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Tim Hastings 2011 Pre-Season Testing Report

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:15 pm
by Zax
I will try to keep the Reports upto date on the site as the year progresses having just received the first report from Team Twister earlier today.
I, and I am sure all others on the site, wish Tim all the best for the 2011 season. :2up
Zax.
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With the opening round of the 2011 race season now just days away, a 1000 mile road trip saw Team Twister take to the track last week for two successful test sessions at Brands Hatch and Snetterton.

Across two highly productive days, Tim Hastings on the Team Green Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R completed some 120 laps of the Brands Indy circuit in Kent, followed by 65 laps of the impressive new Snetterton 300 circuit in Norfolk.

At a circuit where he has always performed well, Tim was on the pace at Brands from the outset, consistently lapping at last year’s pace whilst using old tyres for the entire duration of the test. Circulating in the low 49s, the team experimented with various gearing and suspension changes while Tim worked on different lines and on adjusting his riding style. In the final two sessions, Tim was able to lap in the mid to high 48s, and finished with a best lap of 48.6 seconds. The intention was to end the day with Tim on new rubber to try and get a low 48 second lap, but a problem with the front forks curtailed the day’s activities, so the team packed up and was soon on the road north to Snetterton.

A completely new circuit layout meant that Tim's first few sessions were all about learning the new parts of the 2.99 mile track. The team set about sorting gearing and also getting the front forks repaired with the generous assistance of the K-tech suspension team. Tim declared himself happy with the new circuit and spent the middle sessions working out correct lines and apexes as his lap times came down. With some further adjustments to the settings on Tim's front forks by the Gearlink Kawasaki Supersport team, and a new set of tyres fitted to his ZX6R, Tim then set about a few quick laps - consistently in the 1.58.2 to 1.58.5 he finished up with a best time of 1.57.8. Tim knows this will have to be replicated and bettered when he returns to the circuit for the BSB Championship round in July, but the team left the Snetterton 300 circuit excited by its achievements and with Tim feeling confident for the season ahead. The new 300 circuit is still very fast and the alterations have improved the circuit from a technical viewpoint, but retained the fast, brave, nature of the track.

As ever, thanks go to all those who helped during these two vital days - Gearlink Kawasaki, K-Tech suspension, MSVR and Shark Helmets, who were all in attendance providing support and assistance. Thanks too, to Mick Simms and Tina Mason for coming along to support (and feed) Team Twister, and additional thanks to Steve Laming, Mick Eagle and Bob Howison for coming to see the team at Brands.

Finally, thanks go out to all those who have made contributions to this season’s Twister fund - your help is what keeps the team on track.

The team now turns its attention back to Brands Hatch where the opening round of the 2011 season takes place over the Easter weekend.