Kawasaki Racing Team - Germany

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 10 - ALICE MOTORRAD GRAND PRIX DEUTSCHLAND
27 JULY 2005 - EVENT PREVIEW


THREE MAN SQUAD FOR KAWASAKI AT GERMAN GRAND PRIX
The Kawasaki Racing Team will field a three man squad on factory Ninja ZX-RRs in the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring this weekend.

Frenchman Olivier Jacque will boost the team as a wild card entry, joining regular riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann.

Jacque was recently signed as a test and development rider by Kawasaki and his German Grand Prix appearance is part of that programme, which combines both testing and racing.

The 31-year-old Frenchman is already a familiar face at Kawasaki, with two impressive race appearances for the Japanese factory earlier in the season at the Chinese and French Grand Prix races.

Jacque's brilliant wet weather performance for second place at Shanghai in the Chinese Grand Prix delivered Kawasaki's best-ever result so far in MotoGP.

And, although Jacque has not raced at the Sachsenring for two years, he has a high success rate at the hillside German circuit.

At the 2002 MotoGP race Jacque qualified on pole position for the German Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Nakano, Max Biaggi and Alex Barros, with Valentino Rossi sixth on the grid.

In 2000, on his way to winning the 250cc World Championship, Jacque scored the Sachsenring double - pole position and race win!

With both Nakano and Hofmann very strong performers at Sachsenring the Kawasaki squad has a formidable line-up, for what is regarded as its second home race of the season.

The Kawasaki-Eckl team's European base is at Vohenstrauss, in south-east Germany.

At the Sachsenring last year Nakano qualified fifth, just 0.25s off pole position, and finished a strong seventh in the race. German young gun Hofmann, again set to race before a strong home crowd, was an impressive tenth in 2004 after starting from sixteenth position.

The current Sachsenring hosted its first Grand Prix event in 1998, although the layout was altered in 2001 and the 3.6 km track is now a combination of ten left-hand corners and only four rights, linked by short straights. The rear tyre gets a heavy work-out at this track, which features steep, up and down sections with its hillside location.

The 30-lap race will be the tenth round of the MotoGP World Championship.

Shinya Nakano: #56
"The Sachsenring is a very technical circuit and one of my favourites, so I'm aiming for good results like last year. The final section with the high-speed right corner, downhill section and then uphill onto the straight is critical to a fast lap time and I really like this part of the track. Our team is based in Germany, so this is always a special weekend and I'm keen to make-up for the disappointment of last week's British Grand Prix when I crashed because of a clutch problem."

Alex Hofmann: #66
"It's my home race and I've heard it is virtually sold out, so there should be a great atmosphere at the track. I'm going there to enjoy it and not feel any pressure, but with the ZX-RR running the way it is I hope to give the fans something to cheer about. The key to Sachsenring is tyre edge grip feeling, especially for all the long left corners; the bike is on maximum lean angle a long time. The track is short, technical and physical and I would like to back-up my eighth place at the British Grand Prix last Sunday with another good result."

Olivier Jacque: #19
"This will only be my third Grand Prix of the season, but it's going to be great to be back with Kawasaki, especially at a track where I have some good memories. I've been training hard and this race is really the beginning of my programme as test rider, so I'm looking forward to the challenge, and working with the team to further improve the ZX-RR. It is already a very strong package and I think it will feel at home at the Sachsenring."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"OJ's presence will strengthen the team and we have already seen what he is capable of this season. We are optimistic for a good performance here, as Sachsenring should be compatible with the latest ZX-RR package - both engine and handling set-up - however tyre performance will again be a critical factor. Shinya is always strong at this track and Alex will have a lot of support to finish ten top again like he did at Donington."

[red_dave]

Go OJ...

[Mojo67]

Alex Hofmann: #66
I'm going there to enjoy it and not feel any pressure

Pressure comes from expectations, and there's no risk of anyone expecting Alex to do any good.

Welcome back OJ, hope you do well.

[HemiDuty]

Alex Hofmann: #66
I'm going there to enjoy it and not feel any pressure

Pressure comes from expectations, and there's no risk of anyone expecting Alex to do any good.

Welcome back OJ, hope you do well.

Hahahaha yeah aint that the truth.

