Tom Sykes takes home another Tissot watch with new Superpole and record at Portimao

from Twowheelsblog

Portimao may be in Portugal but many riders consider the Algarve circuit an English-style track. After SP1 that saw Jules Cluzel head the first timesheets, but the start of SP2 was red flagged, interrupted by a brief rain shower and was restarted under the wet rules and became a single 20 minute session with no further knockouts.

In these risky and slippery conditions, the riders had the arduous decision in whether to use their qualifying tires immediately or wait until the finale and risk that the rain could return and not be able to use them became fundamental, but with ten minutes left in the session the sun came out and immediately taking advantage of the improved conditions was Tom Sykes.

The Kawasaki rider blasted out a 1.41.360 breaking last year’s lap record that was his which that put him into tomorrow’s pole position for the fifth time this year, but in this occasion Sykes wasn’t the usual superpole machine, as Aprilia’s Eugene Laverty was second and just 0.001s adrift!

Taking off on the first row with the Kawasaki and Aprilia riders will be the Jonathan Rea on his Pata Honda.

Marco Melandri took the fourth spot on the grid, ahead of Sylvain Guintoli who will have his hands full to keep the standings lead against Sykes and Laverty who were fast not only in Superpole, but the two also have a very good race pace.

Loris Baz will take off on the second row in sixth. Carlos Checa was seventh, but he was a massive 1″045 Sykes, but the Ducati rider was faster than Cluzel and a trio of Italians, formed by Michel Fabrizio in 9th, Ayrton Badovini who closed out the top ten.

Davide Giugliano lost the front of his Aprilia in his first flying lap and crashed out, but he was able to return to track and qualify 11th and on the fourth row together with Chaz Davies.

2013 WSBK Portimao Superpole results:

1. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1′41.360
2. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′41.361
3. Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) Honda CBR1000RR 1′41.787
4. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK) BMW S1000 RR 1′42.115
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′42.209
6. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1′42.328
7. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1′42.405
8. Jules Cluzel (Fixi Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′42.645
9. Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′43.032
10. Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare) Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1′43.057

SUZUKI GS

Pinin-for-future: Can the coachbuilt car craft a comeback?

Since it was founded in the 1930s, Pininfarina has fashioned coachbuilt bodies to crown underpinnings supplied by manufacturers. The famous Italian design house survived the monocoque revolution which wiped out so many of its competitors – but what does the future hold?

It wasn’t just the ability to design a pretty car which ensured the survival of Pininfarina when the automotive world underwent one of its most pivotal transitions, with the ‘golden era’ of coachbuilding in the 50s and 60s making way for the adoption of the monocoque chassis in subsequent decades. As well as embracing car production in its own right, the Cambiano-based consultancy also instigated pioneering research into new materials and construction processes. Rival carrozzerie such as Touring and Vignale weren’t as prepared as Pininfarina, an oversight contributing to their collapse soon afterwards.

There’s been a renaissance of coachbuilding in recent times, partly due to the exclusivity demanded by well-heeled customers from emerging markets. One-offs such as the Ferrari SP12 and Rolls-Royce Hyperion have been completed by Pininfarina at significant cost to their commissioning owners. While this will continue – as it has done since the 1930s – Pininfarina also anticipates the resurgence of manufacturer-sanctioned, small-series models: hence the recent Ferrari Sergio. Simultaneously, Lamborghini seems to be prioritising limited-run specials over the replacement of its aging Gallardo, undoubtedly a decision backed by a solid business case.
While a production run of between three and six Sergios is being evaluated, Pininfarina previewed its future strategy for limited-series cars in the form of the Gran Lusso, a joint effort with BMW (the only prior collaboration being a rejected design proposal for a 501 saloon in 1951). According to Design Director Fabio Filippini, alliances with premium manufacturers are the way forward.


Such partnerships seem beneficial to all parties. Fabio Filippini tells us that Pininfarina “renews its tradition while translating it into a new source of business”. He explains that the manufacturer’s brand image improves by gaining a halo car and being “authenticated” by tradition-steeped Pininfarina – and “all for the cost of a soon-forgotten marketing campaign”. But, most importantly, the customer receives an exclusive car with proven mechanicals (the Gran Lusso sits on a modified 7 Series platform, the Sergio a 458’s) and high quality standards. The low volumes involved would make it impossible for a large manufacturer to viably produce a bespoke equivalent on its own.


Of course, Pininfarina isn’t alone in this way of thinking – the Aston Zagato and Touring’s Alfa 8C-based Disco Volante operate within the same bandwidth – but that makes it all the more exciting. These limited-series cars might not always be to everyone’s taste (Lamborghini Veneno, anyone?), however their mere existence brings back a touch of what made the 50s and 60s so special. Some of the most glorious cars in history have been born of such collaborations, so the future of the bespoke car seems very bright indeed.
Text: Joe Breeze (Classic Driver)
Photos: Jan Baedeker / Pininfarina

Lost and Found: Sleeping beauties in the Marketplace

For those who want to start not just from ‘scratch’ when it comes to buying a classic, but from dent, hole, rust and missing as well, here are four restorable gems just waiting to be discovered… plus one fully restored and very rare car – to inspire you.

---

Porsche 356 Coupé: Asleep since 1969


This 1952 Porsche 356 coupé has been in storage for 44 years but, importantly, it’s said to be a ‘matching numbers’ car with a fully documented history, including servicing bills. 

Buy this Porsche 356 in the Classic Driver Marketplace >> 

---

Jaguar XK140 Fixed Head Coupé: Starting point


The bad news is that it’s missing its engine and transmission. The good news is that, as a result, the Californian seller doesn’t expect a high price for this elegant 1956 classic.

Buy this XK140 FHC in the Classic Driver Marketplace >>

---

Maserati Mistral: Looking to meet…


This time it’s just a bodyshell and two axles: no other parts at all. But we’re told the metalwork is in good condition so, if you know someone with a rusted Mistral that desperately needs a replacement body, hey presto! 

Buy this Mistral in the Classic Driver Marketplace >>

---

Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D: Almost there?


If the thought of buying a car that hasn’t been touched for decades is a bit intimidating, why not acquire a part-finished restoration? Particularly one that’s had specialist input and that can – with a favourable wind – be completed fairly quickly? This 1952 Mercedes could be just the thing.

Buy this Mercedes in the Classic Driver Marketplace >> 

---

Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux: The end result


To inspire you, here’s a fully restored Bugatti – and no ‘ordinary’ Bugatti at that (if such a thing exists). According to Artcurial, which is offering the car at auction on 10 June, this 1938 Ventoux was ‘one of the last 10 examples of this model to be built’ and ‘the last Bugatti delivered before the War’. With the best specialist restorers – such as master coachbuilder Henri Chapron from Levallois – involved in its rebirth, it demonstrates how stunning a finished car can be. And it’s offered at ‘no reserve’, too.

See this car’s auction listing on Classic Driver >> 

---

Text: Charis Whitcombe (Classic Driver)
Photos: Classic Driver Dealers