The Suzuki MotoGP Team continued its 2014 testing and development programme in the opening day of its second three-day test at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Test rider Randy De Puniet completed 73 laps of the 5,543km circuit evaluating the new Magneti Marelli electronic ignition; which has been improved and further developed at Suzuki‰Ûªs Ryuyo design and test facility in Japan following the opening test at Sepang earlier this month.
The team also tested a new-specification engine, which has improved torque and throttle-to-rear-tyre performance, and will work on top-speed tomorrow along with evaluating a new chassis; which the team aims to fully-test on the final day.
‰ÛÏWe have many things to test here in Sepang and we started today working solely with the new electronic system." De Puniet explained. "We had some improvements compared to the previous test and looks like we have found a good direction now.
"The system is not yet completed but you can already ride the bike and is an improved direction. We reduced the gap a little and we can continue to work on it.
‰ÛÏFurthermore, we tested a new specification engine, which I found delivered more torque and we have a better connection between the throttle and rear tyre and the turning has also improved.
"We also hope to improve the top speed but we will test this more tomorrow. We also have to continue to work in the next few days to improve the edge-grip of tyre."
Suzuki MotoGP team Manager Davide Brivio was also happy with the days testing.
‰ÛÏIt was a positive day today as we can see several new things that have started to work." Brivio stated. "The Suzuki engineers worked very hard over the past two weeks since the first test to update our software and Randy immediately felt some benefit. But we also have some new parts as well.
‰ÛÏWe have already slightly improved the first test lap time and now we have two more days to continue to work on the electronic, the engine and also a new frame which we will probably test on the final day.
"I hope we can continue our development the same way also in the next two days," he concluded.
Top Image: Randy De Puniet testing the Suzuki MotoGp bike at Sepang ahead of Suzuki's re entry into racing in 2015
Credit: Suzuki Racing
