Stoner Under Lap Record At Qatar Night Test

[wazhazhe]

After waiting all winter for some racing, we get 4 SBK races and 1 test and 1 race in MotoGP over 3 weekends. I'm in heaven.

This just in from Ducati Corse:

STONER INSIDE LAP RECORD WITHIN FIRST HOUR OF HISTORIC QATAR NIGHT TEST

MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner needed just 45 minutes to find his bearings around the flood-lit circuit of Losail in Qatar, with almost five and a half million watts lighting up the first official test session at 1800h local time, following a spectacular opening ceremony. Within an hour Stoner had clocked a stunning lap of 1'55.368, inside the current lap record of 1'56.528.

The test didn't finish until 0100h in the morning but both Ducati Marlboro Team riders were in positive mood. Track temperatures at 2000h were around 18°C.

CASEY STONER, Ducati Marlboro Team

"The first impression is like playing on the videogame "Need for Speed"! It's definitely a lot different to what we're used to. It's not better or worse, just different. The most interesting thing is that with lower visibility, at least with regard to the imperfections on the track, you have to have more confidence than your instinct tells you to have. It's not a bad start though."

MARCO MELANDRI, Ducati Marlboro Team

"At the start it's quite difficult but then little by little you get used to the visibility, which is good but very different to daylight. They've done a great job and in my view there are only a couple of areas, between turns 5 to 9 and turn 14, which could be improved. Grip is good, it's just the wind that's a problem."

[wazhazhe]

Stoner




Edwards




Hayden

[wazhazhe]

Qatar lights




Pedrosa




Rossi

[wazhazhe]

Qatar sunset




Toseland




Vermeulen

[clenart50]

Is there some reason other than 'it's different' for running at night? Is it too hot? Even the best lighting would seem to be inadequate for all-out riding.

[Rainman]

I got news for you, at the tracks I have been to at night, it is BETTER for riding all out.
Just as bright as day, without the glare, or sun in your eyes.

Texas Motor Speedway and Texas World Speedway both ROCK at night.

And this is a test to maybe run Moto GP at night.
Certainly would be better for the riders, as it would be cooler in the desert at night.....
Cooler air = denser air = MORE HP!

[wazhazhe]

Originally Posted by Rainman

I got news for you, at the tracks I have been to at night, it is BETTER for riding all out.
Just as bright as day, without the glare, or sun in your eyes.

Texas Motor Speedway and Texas World Speedway both ROCK at night.

And this is a test to maybe run Moto GP at night.
Certainly would be better for the riders, as it would be cooler in the desert at night.....
Cooler air = denser air = MORE HP!

Yes, the MotoGP race in Qatar (only 1 week from this weekend ) will be run at night. The night photos look great. I can't wait to see the race.

I've raced many times at Texas World Speedway (many years ago) but never at night. I can only guess what it's like to come down off the banking into turn 1 at night: It was a blast during the day.

[clenart50]

That's interesting. Other sports I've done have always seemed sub-par when done under the lights compared to the sun. I'll be interested in seeing how the lap times match up comparing day v. night.

[CAlexio]

i think it's cool how they are wearing clear visors and you can see where they're looking now

[wazhazhe]

Qatar Official MotoGP test – Day One – official lap times:

1. C. Stoner, DUCATI MARLBORO - 1'55.330 / 61 laps
2. J. Lorenzo, FIAT YAMAHA - 1'56.019 / 77
3. R. De Puniet, LCR HONDA MotoGP - 1'56.062 / 88
4. A. Dovizioso, JiR TEAM SCOT - 1'56.121 / 81
5. J. Toseland, TECH3 YAMAHA - 1'56.251 / 90

6. A. De Angelis, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI - 1'56.571 / 69
7. J. Hopkins, KAWASAKI RACING - 1'56.614 / 71
8. D. Pedrosa, REPSOL HONDA TEAM - 1'56.621 / 72
9. V. Rossi, FIAT YAMAHA - 1'56.749 / 82
10. C. Edwards, TECH3 YAMAHA - 1'56.762 / 86

11. T. Elias, ALICE TEAM - 1'57.007 / 85
12. N. Hayden, REPSOL HONDA TEAM - 1'57.010 / 91
13. S. Nakano, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI - 1'57.223 / 79
14. C. Vermeulen, RIZLA SUZUKI - 1'57.522 / 80
15. L. Capirossi, RIZLA SUZUKI - 1'57.551 / 66

16. M. Melandri, DUCATI MARLBORO - 1'57.593 / 70
17. S. Guintoli, ALICE TEAM - 1'57.644 / 66
18. A. West, KAWASAKI RACING - 1'57.787 / 51