WSS Phillip Island: Parkes again as Rea goes second

Yamaha’s Broc Parkes dipped under the World Supersport lap record on day two of the official Pirelli test at Phillip Island. Riding the 2008 specification R6, Parkes found a good set-up at the end of day one and was able to improve it even further to slash another 0.5 seconds off his best time.

Jonathan Rea backed up his superb day one performance by taking a further 0.8 seconds off his time to secure second spot ahead of his team-mate Andrew Pitt. Rea spent the day evaluating front and rear Pirelli’s but will have to wait until tomorrow to try the best front and rear tyre combination together.

Pitt continued to back to back test the Honda electronics package with the Pectal PI system and like Rea also worked his way through Pirelli’s range of tyres finishing the day with a best lap of 1m 35.3.

Josh Brookes maintained his fourth position after day one with a strong performance onboard his Stiggy Honda. The Australian posted a 1m 35.8 on non development Pirelli’s and was once again able to lap consistently fast.

Chris Walker survived his first crash on a Supersport bike when he tipped off at Honda hairpin early in the afternoon. Despite the set back and loss of track time, Walker was unhurt and went on to better his time by 0.6 seconds to set the joint fifth fastest time with Frenchman Fabien Foret.

Garry McCoy completed just three laps in which he was able to better his time before his SC Triumph developed a mechanical problem which forced him out of action for virtually the whole day whilst the team rebuilt the motor. The Australian finally got out on track with minutes to spare where he was able to run in the new motor and should be ready to ride tomorrow morning.

Walker’s team-mate Katsuaki Fujiwara ended the second day with a 1m 36.7 with Robin Harms setting a 1m 37.0.

 

Broc Parkes – 1m 34.7
Jonathan Rea – 1m 35.0
Andrew Pitt – 1m 35.3
Josh Brookes – 1m 35.8
Chris Walker – 1m 36.0
Fabien Foret – 1m 36.0
Garry McCoy – 1m 36.2
Katsuaki Fujiwara – 1m 36.7
Robin Harms – 1m37.0