Donington Park, the only British round on the calendar in 2016, is a popular venue for both Kawasaki Puccetti Racing riders to head back to this coming weekend.
Turkish superstar Kenan Sofuoglu has two former race wins at Donington, the most recent coming last year as part of his push to take the WorldSSP title for the fourth time. Supersport rookie, but long-standing 125cc and Moto2 competitor, Randy Krummenacher had his first ever 125cc Grand Prix ride at Donington, way back in 2006. That first GP weekend has always given the circuit a special place in the memory of the Swiss rider.
Both Randy and Kenan have led the championship this year, with Krummenacher winning his first ever WorldSSP race at Phillip Island back in February. In all he has taken two podium finishes in the first six rounds, which have helped to place him second in the overall rankings. Sofuoglu took over the championship lead after his race win at the Imola round.
Donington is classic circuit, contrasting in its mix of flowing sections with dramatic elevation changes, and then a final collection of slower, more geometric, corners. Donington almost requires two suspension set-ups in one. As its name suggests the circuit was originally laid out following the natural curves of an English parkland setting, with a further section behind the main paddock finally added to bring it up to its full length for major international events.
As per the new regulations and time schedules for 2016, a two-part Superpole qualifying session will finalise the grid positions for the WorldSSP riders on Saturday 28th. At the Donington round only the race (scheduled for 20 laps of the 4.023km circuit) will start at midday local time on Sunday 29th.
Randy Krummenacher stated: “I last raced there some years ago but I have a lot of good memories Donington. I rode my first ever 125cc Grand Prix there in 2006. Yes, I have some really nice memories and it has always been a good track to me. I enjoy the layout a lot, the up and down nature, so it is always really good to ride on. The chicane I also love a lot because you arrive with quite a lot of speed at that point. It is my first season in WorldSSP this year and the class has been good to me. Some things in the Imola and Malaysia rounds went wrong but that is part of the game and I have to accept that in any season. I feel really good with my year so far and I feel it is time to get back onto the podium and move forward.”
Kenan Sofuoglu stated: “Donington is a quite a good track - especially for the Kawasaki but also for me personally. Always I feel strong there. We won at Donington last year and also got the track record. I believe we can make a good result and if everything is going well we can go for a win, hopefully. We have to see what the weather conditions are and I hope it stays dry. Changing weather can be part of racing and part of the championship. If it is wet we have to handle it anyway but in the dry we know we can go more strongly for the win. What is important is that we make a good race, then take a strong result - and I would really like to win again.”