Kawasaki Racing team - new engine test.

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM DEVELOPMENT TEST
29 AUGUST 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


PERFORMANCE BOOST FROM REVISED NINJA ZX-RR ENGINE
Following their points scoring finishes in yesterday's Czech Grand Prix Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, were back on track at the Brno circuit today, to continue the development of Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine.

For Nakano, the aim of today's test was to evaluate the latest version of Kawasaki's 990cc, inline four-cylinder Ninja ZX-RR engine, comparing it during back-to-back tests with the bike that the Japanese rider took to twelfth place in yesterday's race.

With more revs and improved top end power from the revised engine, Nakano was able to match his lap times from yesterday's race, circulating the 5.4km Brno circuit today with a best time of 1'59.6s.

While his Japanese teammate concentrated on the engine, Hofmann's test schedule focussed on tyre testing with Bridgestone and the evaluation of revised chassis components on his Ninja ZX-RR.

The 25-year-old German rider tested a new specification front fork from Öhlins, which both Kawasaki riders have now confirmed improves stability of the Ninja ZX-RR under braking.

Hofmann also tested new carbon brakes from Brembo, designed to offer more consistent operation and improved durability under extreme high temperatures.

The Kawasaki pilot then completed his test schedule with two endurance runs for Bridgestone, using rear tyres with the same profile and construction - although with different compounds - to the tyre that took Loris Capirossi to a podium finish in yesterday's Czech Grand Prix.

Nakano will continue evaluation of the latest specification Ninja ZX-RR engine tomorrow, together with a revised exhaust system from Akrapovic. With near perfect test conditions at the Brno circuit today, Hofmann was able to complete his test programme ahead of schedule and will not ride alongside his teammate tomorrow.

Shinya Nakano: 1'59.6 (64 Laps)
"The latest engine is a definite improvement; I could feel straight away that there was more top-end power. The power also doesn't drop off as steeply at the top of the rev range, there's more over-rev, and this gives you more options on gear selection for some corners. I tried a shorter gear through some of the turns today that would not have been possible with the previous specification engine. We still have some development work to do, but first are positive."

Alex Hofmann: 1'59.9 (67 Laps)
"It's always hard testing after a race, but today's test has been very productive. The new brake discs and pads from Brembo worked well on the bike, although we won't really see the benefits of this new system until Motegi, which is always hard on brakes. We also tested a new specification front fork that improved the stability of the bike under braking. Finally I did two endurance runs for Bridgestone and, although it was hard work, I was happy to see that my lap times stayed consistent throughout."

Naoya Kaneko: Technical Coordinator
"Shinya's feedback on the latest version of our Ninja ZX-RR engine was very positive, which confirms that our development programme is moving in the right direction. Shinya will continue the engine evaluation tomorrow using a slightly different exhaust system. Alex's comments about the new carbon brake set-up from Brembo were also positive, and we're confident that the new system will eliminate some of the problems that he suffered at Motegi last year."

[redzedx7r]

Not good enough fellas those time still would have kept them outside the top ten at Brno, whats happening Harald you been hanging around those losers at Suzuki?

[Yankee]

still though--- atleast it is in the right direstion!!
who knows, the new exhaust, some tweaking.... hhmmmm

[HemiDuty]

Maybe they just need PCIIIs and K & N filters.

[MadKaw]

or a TRE...

[MickLC]

At least they've already got the Akra's

[Glen]

I wonder if you get a track day kit with every ZX RR?

[HemiDuty]

Nah Bridgestone didn't want em putting Michelins on them. Besides which they wouldn't fit.

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM DEVELOPMENT TEST
30 AUGUST 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SUCCESSFUL TEST FOR NAKANO AHEAD OF HOME GRAND PRIX
With Alex Hofmann having completed his test programme ahead of schedule yesterday, it was left to Shinya Nakano alone to continue development work on Kawasaki's latest Ninja ZX-RR engine during today's final day of testing at the Brno circuit.

The revised engine, which Nakano tested for the first time yesterday, produces more peak power, but also retains the 'driveability' of the previous incarnation of Kawasaki's 990cc, inline four-cylinder MotoGP motor.

Nakano, together with his regular crew and development engineers from Kawasaki in Japan, concentrated today on evaluating changes to the engine management system, and assessing revisions to the front-end geometry on his Ninja ZX-RR.

The 27-year-old Japanese rider also tested a new specification exhaust during the afternoon session, collecting valuable data for Kawasaki's ongoing development programme.

After a busy race weekend, followed by two days of intensive testing, Nakano will spend a few days at home in Japan recuperating, before starting preparations for his home Grand Prix at Motegi, scheduled for Sunday 18th September.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - 1'59.74 (48 Laps)
"It's been two hard days of testing, both for me and my crew, but we've achieved a lot. We've done a lot of laps on the new engine and, while there is still some development work to be done to realise its full potential, my overall impression has been very positive. It has more top-end power, and the power doesn't drop off so sharply on over-rev. Brno is not such an 'engine circuit' so it will be interesting to see what advantages the new motor offers at Motegi, where I hope to try it again during practice. Overall, although we haven't seen much of an improvement in lap times, it's still been a very productive two days of testing for us."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Manager
"This has been a very positive test for Kawasaki. The feedback and data we have collected during these two days will allow us to continue our engine development programme ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. We now have a clear direction for our engineers, and I am confident that we can make further improvements to the engine before the next race. Motegi is an important race for Shinya, and also for Kawasaki, so we are focussing all our efforts on providing our riders with the best possible package for this event. The same is also true of Bridgestone, who have collected a lot of data on Motegi through their involvement in the Japanese championship. I'm sure that the tyres they supply to us for this race will offer some advantages over those of our competitors."

[jpbikeboy]

They need a jpbikeboy turbo Could you imagine one of those things with forced induction. I think it would spend most of its time in the pits or in the litter.

[HemiDuty]

Certainly wouldn't spend much time with the front wheel on the ground anyway.