Newsletter

The official race report service of Kawasaki Racing Team.

WSS, Donington, UK, 27 May 2017

Sofuoglu Wins Superpole Again

Five-time WorldSSP champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) outpaced his rivals to record his second pole position of the season, and the 32nd of his career, at Donington Park today. He will now start Sunday’s race from the optimum leading grid position, with his team-mate Kyle Ryde ending up in 14th place for his home event.

After a blistering first day on track on Friday today the weather was in changeable mood, with the riders meeting wet conditions in FP1 and then dry asphalt again in Superpole 2 qualifying.
 
Irrespective of what he encountered at a circuit he has won the two most recent races at Sofuoglu overcame the challenge and took Superpole by just 0.067 seconds from French rider Lucas Mahias.
 
Extended his own all-time record of pole positions in WorldSSP to 32 today Sofuoglu will be going for his third race win of the season in succession on Sunday.
 
Hoping to be in the leading positions after Superpole Ryde now has to work his way through from 14th place on the grid. Kyle is experiencing more difficulties keeping up full pace on he faster parts of the circuit, but is much more at ease in the tight slower sections, and under braking.
 
The race itself will start at 12 noon on Sunday for what are expected to be 20 intense and competitive laps of the 4.023km circuit.
 
Kenan Sofuoglu, stated: “It has been a bit of a difficult day, honestly, because this morning was wet, but we achieved pole position. I cannot say I made such a good lap time but it was enough to take pole position. We have to be ready for the race tomorrow. Yesterday I had really good pace which is good to know for the race. I am very confident for Sunday. I cannot say that I did exactly what I wanted today but it was enough.”
 
Kyle Ryde, stated: “Wherever on the track I struggled at Donington in 2015, when I got a podium finish, this weekend has been the complete opposite. I pass people with ease into the last two corners this season but when I get out the back it is impossible to ride the way I want to. Maybe I have to change my riding style to be more like Kenan, and go in a bit tighter on the brakes, but it is not quite happening for me right now. Before this weekend I thought I would be able to get into the top five in Superpole but I am 14th, which is not where I want to be.”
 
Gino Rea (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) was ninth in Superpole 2 and will now start from the third row of the grid for his home round. Michael Canducci (3570 Puccetti Racing FMI Kawasaki) rode to 17th place while Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) completed the top twenty positions. Kazuki Watanabe (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) was 26th, with Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) 27th, Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) 29th and Rob Hartog (Team Hartog Jenik Against Cancer Kawasaki) 30th.