Monday, November 28 2011
Leon Camier will head to Portugal’s Portimao racetrack next Monday, where he embarks upon his first test for the Crescent Suzuki team, in preparation for the team’s 2012 World Superbike Championship entry.
This test will be Camier’s first outing on the Crescent Suzuki bike. Throughout testing, Camier will aim to familiarise himself with the bike, trying out numerous chassis set-ups to establish a solid foundation and knowledge of the machine to build upon and work with. Additionally, the three-day test will be of use to the Suzuki team as a prime opportunity to test not only their existing, Crescent engines from Crescent, but also from new performance partner, Yoshimura. Testing the new engines will also allow Suzuki to fine-tune the Motec electronics package.
Camier is very familiar with the Portimao track- having raced there only six weeks ago: “I’m very excited to get out on the bike. There is a lot to test on the Crescent Suzuki and I’ll be getting to know the team. My focus will initially not be solely on lap times; at the minute it’s more about getting comfortable with the bike and having a good platform for the next test.”
As Crescent Suzuki’s Californian star, John Hopkins will not be competing, due to the lengthy recuperation required for recent surgery on his finger, newly-crowned British Supersport Champion Alastair Seeley will be riding the other Crescent Suzuki. As a part of the Suzuki family, Seeley relishes the opportunity to test with the squad.
Seeley: “I’m really excited about testing with Crescent Suzuki. It’s always interesting to see how things work with another team, plus it will be great to be back on a Superbike after a year in a different class.”
Crescent Suzuki Team Manager Jack Valentine is excited about getting the team’s SBK effort off to a start: “I’m really looking forward to getting Leon on the bike. We’ll be aiming to get a good chassis set-up for him, and if he clicks with the bike early on – then we’ll be looking at lap times. But my primary aim is to get Leon comfortable on the bike so he can head into the winter testing break with a good feeling.
“We will also be testing engines and electronic packages with the help of Alastair Seeley, who is standing-in for the injured John Hopkins. Alastair proved this season in British Supersport what a good rider he is, so we believe he’ll give us some useful input towards the development of the bike.
“And last but not least, the team itself has had some new additions to it, making this trip somewhat of a team bonding exercise. So far the lads have gelled really well in the workshop, so I expect this will be the case in Portugal.
“The main thing is to come away happy, focussed, and with some positive feedback that will allow us to step up again before the next test in the New Year.”
