Round 1 – Assen Holland 500km

Saturday 26 March 2005
Qualifying Practice 1 13:45 – 15:35
The weather was overcast but dry. Now was the time to show that the improvements that Geoff Randall had made to the bikes over the closed season would push Diablo further up the starting order than in 2004.

The Team still do not have the super sticky qualifying tyres available to the big teams. Despite this obvious disadvantage James, Kevin and Steve reported that the bike was still not quite right. It was decided to change the front end from the new Diablo “T” bike into the full race bike to see if this would improve the feel of the front end and to improve the chatter problem. (Bike not Kevin) It seemed to do the trick and all three riders once again improved their times.

— James Hutchins recorded a best of 1:28.93 in the first group.
— Kevin Falcke recorded a best of 1:30:435 in the second group.
— Steve Mizera recorded the best Diablo time of 1:27:810 in the third group to leave the Team in a brilliant 7th overall.

For Bolliger Kawasaki the riders were also in excellent form.

— Marcell Kellenberger recorded a best of 1:28.082 in the first group.
— David Merillon recorded a best of 1:28:006 in the second group.
— Patrick Muff recorded the best time of 1:28:015 in the third group. How close are these times.

This left Team Bolliger a whisker behind Diablo 666 in 8th position. The wick was certainly being turned up in the competition between the two partner teams!

Miles Hutchins was a happy man again!

Saturday 26 March 2005
Qualifying Practice 2 17:05 – 18:55
Unfortunately, none of the Diablo 666 riders were able to improve Steve’s first official qualifying session time with Kevin and James going back to basics and concentrating on cutting out the small mistakes with the new circuit layout that cost so much on a full lap. Diablo 666 did try a first for the Team however, Steve with five minutes to go went out on circuit with a qualifier! However, it was then 6:45 pm, the temperature was dropping the light was failing, several teams were running with lights blazing. Steve reported that the tyre was good but conditions were just not suitable to go faster.

James had knocked half a second off his best and even more pleasing was Kevin Falcke dipping below the magical 1:30 barrier.

At the close of qualifying Steve Mizera remained Diablo 666’s fastest rider overall with his time from the first session with a time overall meaning that the Team would be starting from 10th on the grid.

— James Hutchins improved his best to 1:28:40.
— Kevin Falcke improved to 1:29:351.
— Steve Mizera recorded 1:28:293.

Bolliger Kawasaki running the development “kit” engineered bike for the first time in competition seemed to turn the wick up again and all three riders improved all their times still further.

— Marcell Kellenberger improved to 1:27:699.
— David Merillon improved to 1:27:146.
— Patrick Muff improved to 1:27.796.

Miles Hutchins was very pleased to say, “It was a shame that Steve ran out of time. If only we had had that extra practice. I am extremely pleased with all three riders who improved as the day went on getting used to the new layout. 10th on the grid puts us up there. An excellent day for the Team qualifying for the first race of 2005!”

Hanspeter Bolliger was pleased with the improved and reliable Bolliger ZX-10. “The riders will just have to learn to ride even faster now!”

Both sets of mechanics spent Sunday, fettling, checking and prepping their charges, prior to the official photo shoot held at the circuit on the “rest day”.

Summary of Final Qualifying Positions
01. No.2, Suzuki Castrol Team - FRA
02. No.19, Team Suzuki Nederland – NED
03. No.7, Yamaha Austria – AUT
04. No.77, Yamaha Austria – AUT
05. No.3, Yamaha Phase One Endurance - GBR
06. No.6, Shell Endurance Academy – GBR
07. No.5, Bridgestone Bikers Profi – GER
08. No.8, Bolliger Team Switzerland – SUI
09. No.111, Pajic Kawasaki – NED
10. No.666, Diablo 666 Kawasaki - GBR

< Prev Page 3 of 5 Next >

< Back to main news page