Another new pole record falls to Stoner in Aragon

Round 14: Aragon GP – Qualifying

The fifth new pole position record of the season fell today, again at the hands of Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner who in doing so secured his 30th pole position start on Bridgestone tyres for tomorrow’s Aragon GP.

• Motorland Aragon, Saturday 17 September 2011
• Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Soft, Medium, Ex Hard. Rear: Soft, Medium

The World Championship leader dominated today’s proceedings, bettering the existing lap record during this morning’s extended 75 minute free practice and going faster still in the hour-long qualifying session to set the pole record. Stoner has claimed all five of the new pole records set this season, and now holds the fastest pole time at nine of the circuits on this season’s calendar. 

Dani Pedrosa finished second fastest and was the only other rider under the existing pole record. The Motorland Aragon circuit was brand new to MotoGP last year, so the increase in pace demonstrates the machine development and improvement in track condition in the last 12 months. 

Sealing his fourth front row start of the season on his penultimate lap was Ben Spies with teammate Jorge Lorenzo in fourth, ahead of two Hondas in the form of Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli. 

With the postponement of yesterday’s second free practice, the qualifying session was the first running for the MotoGP class in the afternoon at this Grand Prix, and owing to the venue’s elevation, the conditions and temperature vary significantly between morning and afternoon. In the warmer afternoon temperatures, the harder option front and softer option rear slicks were favoured for shorter qualifying runs, but the harder rear will likely be the prime choice for tomorrow’s 23-lap race.

Masao Azuma – Chief Field Engineer, Bridgestone Motorsport

“Casey’s pole time is very impressive indeed so I must congratulate him and the Repsol Honda Team. Also for Dani’s laptime, as to have one bike under the previous pole position time is good, but for these two to be under it is a very strong showing. Clearly we can see the benefit of last year’s experience at this circuit now and the development of the bikes over the last year. Our tyre options are the same although we have improved the soft compound rear for 2011, and although the track temperature is 15 degrees Celsius hotter than during qualifying last year Casey is almost half a second faster this time.

“The harder front and softer rear compound options were favoured by almost every rider today for their attack laps, but if conditions remain the same the harder compound fronts and rears will most likely be the preferable race tyre choice for their added durability. During tomorrow’s race, tyre management will be critical in determining durability and ultimately the result. With current circuit conditions and track temperature, tyre wear is an important consideration especially for the rear, so those who are able to use their tyres best will have a marked advantage.”

• MotoGP14 Aragon GP Tyre Sheet

source: bsmotorsport.com

MAHINDRA RIDES THE WIND FOR DOUBLE POINTS AGAIN

Mahindra riders Marcel Schrötter and Danny Webb claimed another double-points finish for the Indian team in today’s Aragon GP – finishing 11th and 15th in a windswept first race of the day at the spectacular 5.078-km circuit in the Spanish hinterland.

For Schrötter, it was confirmation of his improving form. He had qualified 15th, but made a flying start and gained places in a tight group. What he was losing on the very long straight he was regaining in the corners.

By half distance, however, the race got tougher for the 18-year-old German, with the problem of numbness in his right hand turning it into an ordeal. But he kept pushing to add another five points to his growing total.

Webb (20, from England) had a bigger hill to climb, after a troubled qualifying session saw him start in 23rd position. But a last-minute change in chassis settings meant he was soon able to start gaining places, moving up into the top 15. Though he was also struggling by the end, he was able to hold on for 15th, meaning more points for the team.

This was the third time in 13 races that the striking silver-and-red Mahindra machines – the only bikes on the grid with both engine and chassis made by the team – had both riders in the points. This is the Indian multinational’s first year of motorcycle GP racing.

“I always want better, but it is good for both to score points,” said team manager Nicola Casadei.

“For the first ten laps Marcel was faster than the rider who came ninth. Without his hand problem he should always be in the top ten. Danny has had problems at the two races since he crashed at Indy, which I think is because of his injured hand. He tried hard today.”

The next race is in two weeks at Motegi in Japan, with just four of 17 rounds left to complete Mahindra’s debut year.

MARCEL SCHRÖTTER – 11th Position

“I made a good start and I was able to pass some people and get in a good group. But Adrian Martin was faster than me on the straight, and though I was quicker in the corners I couldn’t make a break. After seven or eight laps my hand started to go numb like always, so it was a struggle to keep the pace. But I can be happy with my position, and I hope to do the same or better at the races for the rest of the year.”

DANNY WEBB – 15th Position

“It’s a lot better than yesterday! I didn’t have full confidence in the bike, but we changed back to the settings we had before Indy, and so that over the race distance I could push harder and the first ten laps were good. Towards the end I couldn’t improve my position, but we came away in the points, which is better than I had expected after yesterday’s qualifying.”

source : mahindra.com