Kawasaki GP testing - Spain

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
IRTA PRE-SEASON TEST - CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA, SPAIN
18 MARCH 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PERFECT WEATHER FOR RECORD BREAKING DAY AT BARCELONA

The three-day IRTA test opened at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona
today with glorious spring weather producing near perfect track
conditions.

Kawasaki ZX-RR riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann made the most of
clear sunny skies and 30 degree track temperatures to post impressive
lap times that were personal best performances at this track.

Nakano was more than a second under his previous best race lap, while
Hofmann was 1.7s seconds quicker than in the Catalunya GP last year.

Nakano and Hofmann were just two of 15 riders under the current track
record held by Sete Gibernau.

The dramatic drop in lap times reflects the continuing progress in
machine and tyre development and the fact that the 4.7 km Circuit de
Catalunya was completely resurfaced over the winter break.

Nakano and Hofmann have been joined by Japanese test rider Kazuki
Shimizu at the Barcelona test.

Nakano and Shimizu are concentrating on evaluating the big bang version
of Kawasaki's 990cc, in-line four cylinder motor. Meanwhile Hofmann's
ZX-RR continues to run with last year's screamer engine configuration.

Hofmann will be supplied with big bang motors for next week's IRTA test
in Jerez.

Today Hofmann concentrated on chassis and tyre testing including
evaluation of swinging arm and weight distribution set-ups.

Evaluation of a range of new Bridgestone tyres, both front and rear, is
also part of the three-day test program.

Shinya Nakano #56 - 77 laps (1'44.325)
"Today I was able to confirm my preference of big-bang engine
specification, at least for the first two races. I prefer the earlier of the two
versions, which gives me more control and feeling on the throttle,
although we still have some work to do on fine-tuning the engine braking
system. Even though I'm a second faster than my best race lap here it is
not enough, because everyone else is going faster."

Alex Hofmann #66 - 77 laps (1'44.546)
"The new track surface is generally much smoother, although in some
places the work has moved the bumps from one part of the track to another.
I tried a couple of versions of the 2005 chassis, with different
stiffness, and some new rear tyres from Bridgestone. The new track surface
appears to have changed wear rates on the tyres so this will be an
important part of testing over the weekend. I'm a racer and would prefer to
have some track time with the big bang motor but that is not an option
with limited supply and I must respect Kawasaki's decision for Shinya to
do that part of the testing."

Ichiro Yoda - Technical Director
"We have two different versions of the big bang motor here with
different firing orders, and Shinya and Kazuki compared those today. From this
we have confirmed the configuration we will use for the opening two GPs
in Jerez and Estoril. Shinya prefers the earlier version of the big
bang, it gives him more control, and this will be the motor that both
Shinya and Alex will use in the opening races. We will continue further
development and revise that decision after the first two events"

[mfzx6r]

Ichiro Yoda - Technical Director
"We have two different versions of the big bang motor here with
different firing orders, and Shinya and Kazuki compared those today. [/quote] Any relation Ian ??????????? another yoda ????



mario

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
PRE-SEASON IRTA TEST - CATALUNYA, SPAIN
19 MARCH 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAKANO FASTER AS BIG BANG DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES

Glorious spring weather continued in Barcelona today, allowing the
Kawasaki Racing Team to complete another intensive day of pre-season
testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Riders Shinya Nakano, Alex Hofmann and Kazuki Shimizu completed a total
of 160 laps in the build-up to the opening race of the season at Jerez
on April 10. The three-day IRTA test concludes tomorrow.

Nakano continued to focus on Kawasaki's new big bang Ninja ZX-RR
engine, which only made its public track debut at the February Sepang test in
Malaysia.

The 27-year-old Japanese rider also evaluated new front and rear tyres
from Kawasaki's tyre partner Bridgestone.

Hofmann's main programme today was tyre testing with the latest
generation of compounds and constructions aboard his Ninja ZX-RR fitted with
the standard 'screamer' motor. Hofmann will switch to the big bang
engine specification for tomorrow's final day of testing at Catalunya.

Hofmann also briefly evaluated a different stiffness swinging arm and
plans to do further work on this set-up tomorrow.

Test rider Shimizu, who is riding the Circuit de Catalunya for the
first time, continued in his role of gathering engine and fuel injection
data to support the big bang motor development programme.

Kawasaki's exhaust system sponsor Akrapovic supplied a range of
different pipes for testing; including a four outlet system that Kawasaki
technical director Ichiro Yoda said was the preferred option for the new
revised firing order motor.

