The first official UK test for the MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park saw riders utilise the new 17” Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike tyres and it was three time Champion Shane Byrne who narrowly held off Josh Brookes to top the timesheets, lapping under the existing lap record with a stellar 1m:29.550s time.
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Despite being a test day, a bumper crowd of BSB fans attended the Donington Park circuit, enjoying up close and personal access to the teams and riders. Damp conditions greeted the 31 strong grid during the morning, however warm and sunny conditions by midday saw the riders take to the track for the two afternoon test sessions with impressive times.
Pre-season favourite Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who remains with the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team for a third term, enjoyed an afternoon long tussle for the top spot with Australian Josh Brookes, who was making his UK debut on the Milwaukee Yamaha. It was Shakey who finished on top, circulating under the existing lap record on the new 17” Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike SC0 tyre.
The new range of production specification DIABLO™ Superbike tyres were developed in World Superbike over the last two years with full takeup of 17 inch tyres throughout the 2013 season, showing the fast progression of development material to production tyres. The tyres were first tested to universal approval with the top WSB riders in 2012, a situation closely mirrored by this test at Donington with fast lap times and long race simulations.
Pirelli Racing Manager Jason Griffiths commented, “It’s been another positive test on the new 17” tyres, with all the riders backing up the positive progress which they made in Spain. Shane set his best time on the new softer SC0 compound, which backs up his full race simulation on the tyre at Almeria last week. We now look forward to the two day test at Snetterton next week before we get the season underway at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend.”
Showing their support for the series, Pirelli offer customers who purchase a set of DIABLO™ Supercorsa SP, DIABLO ROSSO™ Corsa, DIABLO ROSSO™ II, DIABLO™, ANGEL™ GT,ANGEL™ ST, SCORPION™ Trail, for the chance to claim a free BSB ticket at www.pirelli.co.uk/moto
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