First testing at Sepang for '05

[aardvark]

http://www.mcnews.com.au/motorcycleraci ... wasaki.htm

After a lengthy two month break the Kawasaki Racing Team returned to the racetrack at Sepang today, for the first of three days of testing in preparation for the 2005 MotoGP World Championship season.

Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, had available to them the Ninja ZX-RR machines they campaigned last season, together with the very latest version of Kawasaki's 990cc, inline four-cylinder MotoGP machine.

Both riders opted to start the test aboard the 2004 machines, to give themselves the chance to get back up to speed after such a long layoff, and to reacquaint themselves with the characteristics of the bike that took Nakano to tenth place in the 2004 MotoGP World Championship standings.

While Hofmann continued with the 2004 bike during the afternoon test session, Nakano took the opportunity to put the 2005 Ninja ZX-RR through its paces around the Sepang circuit, with favourable results.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - "This morning it was a case of getting used to the bike again after the long winter break, and to meet the new members of my crew who joined the team over the winter. I started the test on the 2004 bike, but switched to the latest version of the Ninja ZX-RR for the afternoon session. This is a new bike, so we know there's a lot of work to do on set-up and getting the chassis balance right, but already I can feel an improvement over the old bike in certain areas. The old bike was a bit nervous when the rear tyre started to slide, but the 2005 machine is a lot easier to control in the slide. Tomorrow we'll continue to compare the 2004 and 2005 machines, as we work towards refining the set-up of the new bike."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - "We started today aboard the 2004 bike, to give me the chance to get my brain back up to speed after such a long break. I was quite surprised at how quickly I felt comfortable on the bike again, and it didn't take long for me to start racking up some reasonable lap times. This afternoon we tested a new swinging arm on the 2004 bike, for comparison purposes, as well as testing some new rear tyres from Bridgestone. Tomorrow we'll switch to the 2005 version of the ZX-RR and I'm looking forward to finding out how much of an improvement the new bike is, and where the improvements have been made."

Naoya Kaneko: Technical Coordinator - "We have both the 2004 and 2005 versions of the Ninja ZX-RR with us at this test, but both riders started today aboard the old bikes. This gave them the chance to get back into the swing of things after such a long break. While Alex spent most of the day on the 2004 bike, Shinya opted to try the latest version of the ZX-RR during the afternoon session, with promising results. Tomorrow both riders will run comparison tests between the new bike and the old, as we work to find the strengths of the new bike and how we can improve it further for both Shinya and Alex. Overall, I'm satisfied with the progress we've made today."

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
KAWASAKI PRE-SEASON TEST - SEPANG, MALAYSIA
24 JANUARY 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEAT WAVE LEADS TO HOT LAPS FOR KAWASAKI IN SEPANG

With heat wave on-track temperatures soaring to 58 degrees, Kawasaki
factory riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann completed a day of
gruelling, but productive, testing at Sepang today.

This was day two of the opening pre-season test in advance of the 2005
MotoGP season.

Tyre testing for Kawasaki's technical partner Bridgestone was the focus
of today's workout and the brutal track conditions proved ideal for
that programme.

A range of new construction, shapes and compounds are being evaluated
by Bridgestone and Kawasaki engineers, to obtain data that will be the
basis of the 2005 race tyre options.

Both Nakano and Hofmann rode a base set-up on 2004 model 990cc, Ninja
ZX-RR machines, to provide a constant point of comparison on various
tyre specifications.

In the morning session Hofmann also continued with set-up work on the
new 2005 chassis, which is in the early stages of evaluation. With
another five test sessions scheduled before the first race of the season,
Kawasaki's Technical Coordinator, Naoya Kaneko, is confident that the
latest evolution of the Ninja ZX-RR will deliver increased performance in
race conditions.

Today Nakano ran a total of 61 laps with a best time of 2'03.4s, while
Hofmann completed 58 laps of the 5.5km Sepang circuit. Both riders were
impressed by the performance and development direction of the new
Bridgestone tyres.

Hofmann's time was 2.7s faster than his best race lap in last October's
Malaysian GP at this track, while Nakano was 0.8s quicker than his
previous best race lap at Sepang.

Tomorrow's third and final day of the Sepang test will see further
evaluation of Bridgestone tyres and continued set-up work on the 2005
chassis.

Shinya Nakano: #56
"I'm very happy with today's tyre test because, obviously, Bridgestone
have done a lot of work over the winter. I concentrated on rear tyres
using a base set-up with the ‘04 Ninja ZX-RR chassis and motor, and
found improved forward drive and endurance levels with some of the new
construction tyres. The conditions were hot, but it was perfect for tyre
testing and I felt much better on the bike today; I found the first day
of testing a little difficult. Now I'm looking forward to trying the new
front Bridgestone tyres tomorrow and doing more work with the 2005
prototype chassis."

Alex Hofmann: #66
"That was hot work today. It is a big change in climate coming from
winter in Switzerland to this test, but I'm enjoying being back on the
bike. The 2004 chassis was our strength last year, so that gave me a good
base to work from in evaluating the new Bridgestone tyres. The rears
show improved traction and durability, and I like the feel of new front
rubber. I think we can be very positive about our tyre potential this
season. I did some laps on the ‘05 bike in the morning but we need more
time to maximise the set-up; at the moment I don't feel a big difference
from the '04 chassis."

