South Africa's Kyalami circuit was the location for Airwaves Ducati's second
testing session this year. After the success of the teams' first test in
Valencia much expectation surrounded their second outing. Both riders were
excited to be back on their new Ducati 999 F'06 bikes feeling more
comfortable and confident with the new technology.
With an air temperature varying between 25-32 degrees and a track
temperature of 35-40 degrees the conditions were ideal for a successful few
days. Over four days of testing on the 4.263km circuit Leon Haslam rode
1,176km and the 2005 Bennetts British Superbike Champion Gregorio Lavilla
completed 988km. Between them the two Airwaves Ducati riders used 80 Dunlop
tyres, 400 litres of fuel and the 14 strong team chewed their way through 40
packets of Wrigley's Airwaves Chewing Gum!
It was Leon Haslam who lead the way in the early stages, and as in Valencia,
he recorded the fastest time of the testing schedule with a 1:41.90 second
lap. Defending Champion Lavilla clocked a fastest lap time of 1:42.20
seconds.
During testing both riders completed a race simulation, averaging mid 42
second laps, fast enough to win the World Superbike Race at the Kyalami
track in 2002.
Both riders were pleased to be back on the bikes getting used to them before
the 2006 BSB season starts in four weeks time. Team Manager Colin Wright was
also pleased with the teams' progress saying,
"We are in a good place considering it is only our second test, both the
riders are happy with their bikes and the team is working really well. We
are all looking forward to getting to Almeria in a couple of weeks for the
next test."
The Airwaves Ducati team will travel to Almeria in Spain for their fourth
test on the 10th - 13th March.