[redzedx7r]

i remember OJ leading the Sachenring race in the first year of the 4 strokes till he was taken out by Senor Alex Lastalate Brae kas Butter Crashalotta Barros gifting Rossi a very easy win. Go OJ! Go Casey & Westie and Go Troy

[Phil]

guess what, after the first day alex is the slowest (of the green machines) and complaining about no feel - can they just piss him off now and be done with it.

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 10 - ALICE MOTORRAD GRAND PRIX DEUTSCHLAND
29 JULY 2005 - FREE PRACTICE


NAKANO FIFTH FASTEST IN GERMAN HEAT WAVE
Japanese rider Shinya Nakano sweated through heat wave conditions at the Sachsenring, to lead the Kawasaki assault in today's free practice for the German Grand Prix.

Nakano posted the fifth fastest time, just 0.3s off the quickest lap by Alex Barros, as he made excellent use of the latest engine configuration supplied for this race.

Nakano is part of a three man Ninja ZX-RR squad entered for the German GP. He is joined by regular team rider Alex Hofmann and wild card Olivier Jacque, who is Kawasaki's MotoGP test and development rider.

For this afternoon's second one hour session, track surface temperatures started at 48 degrees but soared to a tropical 52 degrees in the baking summer sun.

Nakano, Hofmann and Jacque all used different configurations of engine tune today, allowing Kawasaki engineers to evaluate the most suitable for Sunday's 30-lap race.

This use of different motors is also part of the test and development programme for Kawasaki's all-new MotoGP power plant for the 2006 season, which is currently being designed in Japan.

The presence of test rider Jacque is providing valuable additional track time and feedback, with six Ninja ZX-RR race bikes for the three riders in the Kawasaki garage. Jacque last raced for Kawasaki at the French GP in May.

Kawasaki's tyre partner Bridgestone have delivered a range of new dual-compound tyres, which were not available for last Sunday's British GP, to the Sachsenring.

With the left side of the tyre carrying a much heavier load through the ten left-hand corners, the ideal tyre for this track requires a different compound on each side of the tyre. There are just four right-hand turns in the 3.67 km lap.

Edge grip is critical for the long periods of maximum lean angle. Apart from further engine evaluation Kawasaki technicians are also searching for improved front-end grip for the special demands of the Sachsenring.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Fifth - 1'24.113
"I'm feeling much better on the bike than I was at Donington just a few days ago. I can do fast, consistent times with improved throttle connection from the latest engine tune on the Ninja ZX-RR. Combined with the grip levels of the new Bridgestone tyres, I was able to concentrate on my riding today, and not worry so much about the bike or tyres. I think we can improve more, both with the engine settings and the front end feeling."

Olivier Jacque: #19 - Fifteenth - 1'24.752
"Today was very difficult to get back into the rhythm of MotoGP in these very hot conditions. You cannot compare any type of training to the demands of a MotoGP bike in this heat. Plus there is no time to relax on this track. Overall my feeling is okay, although I'm lacking some confidence in the front end. I have a preference for one of the different engine configurations I tried today, throttle connection is much improved, but I need more miles on the bike."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Seventeenth - 1'25.070
"Hot, tough and disappointing, that's my reaction to today's two hours of free practice. I don't want to complain about the heat or lack of grip levels, it's the same for everyone. My big problem is I'm missing front end feel, I'm not comfortable on the bike and the front set-up is a long way from where it needs to be. This track is all about front-end confidence, I'm not happy."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director
"Today we were able to confirm our latest ideas on engine configuration, both for this race and our 2006 plans, and we will concentrate further on this tomorrow. In particular the feedback from Shinya was very positive, although we still need to work on the engine management system to improve power delivery, it's a little slow at the moment. But throttle connection is very good. Also for all three riders we need to improve front end balance for better grip and turning."

FREE PRACTICE - COMBINED TIMES
1. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda 1'23.808; 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.107; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.187; 4. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.246; 5. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.305; 6. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +0.322; 7. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +0.440; 8. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Camel Honda +0.450; 9. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.512; 10. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +0.574; 11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.581; 15. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.944; 17. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.262

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 10 - ALICE MOTORRAD GRAND PRIX DEUTSCHLAND
30 JULY 2005 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE


KAWASAKI TEAM STICKS TOGETHER AT THE SACHSENRING
Kawasaki's trio of factory riders delivered a near perfect team performance in today's qualifying session for tomorrow's German Grand Prix.

