Haslam confident for Misano thanks to new spec engine

Leon Haslam will benefit from a new specification engine in his Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR at this weekends WSB race at Misano. Despite achieving some impressive results during 2009, it has been blatantly apparent in recent races that the 26 year old is suffering from a lack of acceleration and speed compared to his rivals.

In America last time out Haslam fought for the podium, but was losing up to 10 bike lengths down the long 0.66mile straight, something he has to rectify if he wants to be able to remain at the front.

Haslam was due to complete a one day test at the Adria circuit in Northern Italy to evaluate the new Oral developed motor, but with so much to prepare for the test and then back to back races at Misano and Donington, the team elected to concentrate on development on the dyno.

Haslam said: “I was due to test last Friday and although it was cancelled I still flew out to see Oral where I’ve spent the last few days with the developers and my team. It’s not a lack of power we’re working on, it’s more the engine character itself. Having spent time with the guys I’m confident we can resolve some of the problems.

“If I can be in a situation where I can hold a slipstream down the straight I generally gain time on the corners and brakes so we should be ok.”

Haslam will get his first taste of the new specification engine during first free practice on Friday at Misano.

He said: “I don’t really know the character of the Misano track because I haven’t ridden it since they changed the direction. I do know that the new engine character will work at Donington though and we’re certainly going to need some power for when we get to Brno and we’ve got two more tests before that so we’re certainly working in the right direction.”

Haslam currently sits sixth in the championship standings with a best result of second place at Assen.