Steve B

1st real test for the WSBK Panigale as 2013 testing is underway at Aragon...

Unofficial 2013 WSB test Times: Aragon Day 1

1. Leon Camier GBR FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 1min 58.2secs
2. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1min 58.6secs
3. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Racing RSV4 1min 58.7secs
4. Carlos Checa ESP Ducati Panigale 1199 1min 59.0secs
5. Michel Fabrizio ITA Red Devils Roma Aprilia RSV4 1min 59.3secs
6. Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia Racing RSV4 1min 59.4secs
7. Loris Baz FRA Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1min 59.6secs
8. Alex Hofmann GER Aprilia Racing RSV4 2min 00.4secs
9. Josh Waters AUS FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 2min 00.5secs
10. Davide Giugliano ITA Ducati 1199 Panigale 2min 00.7secs

Not a bad first day; Checa was only .7 off his 2012 qualy time on the old bike; Sykes, Biaggi and most others riding the 2013 versions of the bikes they rode in 2012 were much further off their 2012 qualy times due to new spec and worse conditions. Got today and tomorrow to go, so it'll be interesting to see where they end up.

Read more: WSB test: Panigale debuts, Camier leads - Motorcycle racing news: WSB - Visordown

BlueBear

cheers for the info

Stw

Nice.... it appears the 1199 will be up there....

11ninenine

Meh...tough to tell really.

First of all, the conditions were quite poor due to wind, and some guys barely lapped.

Second, the bike was run without this past year's 6kg "penalty".

If you want to be optimistic...since it's unknown whether the 6kg rule will carry over to next year, perhaps Checa was holding back a bit. They want an even series, so a brand new bike that tops the time sheets might set off alarms.

Steve B

You're right about the conditions, but they've already said the weight penalty is gone for '13. Next couple of sessions should be informative. And I like your softpedaling theory; I said the same about their last season on the old bike; best to look less than stellar as you're pushing the new bike and want the restrictions off it when you do roll it out.

11ninenine

Did not know the weight penalty was confirmed as being removed, but that's good to hear! Obviously, as 1199 owners we all want it to do well.

Magoo

I'm guessing the only reason the Suzuki is in first is because they are just using the same bike as last year, so it's already dialed in (as much as it can be)?

Also interesting is no BMWs in the top ten?

11ninenine

^BMW and Honda were not at the test.

11ninenine

Hmm...looks like the weight penalties aren't completely eliminated.

From crash.net:

"For 1200cc 2 cylinders: The minimum weight may be increased twice by 3kg reaching a weight of 168kg and 171kg respectively. The upper limit is 171kg. If this measure proves to be insufficient, then the air restrictor handicap will be applied according to the relevant provisions described in Art 2.4.8.1.3."

Steve B

Ermm... Right, but you left out the bit just before that:

"The four-cylinder weight is unchanged, but the 1200cc twins will be able to shed the 6kg that had been added for this season, prompting complaints from the Ducati competitors.

Performance balancing rules will continue to apply:

"For 1200cc 2 cylinders: The minimum weight may be increased twice by 3kg reaching a weight of 168kg and 171kg respectively. The upper limit is 171kg. If this measure proves to be insufficient, then the air restrictor handicap will be applied according to the relevant provisions described in Art 2.4.8.1.3.""

So - all they're doing is reserving the right to re-level the field if the now-lighter twins look to have a leg up in 2013. The weight penalty will be gone at season start, but if Ducati look too good it will get reintroduced at the discretion of the governing body, 3kg at a whack. With air restrictors in hand if that doesn't do it.

In any case, it doesn't look like they'll get any weight penalty from their Aragon performance, as normal service was resumed on days 2 & 3 with Sykes & Biaggi at the pointy end, about a second quicker than Checa on the 1199. This may have troubled him less than losing an engine and oiling the whole front straight, halting testing for everyone till they cleaned it up. Oops!

11ninenine

^No, I read that part. I was just saying that it hasn't been completely eliminated. It's still a card that can be played.

I just find it a bit odd because if any one of the 4 cyclinders was running away with the championship, they wouldn't make all of them add 6kgs. It's only because the Ducati is the only twin which is why they can target it.

PannyofDoom

Ducati needs to move to an L-4 and be done with it

Steve B

Gotcha. FIM will always hold onto that leveling card, and it's just the price Ducati pay for carrying the extra 200cc. Nobody cared when they only had 100cc more, but Ducati said they needed more. They got it, though the added capacity came with a "but..." clause.

Not at all unusual though; weight and intake restrictions, plus in-season adjustments are very common in sportscar racing, where you see a lot of different engine configurations competing in the same class. And for a more extreme case there's WTCC, where you get stuck with "success ballast" if you win, even if your equipment is the same as the guy you beat. Makes for close racing over a season, which I think we all enjoy, though if I were Ernesto Marinelli I suspect I might have a different take.

Lucky for us we're not racing WSBK, since our Pani is 40lbs lighter than the evil BMWs instead having to run even up. Plodders 1, Checa Nil...

rm4two

I'm down with that!

zaster

V4 please