Kawasaki Racing Team - Jerez

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 1 - CIRCUITO DE JEREZ, SPAIN
8 APRIL 2005 - FREE PRACTICE

NAKANO SEVENTH FASTEST ON OPENING DAY AT JEREZ

The 2005 season opened at Jerez today with Kawasaki factory riders,
Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, both performing impressively in the two
free practice sessions.

Sunday's Spanish Grand prix will be the first of 17 races in the 2005
MotoGP season.

Japanese ace Nakano set the seventh fastest time, just 0.6s off the
quickest lap recorded by Sete Gibernau. In preparation for tomorrow's
single, one hour qualifying session for grid positions, Nakano tried a soft
qualifying tyre on his final lap.

Nakano's Ninja ZX-RR teammate Hofmann was 11th on the time sheets, and
the 24 year-old German was delighted with his efforts after two hours
of free practice.

Hofmann, now allocated two ZX-RR machines fitted with Kawasaki's
big-bang firing order motor, concentrated solely on race set-up and was not
tempted to try for a faster lap on a qualifying tyre.

Kawasaki's tyre partner Bridgestone has supplied three new race tyres
for evaluation at Jerez, and today's tests indicated improved overall
consistency and grip.

The tyres have the same compound as at the recent Jerez IRTA tests, but
with slightly stiffer case construction.

The four ZX-RR machines allocated to Nakano and Hofmann are in the same
mechanical trim as the recent IRTA tests at Barcelona and Jerez.
Kawasaki technical director Ichiro Yoda said today that the next stage of
development of the 990cc, in-line motor will be tested at Jerez on Monday,
although no decision has been made on when it will be raced.

Conditions today were cool and heavily overcast, with a maximum track
temperature of just 27 degrees, while the air temperature hovered at 19
degrees.

Under the new 2005 qualifying format the grid for the Spanish GP will
be decided only in tomorrow afternoon's one hour qualifying session.

The weather forecast is for fine and sunny conditions, with a predicted
maximum temperature of 20 degrees.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - 23 laps (1'41.424)
"On my final lap I tried a qualifying tyre to prepare for tomorrow's
session, but there really wasn't much difference in time compared to the
race tyre. But today was all about race set-up and trying the new
Bridgestone tyres, which are an improvement, although I need to look at the
set-up to improve traction at the rear. Overall I'm happy to be in the
top ten."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - 25 laps (1'41.829)
"Today was a lot of fun and I feel much fresher now we are at the first
race and being out on the track at the same time with all the other
riders. Bridgestone have made a step forward with some new race tyres, I
did a very consistent 12 lap run and I did not use a soft qualifier. We
improved the overall chassis balance compared to the test here and, as
both of today's sessions were free practice, I just worked on getting
ready for the race."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director
"The new Bridgestone race tyres have a slightly stiffer construction
and are an improvement from the Jerez test two weeks ago. With today's
conditions the track had less grip than the test here two weeks ago, so
we had a lot of set-up work to do, including adjustments to the engine
control system. The engine braking system is performing better, but is
still not perfect. However, we have some new parts that we will test at
Jerez on Monday as part our next development stage."

FREE PRACTICE - FINAL TIMES
1. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP 1'40.801; 2. Nicky Hayden
(USA) Repsol Honda +0.093; 3. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP
+0.133; 4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.411; 5. Valentino
Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.417; 6. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol
Honda +0.623; 7. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.623; 8.
Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.857; 9. Colin Edwards (USA)
Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.899; 10. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +0.927;
11. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.028; 12. Makoto Tamada
(JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +1.122; 13. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Camel Honda
+1.320

[icebreaker]

1 more sleep!!!

[smek]

good to see theres someone else as excited as me

[Nanna10r]

Nackers been itching nearly as much as us .............. party at my place . Go the boxtel.

That young bloke on the Spewie could do well this year as well. Better not beat Nackers though.

Cheers Brett

[smek]

just remember if ya gonna post about the results wait until after 10 has shown it or label the post so i stay well away

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 1 - CIRCUITO DE JEREZ, SPAIN
9 APRIL 2005 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE

NAKANO GOES TOP FIVE FOR KAWASAKI AT JEREZ

Shinya Nakano opened the season with an impressive qualifying
performance aboard the 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR, claiming fifth on the grid for
tomorrow's Spanish Grand Prix with his final flying lap.

Nakano was the fastest qualifier on Bridgestone tyres for the opening
round of the 17-race MotoGP World Championship, to be held at the 4.4 km
Jerez circuit in southern Spain.

