Hannspree Ten Kate Honda World Superbike stars
Carlos Checa and
Ryuichi Kiyonari will be placed on an even footing with their rivals during this weekend's US round at Miller Motorsports Park.
Both Checa and Kiyonari are WSBK rookies and so have often faced the additional challenge of learning new circuits in addition to setting up their machinery - but Miller Motorsports Park will be new to everyone.
Despite a tough Monza round, Checa is still second in the world championship standings, but has sunk 78 points from
Troy Bayliss and is under pressure from
Noriyuki Haga, Max Neukirchner and
Fonsi Nieto - all now within ten points of the Spaniard.
"Its good for the World Superbike Championship to be back again racing in America on this new track," said Checa, who suffered his fist WSBK non-score at Monza. "The track looks interesting, very technical. There's a lot of changes in direction so we'll have to focus on the handling of the bike.
"We have no previous data from this track and neither has Pirelli, so it will be important for us to select the right tyres to get a good grip here on this fast track," he continued. "I am positive for this weekend and am looking forward to get the bike out here on the track and set a good result for the team."
While Checa suffered at Monza, reigning BSB champion Kiyonari took his first podium finish - and was just a fraction from victory - with a stunning ride in race two.
"Miller is another new track for me, but this time I will not have a disadvantage as its new to everyone," he confirmed. "I have made a walk around the track and it looks rather difficult, there are many hairpins and the second part of the track looks very fast.
"I'll have to adapt myself quickly and learn the track. I need to find the best braking points and make it smoothly through the corners so I can exit them strongly. That's were I‘m still losing too much at the moment," he added. "My aim for the weekend is to run up front and climb up that podium again."
