Milwaukee Yamaha’s Broc Parkes found lack of grip to be a problem, especially during the wet MCE British Superbike second free practice session at Oulton Park today.
The Australian ended up crashing at Hizzys in FP2 and was fortunately unhurt, but he is still trying to adapt from Bridgestone’s which he used in MotoGP last year, to Pirelli tyres in BSB. He found that in the rain he doesn’t have as much grip as he did when he was on the Bridgestone’s in 2014.
This is still a new track for the rider from New South Wales and he only clapped eyes on the Cheshire circuit last week during the official test session, and he’s still learning the track onboard his R1. But he did have a positive free practice today, and came away with a time that was tenth fastest in FP2 this afternoon.
“I haven’t ridden on Pirelli’s for a while and I crashed in FP2 as it was slippery on track. I would have liked more dry track time because it is meant to be good weather on Monday, and I am still learning the track,” said Parkes, speaking to bikesportnews.com this evening.
“I was on Bridgestone’s last year, so I am now getting used to riding on Pirelli’s again. I was on Pirelli’s during a 24 hour endurance race last year and I was surprised by the lack of grip on them. I am used to pushing hard and both myself and my former team-mate Michael Laverty both crashed at Hizzys as I think we are getting used to pushing the bikes on different tyres.
“Even if it is raining tomorrow Q3 is my aim and I have managed to do it before. I want to keep consistent and to continue to learn the track tomorrow - where we will hopefully have some dry track time.”