Joining Nakano in the top ten was his German teammate, Alex Hofmann,
with a time just 0.3s slower than Nakano, posted during a difficult
session in which riders were battered by strong winds and dust.

With 15 minutes remaining of the one-hour session both Ninja ZX-RR
riders were in the top five. With a superb last lap run on the latest
Bridgestone qualifying tyre Nakano secured fifth position as the chequered
flag waved.

Meanwhile Hofmann was frustrated by traffic on his final lap and, while
disappointed to drop to tenth, the 24-year-old German is in a buoyant
mood for the race. Hofmann has concentrated on race set-up in free
practice and claims to have a fast and consistent package for the 27-lap
race.

Today's qualifying results were a reward for the fast-tracked
development of Kawasaki's new big-bang engine, which only made its public debut
just over two months ago.

Since those initial tests in Malaysia the engineering team, led by
Technical Director Ichiro Yoda, have worked tirelessly to make the 990cc,
in-line four-cylinder motor competitive at the opening race of the
season.

Overnight adjustments to the engine braking system provided more
stability for both Nakano and Hofmann on corner entry. Hofmann sliced one
second from his best Friday free practice time while Nakano was 0.9s
quicker.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - 5th - 1'40.542
"Again Bridgestone provided us with a very good qualifying tyre and
this is a satisfying result for me and the team. But the race is more
important, and I'm happy to be starting on the second row. For sure
Valentino and Sete will be very strong, but I plan to follow them from the
start and race for a good position. The wind was very difficult today,
especially at the end of the back straight, but the ZX-RR felt more stable
after further adjustment to the engine braking system."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - 10th - 1'40.812
"I was in the top five and my plan was to stay there, but it didn't
work out. I know I could have done better. I came across traffic on my
final fast lap, so with this new single hour qualifying system perhaps you
need some luck. But I'm ready for the race and I intend to make it
happen in the first two laps; maybe surprise a few people because I have a
fast, consistent race pace. It was very windy and dusty today and it
reminded me a little of my days riding motocross with dust in my helmet."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"Today was an excellent result for the first qualifying session of the
season, and the race debut of our new big-bang motor. Kawasaki in Japan
have done a great job considering the short time frame with the
decision to develop the new motor. Today Shinya was the fastest qualifier on
Bridgestone tyres, and one position ahead of his qualifying position for
the first race last year, and this gives us a lot of motivation for the
season ahead. Alex should have been closer in qualifying, but he will
race very strongly, this is what he has been working towards."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1 - FINAL TIMES
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 1'39.419; 2. Sete
Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.496; 3. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar
Honda MotoGP +0.760; 4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +1.046; 5.
Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.123; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA)
Ducati Marlboro Team +1.229; 7. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda
+1.288; 8. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +1.301; 9. Troy Bayliss (AUS)
Camel Honda +1.355; 10. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.393

[red_dave]

That's a great result for Nakkers to be 5th on the grid...
Go son...!

[Blackzxr]

For those of you with boxtel, get stuffed.

Will be staying up till 2.00am to watch this, so no text messages ok.

First day back at work tomorrow, so it's expected i come in feeling like crap

Go Team Green.

NB: My prediction to Jason is, Monkey boy will win this season. (he thinks im nuts, but we'll see)

[Blackzxr]

What a farkin race. Well i enjoyed it anyway. Lets wait for the fall out. I loved the press conference "don't you say anything, bite your tongue" hahahahaha Hey we race, that's it

nb: trying not to say to much for those who have it taped. Ah fark em Kwakka won.

[greenmeanie]

Full MotoGP race results from the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, round one of the 2005 world championship:


1. Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Yamaha 45min 43.156 secs
2. Sete Gibernau SPA Team Movistar Honda 45min 51.787 secs
3. Marco Melandri ITA Team Movistar Honda 46min 1.616 secs
4. Alex Barros BRA Camel Honda 46min 10.094 secs
5. Shinya Nakano JPN Kawasaki Racing Team 46min 10.815 secs
6. Troy Bayliss AUS Camel Honda 46min 11.665 secs
7. Max Biaggi ITA Repsol Honda 46min 13.774 secs
8. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 46min 20.043 secs
9. Colin Edwards USA Gauloises Yamaha 46min 20.764 secs
10. Carlos Checa ITA Ducati Marlboro 46min 22.834 secs
11. Alex Hofmann GER Kawasaki Racing Team 46min 25.439 secs
12. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Yamaha 46min 38.613 secs
13. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 46min 45.528 secs
14. John Hopkins USA Team Suzuki MotoGP 47min 2.502 secs
15. Roberto Rolfo ITA D'Antin Ducati 47min 16.763 secs
16. James Ellison GBR Blata WCM 46min 22.019 secs
17. Franco Battaini ITA Blata WCM 46min 42.56 secs
18. Ruben Xaus SPA Fortuna Yamaha 46min 4.511 secs