Tomorrow's track schedule features the annual 40-minute qualifying
shoot-out, with a BMW 1 Series car going to the rider who sets the fastest
time.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - 60 laps (1'43.688)
"This was a very hard day, with a lot of tyre testing and trying to
sort out some problems with the engine braking system on the new big bang
motor. The bike is unstable on corner entry, so I have to ride around
that, and this makes it hard work on the bike. One of the new
Bridgestone rear tyres I tried was very good, with excellent side grip, and this
helped me do my fast lap. The 2005 ZX-RR has a lot of potential, but
I'll be happier when I'm going faster."

Alex Hofmann #66 - 55 laps (1'44.668)
"I did a lot of tyre testing today, mainly rears, to try and confirm
some direction for the opening races of the season with the new
compounds. Bridgestone have obviously been working hard and there is an
improvement in rear side grip at maximum lean angle. The plan is for me to
switch to the big bang engine tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to finding
out how much it has improved since I first tested it at Jerez last
month."

Kazuki Shimizu: #40 - 45 laps (1'51.822)
"I have been testing and learning the track at the same time today.
This is a high-speed circuit, but I'm enjoying my first visit to
Barcelona. My job is to support Shinya's engine test programme, to collect as
much data as possible, and to ride fast without crashing."

Ichiro Yoda - Technical Director
"The big bang engine concept has a character that is different from the
even firing order of the 'screamer' and this produces the corner entry
problems that Shinya is experiencing. This test has helped us to
understand the problem and we are working on a solution, but this will not be
available for testing until next month."

[MadKaw]

NAKANO AND HOFMANN CLOSE ON TOP TEN AT CATALUNYA

Kawasaki Racing Team riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, finished
11th and 12th respectively in today's qualifying shootout at the Circuit
de Catalunya.

The shootout was the highlight of the third and final day of the IRTA
test in Barcelona.

Both Nakano and Hofmann rode Ninja ZX-RR machines fitted with
development versions of Kawasaki's new big bang firing order, 990cc in-line
four-cylinder motor.

Both riders posted personal best times at the 4.7 km Barcelona circuit.

Hofmann switched to the new big bang ZX-RR motor today as part of a
strategy for the 24-year-old German to maximise track time with the new
engine configuration.

Hofmann had been scheduled to make his debut with the big bang motor at
next week's IRTA test at Jerez, but was delighted to make the switch
one day earlier then expected.

The Kawasaki big bang motor only made its track debut at Sepang in
February, and is still in the early stages of a long and intensive
development programme.

In the morning free practice session both riders evaluated suspension
and chassis set-up, as well as continuing their test schedules with the
latest Bridgestone tyres.

Both Hofmann and Nakano have been impressed with the increased levels
of side grip offered by the latest tyre compounds.

Engine development has been the main focus of this weekend's IRTA
Barcelona test and that will continue next week at Jerez, which will be the
final pre-season workout for the Kawasaki Racing Team.

It is just three weeks to the opening race of the season, the Spanish
Grand Prix at Jerez.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - 11th (1'43.661)
"I am a little disappointed. I pushed very hard to make this time and
this was the maximum result that was possible today. The new big bang
engine is the right direction, but it is obvious we still have more work
to do, especially on corner entry stability with the engine braking
system. The 2005 Ninja ZX-RR is ahead of last year's screamer motor, but
everyone else is going much faster at the moment"

Alex Hofmann: #66 - 12th (1'43.709)
"After two and a half years of riding the Kawasaki 'screamer' motor in
testing and races, I was very happy to have a new feeling under me when
I switched to the big bang motor today. This concept is the way to go,
making it easier and more consistent to produce fast times. It was
motivating for me to make the switch today, but also obvious that our
rivals have not been sleeping in terms of performance. At the moment the big
bang probably lacks some top end power, but I'm sure that will come as
development continues."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"Even though the big bang engine development programme is later than we
had hoped for, this result shows that we've made a significant
improvement in engine performance. The Ninja ZX-RR has closed the gap to the
leading group and we hope to make a further step forward at the IRTA
tests in Jerez next week. Overall I am happy with the progress to this
point, and I'm confident there is a lot more to come from this version of
the Ninja ZX-RR engine."

[Yankee]

I'm confident there is a lot more to come from this version of
the Ninja ZX-RR engine."

c'mon guys!!! get it together and let's win some races this year!!!
GO BIG GREEN!!!!