Naoya Kaneko: Technical Coordinator
"Our plan for today was to do a lot of work with Bridgestone, to
provide data and information for race tyre development in advance of the
first race. For this reason both Shinya and Alex used the 2004 model ZX-RR
chassis, because we understand this bike and set-up for Sepang. The new
2005 frame has great potential, but we still have a lot of work to do
over the next three months. Alex tried the new bike in the morning
session, but stopped early with a small motor problem. In the afternoon both
riders completed a very positive tyre test, especially in terms of
endurance with the new specification rear tyres."

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
KAWASAKI PRE-SEASON TEST - SEPANG, MALAYSIA
25 JANUARY 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KAWASAKI CONCLUDE SUCCESSFUL FIRST OUTING AT SEPANG

Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, ended the three day
test at Sepang with career best performances at the Malaysian track
today.

Both Ninja ZX-RR pilots were in great form, despite another day of
tropical heat and humidity with track temperatures reaching an exhausting
59 degrees.

Nakano completed 34 laps today with a fastest time of 2'02.7s, his best
of the Sepang test and 1.5s faster than his previous best in last
October's Malaysian Grand Prix.

With a final day total of 48 laps, Hofmann posted an improved time of
2.03.7s, a personal best by 2.9s seconds at the 5.5 km circuit.
Unfortunately the test schedule did not allow the 24-year-old German rider an
opportunity to do a final run on the best combination of front and rear
tyres.

The primary aim of the test was to evaluate prototype versions of the
2005 Ninja ZX-RR and a new generation of Bridgestone tyres, both front
and rear.

The new tyre selection included revised constructions, contours and
compounds and clearly showed that Kawasaki's tyre partner have done a lot
of development work during the winter off-season.

The chassis and suspension set-up programme for the Sepang test was
designed to provide data for the development of the Ninja ZX-RR chassis,
which will evolve over the next three months, before being debuted by
Nakano and Hofmann in the first race of the 2005 season at Jerez.

Back-to-back runs with the well balanced '04 ZX-RR were an essential
point of comparison, and both Nakano and Hofmann continued that programme
today.

This test was the first appearance of the revised chassis and, not
surprisingly, it will now undergo further refinement based on the feedback
from Sepang.

For the tyre tests Kawasaki and Bridgestone engineers used the known
performance base of last year's ZX-RR on which Nakano scored Kawasaki's
first four-stroke MotoGP podium in the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

Shinya Nakano: #56
"Today was important to provide feedback on the '05 prototype ZX-RR
frame with different stiffness, and it was good to have engineers from
both Kawasaki and SRT in the pit box with us to assess the performance of
the new chassis. This is our first test with the new machine and, at
the moment, we don't have the same balance as we do with the '04 bike.
But this is to be expected at a first test, and it's important that we
come away from here with a clear direction that will allow us to move
forward with the development of the '05 bike. I did my fastest lap with
the best combination of the new Bridgestone front and rear tyres, both of
which were very consistent and a clear step forward."

Alex Hofmann: #66
"The new frame has some positive points, but like all new developments,
there are also some areas for improvement, and it was important to
learn these things early in the development programme. For me, a big
advantage is the packaging and the way I sit on the bike with my 1.8 metre
height; I feel much more comfortable and relaxed and part of the machine.
I also need less pressure on the handlebars under acceleration. This
test showed just how good the '04 ZX-RR chassis is; I'm still faster on
the '04 bike, but that's to be expected on the first outing and is sure
to change at subsequent tests. As for the latest Bridgestone tyres, I
really like the new fronts. They give more grip and confidence on
turn-in, as well as better balance as you release the brake. I think any
rider using Bridgestone tyres this year will be very happy."

Naoya Kaneko: Technical Coordinator
"The main chassis work today was to evaluate a variation of the 2005
prototype with a different stiffness option. The total package of the '05
bike still needs some changes to improve on the very good balance of
last year's Ninja ZX-RR, so this was a valuable opportunity to obtain the
required data in back-to-back runs. Both riders are impressed with the
new generation Bridgestone tyres, and Shinya found an excellent
combination of new contour front and rear tyres for his best lap time. The
positive points of the tyres are improved cornering and drive grip.
Overall this test has provided the direction we needed for further chassis
and tyre development for the coming season."

[icebreaker]

And on the upside for Nakano.. He goes even faster when he gets in behind someone like Rossi.. So fingers crossed they get the '05 tweaked.


Dan

[sp500]

The tyres seem to be an improvement, its amazing how much time and $$$ are spent trying to find that elusive sweet setup, would be a top effort if Nakano could finish close to 6th, here's hoping.

[kempy]

Why do they keep that twat hoffman? He's ALWAYS slower than Nakano, and always by quite a margin. Out of all the riders they could sign they keep him...

[Phil]

Why do they keep that twat hoffman? He's ALWAYS slower than Nakano, and always by quite a margin. Out of all the riders they could sign they keep him...

not only that, the aussies got the sack to make way for him

i think the fact he's still there is he's german (and may very well have some compromising pictures of harald and some farm animals )

[redzedx7r]

Nakano has always got the pace for testing and qualifying, I just have doubts about his ability to tough it out at the front of the race (unless half the field has already been wiped out by Caporossi or Barros!).
Seanzx7r

[greenmeanie]

:? Nakano has always got the pace for testing and qualifying, I just have doubts about his ability to tough it out at the front of the race (unless half the field has already been wiped out by Caporossi or Barros!).
Seanzx7r

Yeah Sean hopefully loris will have a couple of brain explosions this year like last year.