EASTERN CREEK TEST - 30th August 2011.

UP THE CREEK.

At the recent Pro-Thunder Championships at Eastern Creek (round 3), Sportsbike Ducationly rider Peter Martin was 2 - 3 seconds down on his last race at Eastern Creek Raceway compared to the Pro-Thunder Championship (round 1) in March. The invitation to join a group of Ducati riders at 'the Creek' was an opportunity too good to miss. This was a great opportunity to focus on possibilities without the focus of racing or the pressure of race starts and schedules. It was an opportunity to establish why the results were less than expected and also to prepare for the next round of the BEARS Nationals on 10th and 11th September.

On hand was 2010 Pro-Thunder (formally called Pro-Twins) Champion Craig McMartin and he took the Sportsbike Ducationly 1198S for a ride. "Strong Motor" Craig said, "What about getting rid of the front end patter and trying again". So many changes were made to set up and geometry and the times improved... slightly.

After a full day of riding and testing various settings the conclusion was that the bike and set up are about right, the rider (while a rider always considers he should be faster) was riding well enough and the track was not to blame. The reason could not be explained until it was considered that for the race meeting and test, the Pro-Thunder Control tyres were used.

So what influence could the Dunlop D211 Ntek Slicks have? The best times at the last Pro-Thunder were on new tyres and maybe the Tyres last less than one race, yet the rules say only two sets are to be used in both Qualifying and three races. As grip levels fall so also does the feedback and information reported to the rider, as feedback is reduced, the rider's confidence goes with it. How can a rider push if he can not feel what is happening.

RIDER COMMENTS:
PETER MARTIN - BEARS F1 NATIONALS #31

“I am the first to consider that I am not riding the best I could and that I need to improve. The rider is after all the single most adjustable part of the Motorcycle. I am also not in favor of blaming the bike or equipment. It is my choice what I ride and how I set it up, I have the ability to change the bike or equipment... except when I am forced to use Tyres that may be a problem.”

“The Dunlop D211 Ntek is not in my view a suitable tyre for Australian Championship racing and was as I understand it, rejected as totally un suited for racing in the AMA Superbike last year. It appears that Dunlop Australia have brought these sub-standard tyres that do not last here, elevated the price and supply them to us as a Control tyre when the riders have no choice but to use them if they are to race. It is totally inappropriate for Dunlop to force riders to use a sub-standard product.”

“Why would Dunlop risk damage to their reputation by doing this?”

"After the test I have come to the conclusion that the Dunlop D211 tyres do not last and offer poor feedback to the rider and as a result, I am not getting enough feedback to be able to push with confidence."

Sportsbike | Ducationly Racing is proud to be supported by:
Sportsbike, Ducationly, property-online.com.au, Ducati, Motul Oils, Race Tech / Shock Treatment, Bridgestone Tyres / Whites Racing Products, B+G Ducati Carbon, RK Chains & Mr Clutch.
Peter Martin is supported by: L&M Property Marketing (www.property-online.com.au), Motowear Leathers & Vemar Helmets.

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