KRT Moto GP - Shanghai

[MadKaw]

Circuit: Shanghai
Date: 03/05/2007


KAWASAKI HEAD EAST FOR SHANGHAI SHOWDOWN
Kawasaki's Randy de Puniet heads for the Far East, ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, determined to improve on his career best finish last time out in Istanbul.

The 26-year-old Kawasaki pilot finished eighth, just 14 seconds behind race winner Casey Stoner, in Istanbul two weeks ago and he will arrive in China confident that the improvements made to his Ninja ZX-RR during the post race test in Turkey will prove decisive this weekend in Shanghai.

De Puniet's Kawasaki teammate, Olivier Jacque, arrives in China determined to make amends for his opening lap crash in the Turkish Grand Prix two weeks ago. While most riders count the Shanghai circuit amongst their least favourite tracks, the place holds fond memories for Jacque. Back in 2005, making his debut for Kawasaki in place of the injured Alex Hofmann, Jacque rode a superb race in appalling conditions to claim an incredible second place behind the then reigning world champion, Valentino Rossi.

But the 33-year-old Frenchman is under no illusions about how difficult it will be to repeat his podium performance this time around, and he heads into the race on Sunday with the realistic aim of securing his first top ten finish of the season.

The 5.45 km Shanghai circuit is the most modern motorsport facility in the world and, at some 1200 metres in length, features the longest straight on the MotoGP calendar. The riders will hit speeds in excess of 300 km/h on the straight, before getting hard on the brakes for the 60 km/h, first gear hairpin at Turn 14.

This is a critical point in the lap, where late braking can easily secure an improvement in position, but can just as easily lead to an off-track excursion into the run-off area at the end of the straight. It's a unique challenge that is unrivalled at any other circuit.


Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #14
"Scoring my best MotoGP result last time out in Istanbul, together with a very positive post race test, means that I arrive in Shanghai really excited about the race. But, I have to say, although the Shanghai circuit is an impressive one in terms of the facilities, the track itself is not particularly inspiring. In fact, in my opinion as a rider, it's one of the worst tracks we race at because it's just so boring. It's really just two long straights connected by a sequence of mostly slow corners. The most difficult part is turn 14, which you arrive at doing almost 300 km/h off the back straight. To get through this turn safely you need to almost stop the bike before turning in, and it's quite difficult to judge the best braking point. At this track you need a bike that is fast and well balanced. Also, qualifying is critical, because there are not so many overtaking opportunities here. I'm fairly confident we can aim for the second row in qualifying and, with a good start, a top ten finish in the race is a realistic possibility."



Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #19
"I guess it's fair to say that the season hasn't started how I was hoping. The first race was a fairly positive start, but the second in Jerez was a nightmare. And then, after seeing the improvement in the bike during practice and qualifying in Istanbul, I was really optimistic for the race. What can I say; I screwed up by crashing on the opening lap. It was the first time in my career that this has happened to me. On the Monday I was both physically and psychologically devastated, but my bruises are healing and I need to think only about this weekend's race in Shanghai now. I am confident that a top ten finish is possible this weekend. I like this circuit, and I have fond memories of my second place here in the wet when I stood in for Alex Hofmann on the Ninja ZX-RR back in 2005. I think it will be difficult to repeat this result this time around, but that won't stop me from trying."



Technical Manager
"We have made some improvements to our Ninja ZX-RR ahead of this race. Changes to the engine management system and rear suspension set-up meant that Randy was able to improve on his race lap times during the post race test in Istanbul, despite still suffering from his crash during free practice on Friday. I'm pretty confident that these improvements will make a big difference for both riders in China. The Shanghai circuit is mainly a stop-and-go sort of track, where the riders are either hard on the gas or hard on the brakes, with very little in between. But, with the longest straight on the MotoGP calendar, it's also a power track where top speed is really important. This weekend it will be critical for our riders to start from the front of the grid to get a good result, which would be to finish less than ten seconds from the race winner."

[Barrabob]

I like it a good result is ten seconds off the front or at least in the middle of the main pack of riders trying to get a place so the commentary cant pretend that they don't actually exist.

I read in the latest amcn that development is coming along well which is to be expected if the team is actually factory run so if the team wants something they can call japan and say make me one or even half a dozen different ones.

[MadKaw]

Circuit: Shanghai
Date: 05/05/2007




DE PUNIET CONFIDENT AFTER SHANGHAI QUALIFYING
Kawasaki rider, Randy de Puniet, will start tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix from the third row of the grid after qualifying in seventh position at the Shanghai International Circuit. Improving on the ninth place grid position he achieved at the circuit last year, his best time today was 1’59.985, with an impressive top speed of 320.66 km/h.

The 26-year-old Frenchman held provisional pole for much of the session after putting in his fastest lap some 20 minutes in but, after this early use of a qualifying tyre, the other riders managed to catch up and push him back down the order. The team was hoping for a better result but Randy was unable to improve his time using his other two sets of Bridgestone qualifiers before the hour-long session was over. Adjustments to the suspension set up proved unfruitful and a return to the bike’s standard setting tomorrow should see Randy more confident.

Kawasaki have liberated around 10bhp from their 800cc Ninja ZX-RR engine since the season began in Qatar, mainly through refinement of the fuel injection and engine management systems. This was clearly illustrated when Randy stayed close behind Valentino Rossi for a number of laps during this afternoon's hour-long qualifying practice. He even looked to overtake at a number of points but chose to hold back and get a better look at the seven-times-world champion’s lines.

The team is optimistic that Randy can do well in tomorrow’s race. During the qualifying session, some of the riders now in front of him on the grid were unable to lap the circuit as fast as the Frenchman on race tyres, so a good start will be vital. If he can pass them early on, he and the bike are well set up for a good result.


7th - 40 Laps - Best Lap 1’59.985
“It has been a really positive day. Yesterday, we decided the plan would be to focus on refining the set up and doing a good qualifying session and I feel we’ve done that almost perfectly. During this morning’s session we worked on the front and rear suspension in order to get the bike to turn better and to improve the stability. The bike improved a lot with the little adjustments we made. At the beginning of the qualifying session, I was able to follow Rossi for a few laps without any problem. I learnt some things from his riding style and lines, which I am confident, will help me tomorrow. Then I switched to the qualifying tyres and, even though I improved my lap time with the first set I used, I had a problem with the brakes with the second and third sets. Without that problem, I am sure I would have been on the second row but still, I am really excited about tomorrow’s race as I am feeling good and the bike is now working perfectly. Getting my best MotoGP result is possible; I just need to get a good start.”



Kawasaki Racing Director
“It was a pity that Randy missed the second row, or even the first one, but we are really happy about how things went today. Even yesterday, leaving aside Olivier’s accident, Randy set fast and consistent lap times with the race tyre. He improved in every session and so has the bike, so it has been almost perfect. We are really satisfied with the improvements that we’ve made for this race which have proved we are going in the right direction. The engine’s performance is very good and we have a good top speed, while with the new rear suspension the agility and stability of the bike has improved a lot. We must continue this way for the next races. Our target for Randy in tomorrow’s race is to finish in at least eighth position but he says he feels he can finish sixth. We all hope he’s right and, given a good start and some slipstreaming, I also think it is possible."



1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing 1'58.424; 2. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.891; 3. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing +0.982; 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +1.092; 5. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +1.178; 6. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +1.439; 7. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.561; 8. Alex Barros (BRA) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +1.628; 9. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +1.663; 10. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +1.733

[MadKaw]

Circuit: Shanghai
Date: 06/05/2007




KAWASAKI'S DE PUNIET EQUALS BEST MOTOGP RESULT IN SHANGHAI
Randy de Puniet equalled his best performance in MotoGP today at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The 22-lap race saw the French Kawasaki rider bring home his 800cc Ninja ZX-RR in eighth position, on a par with his previous best at Istanbul two weeks ago, and well ahead of last year’s 12th place.

After a good start from seventh position on the grid, the Frenchman narrowly avoided a collision at turn one which forced three riders off the track, keeping his composure and riding with the leading group for much of the opening part of the race. However, a minor error caused him to lose the tow from the front five riders and he rode much of the rest of the race alone.

In a battle which saw numerous riders crash out on the demanding circuit, de Puniet put in consistent lap times to comfortably secure his top ten finish, just losing out on sixth position in the final laps. Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen overtook and de Puniet was unable to get back past them in the closing stages.

In dry conditions at the 5.281km track, de Puniet showed off an impressive top speed of 320.67km/h, with an average of 156.07km/h. Along with a successful suspension set-up and excellent performance from the Bridgestone tyres, he showed how well Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR is evolving after recent improvements.

The team were hoping for at least eighth position, so weren’t disappointed, but strongly believe the bike is capable of a top five or six place finish. They now look forward to developing the bike further, ready for the next round at Le Mans in two weeks’ time: Frenchman Randy’s home Grand Prix.

De Puniet now has 19 points overall; running 13th in the championship.

Olivier Jacque's appearance at Le Mans is dependant on a medical assessment on Monday of the injury sustained in his Friday crash. The 33-year-old Frenchman will have the drain removed from his injured forearm by Doctor Mir in Barcelona, and only then will he find out whether a return to action at his home Grand Prix is a realistic proposition.


8th Position
"The target was to finish eighth and I did but, after a positive weekend and this morning’s warm up, I was expecting to finish in a better position. I am satisfied with the race, although I have to say that maybe I was too cautious. I didn’t want to risk making any mistakes, which could have ruined my chances. I got a good start and kept my position on the leading group for about six laps but, from then on, I couldn’t keep up their rhythm. I didn’t have any slipstream and that made me lose about three tenths of a second per lap. Riding on the safe side, Capirossi and Vermeulen were able to catch and pass me. I tried to give it back to Vermeulen at the last corner, and I almost did, but he was on a better line and I couldn’t manage it. Anyway, my Kawasaki and the Bridgestone tyres worked perfectly today and I am really satisfied about the work we have done here over the weekend. I am sure that if we continue this way, better results will come soon. And it would be great to get them at the next race in Le Mans: my home race.”



Kawasaki Competition Manager
"Overall I'm pretty happy with our performance this weekend. I think we have shown just how much progress we've made with our Ninja ZX-RR, even in the short space of time since we started the season in Qatar. Once again, it's impossible to fault Bridgestone, as the tyres have worked perfectly all weekend. As for our final result, I have to say that I am a little disappointed. I think it was possible to finish the race in sixth place, but Randy was maybe too cautious towards the end, which allowed Capirossi and Vermeulen to pass him in the closing stages, pushing him back to eighth position. This weekend we have seen that our Ninja ZX-RR is now a match for our factory rivals, and we head for Le Mans determined to prove this with another strong performance."



1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 44'12.891; 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha Factory Racing +3.036; 3. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +6.663; 4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +14.090; 5. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini +17.276; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +26.256; 7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +26.591; 8. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +27.025; 9. Alex Hofmann (GER) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +28.108; 10. Carlos Checa (SPA) Honda LCR +32.957

[mfzx6r]

Well done Randy ! he seems to be getting better each race