DNF:
Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 34min 52 secs
Kenny Roberts USA Team Suzuki MotoGP 19min 4.036 secs
Shane Byrne GBR Team Roberts KTM 3min 42.196 secs

[icebreaker]

A good result for the first race of the seasion.. I'm sure the boys at he home of the Big K racing will be pleased.. 27.659 seconds off the pace at the end of the race.. That's a pretty good effort.. Of course we'd like to be closer to the lead group, but it's only race 1.

What can you say.. Rossi and Co certainly don't seem to be pushing the bikes as hard to qualify.. hehehe


Top race.. That last corner clash was awesome... Will watch the interviews when I get home. (saw race this morning before going to work).

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 1 - CIRCUITO DE JEREZ, SPAIN
10 APRIL 2005 - MOTOGP RACE

FANTASTIC FIFTH FOR FLYING NAKANO AT JEREZ

The 2005 model Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR made an impressive start to the
MotoGP season, with Shinya Nakano finishing a brilliant fifth in today's
Spanish Grand Prix.

From the start Nakano rode with his trademark mixture of style and
aggression, and at the end of the 27-lap race he was the first rider using
Bridgestone tyres to greet the chequered flag.

Joining Super Shinya in the points was his hard-riding German teammate
Alex Hofmann, who finished 11th with a strong performance from the
fourth row of the grid.

Today's race was the GP debut of Kawasaki's new big-bang motor. Still
in the early stages of development, the 990cc four-cylinder engine
displayed its future potential in today's windswept race at Jerez.

The latest generation of Bridgestone tyres, with stiffer case
construction, also proved ideally suited to the conditions and the Ninja ZX-RR
machines of Nakano and Hofmann.

Nakano settled into fifth place on lap one and for much of the first
half of the race he rode alone, as he tagged the leading group containing
eventual race winner Valentino Rossi.

Although pressured by Alex Barros late in the race, Nakano responded to
chase the Brazilian home, and at the finish the Japanese rider was just
0.7s behind fourth place.

Hofmann charged into eighth briefly on the first lap, and then raced
aggressively in a tight bunch that included double World Superbike
champion Colin Edwards, Spaniard Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi.

The Kawasaki Racing Team will test at Jerez tomorrow (Monday) before
moving on to Estoril for next weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Fifth
"This is a fantastic start to the season for Kawasaki's new big-bang
motor; I'm obviously very happy. All the engineers at Kawasaki have done
an excellent job, the engine was strong and there is more performance
to come. Also my Bridgestone tyres were very good in these conditions.
From the start I pushed very hard, but I just could not stay with the
leading group, it was difficult to keep pace riding alone. I kept pushing
until the finish and even when Barros overtook me I could follow his
pace and I didn't lose any more positions."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Eleventh
"That was a tough battle in the wind and on a very dusty track. I
didn't make my best start, but I was able to make some moves and be eighth
on lap one . It was a very fast pace at the front and I had a very good
race with the group that included Edwards, Checa and then Biaggi. I was
able to run the same pace through most of the race and had no problems
with the new big-bang motor or the Bridgestone tyres. I think I showed
my potential today against the guys I raced with."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"A very good start to the season with Shinya and Alex in the points,
both with very consistent performances. This race has confirmed the
performance potential of our new firing order motor and the Bridgestone
tyres. Thanks to the work of everyone in the Kawasaki Racing Team we now
have a very strong platform on which to build for the rest of the
season."

MOTOGP RACE RESULT - FINAL TIMES
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 45'43.156; 2. Sete
Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +8.631; 3. Marco Melandri (ITA)
Movistar Honda MotoGP +18.460; 4. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +26.938; 5.
Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +27.659; 6. Troy Bayliss (AUS)
Camel Honda +28.509; 7. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +30.618; 8. Makoto
Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +36.887; 9. Colin Edwards (USA)
Gauloises Yamaha Team +37.608; 10. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team
+39.678; 11. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +42.283; 12. Toni
Elias (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha Team +55.457; 13. Loris Capirossi (ITA)
Ducati Marlboro Team +1'02.372