Brookes begins Suzuka testing

MCE British Superbike title challenger Josh Brookes has completed a successful Suzuka Eight-Hours test in Japan over the past two days and is in touch when it comes to laptimes even though he has had to change the way he rides to suit the Bridgestone tyres.

Tyco Suzuki teamster Brookes is part of the factory Yoshimura Suzuki squad and is partnering the team's All-Japan Superbike star Takuya Tsuda and MotoGP test rider Nobuatsu Aoki in the race which happens over the weekend of July 28th.

The Aussie hasn't been to the prestigious event for a couple of years but says he is feeling good after the test despite suffering with the outrageous heat which saw track temperatures peak at 63°C.

"It has been a good test and I am pleased with how it went. The mot difficult thing, apart from the heat, was adjusting my riding style to suit the Bridgestone tyres which have a particular way of working," said Brookes, speaking to bikesportnews.com this lunchtime.

"With the Pirellis we use in British Superbike, I like to trail the front brake right into the corner and screw the front into the track but the Bridgestones don't like that, they feel like they're going to let go, and it's the same if you get on the gas to early as well, you have to get the throttle balance just right, so that has taken some getting used to. Leon Haslam and Kiyo said the same thing.

"We were doing sets of six laps so it takes a couple to get back into that way of doing it, then you have a couple of faster laps and then they pull you in. I got down to a 2'09.9 which was ok, I just need some more seat time.

"The good thing is I didn't crash, even though I had a moment or two at 200R. I just got to where I was comfortable and then had to work out how to go faster instead of just rushing into corners and hoping it would be ok. That way of thinking has come from my time at the Isle of Man." 

By David Miller

Image by Noriyuki Nakajima