Final pre-season British Superbikes test completed at Donington Park
Tommy Bridewell and the Oxford Products Ducati team completed the final pre-season test at Donington Park yesterday (28th July), testing a number of new additions to our Ducati Panigale V4 R that included a new exhaust system from our sponsor Termignoni.
As outright lap-record holders around the National circuit, we spent the going through a thorough testing plan rather than chasing lap times.
The day went to plan and we are looking forward to returning to Donington next month (5-7th August) for the first round of the revised British Superbike calendar. The team will have their work cut with 3 races scheduled for the weekend.
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Ducati #46)
"It's been a productive day and the bike's working relatively well. It's nice for the whole team to be back working together. It's been a long old time since we've been back in force really. We've still got a lot of work to do, we've got a lot of new stuff on the bike. But I'm happy and looking forward to getting back here, racing on the Oxford Products Ducati Panigale V4 R."
Iain Hopcroft (Oxford Products Ducati Team Manager)
"We've had a very productive test. And it is a test for us. We've been testing the new exhaust and some other bits and pieces that we've got this last few weeks over lockdown. We weren't out for lap-time, we weren't interested in that. We are lap record holders here at Donington National so that wasn't the plan for us today, it was quite nice to have that pressure taken off of us. Now we've got a good setting for when it comes to racing, we wanted to try all the other stuff out, especially fuelling with this new exhaust. Termignoni have made us a lovely new pipe, a lot lighter and gives us more horsepower gain, at a circuit like this it's invaluable.
Tommy stuck to the schedule, but he does get a little bit frustrated, all riders do because they just want to go fast. But we've had a very good day. Stayed upright and got some figures the guys and girls can chew on, fuelling, engine brake and chassis stuff. Not just for the National but also when we come back here to the full circuit too.
It's been great having everyone stick with us in this lockdown period. Everyone's been very supportive, and we've been doing a lot of research and development, so now we can hit the ground running with some really nice parts and support. "