Kawasaki - Catalunya Press Release

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAN PREMI DE CATALUNYA
10TH JUNE 2004 - EVENT PREVIEW

NAKANO AND HOFMANN ALL SET FOR CATALUNYA WEEKEND

Fuchs Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano intends to ride in this weekend's
Catalunya Grand Prix, less than a week after his massive 300 kph crash at
Mugello.

As a follow-up to Nakano's Mugello crash, Kawasaki's MotoGP tyre
partner, Bridgestone, has made a fast response to the tyre problems
experienced in the Italian race. Working 24 hours a day, the Bridgestone factory
in Japan has produced a revised specification tyre for Barcelona, with
initial supplies already at the track and further tyres arriving by
air-freight over the weekend.

Apart from a slightly bruised back Nakano is fit and eager to join
teammate Alex Hofmann aboard their Ninja ZX-RR machines for the fifth round
of the 2004 MotoGP World Championship.

The 26-year-old Japanese rider has quickly put aside the dramas of the
high-speed crash that brought an early end to his Italian Grand Prix
outing last Sunday. After being cleared by x-rays of any serious
injuries, and following just a couple of days rest in Barcelona, Nakano was
back into training mid-week.

For Nakano the Catalunya GP is like a second "home race" as he lives
near the Olympic Port area of Barcelona during the European season.

Meanwhile Hofmann is also approaching this weekend in a positive mood,
after picking up valuable points with a gritty ride in the rain
interrupted Italian GP last Sunday.

Hofmann also loves racing in warm and sunny Spain. He made his premier
class debut at this track in 2002, riding a factory Yamaha 500 as a
replacement for the injured Garry McCoy.

After a day sightseeing in Florence after the Italian GP, Hofmann drove
his motorhome to Spain stopping for a day at the beach on the Costa
Brava just north of the circuit.

The 4.7km track is one of the fastest on the GP calendar. The main
straight is just over one kilometre in length, with a fast flowing sequence
of corners through the stadium section rewarding smooth riding. A 500
metre section of the straight, from the starting grid to the main
scoreboard, has been resurfaced with new asphalt for this year.

The almost religious fervour of Spanish fans has led to predictions of
a 100,000 plus attendance for the race on Sunday.

Shinya Nakano: No.56
"The Barcelona track is one of my favourites and I really enjoy racing
here, especially as I can stay in my apartment at Diagonal Mar. I'm
feeling fine and even though the Mugello crash was really fast I
understand what happened there. Although it's not easy to put everything aside
mentally I'm ready to concentrate on riding here; this is my job. I
remember the crash, it was instant with no time to control it, and my main
thought was to not hit the concrete wall at Mugello, and the relief
that my body was okay."

Alex Hofmann: No.66
"This is my style of track and I really enjoy it. The fast section from
turn two and through turn three is a lot of fun; it's long and fast and
you can really slide the bike as the corner opens up. The two fast
corners before the main straight also suit my style. Since Formula One
started using the track a lot it has become a little bumpy, but it's not
that a big a problem, it's manageable. I got some points in Mugello and,
hopefully, that will prove to be a turning point for me this season."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"Along with my technical staff and riders I met with Bridgestone today
and we are all very impressed with the effort they have made in the
four days since Mugello. I was surprised they could achieve so much in
such a short time, but they have explained things in detail, and they feel
they understand the problem and have found a safe solution. I'm
confident that Bridgestone have done a good job. Most importantly, our
riders Shinya and Alex can now concentrate on their riding this weekend."

[mfzx6r]

Lets hope they do well.

I'm still not convinced that Hoffman was the best rider they could get..

If he doesn't preform by the end of the year its time to arsehole him and get someone else, his had his chance.


mario

[aardvark]

Fuchs Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano intends to ride in this weekend's
Catalunya Grand Prix, less than a week after his massive 300 kph crash at Mugello.

Now thems a big set of balls!! Dunno how keen i'd be to jump back onto a bike STILL running the same brand of tyres responsible for you hitting your head on the track at 300kays!!

