BSB: Haslam continues to test new engine spec

JG Speedfit Kawasaki duo Leon Haslam and Luke Mossey continued to test a new-spec Kawasaki motor as the second round of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship got underway at Brands Hatch with an official test session this afternoon.

The pair have already been out on track between the two rounds, Haslam at Donington and Mossey at Mallory, for a shakedown on the 2017-spec ZX-10RR motor.

Having started the season on the 2016 motor, both championship leader Haslam and team-mate Mossey were happy with the further step forward offered by the latest spec.

The 75 minute session around the Brands Indy circuit was held in addition to the weekend’s free practice sessions after a lack of track time at the official test at the washout that was the official pre-season test at Donington Park. Haslam placed fourth, 0.3 off fastest man Byrne and just 0.047 off team-mate Mossey in third despite running used tyres throughout the session.

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“We spent all winter working on the 2016 motor and the 2017 ZX-10RRs didn’t arrive until just before the season started so we decided to use what we knew for the opening round,” Haslam explained.”

“We didn’t really want to mess about with engines in a race weekend, so booked a lunchtime session at Donington and all went well so we’ve continued with it here. It’s really positive on the acceleration side of things but there’s a bit of work to do on deceleration, especially with engine braking but we knew that as it’s something that took us a long time to get right on the older spec engine.” 

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