News 23 Aug 2014

Parkes top Aussie in third on Oschersleben 8 Hours grid

BMW Superstock team scores surprise pole in Germany.

Source: FIM.

Source: FIM.

German team Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team was clearly out to shine in its national event, however, Rico Penzkofer’s team has gone one better in the qualifiers by clinching pole position at the Oschersleben 8 Hours ahead of Team SRC Kawasaki and Monster Energy Yamaha.

The Superstocks really made their mark in Germany this afternoon. It started with Anthony West aboard the Kawasaki of the Qatar Endurance Racing Team who held on to the lead for much of the session before being overtaken by Gregory Leblanc with a best lap in 1m26.896.

But the most astonishing of all was yet to come in the subsequent sessions with the crew of the BMW of Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team. Bastien Mackels, who clocked up yesterday’s best lap, improved his time with 1m26.614 but his team mate Reiterberger scored the day’s fastest lap in 1m26.503.

The BMW of Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team has secured pole position in the Oschersleben 8 Hours – a first for a Superstock team in the FIM Endurance World Championship. The BMW is in front of Team SRC Kawasaki with Gregory Leblanc, Fabien Forêt and Matthieu Lagrive and Monster Energy Yamaha number 07 with Broc Parkes and Michael Laverty.

Yamaha Racing GMT 94 Michelin takes fourth place on the grid. David Checa, Kenny Foray and Mathieu Gines all improved their times and their crew was remarkably regular with laps between 1m27.124 and 1m27.668. The Yamaha just squeaked ahead of Honda Racing with Julien Da Costa, Sébastien Gimbert and Freddy Foray.

In an unaccustomed sixth on the grid, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team is still struggling with adjustment problems following the switch from 16.5-inch to 17-inch wheels. But Dominique Méliand’s team and its three riders Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle and Erwan Nigon may have some surprises in store for tomorrow’s race.

Honda National Motos takes a fine seventh spot at the start ahead of more experienced teams Monster Energy Yamaha YART featuring Aussie Rick Olson, Bolliger Team Switzerland and Gareth Jones’ Team R2CL.

The 11th and 12th places on the grid go to the second and third Superstocks, the Kawasaki of Qatar Endurance Racing Team with West and Alex Cudlin, then the Suzuki of Junior Team LMS Suzuki. The Maco Racing Team of Alex Phillis will start 14th.

2014 Endurance World Championship
Round three – Oschersleben, Germany

Final qualifying results:
1. Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team BMW 1m27.203
2. SRC Kawasaki 1m27.440
3. Monster Energy Yamaha (Broc Parkes) 1m27.448
4. Yamaha Racing GMT 94 Michelin 1m27.449
5. Honda Racing 1m27.489
6. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team 1m27.830
7. National Motos 1m28.151
8. Monster Energy Yamaha YART (Rick Olson) 1m28.271
9. Team Bolliger Switzerland 1m28.281
10. Team R2CL (Gareth Jones) 1m28.487
11. Qatar Endurance Racing Team (Anthony West/Alex Cudlin) 1m28.554
14. Maco Racing Team (Alex Phillis) 1m29.218

Click here for detailed results

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