Mason and Foray test Quattro Plant Kawasakis

The Quattro Plant Kawasaki team completed their first shakedown test at Donington Park yesterday (Tuesday).

Gary Mason rode one of the team’s Kawasaki superbikes, Freddy Foray spent most of the day on a street bike ZX-10R but switched to the superbike for the final session of the day, and Steve Heneghan rode the superstock bike.

The team have yet to finish the second superbike due to a delay in delivery of parts from Italy.

The test was during a track day event, hampered by crashes and red flags but both superbike riders were upbeat after the test. 

Mason said: “Today was only a shakedown but I am peaking. The power delivery and the chassis balance of the new bike is great. The engine feels strong.

“Tyre life is going to be a critical factor in BSB this year and already we could see that the way the bike is set up is going to be kind to the rear tyre.”

Foray didn’t like the way the engine braking system was set up to suit Mason but said: “It’s been a long winter so it was good to ride today. I only got a few laps on the superbike but it felt good.

“We had some small issues (the engine braking) but that should be okay for our next test. But it was also a good chance to work with the team.”

Heneghan’s testing was hampered by a misfire that was traced to a faulty electrical component.

Also testing at Donington were the Padgetts Honda team who booked in to test at the last minute. Luca Scassa only did the early morning sessions before leaving to catch his scheduled flight home to Italy.

But Ian Lowry did the full day and said: “It’s been a really good day for us. We did a lot of work on the airbleed system and tried some different fork settings.

“Now we are off to Cadwell for two days. Getting so much track time with a team with this much experience is such a boost to my confidence.”

Padgetts are testing on Thursday and Friday at Cadwell. Quattro Plant are testing there on Sunday.