2012 MotoGP CRT Testing
A few CRT (Claiming Rule Teams) wrapped the second day of three in a private test Tuesday at Jerez, with Randy De Puniet taking the top time aboard the Power Electronics Aspar Team ART.
De Puniet posted a best lap of 1:40.9 at the 2.748-mile Spanish circuit while expermenting with new electronics; to put this CRT time into perspective, the circuit record is 1:39.731, held by Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa.
Trailing De Puniet by over a second was Mattia Pasini aboard the Speed Master ART CRT, with the Frenchman’s teammate Aleix Espargaro third quickest, posting a 1:42.6.
Espargaro had some health issues at Jerez, and was forced to leave the circuit early during Monday’s test session. He returned Tuesday, but crashed twice. His Tuesday time matched his Monday time.
Aleix Espargaro says: “We have worked hard with the geometry of the bike to gain confidence in the front because I cannot turn as I would like or go fast enough in the corners. I went off track twice, because of the lack of feeling, but I could continue working as normal.”
James Ellison made his debut on the ART prototype of the Paul Bird Racing Team. For 2012, Ellison returns to MotoGP aboard the PBR ART CRT machine powered by an Aprilia engine. Ellison reported being satisified with the ART machine following 36 laps and a best time of 1:44.4
MotoGP reports that Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) joined the test this morning, completing 46 laps before he fell in a crash that sent his GP12 up into flames in addition to seriously damaging the front end and the chassis. The Czech rider escaped without serious injury but the Ducati team now have a daunting task ahead of them to repair the bike for Hector Barbera (Pramac Racing) to ride tomorrow, as the Spaniard was due to share the satellite Ducati with Abraham for one day each of testing. Ducati are hopeful that their mechanics can repair the bike tonight for the third and final day of testing.
Danilo Petrucci was the source of another red flag when he crashed his Ioda Racing Project machine after matching his best time of 1’43.3 of yesterday. The 21 year old Italian told motogp.com that he is not 100% sure that the team will be able to reassemble the bike in time for the last day of testing tomorrow, an important day as the Italian claims there is still a lot of work to be done on the electronics, MotoGP reports
MotoGP (CRT) Unofficial Lap Times Tuesday (recorded by teams):
1. Randy De Puniet, ART 1’40.9 (50 laps)
2. Mattia Pasini, ART 1’42.0 (53 laps)
3. Aleix Espargaró, ART 1’42.6 (45 laps)
4. Danilo Petrucci, IODA 1’43.3 (34 laps)
5. James Ellison, ART 1’44.4 (36 laps)