too bad."
At which point of the season did you realize that there was going to be a decision for you to stop, either from you or from BMW?
"There was no real discussion right up until Germany, I guess. That is where we started to discuss next season. They were honest with me and told me they were speaking to other riders as well, what with the Yamaha and Aprilia situations changing and so on. They were entitled to because my contract was only for the end of this season. That is when we started talking about other areas and what their ideas were."
Are you relieved that you will not be racing on Sundays now, or are you still not quite sure about it?
"I think I am still not sure! I have been doing it for about 20 years now so it will be a bit different, but if I keep busy I think it will be OK."
What is your overriding feeling as you look back over your career?
"Obviously satisfied with what we achieved over a long career. One, for doing it for as long as we did at the top, and two for winning championships and Superpoles and that kind of stuff. If we get the results along the way it makes it more gratifying."
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