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CRUTCHLOW BOUNCES BACK FROM CRASH
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CRUTCHLOW BOUNCES BACK FROM CRASH
August 25, 2007
Team Suzuki Press Office - August 25, 2007.
Rizla Suzuki's courageous Cal Crutchlow bounced back from a 100 mph
crash to improve
his lap times and secure ninth place on the timesheets at Cadwell Park
today during
practice for the 11th round of the Bennetts British Superbike
Championship.
Crutchlow had completed nine laps in the afternoon session when he lost
the front on
the exit to Charlies, one of the fastest corners on the circuit that
leads directly
on to the 190 mph Park Straight. He walked away unhurt but lost precious
set-up time
making his way back to the pits and his waiting spare bike.
"I was happy with my Rizla Suzuki and really wanted to post a quick
lap," he
explained. "I went into the corner trailing the front brake and hit a
bump which
meant I squeezed the lever adding more brake which pushed the front too
hard and I
lost it. I haven't had many faster crashes than that and my thanks go to
the circuit
for the long run-off area and to Dainese for making fantastic leathers.
"I lost time in the session but went out on my spare bike and recorded
my fastest
time of the day just before the end. I won't let the crash slow me down;
if anything
it makes me more determined to take control of that corner."
Chris 'Stalker' Walker finished 11th on the timesheets after making
dramatic
progress in the afternoon session. He said: "It's tough after seven
years to come to
Cadwell Park and be right on the pace during the first day; it is a
track that
demands skill and finesse - and commands the utmost respect.
"I spent time learning in the morning and this afternoon we tried a
couple of
setting changes on my Rizla Suzuki that definitely made an improvement
and I slashed
1.25 seconds off my lap times. I'm confident there's more time to come
and can't
wait to get back out on track."
Warm sunshine baked the twisty, undulating and challenging 2.18-mile
track during
both 50-minute long practice sessions.
Honda's Jonathan Rea set the fastest time of the day in the morning
session.
Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: "Cal is thankfully in
good shape
physically after his crash and on the timesheets as well. He has already
proved the
crash will not slow him down. We have high hopes he can get on the first
or second
row.
"Cadwell Park has to be one of the hardest circuits in the world for any
rider to
get their head around; it has a bit of everything to keep you on your
toes and Chris
did a great job after a seven year absence. He slashed his lap times
between
sessions and is upbeat that he can continue that progress. He'll be
going for the
front two rows tomorrow."
Superbike racing over 18 laps starts at 1315 on Bank Holiday Monday,
August 27th, at
Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, with the second race starting at 1640.
Combined Practice Times:
1: Jonathan Rea (Honda) 1:27.311
2: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1:27.586
3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1:27.728
4: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 1:28.148
5: Leon Camier (Honda) 1:28.180
6: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1:28.272
7: Tom Sykes (Honda) 1:28.390
8: Shane Byrne (Honda) 1:28.673
9: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) 1:28.705
10: Karl Harris (Honda) 1:28.826
11: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) 1:29.197
For more stories about Cal Crutchlow, click here.For photos, click here
For more stories about Chris Walker, click here.For photos, click here
Rizla Suzuki's courageous Cal Crutchlow bounced back from a 100 mph
crash to improve
his lap times and secure ninth place on the timesheets at Cadwell Park
today during
practice for the 11th round of the Bennetts British Superbike
Championship.
Rizla Suzuki star Chris ???Stalker' Walker ranks Cadwell Park as one of
his
favourite circuits thanks to its demanding twists, turns and leaps, as
well as the
huge crowd it will attract for the 11th round of the Bennetts British
Superbike
Championship this Bank Holiday Monday, August 27th.
Relentless Suzuki's Ian Lowry put in a strong performance to podium at
Sunday's
British Supersport 10th round after leading for 17 of the 18 laps.
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