World champion Toprak Razgatlioglu was the fastest rider at the Superbike World Championship in Most on Friday. In sunshine and summery temperatures, the Yamaha rider moved up to the lead in the second free practice session after Jonathan Rea set the pace with his Kawasaki in the first free practice session.
In the night to Saturday there should be a change in the weather in Most. The threat of rain fuels the debate about safety from last year, because there are still some problems in the run-off zones at the Autodrom Most.
A year ago, Scott Redding was the driver who spoke out most strongly for the interests of the drivers and called for a waiver when it rained. How is it this year? “It’s not a track I feel comfortable driving in the rain,” admits the BMW driver.
Redding is annoyed by unfulfilled promises
“Last year we were told that we would get a few extra meters (in the run-off zones). But nothing was done. You have to take the risk,” says Redding angrily. “Last year it was said that we don’t drive when it rains. But there’s always one idiot who drives. And then others follow.”
“From there you have to decide for yourself whether you drive or not. As we drove last year there is no reason not to drive. Sometimes you have to take the risk but I don’t think it should be like that run,” remarked last year’s winner, who set the second fastest time on Friday.
Redding is happy with the work on the tarmac, but not with the run-off zones: “I like the course and the new surface. They did a good job. But walls don’t move when you fall. If you have great tarmac, then you push even harder, so in the event of a fall, you get closer to the wall because the cornering speeds are faster, which worries me.”
Bautista fears the high risk in the wet
World Cup leader Alvaro Bautista classifies the situation similar to Scott Redding. The Ducati rider drove the fourth fastest time on Friday, but is worried about Saturday, when it will rain according to the current status.
“It’s similar to a year ago. There are many places where the wall is too close,” criticizes Bautista. “In the dry it’s dangerous if you fall in a spot like that. It’s not easy to fall in those spots, but if it happens you end up in the wall.”
“It’s even more dangerous when it’s raining. For safety reasons, I think it would be better not to drive when it’s raining. The risk is very high,” notes Bautista.
Rea praises the asphalt and is silent on the subject of safety
The situation will be discussed in the safety commission on Friday evening. Record world champion Jonathan Rea did not want to comment on safety before this meeting. However, the Kawasaki pilot spoke about the new asphalt, which makes driving much more pleasant than at the premiere last year.
“I feel much more comfortable than a year ago. They did a good job in the first sector. The chicane was horrible last year. Now this section is more normal,” compares Rea. “But there are still many areas that need improvement. The last sector is still very bumpy.”
Rea was amazed that the slopes in the Autodrom Most were still pretty empty on Friday. “I expected more fans to come here. After Donington and Misano, there are significantly fewer fans here. I hope that even more spectators will come tomorrow,” said the Briton, who ended Friday in fifth place.