Extremely poor conditions for the World Superbikes at the Miller Motorsports Park today, but despite the difficult circumstances, Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) picked up pace in every phase of the Superpole to snatch pole position in the final seconds of the last stage of an extremely close fought session. A fantastic, though perhaps slightly unexpected result for the Althea Racing team that today celebrates its fourth pole of the 2011 season.
The Superbike riders faced temperatures of just 7˚C and persistant rain during this morning’s second qualifying session. Despite this, all riders went straight out on track to test wet settings in light of the strong possibility of rain for tomorrow’s races. Carlos made a total of fourteen laps, recording a best time of 2’07.7 which left him in fourth position at the close of the session, an encouraging result in such wet conditions. The wet weather meant that no rider was able to improve on yesterday’s first qualifying times and Checa thus qualified in first place for the Superpole, based on yesterday’s results.
Superpole 1: track conditions improved throughout today’s Superpole, though the track surface was still extremely wet for the first phase. With no qualifying tyres available, due to it being a “wet” Superpole, riders lapped continuously during the fourteen minute session. Carlos completed six laps, the last of which was his fastest, enough to place him eighth at the end of the phase.
Superpole 2: times dropped slightly and Carlos was able to make a very fast lap in the final minutes, closing this second session in second position, and progressing safely to the final stage.
Superpole 3: getting into a good rhythm, the Spanish rider lapped in under 1’59, improving his times with each lap. With just a few seconds left on the clock, Checa nailed the final sector, snatching pole by beating Smrz’s best time by 0.075 of a second. With this lap time, Carlos and the Althea Racing team celebrate their fourth pole of the 2011 season.
Carlos Checa:
“Considering the conditions, this was the most difficult and most surprising pole of the season so far. I really didn’t expect to do it on the wet seeing as we were struggling to make the top eight this morning. I would have been happy with the front row for tomorrow but the pole is fantastic, and also unexpected! We had a good setting and I gained confidence in each session of the Superpole, improving as the grip began to pick up. Maybe I could have pushed a little harder in certain sections of the track but I didn’t and it was an amazing surprise when I realised I’d made pole! Tomorrow we hope for drier conditions, but of course I will give it my all whatever the weather.”
Genesio Bevilacqua, General Manager di Althea Racing:
“It was a very emotional afternoon for the team. Carlos, after a few laps in which he adapted to the wet, was able to select a good setting for the Superpole. He took his fourth pole of the season and this time in extremely tough conditions."
[Press Release and Photo Courtesy of Althea Ducati]
