Cobas: Donington never a good track for us.

The original Donington Park circuit was built in 1931 and hosted many big events, but has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for the West Honda Pons team.

The circuit was rebuilt and reopened in 1977 and attracted massive crowds to its international motor cycle meetings. It was then lengthened to 4.023km with the building of the slow Melbourne loop section in 1985, and this new stretch meant the track could be homologated for grand prix racing. Donington duly took over as the venue for the British Motorcycle Grand Prix from Silverstone in 1987, and has staged the event ever since, as well as hosting a single Formula One Grand Prix in 1993.

The track is a mixture of fast downhill bends and the slow section, which has been nicknamed the 'car park' by many riders. The track surface can also be slippery but claims that this is because fuel is dropped by planes flying into the nearby East Midlands airport have been discounted.

"For us, this has never been a good track, which is a shame because I like the ambience of the circuit and it's a very special grand prix," commented Pons technical director Antonio Cobas.

"The track is very difficult and is split into two parts. Some very fast sweeping corners followed by the slowest section in all the 16 grand prix venues. We have always had problems turning into these slow corners and especially the hairpin at the bottom of the hill. It's very complicated to set the bike up correctly for the fast downhill curves after the start and finish and then the slow section, starting with the chicane, at the end of the lap.

"Normally, we set the bike up correctly for the fast section and then get the rider just to stop and start in the slow part. Even setting up for the fast section is not easy because the track is bumpy. Tyre selection is also difficult because often the track can be cold and slippery and the Michelin people also have to work very hard there.

"The slow part will favour the four-strokes with their acceleration, but those fast downhill bends should be good for our two-strokes. I always like going to Donington because of the history and ambience at the track, but I would also like to leave there with a good result for the first time."