Parts Canada Superbike Championship

Caribbean Report #2

Friday, November 29, 2008

Autodromo Mobil 1

Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic

We're on Track! 

Practice day for the riders of the Womens Cup Challenge as presented by Pro Honda Oils went very well in spite of the fact that their motorcycles had not arrived! Delays at D-R customs caused the container holding the machines to arrive late at Autodromo Mobil 1 but that did not deter our ladies from getting some saddle time. Through the generosity of several local riders including the D-R 2008 champion, Darwin Hernandez and WCC regular Vanessa Gareau, the girls were able to share rides as well as equipment and each competitor got some valuable laps leading into this weekends competition. We spoke with each of our riders after their sessions on the 1.7 mile 11 turn track.

Roxanne: "I like it, it's good, it's fun. I had a little slip coming on to the front straight and then again in a couple of corners so I decided to come in. This track is awesome, I can't wait to get on it on my own bike." Miss Gravelle's traction problems were traced to a suspected coolant leak.

Natalie-Catherine: "I really like this track but I wish there were more right hand turns. I'm not as good on left hand turns as righthanders."

Anissa: "I like the layout of the track, in a way it reminds me of Cayuga. (Toronto Motorsport Park) I'm on a borrowed bike so I wasn't pushing hard. I'll feel a lot better once my own bike is here."

Marie-Jo: "It's nice here, it's a lot of fun. This is a technical track and technical needs practice. I rode Vanessa's bike first and then the champion's GSXR which was very good, for a Suzuki (laughing) This morning there was a cow on the track so that was exciting." One morning session was delayed as WCC director Ken Pieschke attended to the bovine's on track deposits.

Manon: "I only did four laps and yes I liked it. I thought it would be bumpy and rough but it's actually very nice. Getting a chance to ride the track to know where it goes is nice, I take a long time to learn a track so it really helped. Tomorrow I'll take it easy tomorrow, you know just ride around and look at the cows and the flowers."

Genevieve: "The layout is fun. It's cool. With practice and my bike it will get better. I just wanted to get to know the track so I can think about it tonight. It's not slippery or bumpy, it's technical in some corners but it's going to be fun. I did my last session on Darwin's bike which was very good, nice set up, and I didn't want to come in. I only stopped because I thought one of the other girls would want to go out."

Kana: "It's not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm on a four cylinder so I'm not sure how much throttle to give." (Kana rides a Suzuki SV650 in WCC and was winner of the Novice WCC Mosport race). "It's not easy to ride this bike (GSXR 750) it feels bulky and I sure don't want to crash Vanessa's bike. After riding it I'm very impressed that vanessa does so well on it."

Josee: "I've always liked this track. I go at my own pace and try to enjoy myself. The last two corners give me a little trouble it's a double apex and a challenge, especially on a superbike I'm not used to. On the back straight the front wheel doesn't even touch the ground, it's very fast. My goal this weekend is to beat my own lap time from last year."

Maude: "I got a lot of time on the bike and on the track and I like it. My bike has more power but this bike is very smooth and easy to ride. The tires are crap but that's ok."

Vanessa: "I'm a little stressed but very happy. This has always been my favourite track, it's good to be back. I'm really happy all the girls are here and having a good time together. I'm sorry than Franklynn has had to work so hard with the promotion and chasing the bikes, it's been hectic. I think the fans will love the racing and I expect with all the promo there will be a lot of people here. The racing will be great and the fans will love us. Everyone has been so helpful loaning bikes and sharing stuff. Darwin Hernandez has been oustanding loaning his bike and he welcomed the girls very warmly. We're in for a great race and a great weekend."
 
Our riders from the WCC will be first on track Saturday morning for the first of two twenty minute test session set for 9:00am. At 2:00 they will be given a fifteen minute window for timed qualifying. Of further interest is that some of our riders will be competing in some of the regular classes within the D-R Championship series. We'll keep readers informed of their progress in Caribbean Report 3 tomorrow.

The Canadian Womens Cup Challenge is title sponsored by Pro Honda Oils and sponsored in part by Pirelli Tires, Parts Canada, Professional Motorsports Productions,RACE, and by Yamaha Canada.