Turkish breakthrough

SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Istanbul, Turkey

11 stage, 13 – 15 September 2013

Friday, 13 September

 

This is the first time in the history whan World Superbike and Supersport classes hold on the Turkish track Intercity Istanbul Park. The Yakhnich Motorsport rider Sam Lowes was the absolute leader of the WSS, Vladimir Leonov had technical problems and couldn’t show good result.   

This track was built for the Formula 1 and MotoGP in 2004. This track is 5333 meters with long straights and high-speed curves. In the period of 2005 - 2007 Grand Prix was held here for three times. Now Dorna Sports brought the World Superbike Championship to this technical track.

For the majority of participants the Istanbul Park is the new circuit. Even Kenan Sofuoglu didn't have the posibility to learn this track as the Turkish stage came here only in 2013. As there were no even Pirelli tests, programs of both classes extend to 90 minutes. Sam Lowes had the posibility to learn the track and beat his rival by 0.6 sec. Such start is very important for Sam as this weekend can determent the title. Now the break between Sam and Kenan is 54 points.

On the FP1 Sam and Vladimir could find the perfect pace, Sam's fast lap - 2'00''455 Leonov could reach 2'01 and improved it on the qualification. In the 4th turn Vladimir had problems with engine and he had to pit in so his farstest lap was 2'02''478.

Despite the fact that many rivals complained hot and dusty asphalt, Sam Lowes show brilliant series of seven fastest laps on his Yamaha R6 during the first qualification. All laps were in 2'00 and it's not the limit. 

Sam Lowes: "Today everything was good. But we have some problems to solve, for example, shortage the grip in the 8th turn. We will try to accelerate tomorrow.”

Vladimir Leonov: “On the FP everything was perfect and we expected to get good lap during the qualification. Hope tomorrow everything will be better. The weather is hot. I like Istanbul Park, it's very fast track with differences of heights.”