In the heat and humidity of the Chang International Circuit Kyle Ryde set himself the goal of qualifying well in Superpole 2 and he finished his second day on track in tenth grid position, on the fourth row, for Sunday’s WorldSSP race.
On his official Kawasaki Ryde was involved in a battle for grid places with 11 other riders in Superpole 2. With one clear leader out front the rest of the grid was closely packed after an intense 15-minute session in the heat of the early afternoon.
Joining Ryde for this race Warokorn was 18th after Superpole 1, unable to make it into Superpole 2, but starting his home race as a stand-in rider for Kenan Sofuoglu from the sixth row.
The race on Sunday, the second of the year, will be over 17-laps of the 4.554km circuit, located close to the city of Buriram.
Kyle Ryde, stated: “That was not too bad in Superpole. I was a bit away from the fastest rider but I only lost a few tenths of seconds to the next group. I got in with the right bunch of riders when going for a fast lap. My best time in Superpole was my best of the weekend so we are improving the set-up. I just need to make a good start tomorrow, stay in the leading group and then see what happens, because it will be a very hot race.”
Thitipong Warokorn, stated: “The bike had been coming good early on Friday but then I only did two laps in FP2. I still needed time to take some feeling after that. In FP3 it was coming better for us again. In Superpole 1 I had learned the bike a bit more and then set my best lap time. Tomorrow I think it will be better. This is my home track but it is a learning experience for me on this bike. Many thanks to the Puccetti team and Kawasaki and I am really lucky to ride in this team this weekend.”
Malaysia’s Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) was the best Kawasaki rider in Superpole qualifying, going fifth overall.
Gino Rea (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) was 12th in Superpole 2. Michael Canducci (Puccetti Racing Junior Team FMI Kawasaki) placed 17th, at the head of a run of Kawasaki riders that comprised Warokorn, Kazuki Watanabe (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven), Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) and Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki).