News

The most successful rider in World Supersport history has set his sights on a new challenge, as the Turk gets ready to attempt 400km/h on the new Osman Gazi Bridge. The Izmit Bay Crossing Bridge will soon be opened for the first time in an event attended by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expected to take place on the 30^th June, and the opening has been named as the stage for the new record attempt.

Sofuoglu has already tested and reached speeds of 396km/h in preparation for taking on the world’s 4^th largest mid-span bridge, and more testing is to happen soon to assess wind and other ambient factors before the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider climbs aboard the Ninja H2R to try the attempt proper.

"I want to try the attempt at the opening of Osman Gazi Bridge. We spoke on the phone with our President and he gave his support for this speed test,” said Sofuoglu. “I need to reach 400km/h in under 30 seconds. Afterwards it poses a risk of rupturing the tyre so prior to this, we will apply the cooling method. We will also prepare a special leather suit. I have been working for 3 months for this record, and it will not be easy."

The WorldSSP grid are now on their summer break ahead of the next Round of the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the Lausitzring in September, with the Pirelli German Round forming Sofuoglu’s next challenge on the 16^th-18^th September.