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano led the Ninja ZX-RR charge by claiming position twelve on the third row of the grid, although he was hard pressed by teammates Alex Hofmann and Olivier Jacque.

German ace Hofmann, riding in his home race, was bidding to be the top Kawasaki rider, but just missed out by two hundredths of a second. He will start 13th at the head of the fourth row and, importantly, on the inside part of the track for the run to the tight first corner.

Hofmann had a satisfying day after working with his technical crew to improve front end feel, after he struggled in yesterday's free practice.

Just 0.3s behind, from 14th on the grid, is Jacque, the Frenchman making a welcome return to the Kawasaki squad as a wild card for this race.

All riders had use of the latest tyres from Bridgestone today, including dual-compound rear tyres to handle the special demands of the Sachsenring.

Interestingly, the seven factory riders across three teams using Bridgestone tyres were grouped together on the grid, separated by just 0.6s from eighth to fourteenth positions.

Today's set-up work included continuing evaluation of various engine configurations and chassis balance to handle the short, bumpy and rollercoaster layout of the Sachsenring.

Track conditions for qualifying were much cooler than for yesterday's free practice after a torrential, overnight storm lashed the Sachsenring area.

It was sunny and warm today with a track temperature of 42 degrees, down from yesterday's tropical 52 degrees.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Twelfth - 1'23.382
"I expected a little more from qualifying, I thought at least the second row was possible, but I'm much happier than a week ago at Donington. I didn't really have any problems and all the riders on Bridgestone qualifying tyres are grouped together; I think this is our level at the moment. The race set-up is consistent, but I will need a very good start here, it is very difficult to overtake."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Thirteenth - 1'23.405
"That's more like it, a very satisfying day although I must admit my aim was to be the fastest Kawasaki rider. Yesterday I struggled but the team did a good job, we spent a lot of time focussing on the problems and analysing the set-up. From this morning the feedback from the front end was much better and I have a good pace. Thirty laps here is not going to be easy for us, but hopefully I can keep all my home fans happy tomorrow."

Olivier Jacque: #19 - Fourteenth - 1'23.715
"I was much happier this afternoon than in morning practice, we went the wrong way on set-up but found the right direction for qualifying. I only had one run on a soft qualifying tyre but I did a lot of laps at a comfortable rhythm on race tyres. You need to be precise and have a relaxed set-up for this track, so I'm feeling positive for the race tomorrow."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Manager
"There was a big temperature difference from morning to afternoon when it was much hotter. This made tyre evaluation a little difficult, but it seems our race tyre options here will be competitive and consistent."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"The Kawasaki squad is together on the grid, a strong team performance. But overall I was anticipating our bikes could be closer to the front given the layout of this track and the current ZX-RR package. We continue to work hard and improve, but clearly our competitors do the same, so we have to understand that this is a very tough level of racing. This is never an easy track, but Kawasaki has three riders capable of finishing in the top ten tomorrow and that is our goal."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE - FINAL TIMES
1. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'22.785; 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.104; 3. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +0.147; 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.18; 5. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.266; 6. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +0.269; 7. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.354; 8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.389; 9. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +0.427; 10. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +0.511; 12. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.597; 13. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.620; 14. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.930

[red_dave]

A great ride from Nakkers...

[ty]

I forgot to tape it - woke up this morning to find that the missus remembered and setup it up for me. Isn't she sweet?
Be watching it later...
ty
EDIT: yep, well done to nakkers. I'd like to know what happened to Alex and OJ though

[Phil]

I forgot to tape it - woke up this morning to find that the missus remembered and setup it up for me. Isn't she sweet?
Be watching it later...
ty
EDIT: yep, well done to nakkers. I'd like to know what happened to Alex and OJ though

they took each other out, and to quote the press release "have differing views of the event"

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 10 - ALICE MOTORRAD GRAND PRIX DEUTSCHLAND
31 JULY 2005 - MOTOGP RACE


SUPER SHINYA SUPERB SIXTH AT SACHSENRING
Super-smooth Shinya Nakano finished in a superb sixth position in today's German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring.

