Daytona Tire Test

The first big test in preparation for the 2006 AMA Superbike season kicked off this morning. This was the first opportunity for the public to see Ben Bostrom on the Ducati Austin 999, Eric Bostrom aboard Yamahas and the Haydens in Superbike. One man who was not in Daytona was the man, Mat Mladin. Mladin has decided to forego his test to stay in Australia and continue rehab on an off season ankle surgery. These are the Superbike times after day one.

1 Ben Spies American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.545
2 Ben Bostrom Austin Ducati Ducati 999R 1:39.685
3 Jake Zemke American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:39.903
4 Neil Hodgson Ducati Austin Ducati 999 1:40.171
5 Aaron Yates American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.322
6 Tommy Hayden American Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:40.576
7 Roger Lee Hayden American Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:40.618
Miguel Duhamel American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:41.... (unconfirmed)

The biggest story of the day comes from the Bostrom brothers. Ben did not turn a wheel on his 2006 999 package (Reported as a 2006 spec chasis and electronics package with a 2005 spec powerplant wedged in the frame. Some reports have the 2006 powerplant receiving a 10bhp increase while others say the engine performance enhancements were minimal and the electronics will be the key upgrade) until just before lunch time as his custom Alipnestars were stuck in Atlanta. Just before lunch an old pair of Fila Ducati Ruben Xaus leathers arrived on the scene (It is unknown how Xaus' leathers ended up in Ben's pit). So Ben turned a few laps before lunch adoring Fila Ducati leathers with "Xaus" printed on the back and all the Berik and Michelin logos taped over. His Alps arrived during the lunch break and as soon as Ben got some laps in he stood atop the leaderboard with Jake Zemke for most of the day before Spies took the best time of the day.


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The news on the younger Bostrom brother is less encouraging. Eric struggled to come to grips with his Formula Xtreme R6 and Superstock R1LE. On both bikes he failed to post a time that saw his name so much as on the leaderboard. EBoz cited trouble with suspension as his the source of his difficulties. The team has no data for settings with the Superbike suspension on the R6 which has left Bostrom bewildered. As for the all new R1LE Bostrom is citing a lack of feel in the suspension. Some are speculating that Bostrom's transition from twins back to inline fours is not quite as seamless as first anticipated.

Notes: Spies spent the morning session exclusively aboard the 2006 spec GSX-R 600 Supersport machine before completing roughly 20 laps on the Superbike and completing the fastest circuit of the day. Jake Zemke spent his day on a "good, real good" CBR1000RR Superbike which adored Ohlins suspension for the first time. Neil Hodgson struggled with corner entry primarily at turn one but is confident he will improve his time and claims he "isn't .... scared" as he was last year. The Haydens and Kawasaki worked with primarily a Superstock set up on their ZX-10RRs and aimed to simply steadily improve. Miguel Duhamel spent much of his day on an FX spec CBR600RR which would indicate he and Honda plan on defending their 2005 Daytona 200 title against the likes of Jason Disalvo and Eric Bostrom.

For all the latest information and pitcures from Daytona, check out www.superbikeplanet.com.

As of 12:30 local time, reports have Daytona wet with rain continuing until just after the lunch break. Even then, the riders will have to wait hours for the track to dry as motorcycles do not run in wet conditions at Daytona. More details and images as they come in.

Sunday's session has been called due to rain. The final day of this three day test will take place tomorrow where weather conditions are expected to be clear skies and cool temperatures.

The Daytona tire test wrapped up from Daytona International Speedway this afternoon. As per the rest of the weekend, Ben Spies and Ben Bostrom were the fastest riders on track all day. Today's Superbike times are as follows:

1 Ben Spies American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:37.309
2 Ben Bostrom Austin Ducati Ducati 999R 1:37.849
3 Aaron Yates American Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:38.371
4 Neil Hodgson Ducati Austin Ducati 999 1:38.707
5 Jake Zemke Honda Honda CBR 1000RR 1:39.226
6 Roger Lee Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:39.334
7 Miguel Duhamel American Honda Honda CBR1000RR 1:39.375
8 Tommy Hayden Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX-10RR 1:40.011
9 Jason Pridmore Jordan Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.976

Bostrom led for the entire day before a crash in the last hour. Ben claims the crash was completely his fault as his foot slipped off the rear brake lever entering turn one. Ben tried to slow the bike down using the front brake but lost the front end and lowsided uninjured. The bike caught and catapaulted into the air and cartwheerled through the infield and eventually broke in half. With little time left in the session, Spies put in the fastest time of the test and Bostrom had no time to retaliate.

Jason Disalvo set the fifth quickest time of the weekend aboard his Superstock sepc R1LE at 1:38:961. Other notable Superstock times were Aaron Yates at 1:39:536, Jamie Hacking at 1:39:644 and Eric Bostrom at 1:40:432.

The biggest let down must be for the American Honda boys. In previous testing sources from inside had reported that the 2006 spec CBR1000RR was much improved in every aspect compared to the 2005 model. After Daytona the 'Blade doesn't appear to be as lethal as first thought, Zemke only holding off class rookie Roger Hayden by just over a tenth who led Honda vet Miguel Duhamel by .04 who finished in front of the reemergent Tommy Hayden by seven tenths. If Honda plans on being a consistent challenger for race wins with Suzuki and Ducati they are going to need to improve quite a bit, and if they don't the rookie Kawasaki team will end up finishing higher in the standings.