[icebreaker]

Is anyone able to post the overal lap times for the last day of testing..
would be interesting to see how far off the pace we are.

[Yankee]

yeah, can we keep this thread going? or another like it.... ???
C'MON APRIL 10TH!!!!!

[MadKaw]

Official times on the third and final day of qualifying:
1. Gibernau (Honda) 1’41.851, 2. Rossi (Yamaha) 1’42.270, 3. Hayden (Honda) 1’42.507, 4. Melandri 1’42.797, 5. Tamada (Honda) 1’42.823, 6. Biaggi (Honda) 1’42.977, 7. Hopkins (Suzuki) 1’43.117, 8. Edwards (Yamaha) 1’43.131, 9. Barros (Camel Honda) 1’43.274, 10. Capirossi (Ducati) 1’43.531, 11. Nakano (Kawasaki) 1’43.661, 12. Hofmann (Kawasaki) 1’43.709, 13. Itoh (Ducati) 1’43.736, 14. Bayliss (Camel Honda) 1’43.775, 15. Roberts (Suzuki) 1’43.991, 16. Elias (Yamaha) 1’44.589, 17. Xaus (Yamaha) 1’44.712, 18. Rolfo (Ducati) 1’45.196, 19. Guareschi (Ducati) 1’45.410

[mfzx6r]

Shit thats still 1.8 sec's slower the the fastest . Still faster than a lot of the others . They're on Bridgestones aren't they ? and Gibernau is on michelins ....... Must be on pilot powers like mine hehehehehehe




mario

[Yankee]

damn, can't break the top ten... saving it for race day.
go hopkins as well! awesome effort there!!

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
PRE-SEASON IRTA TEST - JEREZ, SPAIN
24 MARCH 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Q&A: Ichiro Yoda

A love of motorcycles that started with riding street bikes led to
Ichiro Yoda taking up a job with Yamaha immediately after graduating from
Tokyo's Metropolitan University at the end of the seventies.

Yoda's first project for his new employer was a single-cylinder machine
designed for the Middle Eastern market; a far cry from the high-tech
MotoGP machines he would work on in the future. But it was not long
before Yoda made the switch to the racing department, where he was involved
in projects as varied as a four-stroke 500GP machine and a 1000cc
endurance racer, both of which were tested but never raced.

Yoda also worked on the development of the OW61 500GP engine campaigned
by Kenny Roberts, before taking over as project leader on the YZR250
machine that Venezuelan rider, Carlos Lavado, took to the World
Championship title in its debut season.

In 1994 Yoda returned to Japan to work on the 500GP project, but
switched back to the quarter litre class in 1998 to win the All Japan
Championship with a young Shinya Nakano. Yoda returned to Europe in 2000, with
Olivier Jacque and Shinya Nakano finishing the season first and second
in the 250cc World Championship standings aboard the bike that he had
developed and built.

Yoda joined KHI as MotoGP Technical Director at the start of the 2005
season, after spending his last four years with Yamaha heavily involved
in the development of their YZR-M1 MotoGP racer.

Q: After more than 20 years with the company your name is almost
synonymous with Yamaha. Why did you make the decision to switch allegiance to
Kawasaki after such a long time with one manufacturer?

A: Basically I wanted a new challenge, which is why I quit Yamaha at
the end of last year. I wanted to stay in racing, because I enjoy working
in this environment and this is where my experience lies, so when
Kawasaki approached me about working on the Ninja ZX-RR project I was very
interested. After visiting KHI I decided that this is what I wanted to
do; it was the new challenge I had been looking for.

Q: Will you base yourself in Europe this year, or do you feel it's more
important to be involved closely in the development programme in Japan?

A: The development work will be done mostly in Japan, using the data
collected at races and tests, so that's where I'll be based. After each
race or test I will return to Japan to continue the development work
alongside the KHI engineers.

Q: You've only been with Kawasaki for a very short time, but what are
your first impressions of the company as a whole and the Kawasaki Racing
Team in particular?

A: Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a big company that produces many
products, not just consumer products like motorcycles. They are involved in
engineering projects in a wide variety of areas, from aerospace to
shipbuilding. This involvement in such a range of engineering projects means
that KHI has a good level of engineering expertise in many disciplines.
And while the number of people working on the MotoGP project is only
small compared to other projects, I believe we have the engineers
necessary to make the Ninja ZX-RR a success.