Nakano was in top form in the crash-delayed race, which was stopped after six laps and then restarted over the reduced distance of 25 laps.

Riding his Ninja ZX-RR fitted with the latest dual-compound Bridgestone tyres, Nakano made a fast start and challenged the top group throughout the race.

Nakano was the first Bridgestone rider to finish the race and consolidated his ninth place in the World Championship standings with 65 points.

The race was a bitter disappointment for Kawasaki team riders, Alex Hofmann and Olivier Jacque, who collided at the first corner at the first start.

Both had qualified at a similar pace to Nakano and there was an expectation that Kawasaki's three riders would all challenge for top ten positions. Both Hofmann and Jacque had differing versions of the turn one crash.

Six laps after the turn one pile-up the German GP was stopped when American rider John Hopkins was stranded on the track after a huge highside crash. The red flag came out and a full restart was ordered.

With minor adjustments to his Ninja ZX-RR settings Nakano set-off on his stirring ride that saw him finish well ahead of a squadron of factory rivals from Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki.

At the finish Nakano was just 4.5s seconds behind race winner Valentino Rossi, having closed the gap to Alex Barros (fifth) and Max Biaggi (fourth) to just over one second in the final laps.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Sixth
"That was an exciting race for me, it makes such a big difference when you see the top group and can race close to them. In the second race I was able to do fast and consistent times and overtake Capirossi and chase the front group. The tyre performance from Bridgestone was very good today in these conditions and I was very comfortable at this pace. Towards the end I had a couple of front end slides so I just made sure I finished. Kawasaki and Bridgestone are back challenging the front group, which is exactly where we should be."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - DNF
"It's very frustrating to be out of a 30-lap race after just 250 metres, especially my home Grand Prix, and it is not a good situation for the Kawasaki team. I made a good start and going into turn one Shakey Byrne was way too late on the brakes and I knew he would crash, so I opened some room for him. Then I flicked into the corner, it was open and clear, and then my rear end was gone when OJ hit me. I haven't got eyes in the back of my head. Shakey being late on the brakes is not the reason we crashed. I had a chance today to show what I could do, it's very disappointing."

Olivier Jacque: #19 - DNF
"I'm sorry for Alex, I know how bad he must feel about this incident at his home race. In turn one Shakey Byrne came from behind, very hard on the brakes and crashed in front of Alex who just had to wait a moment to flick into the corner. I was behind and on the inside a little and able to turn into the corner, and then Alex had some room and turned in and we just touched, it was an unfortunate incident. It's very disappointing for me, I need to race and do laps and get more experience on the Kawasaki."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Manager
"A very good race by Shinya. From today we saw that the current tyre direction from Bridgestone is very good for the Ninja ZX-RR. Bridgestone brought special tyres here for the ZX-RR to match a request from Shinya and he delivered a great result. It is a great pity that Alex and OJ crashed, both could have finished in good positions this weekend."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"I'm smiling and crying at the same time. Shinya rode a fantastic race, he was fast and consistent, so thanks to the excellent effort from Bridgestone this weekend. I can understand that the situation with Alex and OJ crashing at the first corner is a huge disappointment for Alex with many home fans at this race. Alex was matching Shinya's pace in practice and had the same tyres and set-up for the race, I'm confident he could have finished in the top ten also."

MOTOGP RACE RESULT
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 35'04.434; 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.685; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.885; 4. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +2.365; 5. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +2.855; 6. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +4.557; 7. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +12.269; 8. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +14.849; 9. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +23.489; 10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +27.829; DNF. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team; DNF. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team

[Barrabob]

Well what can I say great work by nakers not only did he finish on the same lap as the winner but also in view of him crossing the finish line....a rider at the pointy end of the buisness is a great acheivment for kawasaki and bridgestone although i reckon the kwacka has the goods its the brigestone/rider combo that needs work.


Had to love the track too it has plenty of up hill and down hill sections rather than a aircraft runway on both sides makes it into more of my kind of racetrack rather than a dragstip with corners.

He was within a sniiff who knows whats comeing next maybe a fourth or a third would be good, it was a shame about hofman and oj but it happens.

was a shame about the finish of the 125s as well but i supose thats the rules, the track really suited the smaller bikes too a t with great racing lap after lap.

#$@%*&%$### three week break.