Cédric Tangre's objective was to modify his trajectories depending on the numerous bumps and bitumen junctions on this track and if he had enough time to better get his bearings on the ring while following the latest advice from Dany Eslick gave it to him last night.
On a technical level, apart from some minor modifications to the suspension, nothing has changed. He starts with a new rear tire with the intention of keeping it for the entire session, unlike the other drivers who already have the first qualifying session at 10:40 a.m. in mind.
The session takes place exactly according to the planned program and Cédric finished 7th, getting even closer to the best time set by his teammate Shane Narbonne which shows that Team TOBC made a good choice to replace Dany Eslick.
Cédric tells us after the session
“I'm quite satisfied because I'm starting to get used to the banking where I ride more relaxed and to the unusual position especially keeping it for so long. In fact, I'm a little sideways on the bike with my upper body slightly sideways and especially my head turned inward. We have to do it like that because if we're at full throttle like in a straight line you don't have to look straight because in the banking bends, straight ahead is the wall! »
He pursues “I was able to modify my trajectories a little in the infield depending on the connections but I still have a little work on this point. »
Philip, the chassis specialist, tells us with a smile that he is happy with Cédric's behavior and times. Scott Harwell, the team manager, gives a thumbs up when we pass him on his way back from the pit lane. This pleases us, of course.
We will focus on the technical aspects during the weekend.
10:40 a.m., first qualifying practice session. 10:55 a.m., Cédric Tangre falls!
A 50-minute session is organized to work even if it is a qualifying session and even more in the case of Cédric who still has things to understand. The schedule is:
As expected, Cédric does his first lap on new tires then stops at the end of the lap. The mechanics change the wheels and Cédric leaves.
More Cédric no longer passes the stand, the announcer announces that he has fallen but is standing. Everyone is waiting for his return because there are 25 minutes of qualifying practice left. Even though everyone has heard that Cédric is up, we are worried. It's inevitable.
The session ends and 5 minutes later Cédric and his motorcycle reappear. Cédric has nothing but is disappointed and he explains “I lost the front on the brakes in the turn going up onto the bank. I usually drive a Pirelli and I know their limit well. The American front Dunlop has a harder carcass. The Pirelli warns more, you feel it move before it stalls, not the Dunlop from here. Now I know the limit of Dunlops made in the USA!”.
The motorcycle is not too damaged, the bodywork, the handlebars, the hand and foot controls, the rear frame buckle. All the team members come to see Cédric to ask him if things are going well, then his mechanics set to work to get the bike back in shape for the second qualifying session, this time 25 minutes long, which will take place at 13:30 p.m.
13:30 p.m., second qualifying practice session. Cédric Tangre qualifies in 12th position.
25 minutes to do the best timed lap.
The plan is simple: two series of 5 to 6 laps. Cédric sets off, he has not returned to the track since his fall. The second bike was ready but he leaves with the same one, it's the one that should do the race.
Everything is going well apart from a big drop of water coming out of the bank in the tricky corner that enters the infield. We arrive there at full sixth gear to brake very hard almost always with a slight angle, we clearly feel in the handlebars the connection which marks the difference between the banking and the infield then we extend our turn almost to the outside of the corner while downshifting late while trying not to destabilize the bike which begins to take a good angle, the corner tightens strongly from this moment and you still have to keep momentum to be able to accelerate early and put at full throttle as much as possible. as early as possible. In racing, this technical and “big-hearted” entry corner is the site of often spectacular overtaking when a group of 4 or 5 very fast drivers overtakes one of the slower ones. The latter is passed to the right and to the left and he must apply himself to maintain his trajectory because the “furious” are counting on it so that everything goes well!
Cédric improves a little on his best morning time set during the free practice session but he is not satisfied. He returns to the pit.
A little disappointed therefore but with good morale for the race. Last year, Dany Eslick won the race even though he gave the poleman more than a second in practice. Everything will be decided tomorrow.
Today there are still some refueling and wheel changing tests to be done, a tedious but essential exercise. The procedure is repeated around twenty times for the mechanics and for him. This is very important because if a race is not won in the pits, it can be lost there.
It's 17 p.m., the mechanics have already dismantled the bikes, are checking everything, are going to fit a new chain which will be broken in during the warm-up just like the clutch. We let them work.
