Yamaha Factory Racing Team sets the pace at first practice session in suzuka

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 by Yamaha Factory Racing

The Yamaha Factory Racing Team has a dream start and come forth as a key protagonist at the first day of the 38th “Coca-Cola Zero” Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race weekend.

Riders Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith hit the ground running in the first one and half hour session with a very stable basis set-up and despite difficult conditions, they soon rose to a provisional first place, before dropping back to third.

The second session saw more of the same from the new, yet solid team. They needed only a few laps around Suzuka Circuit to get used to the changed track conditions before scorching to the top of the standings with a strong 2’07.282.

Tomorrow the Yamaha teams will be back on track for the free practice and qualifying sessions, starting at 8AM, track time.

Bradley Smith - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Rider:
"Today was good. I think it was positive to train in the rain again this morning, because we tested here in the wet on the first two days of the first test and it was nice to refresh our memories, also to gain a little bit of information in case it does rain on raceday. We got a few different ideas on settings and tyre stratgey in case it does rain, that was interesting. In this afternoon the conditions were really good with the lower temperature on the racetrack. It looks like we have a more or less clear direction to go for with the race tyres, which is also good. Obviously we have to confirm that over the next two days and check the track and ambiance temperature. From what we learned from the last test and this afternoon I think we are 95% ready for the race. I was a little bit nervous this morning, because this is not the same structure that I’m used to, so I woke up this morning and didn’t know exactly when I was going to ride or the program, because I ride as the third rider. Small details, like trying to get ready and the time to get into your leathers is difficult to judge, also being here in a slight different environment, are small details that make you feel abnormal and when you go inside the garare you know there are big expectations and you see all the riders riding here so it’s a little bit different. I’m sure tomorrow and day by day it will get easier, but this race means a lot and is really important for our team and Yamaha. When you want such a good job you feel a bit of pressure and nerves but it’s good for performance. Today we were the top three riders, so from that point of view it seems to be working."