Canadian Dan Kruger qualified 31st in his first trip to Macau. (Photo-Toni Börner)
Macau, China – It’s been a good start to this year’s 61st Macao Grand Prix weekend for the Penz13.com BMW Motorrad Racing Team. In the first Qualifying at the Chinese gambler’s paradise the British BMW S 1000 RR riders Stephen Thompson and Steve Mercer earned the 12th and 13th spot respectively. Also Canadian Dan Kruger already qualified himself for his first participation at the Guia Circuit.
Entry lists in Macao are made of Teams and their invitation to take part in this race. That’s why the Penz13.com BMW Motorrad Racing Team fields a total of three riders at the 2014 Motorcycle Grand Prix. Steve Mercer and Stephen Thompson are riding the team’s BMW S 1000 RR machinery, Dan Kruger brought his own bike he normally races at the Chinese Superbike Championship. For US-rider Jeremy Toye the weekend ended already before it started: His US-championship motorbike didn’t pass the customs and he is forced to sit out this year’s edition.
In the first free practice on Thursday morning Thompson and Mercer already took off with a blistering pace, fielding themselves on P11 and P13 respectively. In Qualifying Thompson did a 2:32,644 whereas Mercer made it to 2:32,645. Kruger was able to improve his personal best in the afternoon session by eight seconds and is qualified for the race.
Stephen Thompson, P12 – 2:32,644 Minutes
I was really looking forward to ride the Penz13 BMW and I wasn’t disappointed today. The bike is really good. Macao is a race I love and always enjoy a lot. The practices went really well but there is something in tomorrow for sure. It’s a extremely high competitive field this year but the Top Ten have to be the target.
Steve Mercer, P13 – 2:32,645 Minutes
Finally Macau again! It didn’t work out for me for a couple of years, but this time I am back with the Penz squad. This team just is perfect, we know each other very well from the FIM World Endurance. Qualifying brought me a two seconds faster pace than this morning but I want to improve further on Friday in the second session.
Dan Kruger, P31 – 2:38,865 Minutes
I had to find my way round here first and really was a bit nervous this morning when I first headed out on track. But I prepared well during the last days and knew a bit where to go already. In the afternoon session I found eight seconds, more to follow tomorrow!
Canadians In BOLD