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAN PREMI DE CATALUNYA
11TH JUNE 2004 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1

NAKANO MAKES FAST RETURN TO FORM

Fuchs Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano made a confidence boosting return to
riding today, claiming eighth on the provisional grid for Sunday’s
Catalunya Grand Prix.

It was a courageous performance coming just five days after the affable
Japanese rider cheated serious injury in a horrifying 300 kph crash in
the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

In heatwave conditions at Barcelona Nakano put aside the mental demons
and continuing back pain to post a superb qualifying effort just one
second off pole position.

When Nakano completed his first laps aboard his Ninja ZX-RR in this
morning’s free practice he admitted it was "difficult to forget" his
Mugello crash.

Also in fine form was Ninja ZX-RR teammate Alex Hofmann, whose 15th
fastest time did not reflect his effort and performance potential at one
of his favourite tracks.

Hofmann was disappointed not to maximise his late session, soft tyre,
qualifying run when baulked by traffic. His best time was just 0.3s off
a top ten grid position.

In morning practice Hofmann was unhappy with grip levels and braking
stability, but suspension and chassis changes for the qualifying session
delivered a big improvement.

Both Nakano and Hofmann acknowledged the efforts of Bridgestone in
supplying a modified rear tyre specification in response to the problems
that triggered Nakano’s Mugello crash.

With a tight three day production schedule, Bridgestone say they have
delivered 100 tyres across three construction types for their riders at
Barcelona. This is a smaller choice than usual, but an impressive
response from the Japanese tyre company given the circumstances of the
back-to-back GP time frame.

Shinya Nakano: 8th (1'43.948)
"This morning it was difficult to forget what happened at Mugello when
I first went out on the track. But Bridgestone have new tyres here and
have promised they have solved the problems, and I trust them. I still
have some pain in my back, but I have put all this out of my mind to
concentrate on my job. In the afternoon I was confident again, riding as
I normally do. So far I have found the tyre performance in terms of
grip the same as before, although we still have to confirm the race
endurance of the new tyres. I’m hoping to stay in the top eight tomorrow."

Alex Hofmann: 15th (1'44.623)
"I wasn’t happy with my final fast laps with the traffic and then
pushing too hard in the chicane, I lost some time out on the track. In the
morning session I couldn’t find a good balance, but in qualifying I had
a much better set-up, with improved grip and more stability on the
brakes. Even so, I’ve got a positive outlook for the weekend, especially
with the impressive work Bridgestone have done, although we still have to
check the race distance performance."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"That was an amazing effort from Shinya to get his confidence back so
quickly after Mugello. Alex is also looking strong, and this is a good
start to the weekend. Bridgestone have made a huge effort to bring new
tyres for the weekend and, hopefully, we will have a good tyre option
for the race to back up our qualifying performance."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1 - FINAL TIMES
1. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar Honda 1'42.934; 2. Max
Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda Team +0.629; 3. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Camel Honda
Team +0.774; 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +0.776; 5.
Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.906; 6. Carlos Checa (SPA) Gauloises
Fortuna Yamaha +0.926; 7. Alex Barros (BRA) Repsol Honda +0.977; 8.
Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.014; 9. Marco Melandri (ITA)
Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +1.137; 10. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Ducati Marlboro
Team +1.343; 11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +1.356; 12.
Kenny Roberts (USA) Suzuki Grand Prix Team +1.368; 15. Alex Hofmann
(GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.689

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAN PREMI DE CATALUNYA
12TH JUNE 2004 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE 2

NAKANO AND HOFMANN SET FOR HOT RACE IN SPAIN

Fuchs Kawasaki riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann will share the
fifth row of the grid, starting from 13th and 14th positions respectively,
for tomorrow's Catalunya Grand Prix.

As track temperatures soared to 45 degrees, both riders spent most of
today's track time concentrating on race set-up, for what will be a
tough and hot 25 laps of the 4.7km Catalunya Circuit.

Both Ninja ZX-RR riders struck misfortune in the final minutes of
qualifying. Nakano lost out on the opportunity to improve on his eighth
fastest time from Friday when delayed by a minor rear brake pad problem.

