Mallory Park British Superbikes: More front-end feel for Leon Haslam

Leon Haslam will be looking to put his problems of 2008 behind him at Mallory Park after a productive test at Cadwell Park before the sixth round of the British Superbike campaign.

The HM Plant Honda squad used a test day at the Lincolnshire circuit to resolve some issues with the 2008 Honda Fireblade.

And the test was the first the team had done since a successful stint out in Spain in March before the season began.

“In between Snetterton and Mallory we tested last week at Cadwell Park – HM Plant Honda’s local circuit,” said Haslam.

“The weather was a bit tricky, but it’s always good to get more time on the new CBR1000RR Fireblades.

“As a result of trying a few things I’ve got more ‘feel’ from the front-end which will be handy around Mallory Park.

“We know we have to improve things to be consistently up at the front and that’s what we’re aiming to do.

“We just hope we can get good weather in practice and qualifying to refine the bikes still further.”

Team-mate to Haslam, Cal Crutchlow, also took part in the test, and ahead of round six of the championship said the main aim was to reel in the Ducati pairing leading the championship.

Crutchlow said: “Every round of the Bennetts British Superbike championship is important, but we’re at the half-way point now, so we really want to get some points over the Ducatis.

“We both want to be up there fighting with Shakey and Leon Camier and I’ve got the added bonus of it effectively being my ‘home’ round, as Mallory isn’t too far from Coventry.

“The short lap makes for close racing and the fans love it as they can see pretty much the whole circuit from wherever they’re sitting. Let’s hope we can do well.”