Qatar Superstock 600 defending champion Saeed Al Sulaiti in action during the two-day practice session at Losail International Circuit.
The new season of Qatar Superstock 600 kicked off with an official practice of two days this week with a total of 22 riders taking part in the 5 rounds championship.
Most of the riders that participated in the previous season are also taking part but there are new riders from outside Qatar that will join the championship: Balint Kóvacs from Hungary, Michel Delarace from France, Saud Alwahaibi from Oman and the Kuwaiti riders Nawaf Alshuaibi, Mustafa Husain, Mohammad Alali, Mohammad Al Zaidan, Mujahed Alkhashram and Fahad Al Gharabally.
There is a new class in the championship, QSTK Trophy, open for those riders who achieved their best lap time 2.09 at the Losail International Circuit with a 600cc bike or 2.07 with a 1000cc bike.
During the 2 days test, the QSTK 600 defending champion, Saeed Al Sulaiti was the fastest rider with a lap time of 2:05.4580 on day 2. Mishal Al Naimi came in second place with a lap time of 2:06:021. Abdullah Al Qubaisi finished third and Nasser Al Malki fourth.
Al Sulaiti was happy with his results.
“Overall it was a good test and I am happy to lead the timings both days. It was difficult to make a good time and work on the set up because the wind was really strong but maybe next weekend we have also wind so we have to be ready anyway.”
‘I think we are ready to start the season in a good way. Yesterday I didn’t do a lot of laps as I had a crash but after the crash I managed to set the fastest lap. Today we started with the same used tires until the last 20 minutes when we put new tires and be able to do a good time. Thanks to QMMF, LCSC and Ooredoo for their support’ ended Al Sulaiti Al Naimi also suffered the strong wind and couldn’t do a good time.
“For the two testing days we are very slow because of the wind. We didn’t change a lot of things on the bike. On the first day, we used only used tyre as with that weather it was very difficult to make good time. And the second day I used at the beginning a new tyre but still too much windy and cold for me. We’ll see next week how is the weekend. Thanks to Ooredoo for their support and QMMF and Losail ,” said Al Naimi
The 16-years old Hungarian rider, Balint Kóvacs finished in fifth position and made a good lap time being his first time that he rides at Losail International Circuit.
“It was my first time in this track, I really like it but too much windy and difficult. I never rode before a Kawasaki so another new experience but I liked the bike too. I think my speed was good for the first time here and I really hope I can be faster in the race and maybe be on the podium. I am 2.7 behind Saeed, who is the QSTK champion and was a WorldSBK rider, so being my first time it is not so bad’ commented Kóvacs at the end of the practice.”
In the QSTK Trophy, the fastest rider was Ali Al Shammari followed by Essa Al Mutawa, Soud Al Thani and the Kuwaiti rider Mohammad Al Zaidan.
