The new software for the Honda CBR 1000 RR was supposed to be tested last weekend in Valencia. HRP team boss Jens Holzhauer saw the package—with its promising contents—sitting on a table at the airport, but he was not given it.
Based on the February test for the upcoming IDM Superbike 1000 season, the HRP team traveled to Spain once again with Alessandro “Alex” Polita . Honda had sent the upgraded ECU directly to Valencia, where it arrived one day late. For Holzhauer, everything was still on track. However, customs regulations stipulate that the shipment must remain at customs for 48 hours before it can be released. “We saw the package sitting on the counter,” reports the team manager. “A Spanish woman even tried to help us out and mediate with the authorities in the local language, but to no avail.” The law is the law.
So the Valencia test took place without the new ECU. Alex Polita rode the Honda with a combination of the 2019 wiring harness and the 2017 electronics, at times without data recording.
It was still worth it, at least a little bit. The Italian driver completed 130 laps, compared different tires from IDM’s official supplier Pirelli, and worked through basic settings and geometry details.
By the way: The package containing the ECU was immediately sent back to Germany from the Valencia airport. It arrived at the Leipzig airport yesterday, Monday. That means Holzhauer still doesn't have it.