The last four months have seen some intense testing by Elka-equipped race teams in Europe.

Swiss Superbike Championship
A leading Suzuki team in the Swiss Superbike Championship tested twice at Valencia (Spain) in December, and decided to run Elka shocks on both machines after parallel testing showed a 1 sec. per lap advantage over race distance, through better corner exits and less tire degradation over a race distance. Further testing has established lead rider Marc Wildisan as the favourite to win the Superbike crown this year.

British Superbike Series
In the UK, Team JHS Racing runs the Triumph UK Daytona 675 in the Supersport class of the BSB Series, ridden by Alastair Fagan and using an Elka shock and steering dampener. During official Series testing at Pembrey (Wales), the JHS 675 turned laps within 2 sec. of the official Ducati 1098R Superbike with by Tony Rutter.  The season starts at Brands Hatch, near London, on the first week end of April.

French Superbike Championship
Suzuki France will run three Superbike in this championship in 2008 under the Junior Team Suzuki France banner, Superbike winners in 2006 and 2007, with returning champion Guillaume Dietrich in the lead machine. Test sessions in Spain and in southern France saw the riders beat 2007 times by over 1.5 sec per lap.

The official Honda France team chose Elka for their official Supersport team, as well as for their entry in the Coupe Pirelli team, as part of this Championship.  Rider XXX has beaten the Supersport lap record in testing in Valencia as well as at Ledenon in southern France. That series start on March 29 and 30, and we will keep you posted on the Team Honda results.

World Endurance Championship
Junior Team Suzuki France will run one GSX-R1000 in the Superstock class at both French rounds of the WEC, the Le Mans 24 Hours in April, and the Bol d’Or 24 Hours at the Magny-Cours track in September. At official testing in late March at the Le Mans circuit, this entry was quickest in the rain, as well as third overall, ahead of many Factory Superbike Teams, in the dry practice sessions.

A Suzuki Qatar Superstock 1000 K8 will run the complete series in 2008. The team practiced at Le Mans, in cold and wet conditions, the first time both Qatari riders encountered such conditions. Lead rider Kenny Foray, the 2007 French Supersport Champion, was up with the leaders, and both Qatari team mates were quick to learn how to adapt to low traction conditions, as they will doubtless encounter throughout the series.

Marc Cantin
Director – Motorcycle Products

First round results for Elka racer – Two wins, two third places!

The season opener for the French Superbike Championship was held at the Bugatti permanent circuit at Le Mans France, with rain playing a spoiler role throughout the week end.

In the first Superbike race, two Junior Team Suzuki France GSX-R1000 machines finished on the podium. Emeric Jonchière started from pole position and dominated from flag to flag, winning his first Superbike race in this championship. Guillaume Dietrich, third after qualifying, ran a steady race to end up on the third step of the podium, while Freddy Foray started 6th and ran a steady race to 8th place at the end after a short off-course excursion.

The second Superbike race was tougher for Jonchière, who went from pole to 7th at the flag, while a steady Guillaume Dietrich repeated his third place finish from the first race. Freddy Foray also ran a steady race to end up 6th after an uneventful race.

The Pirelli Junior 600 Cup saw Anthony Loiseau qualify 6th on his Honda France CBR600RR, and finish first overall after fine tuning his suspension for the torrential rain.

The second round of the French Championship will be held April 26 and 27 next, in Nogaro.

See you then!