Hofmann went 0.5s faster today, but moved only one place forward on the
grid with a slowing rider again costing him valuable time. This
reflects the fierce competitiveness of MotoGP, with the top 15 riders on the
grid separated by just 1.5 seconds.

Tyre options are limited for Bridgestone riders this weekend, with
minimal supplies of a modified rear construction tyre, designed to counter
the problems that surfaced at Mugello last weekend.

Race tyre choice has thus been simplified and there was only one
obvious option, which both riders used today to maximise race set-up.
Kawasaki engineers have used chassis and suspension adjustments to gain more
edge grip and balance with the available tyre choice.

Significant progress was made today and both riders are comfortable
with their set-up for tomorrow's race.

Shinya Nakano: 13th (1'43.948)
"The rear brake problem meant I ran out of time for a final fast lap,
so really I only had one chance on qualifying tyres. Even so, everyone
is very close on times and my laps were almost the same as yesterday. In
the morning we found a good setting for the race and our race tyre
appears to be working okay in these conditions, even though we have limited
choice. I'm feeling much better now, and I'm ready for the race."

Alex Hofmann: 14th (1'44.126)
"My focus today was on getting good race performance, and I think we
have done that considering what we can do with the tyre options. Again
today I wasn't so lucky with my final flying lap on qualifiers, with a
slow rider causing me problems and then missing out on a slipstream. A
good tow can mean maybe 0.4s a lap here, but I'm happy overall. The one
race tyre choice we have is working for both Shinya and I, and we are
just trying to get the best out of it. It will be tough tomorrow but, as
always, I'm hoping for points."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"Shinya didn't have a good run at the end session of the session, so
that was unfortunate. I'm expecting both our riders can be in the points
and Shinya is capable of a top ten finish here. Both the riders need to
make better starts than the past couple of races; this is important. On
the tyre front we are satisfied, even though we understand that we are
missing a little performance, although in the circumstances this is
acceptable."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE 2 - FINAL TIMES
1. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar Honda 1'42.596; 2. Valentino
Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +0.363; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA)
Repsol Honda +0.528; 4. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda Team +0.967; 5. Marco
Melandri (ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +1.005; 6. Alex Barros (BRA)
Repsol Honda +1.051; 7. Ruben Xaus (SPA) dAntin Ducati Team +1.084; 8.
John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki Grand Prix Team +1.097; 9. Makoto Tamada (JPN)
Camel Honda Team +1.112; 10. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team
+1.197; 11. Colin Edwards (USA) Telefonica Movistar Honda +1.236; 12.
Carlos Checa (SPA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +1.264; 13. Shinya Nakano
(JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.352; 14. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing
Team +1.530

[mfzx6r]

I know what i'll be doing tonight !

foxtel foxtel


mario

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAN PREMI DE CATALUNYA
13TH JUNE 2004 - MOTOGP RACE RESULT

SUPER SHINYA'S SHOW OF FAITH PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR KAWASAKI AT CATALUNYA

Shinya Nakano bounced back from his huge crash at Mugello with a
vengeance this afternoon. The Fuchs Kawasaki rider brought his Ninja ZX-RR
home in seventh place at the Circuit de Catalunya; the best result for
Kawasaki since the factory returned to Grand Prix racing at the end of
the 2002 season.

Nakano's Fuchs Kawasaki teammate, Alex Hofmann, also had something to
celebrate, as he finished an impressive eleventh; his best result of the
season so far.

The race was a triumph for Nakano, the team and Kawasaki’s tyre
partner, Bridgestone, just one week after the setback of Nakano's terrifying
crash in the Italian GP. But, the Mugello nightmare was a faded memory
today, as Nakano rode a superb race on a modified rear tyre that had
been constructed and delivered by Bridgestone in just three days.

Before a near capacity crowd of 102,000 both Fuchs Kawasaki riders
comfortably completed the 25 lap race distance aboard their Ninja ZX-RR
machines with no tyre problems at all.

