British Superbike frontrunner Bradley Ray labelled his debut MotoGP test on the Suzuki GSX-RR at the Sepang International Circuit inn Malaysia last Sunday as “unreal”.
BSB race winner Ray competes for the Hawk Racing Suzuki squad in the British championship, and formed part of the Yoshimura Suzuki outfit's Suzuka 8 Hour line-up last year.
As a reward for a strong campaign in Britain, in which he was sixth overall after two wins, and his exploits at Suzuka, Ray was given the opportunity to sample MotoGP machinery.
Riding Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli's GSX-RR, and under the guidance of the 2014 World Superbike champion, Ray says he “couldn't stop smiling” after the experience.
“Honestly, it was unreal,” Ray enthused. “First time down the back straight, it [the speed] nearly pulled me off the back.
“My superbike is fast, but this was another step again. It pulls in every single gear, including sixth.
“The carbon brakes were incredible and the gearbox was amazing. I couldn't stop smiling.
“But it was also really nice to ride. It was really smooth and the electronics so sophisticated.
“I was nervous, but I was also able to just jump on it and ride it after a bit of a tutorial from Sylvain and the team.
“I'm very grateful to the team. It was a special day and an incredible experience. It's something I dreamed about as a kid and it's somewhere I've always dreamed of getting.
“Hopefully this isn't my only taste.”
Ray was rumoured to make a switch to the grand prix paddock in Moto2 for this season, but will remain in BSB with Hawk Racing for a third campaign in the series.
