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Re-Surfacing Work Completed at Mondello Park New Surface and Drainage System Win Universal Praise |
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Thursday, 26 April 2007 |
The final phase of Mondello Park’s 2007 upgrade programme has taken place with last week’s completion of the circuit’s latest resurfacing work. Competitors will now benefit from better levels of grip along with a smoother surface, which has ironed out many of the remaining bumpy areas.
With the British Superbike Championship set to return to Mondello in June some of the areas which particularly affected motorcycle competitors have been brought to the top of the list. Beginning on the main straight the new surface commences at the pit lane exit and continues all the way down to turn one.
From the main straight the improvements to the surface continue around
to the exit of turn two. Most of the remainder of the National circuit
has been resurfaced in recent years, but additional work has been
carried out to repair problem spots, particularly on the exit of turn
three.
Out on the International circuit the major bump on the exit of the
fastest corner on the circuit, ‘Lola’, is a thing of the past and all
other corners not attended to over the past couple of seasons have now
been improved. New surface also extends from the braking area for Turn
7A & 7B to well beyond the exit of these two right handers.
Birranes Bends have also benefited from the works and the new tarmac
covers all of the area where competitors are tuning through this tricky
right left complex.
Speaking on the completion of this latest Mondello Park circuit
up-grade, Managing Director John Morris said. “Our main concern was to
remove the last of the major bumps and to that end we’re delighted with
the result. The bump under the bridge is gone and the run into turn 1
is now smooth and consistent. In addition, over the last couple of
years we’d seen a depression develop in the track at turn 2 and we’ve
taken the opportunity to repair this before overlaying with the new
surface. Out on the International loop competitors will benefit mostly
from the works at turns 7a & 7b and through Birranes bends. It
represents another stage in the continual development of the circuit
that will next see the run off at turn 7b extended, as the earth bank
is scheduled to be moved back”
The first opportunity for competitors to test the new surface was at
last weekend’s championship car races on April 22nd. There was
universal praise from competitors for the new surface and the improved
drainage on a day that saw mixed weather conditions. Motorcycle
competitors will not have the chance to sample the new smoother
Mondello until May 20th, but the feedback from recent motorcycle track
days has been excellent.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 April 2007 )
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