Kawasaki Press Release - Qatar

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAND PRIX OF QATAR - LOSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
29TH SEPTEMBER 2004 - EVENT PREVIEW

SHINYA AND ALEX READY FOR DESERT ADVENTURE

Fuchs Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, will be a part
of MotoGP history at the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix, which takes place
on the newly constructed Losail International Circuit near Doha this
weekend.

The race brings the MotoGP World Championship to the Middle East,
opening up a new market for spectators and the ever-increasing global
television audience for the sport.

Invigorated by Nakano's third-place podium result at last week's
Japanese Grand Prix, the Kawasaki squad is relishing being part of the
Arabian Gulf adventure.

And the purpose built, 5.4 km, 16 turn Losail track will bring an
unusual element to the 2004 MotoGP championship. For once, all riders will
be 'rookies' as they face the challenge of a venue that is hosting its
first Grand Prix, with no test or set-up data.

Hot weather is expected to send track temperatures soaring to 50
degrees, and the prospect of unknown grip levels on a new and smooth and
possibly sand-blown track surface will be a challenge for both Kawasaki and
Bridgestone engineers.

Not surprisingly Nakano comes to Qatar in a buoyant mood, having
delivered the first MotoGP podium for the four-stroke Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR at
his home race in Motegi.

That result came just three months after the Japanese rider's
nightmare, high-speed crash at the Italian GP at Mugello; a low point that
Kawasaki's tyre partner Bridgestone has recovered from with impressive
speed.

Nakano's Fuchs Kawasaki team-mate Hofmann, a rising young gun in the
Grand Prix ranks, can also be proud of his tenth place finish at Motegi,
as he continues on his steep MotoGP learning curve.

And as Hofmann notes, at Qatar he will not be the only rider learning a
new track.

Apart from 16 turns, second only to Assen in Holland with 23 corners,
the Losail track also features a 1,100 metre straight, which should
produce 300 kph plus top speeds.

Anticipating the physical demands with a race in heat wave conditions,
both Nakano and Hofmann have maintained their tough training schedules
since the Japanese GP.

Immediately following the Qatar race there will be a rush to pack
bikes, spares and race equipment to reach the next stop on the MotoGP
calendar - the Malaysian GP at Sepang just one week later.

This punishing schedule is part of a relentless sequence of four races
in five weeks, with the season ending at Valencia at the end of
October.

Shinya Nakano: #56
"Of course I had a very good feeling after the podium at Motegi; it was
a result I did not expect. It was very busy in the days after the race
in Japan with many phone calls, interviews and a visit to the
Bridgestone headquarters. Being on the podium just three months after my big
crash at Mugello is a fantastic reward for all the hard work by
Bridgestone and Kawasaki. Everyone involved with the team is now more confident
and motivated. Qatar will be very different; a new track to learn and
perhaps a surface that will be a little dusty given the desert location.
I'm looking forward to the challenge. I will do some laps on a scooter
with my race engineer before practice to try and understand what we
need to be competitive at this track."

Alex Hofmann: #66
"Qatar is a new adventure so everyone is a rookie at this track, not
just me. It will be a busy time from first practice, with all the riders
trying to learn as much about the track and the surface as they can. It
is difficult to predict how the ZX-RR will adapt to this circuit, which
looks fast on paper. Like many riders, all I know about the circuit is
what Randy Mamola has told me after his demonstration laps at the track
launch. Like South Africa, it seems the surface could be dusty for
first practice but, hopefully, it will clean up and have some good grip by
race day. Our Bridgestone tyres are generally very good at hot races,
so that is a positive for us. I'm ready for a hot race; I had very
enjoyable break after Motegi and got in the last of the summer mountain
biking weather in Switzerland."

[redzedx7r]

man is that place gonna test their fitness and tyres, its cooling down a bit now but the daytime temps are up around 34degs/c god knows what the track temp will be!
insya allah there will be another green podium!
Seanzx7r

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAND PRIX OF QATAR - LOSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
30TH SEPTEMBER 2004 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1

NAKANO AND HOFMANN ON THE PACE FOR DOHA DESERT RACE

A desert heat wave greeted Fuchs Kawasaki MotoGP riders Shinya Nakano
and Alex Hofmann, as they headed out on track at the start of today's
first qualifying session for the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix.

