Testing - Fontana

Fontana (California), Wednesday 8 February 2006: Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin pilots Neil Hodgson and Ben Bostrom completed a two-day test at windy California Speedway on Wednesday. The veteran Superbike riders are currently preparing for the start of the 2006 AMA Superbike season and tested their Ducati 999 Superbikes in poor weather conditions at the tight and twisty track, located in Southern California.




Ben Bostrom was second quickest at the test, just as he was earlier this preseason at Daytona. "The bike was fantastic, but the rider needs to learn how to get around Fontana a little better for us to be really happy," said the former series champion. "I'll adapt my style to pick up some more speed for the race. Hopefully, when we come back I'll be able to challenge for the win like Neil did last year. He put together a great race at a circuit they said shouldn't be Ducati's best track." Bostrom, posting a best time on 1:24.983, was not pleased with the track configuration at the test. "I was not happy with a wall that was in place for the NASCAR test coming up here at Fontana. They said it'll be moved for the race but we go very fast here in testing and there was a strong crosswind."

So far, Ben feels his return to Ducati for the 2006 season is going well. "I'm comfortable on the bike. I feel good. The bike feels like a friendly horse to me, something that's a joy to ride. The 999 is a very stable package at both ends and I'm looking forward to racing on it this year," he said.

Neil Hodgson's best time was 1:25.825 at the track that saw a remarkable performance from him last season. Hodgson was ill with a virus in '05, but finished on the podium. At this test, Neil worked on getting the feel from his 999. "For me, it was a good test," said the 2003 World Superbike Champion. "I did a lot of laps. I was a bit rusty on Tuesday because we haven't done a lot of testing. It was nice to get out there to get the feeling from the tires and the bike. I felt really fit and everything seemed to be working well out there. We could have done with being a half-second faster, but everyone feels like that at a test. Fontana is much different than Daytona, the last track we tested. I like Fontana, but it's not quite a flowing circuit and the challenge is putting a good lap together. It's the same for everyone, though, and I can't wait for the start of the season."

The 2006 AMA season gets underway March 8-11 at Daytona International Speedway.
(Unofficial Superbike times)
1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki (1:24.448)
2.Ben Bostrom, Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin (1:24.983)
3. Jake Zemke, Honda (1:25.118)
4. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki (1:25.417)
5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki (1:25.618)
6. Neil Hodgson, Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin (1:25.825)
7. Miguel Duhamel, Honda (1:26.451)