BSB: Brookes finds confidence from new engine spec

Josh Brookes has found gains from a new engine spec introduced by the McAMS Yamaha team at Snetterton this weekend.

The Aussie rounded out the opening day at the Norfolk circuit second fastest, just 0.078 seconds off quickest man Leon Haslam.  

Thought to be more aggressive in its power delivery, Brookes says the new motor enables him to ride the bike with confidence after struggling for the first three rounds.

“The only thing that has changed significantly is the engine spec, we’re trying a different engine character here and it seems to be making the difference,” Brookes said.

“I’d say it’s closer to a conventional Yamaha-spec engine, it follows a more conventional R1 power curve, which doesn’t actually look that good on the dyno, it’s a bit more aggressive, but it seems I can ride it better and get the drive into the tyre a lot better, get off the turns better, the bike is better balanced off throttle and I can build speed of that, it’s a platform where I can create confidence.

“With the engine I’ve been running from the start of the year doesn’t feel like me, I was riding the bike feeling like my hands are tied. Now we’re starting to make changes that may be significant as the bike is in a range where it’s working.”