The Kawasaki Racing Team has a lot of experienced and well-motivated
people. Everyone in the team has the same goal of improving our results
on the track. It is a good environment in which to work and I think
there is great potential for the future.

Q: You've worked closely with both Shinya Nakano and his crew chief,
Fiorenzo Fanali, in the past. Do you think already having a good working
relationship with key people in the team makes the job of developing
the Ninja ZX-RR any easier?

A: Definitely, because we have worked together in the past it is very
easy for Shinya, Fiorenzo and myself to exchange ideas and communicate
our opinions on the development of the bike, and this speeds up the
whole development process.

Q: The development of the 2005 Ninja ZX-RR was well underway by the
time you joined Kawasaki. Will you have a major input on the continued
development of this year's bike, or is your focus more on the 2006 season
and the next variant of the Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine?

A: Of course, I have to look to the future, but I also need to develop
the bike we have now because this is the bike we will race this season.
The tests we've done so far this year have allowed us to identify very
clearly the development direction we need to take with this bike, and
what the requirements are for the first race. I think that, with this
knowledge, we will be in a position to achieve some good results by the
midpoint of the season.

Development can also be dictated by your competitors; if they've made
significant advances during the winter months then your own development
programme has to be flexible enough to reflect this if you are to
remain competitive. It may be that we have to revise our development plan
when we see what level our competitors have attained going into the new
season.

Q: It's no secret that Kawasaki have been running a 'big bang' version
of the Ninja ZX-RR engine during pre-season testing, but what advantage
does running a revised firing order have over the more conventional
'screamer' engine?

A: we can see some advantages already by looking at the data, but it's
equally as important for us to listen to the feedback we get from the
riders. From the comments Shinya has made during testing it seems that
the big bang engine makes it easier for him to control the bike,
especially when the performance of the tyre starts to drop off, which it
obviously does towards the end of a race.

These four-stroke MotoGP engines produce a lot of power, but this power
has to be transferred to the track and that is where the power
characteristics of the big bang engine offer an advantage over the screamer
motor. The way that the big bang engine delivers its power is better for
the rear tyre, which can easily be overwhelmed by the more aggressive,
peakier delivery of the screamer engine.

Basically, the big bang engine allows us to make maximum use of the
grip available from the rear tyre, and this has a noticeable affect on lap
times.

Q. There have obviously been some big changes in the engine department,
but what of the chassis? Have there been any major revisions in this
area over the winter months?

A: We wanted to keep the basic chassis from 2004, as we have a good
understanding of how this chassis works. Because we know how the chassis
performs at the circuits we've tested at so far this year, we can see
straight away the affect that the new engine has on the bike as a whole.
I think we will only make some very small changes to the chassis this
year, as we need to focus our resources on developing the engine.

Q. Shinya Nakano has the smooth style typical of riders who cut their
teeth in the quarter litre class, whereas Alex Hofmann has a more
aggressive style on the bike. The two also have very different physical
characteristics; Shinya is small and light while Alex is tall and 20kg
heavier than his Kawasaki teammate. How difficult is to develop a bike that
is suitable for two riders who differ to such an extent?

A: It is sometimes difficult to change the basic ergonomics of the bike
to suit the physical characteristics of both riders, but we have
managed to do this with the Ninja ZX-RR. Once we've identified a good base
setting on the bike I think both riders will be able to fine-tune their
individual set up to suit their physical characteristics and their
individual riding styles.

In terms of the engine, if we can provide as smooth a power delivery as
possible then I think this will suit both riders. I don't believe a
difference in riding styles really has any affect on the direction we take
with the development of the engine.

Q: On the strength of what you've seen of the Ninja ZX-RR and the
Kawasaki Racing Team's two riders during pre-season testing, what are your
goals in terms of results this season?

A: Racing is winning, so we must always aim to win. We're not here just
to make up the numbers, so it is important that we have a clear goal,
and I like to keep our goals and targets high. First we must develop the
bike into a race-winner and then we must put riders on the bike who are
capable of winning races. If we can do this then I think we will see
some good results this season.

Q: Kawasaki originally came into MotoGP with a five-year plan that
would see them challenging for the World Championship title in 2007. Do you
see this as a realistic goal based in your experiences so far?

A: Yes, I think this is a realistic aim, and this is what we are
working towards with our development programme.

[Nanna10r]

Thanks Dave. Sik 'em Kwika.
Cheers Brett

[icebreaker]

Good stuff!!! Fingers crossed 2005 delivers even better results, esp for Nakkers!!