Australian motorcycle racer and World Supersport Championship runner up, Broc Parkes has struck the first blow in the race for the 2008 title by topping the time sheets at the recent shakedown for the series at Phillip Island.
Parkes and the Yamaha World Supersport Team were second in 2007 and will go into this year’s championship with a new Yamaha R6. The bike is already proving to have what it takes to be competitive in a race setting with the 26-year-old from the Hunter Valley setting the fastest time during the three day test being 1:34:06.
“The lead up to the 2008 championship has been going well. A month ago we also tested at Qatar and the new bike was good straight out of the box when usually it takes a bit to tune it all in,” Parkes said.
“At the [Phillip] Island we had the new bike with suspension from Őhlins and we ended up with the best lap time each day.
“The new bike has come a fair way in chassis and engine development and we’ve had a few changes to the Yamaha World Supersport Team with a new team manager and suspension guy. We’ve had to learn each other and now I think we are a lot more relaxed and organized, which is already showing on track.”
Parkes who is recovering after having the plates removed in his shoulder following the massive crash at Donington believes he is in the best possible shape for the looming season.
“I broke my collarbone in April and they plated it so I could get back racing quicker but I never really had complete movement in it. Now with the plates removed I feel good again and I am back to full fitness,” Parkes said.
“I think this year we have the package to win the championship. TK Honda have been so dominant in the series and I believe this is our best chance yet to take the title.”
Parkes and the Yamaha World Supersport Team will hit the track at the first round of the 2008 World Supersport Championship at Qatar on the 23 February. A week later he will be racing in front of his Australian fans at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
