Test session turnaround sets BSB battler Waters in right direction
Josh Waters has been able to dramatically improve front-end feel and overall confidence on his Milwaukee Yamaha following a positive test session.
Josh Waters could be set for a turnaround in form after finding his feet on the Milwaukee Yamaha at a recent test session. Image: Milwaukee Yamaha.
A series of wholesale changes to Josh Waters’ Milwaukee Yamaha at a recent test session could be a determining factor in a form turnaround for the Australian rider as he continues his battle for points in the British Superbike Championship (BSB)
The two-time Australian Superbike Champion, who scored his first title as a rookie, graduated to a full-time ride in the BSB for 2013 but has struggled to show his potential aboard the team’s Yamaha R1.
Competing against one of the world’s strongest domestic fields has exaggerated a difficult opening stanza, but a test at the Snetterton circuit looks to have set Waters in the right direction.
Changes to the front-end of the machine, including the fork settings and offset, saw the Aussie shave close to a second off his initial times.
Milwaukee Yamaha manager Shaun Muir told BikeSportNews that the setup changes to Waters’ machine resulted in a dramatic improvement in his rider’s handling and overall pace.
“I think we saw a light at the end of the tunnel yesterday,” explained Muir. “We put in some radical changes to the setup, especially with the offset and although Josh still wasn’t happy, he was able to find a second, so now we have somewhere to work from.”
“Josh has not become a poor rider overnight. He is a class performer with the right feeling, the right tools and the right bike underneath him.
“The whole team is feeling his pain right now, and it my job to ensure that we can overcome this situation as soon as possible.”
Waters felt some of his confidence return after the test at the Norfolk circuit, which, significantly, hosts the next round of the BSB in a week’s time.
“I’ve been struggling to get a feel for the bike and it has been frustrating for the team,” said Waters.
“We have made adjustments but it didn’t seem to make a difference. Same laptimes no matter what, until now so I have got a little bit of my confidence back, which will help.”
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