6 minute read
Volta Rápida Michael van der Mark Fast Lap Michael van der Mark
V O L T A R Á P I D A TOP SPONSORS T enho boas memórias de Portimão pois de cada vez que aqui venho, obtenho bons resultados! A última vez que aqui pilotei foi em 2014 e ganhei a corrida do Campeonato Mundial de Supersport - tendo ultrapassado o meu colega de equipa na última curva! Eu estava na liderança, quando a bandeira vermelha foi mostrada por causa da chuva, tendo o timing sido perfeito! Para mim, é um verdadeiro prazer pilotar em Portimão e adoro estar aqui. É uma pista muito técnica e longa porque existem muitos tipos diferentes de curvas e muitas mudanças de elevação. É difícil conseguir uma boa configuração da moto, porque qualquer que seja a configuração escolhida tem MICHAEL MARK VAN DER impedir que a moto levante cavalinho. A maioria das pessoas descrevem a pista como sendo uma espécie de montanha russa e definitivamente concordo com isso! Tenha a impressão que vai ser muito duro para os pneus porque passas muito tempo com a moto inclinada. Em pista molhada, a pista tem uma muito boa aderência, mas porque existem tantos altos e baixos, deves ter cuidado em alguns locais por causa da água que atravessa a pista. Não penso que seja uma pista particularmente destinada à potência - contudo ter potência ajuda sempre desde que a possas usar. Podes compensar a falta de potência se tiveres confiança. Para mim, Portimão é uma pista da “velha guarda” e gosto de pistas assim. Se tiveres suficiente coragem e boa conexão com a moto, podes obter bons resultados. Adoro a pista. Para mim é especial: simplesmente já não se constroem de ser uma de compromisso. mais pistas como Portimão e A pista tem muitos ângulos é uma pena! mortos e uma curva final Contudo, uma vez tive um espetacular, que não oferece “momento” aqui... Bati com um carro visibilidade na entrada. É de aluguer na última rotunda antes necessária muita confiança na de entrar na pista. No dia anterior tinha moto e muita coragem, mas circulado na rotunda com duas pessoas no quando pilotas bem é uma carro e no seguinte dia éramos cinco. Tentei sensação incrível. Após esta ir à mesma velocidade, mas o peso extra curva a pista sobe e a moto fez a diferença e perdi parcialmente o quer levantar cavalinho, mas controlo tendo embatido num quando a roda da frente está poste de iluminação. no ar não vais tão depressa Felizmente embati no quanto podes, e deves então poste apenas com tentar limitar o tempo que o emblema na passas em cavalinho. frente do carro É uma pista muito e não houve física - não existem locais outros danos... onde descansar - e estás Foi por pouco! constantemente a tentar WorldSBK
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Ihave good memories of Portimão as every time I come here, I seem to get good results! When I raced in 2014 I won the World Championship World Championship Supersport race – beating my Supersport race – beating my team mate on the very last team mate on the very last corner! I was in the lead, when corner! I was in the lead, when the race was red-flagged the race was red-flagged because of rain, so that was because of rain, so that was perfect timing! perfect timing!
For me, it is a real pleasure to race in Portimão and I love being here.
It’s a really technical and long track because there are so many different types of corners and many changes of elevation. It’s difficult to get a good bike set-up because whatever set-up you go for has to be a compromise.
The track has a lot of blind corners and a spectacular last turn, which is blind on the entry. You need a lot of confidence in the bike and much courage, but when you do it well you get a real
For me, it is a real pleasure buzz. After this corner the track goes uphill and the bike wants to wheelie, but when the to race in Portimão and I love front wheel is in the air you’re not going as fast as you can, so you’ve got to try and limit being here. the air time.
It’s a really technical and long It’s quite a physical track – there are no real places to rest – and you are constantly track because there are so many trying to stop the bike wheeleing. Most people describe the track as like being on a different types of corners and roller-coaster and I would definitely agree with that! many changes of elevation. It’s I have a feeling that it’s going to be quite hard on tyres because you spend a lot difficult to get a good bike set-up of time with the bike leant over. In the wet, I think the track has quite good grip, but because whatever set-up you go because are so many ups and downs you have to take care in some places because for has to be a compromise. water runs across the track.
The track has a lot of blind I don’t think this is particularly a horsepower track – although having it always corners and a spectacular last helps – as long as you can use it. You can make up for lack of horsepowwer if you turn, which is blind on the have confidence. entry. You need For me, Portimão is an ‘old school’ track and I like tracks like that. If you are brave enough and have a good feeling with the bike, you can get good results. I love the track. For me, it’s special: they simply don’t build tracks like Portimão any more and that’s a real shame! I did have a ‘moment’ here once... I managed to crash a rental car on the last roundabout before entering the track. The day before I had gone around the roundabout with two people in the car and the next day we were five up. I tried to do the same speed, but the extra weight made a difference and I partially lost control and hit a lamp post. Fortunately, I only hit the post with the badge on the front of the car and there was no other damage… That was close! WorldSBK
front wheel is in the air you’re not going as fast as you can, so you’ve got to try and limit trying to stop the bike wheeleing. Most people describe the track as like being on a roller-coaster and I would definitely agree with that! helps – as long as you can use it. You can make up for lack of horsepowwer if you have confidence. enough and have a good feeling with the bike, you can get good results. I love the track. For me, it’s special: they simply don’t build tracks like Portimão any more and that’s a real shame! roundabout before entering the track. The day before I had gone around the roundabout with two people in the car and the next day we were five up. I tried to do the same speed, but the extra weight made a difference and I partially lost control and hit a lamp post. Fortunately, I only hit the post with the badge on the front of the car and there was no other damage… That was close!
AUTÓDROMO INTERNACIONAL DO ALGARVE
POLE POSITION: Right LENGTH: 4.592Km CORNERS: 15 RIGHT CORNERS: 9 LEFT CORNERS: 6
