Positive shakedown for SIC Racing Team as they commence testing at Sepang

2015-02-20 08:36
SIC Racing Team took to the track today for their first of three consecutive test days at Sepang International Circuit.
In perfect conditions the team used their first day as a shakedown for both riders and crew to adapt to the new 2015 Factory KTM Moto3 bike.

The morning session saw SIC Racing Team rider Jakub Kornfeil head out first on board his #84 bike. Putting in 35 laps the Czech rider concentrated on finding a good feeling on the bike, whilst providing his crew with valuable feedback to improve settings.

Having last ridden a KTM in 2013, Zulfahmi Khairuddin adapted well to his new machine feeling more comfortable as the sessions progressed.

Both Jakub and Zulfahmi put lap times to one side today in order to focus their attentions on bike set-up. Working on position settings they were able to improve their feeling on the new KTM and concluded the day feeling positive about the progress made.

SIC Racing Team will continue testing for a further two days at the circuit, after which they will have four days off whilst the MotoGP teams take to the track for their second test at Sepang.

Johan Stigefelt – Team Manager
“Our main focus for today was to sort out the bikes for the riders with their positions and to get a direction for tomorrow and the next day. It’s been very much about learning the bike today, both for the riders and as a team. It’s also given Jakub and Fahmi a chance to get back up to speed after a long winter. Everything looks alright, we’re following the plan which is important and I’m happy with that. We will now move into tomorrow with some ideas and more experience with the new Moto3 KTM bike.”

#63 Zulfahmi Khairuddin
“We have been concentrating on position settings today, which has gone very well. We did 40 laps and have gained good information to help us progress. I felt good on the bike and I’m happy with the work that we did. I think now the team know what I need to be able to improve. Tomorrow we will continue like this; working on set-up we also have some ideas to try for the suspension and I look forward to riding the KTM again.”

#84 Jakub Kornfeil
“Today we have taken it step by step, making very short runs, like three laps and then stopping. We did it like this because we have been trying many things and generally taking care about position on the bike today. This is the first day of testing with the 2015 KTM and with this team, so the priority is to feel comfortable on the bike because as soon as you start to feel comfortable you can start to build up the bike and focus on settings. We tested a lot of things and made in total around 35 laps, which is not so many, but we are happy with the progress we have made, so this is OK. I am happy with all the small things we have tried because when I sit on the bike and I ride, I can feel and when the rider can give good feedback it’s the best thing that you can have, so I am pleased with this. I think we have arrived in a good position and I feel very positive. We did what we needed to do and tomorrow we will continue this momentum.”

Source: SIC RACING TEAM

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