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Honda Racing has begun the first test in a comprehensive pre-season schedule for the 2006 British Superbike Championship. The HM Plant Honda Racing and Red Bull Honda teams travelled to Almeria in Spain at the end of last week to join a number of other Honda teams testing at the circuit.
Initial reports from the test are promising, with Ryuichi Kiyonari the fastest British Superbike contender by far. The Japanese star has been able to produce consistent laps, with a best time so far of 1:36.3 at the Spanish track.
Kiyonari and team-mate Karl Harris have a large amount of testing to do to find the best Michelin tyres and suspension settings for the 06 factory machine. They have done a large amount of back-to-back testing with the 05 and 06 HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblades over the last two days.
Today is the final day of testing at Almeria before the team moves to Guadix for further practice sessions at the end of this week. All Honda Racing riders have been able to enjoy between 80 and 90 laps on track per day thanks to the good weather so far.
Sheffield-based Harris has adapted well to the factory Fireblade and is using this first test as a shakedown and familiarisation exercise. His current best time is 1:37.8, but more importantly he is getting a feel for the machine.
Red Bull Honda’s Jonathan Rea has made significant progress aboard the machine that he will be riding in 2006. The teenager has already set a best time of 1:37.9 at Almeria.
He and team-mate Eugene Laverty have a significant amount of suspension testing to complete, as the team is moving from WP Suspension to Showa for this season. They also have a lot of work to do in conjunction with Dunlop, who are particularly keen to continue pushing their efforts in the British series.
Laverty has once again reacted to the promise of a strong Supersport field this season by stepping up a level. The Ulster teenager is producing consistent 1:39 laps, with a best time of 1:39.4 – just 0.5 seconds off Charpentier’s pace.
He is also currently providing faster times at the track than Supersport champion Camier, who is posting time sin the mid to low 1:40s.
The riders continue testing today alongside Stobart Honda, Ten Kate Honda and other leading Honda Superbike and Supersport teams.
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