Nakano was ecstatic with what he described as "a back from the dead"
performance, which was highlighted by his brilliant last corner passing
move on Max Biaggi's factory Honda to secure seventh.

Hofmann missed a top tenth finish by just one tenth of second when he
just failed to retake Loris Capirossi's factory Ducati on the final lap,
after a close battle over the closing five laps. Early in the race
Hofmann lost some ground in a tight battle for track position in a packed
field, dropping to 17th on the opening lap, but once the race settled he
made consistent forward progress.

Nakano settled in 13th place early on, beginning his forward charge on
lap seven and never looking back.

For two days of practice and qualifying both riders worked together
with Kawasaki and Bridgestone engineers to compensate for the limited tyre
choice for this race, and their hard work and dedication certainly paid
dividends this afternoon. Hofmann and Nakano were the only two
Bridgestone riders to finish today's race in the points.

Shinya Nakano: 7th
"Last week I crashed at Mugello and thought I was dead, and then today
I score my best result of the season. That's racing, and that's why I
enjoy it so much. Towards the end of the race I could see Max Biaggi was
spinning up the rear quite a lot, so I knew there was an opportunity to
pass him into the last turn if I changed my line slightly. There were a
lot of discussions about tyres in the paddock before today's race, but
I was never in any doubt that the rear that Bridgestone gave us today
would last full race distance. Both Bridgestone and my crew did an
amazing job this weekend, giving me a really good race set-up so that I was
able to control the slides and stay with the factory Honda guys. In
some corners I had something of an advantage, but then lost out again on
the straights. I have to say, my team and the guys at Bridgestone
deserve a big thank you for today's result."

Alex Hofmann: 11th
"Once again there was a problem getting the bike off the line and I
dropped back quite a few places off the start. Then I was involved in a
seven way battle and I got held up for too long by Neil Hodgson; I could
pass him into the turns, only for him to retake the position on the
straights. Towards the end I had a great battle with Loris. He would
overtake on the straights and I'd pass him in the corners, but on the final
lap he defended his line really well and I couldn't quite manage to
squeeze past him for tenth. Bridgestone did a fantastic job for us today.
Like Shinya, I never had any doubt that the tyre would be good for race
distance."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"After what happened at Mugello, I am full of respect for Bridgestone
and the job they did to make such a very competitive tyre in just three
days. Our team never had any doubt that the race tyre was technically
safe for race distance, and our riders and engineers worked perfectly to
find a set-up that would deliver maximum performance. We did not get
involved in trying to predict anything before the race, preferring
instead to let the final result tell the story. Today Shinya was brilliant as
he showed that nothing can slow him down. It was also a strong race by
Alex, and in company with Bridgestone, we have a lot of confidence for
the coming races."

MOTOGP RACE - FINAL TIMES
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 44'03.255; 2. Sete
Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar Honda +0.159; 3. Marco Melandri (ITA)
Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +13.923; 4. Carlos Checa (SPA) Gauloises
Fortuna Yamaha +19.213; 5. Colin Edwards (USA) Telefonica Movistar Honda
+21.205; 6. Ruben Xaus (SPA) dAntin Ducati Team +22.847; 7. Shinya Nakano
(JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +24.014; 8. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda
Team +24.104; 9. Norick Abe (JPN) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +35.676; 10.
Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +40.775; 11. Alex Hofmann
(GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +40.862; 12. Neil Hodgson (GBR) dAntin Ducati
Team +56.157; 13. Shane Byrne (GBR) Aprilia Racing +1'03.679

[mfzx6r]

great race



mario

[ninjaboy]

You'd think they would consider twice about using the same tyres - unless some sort of assurance or team sponsorship legality gets in the way of switching to another set.
But not Just Nakano, but Tamada AGAIN - his last race stopped due to tyre failure, and yet again his tyres let him down - surely they've got to either change reconsider a different brand, or get a different set of tyres to fit the bike.
But overall, a great race - at least the Rossi/Gibernau fight wasnt just for 6 laps this round.

I Hope Bayliss was OK - looked like he may have broken a collar bone...ouch!

[aardvark]

Yeah, the Bayliss crash looked NASTY!!