Casey Stoner wrapped up a three-day test at Sepang on Saturday, riding the 2014 and 2015 Honda RC213V MotoGP bikes, as well as a Honda CBR1000RR which HRC is preparing for the Suzuka 8-Hour race. HRC issued the following press release after Stoner completed the test:
Stoner returns to Sepang in HRC test
Two-time MotoGP World Champion, Casey Stoner, has completed a successful test in Sepang with Honda Racing Corporation.
Casey began his test schedule at the 5.548km Sepang Circuit – 75km to the south of Kuala Lumpur – on Thursday mid-morning. Brief rain showers interrupted testing throughout the course of the three days, but nonetheless Casey was able to fulfil the plan set by HRC.
Casey spent time on both the 2014 and 2015 RC213V machines, doing a chassis comparison and analysed new variations of the new spec brought to this test by HRC. He also tried new brakes from Brembo amongst various other testing components. The engineers also took advantage of having Casey in Sepang to run a few laps on the Suzuka 8 Hour Honda CBR1000RR in the afternoon on the final day.
Casey Stoner 27
Test Rider – MotoGP
“Overall it’s been a good test, very positive and we got a lot done! On the first day we worked on the base setup and tested some small things before the rain arrived and we had to stop. Then on day two I spent a lot of time doing a back-to-back chassis comparison from last year’s bike to this year’s and I also tested different variations of the chassis. Brembo brought some new aluminium callipers for us to try and Honda had several other test items which we managed to get through before the rain came once again. On the final day we confirmed some feelings from yesterday and tried a few electronic packages as well as some different suspension. Riding the CBR was very different, I’ve never really ridden that kind of bike, the shifting, riding position, engine power, weight characteristic etc was quite difficult and took some getting used to. After a few exits I had more of an understanding and was able to give some feedback. In general it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed being able to feel the rear of the bike step out!”.
Comments
Testing
Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall there? Equipped with a stopwatch of course.
I'd be very curious to know how much influence Casey Stoner's input has on the new bikes.
Never?
Casey says he's never really ridden that kind of bike, but a while ago there was this Top Gear Live Australia episode where he had to compete against a Formula 1 car and an Australian V8 supercar on a Fireblade with unknown modifications. Pretty stupid actually, at least they could have given him last year's RCV. Not that he would have beaten the Formula 1 car, but he would have been a whole lot faster. On the Fireblade he looked a bit clumsy, definitely not the Stoner we know. Of course from Top Gear's point of view, the slower he was, the better.
I was at the Top Gear Fetival
That Blade was parked in an open pit at SMSP, and I'd say it was at most ASBK-spec. Definitely not modified to the level of a Suzuka bike.