Kallio to 11th place in qualifying - progress with settings achieved

The earnestly awaited new front fork arrived to Le Mans on Saturday to support Mika Kallio’s and his team’s efforts on the qualifying day of the French GP. Kallio managed indeed to quicken his pace from Friday, but somewhat surprisingly due to the help offered by 2014 parts. After a lengthy discussion, he was allowed to experiment with the shorter springs used last year in the front and this improvement found him finally at the 11th place on the starting grid, with a 0,676 seconds gap to the pole setter, Alex Rins. 

 -During the FP3 this morning we worked with the new front fork and related upgrade parts, but they did not offer us the big step forward we have desperately been looking for. Throughout the season I have had trouble with the behaviour of the bike’s front and I really need an improvement there. Finally, for the afternoon’s qualifying practice, we decided to give a go to the old, 10mm shorter front springs. This change was positive and I was able to peel off half a second from my fastest lap times of the weekend immediately, a happier Kallio reported. 

 -This is not the first time I have suggested testing the old springs, since I remember the shorter versions have always suited me well. Naturally the policy is to use the latest parts available, so the change was only executed after a thorough discussion with the manufacturer. I am happy I stuck to my opinion this time and insisted this change, since the benefits were visible right away. Too bad we did not do this earlier, but better late than never. I am just happy any progress at all was achieved with the front, Kallio continued. 

 Even though there was a significant improvement in Kallio’s pace on Saturday, the lap times are still not compatible with those of last year and the rider did not quite reach his goal of ending up to the three front rows on the start grid. Kallio is anyhow calm and trusts his race pace to bring him good results in Sunday’s race. 

 -I did not quite make the 9th place in qualifying, which was my target, but it was close indeed, just seven hundredths away. I believe, though, that if I get a good start, I am able to fight for the top positions. This naturally means that I need to catch the lead group right during the first laps, but if this is done, nothing is impossible. I feel better now with the shorter springs and the improvement gave me more confidence for riding, Kallio commented after qualifying. 

 -If my pace is sufficient, there are a lot of places on the Le Mans track that are suitable for overtaking. In the warm up of Sunday morning, we will still experiment with a stiffer rear shock spring and do some minor tweaks and changes to the front. We are aiming to further enhance the mobility and turning of the bike in tight corners. Also the brake settings will be under inspection, since it would be optimal if I could come in to corners a bit faster, Kallio finished.

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