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Test
Report
Date Tuesday, 26 March 2002
Circuit Laguna Seca
International Speedway
HMC Ducati Racing completed their first day of testing
at Laguna Seca with a new rider and crew chief to help
steer their hopes for the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship.
Three-times National Superbike Champion Doug
Chandler finished the day with a fastest 'unofficial'
lap time of 1'26.77.
Chandler takes the place of Pascal Picotte, who was let
go from the team after the first race in Daytona when
a satisfactory working relationship was not found.
Long serving AMA Superbike technician, Gary
Medley also joins the team as Chandler's crew chief,
continuing a 10-year partnership
between the pair. Medley proudly says he has the
highest confidence in Doug as a rider and was pleased
to report that by his records, Chandler was the fastest
rider on the track for most of the day and finished today's
first test day at Laguna
second only to Nicky Hayden.
"The day went better than expected having not been
on a Superbike for so long," said Chandler after
the testing session. This is his first Superbike outing
since last season's final round in Virginia. "I would
have been happy to stay within a second of the front runners
but we're right up there.
We did more laps than anyone else. I'm sill getting adjusted
to the bike and keeping my feet on the pegs is an issue
right now, but that will improve with more laps under
my belt and as I become more comfortable on the bike."
Nobody is happier with today's results than Team Owner
Mitch Hansen who said, " I'm truly confident that
I have made the best decision for my team. |
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