Reigning World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea put in three long runs during today’s two World Superbike free practice session at Buriram to ascertain grip levels as rear tyre wear begins to be a factor at the hot Thailand circuit.
The works Kawasaki man put in three distance efforts and found that his setup, give or take, from Phillip Island also works at the Chang track but knows that as more rubber goes on to the surface, the more laptimes will drop despite the heat.
“I made three long runs today and no in-outs. The difficult part about today is that the tarmac is so dirty in some areas. I am happy we did almost a full race simulation but I had to come back to the pits with four laps to go, which was not ideal,” said Rea.
“Aside from the grip level I am enjoying riding here, the circuit layout and just being back here. Last year the bike set up we brought from Phillip Island we did not have to change so much in Thailand. It seems that although the track is completely different here, the Phillip Island settings work quite well again.
“We have gone a little softer today to try and find grip in the slippy conditions but as more rubber goes down on the track it is going to get faster and faster. It is easy to get lost so we will be patient and check the conditions again in the first practice session tomorrow.”
Rea ended the day in fifth place on the combined timesheets with a 1'35.314, 0.685s slower than Michael Van Der Mark.