Track temperatures topped 50 degrees at the new Losail Circuit on the
outskirts of Doha, as the MotoGP riders continued with learning the
characteristics of the track ahead of the historic first MotoGP race in the
Middle East.

At the end of the one hour session Nakano had secured ninth place on
the provisional grid, with Hofmann just 0.3s behind in 13th position.

It was a day of fast learning on the 16 turn, 5.4 km circuit, with
riders undertaking a track sweeping role in morning free practice because
of dust and sand that had blown onto the racing surface.

However, grip levels improved dramatically for qualifying, with lap
times dropping by six seconds as a clean racing line became evident and
rubber was laid down on the billiard table smooth surface.

That produced a racing line that was only about three metres wide,
leaving little room for error.

Caution was the order of the day on the slippery surface, with Nakano
and Hofmann preferring to adapt their riding styles and the Ninja ZX-RR
set-up to a circuit with constantly improving grip levels.

Carrying on his impressive form from last week's Japanese GP, Nakano
was in the top ten throughout the qualifying session and was as high as
second place after 15 minutes.

Nakano is confident that he has more to come, especially from his own
riding, as he explores the limits of braking performance and front end
grip.

And Hofmann is also confident he left some speed behind with a mistake
in the third sector on his fastest lap, costing him valuable time.

A strong tail wind blew along the main straight in the afternoon, with
only marginal discomfort on other parts of the circuit which features
just one first gear corner.

Both Nakano and Hofmann expressed their delight with the Losail layout,
which happily avoids the use of tight, flip-flop chicanes in its
design.

Shinya Nakano: 9th (2'03.356)
"Overall I'm happy because I was always in the top ten. Today was a
case of concentrating on learning the track and finding a set-up for the
race. For sure we have to improve a lot, but I think a lot of that is
down to my riding, especially in the fast corners. I'm lacking some
feeling and confidence with the front end. I'm sure that as the grip levels
improve all riders will be able to brake much deeper into the corners.
I really like the layout, but the dust is the main problem and it will
be difficult to overtake away from the racing line. For this reason, it
will be important to have a good qualifying position."

Alex Hofmann: 13th (2'03.621)
"I'm enjoying the track very much, but it is obvious everyone is
struggling with the grip level, although it is improving virtually every lap
as we sweep the track clean. However, the racing line is narrow and it
would be verging on suicide to stray off it; the grip level drops
dramatically away from the clean part of the surface. The section of track
coming off turn ten is perfect for a MotoGP bike, as it accelerates
sideways from second up to fifth gear: Fantastic. On my fast lap I had a
good run behind Biaggi, but made a mistake in the third sector so I'm not
real happy about that, but I'm learning every lap."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"The Losail facilities are a fantastic addition to the MotoGP calendar,
and it is clear everyone has made a big effort to stage this race. The
whole set-up is a step forward for our sport, especially things like
the air-conditioned garages. I hope that all the teams can stage a race
that is worthy of this investment. The track is new for everyone and
both Alex and Shinya were careful today as they build-up their track
knowledge. Both riders did an excellent job, and the early indications are
that the Ninja ZX-RR and our Bridgestone tyres will be well suited to
this circuit."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1 - FINAL TIMES
1. Ruben Xaus (SPA) dAntin Ducati Team 2'01.309; 2. Colin Edwards (USA)
Telefonica Movistar Honda +0.308; 3. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica
Movistar Honda +0.573; 4. Carlos Checa (SPA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha
+1.435; 5. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda Team +1.745; 6. Valentino Rossi
(ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +1.965; 7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda
+1.965; 8. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki Grand Prix Team +1.992; 9. Shinya
Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +2.047; 10. Neil Hodgson (GBR) dAntin
Ducati Team +2.071; 11. Alex Barros (BRA) Repsol Honda +2.113; 12.
Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +2.306; 13. Alex Hofmann (GER)
Kawasaki Racing Team +2.312

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAND PRIX OF QATAR - LOSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
1ST OCTOBER 2004 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE 2

NAKANO MAKES PERFECT RUN TO QUALIFY IN FIFTH PLACE

With impeccable timing Fuchs Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano made a
dramatic surge to secure fifth on the grid for tomorrow's inaugural Qatar
Grand Prix.
Nakano carved four seconds off his time from first qualifying to go
within 0.24s of pole position.

His second row start comes just two weeks after his best race result of
the season so far, a third place podium at last weeks Japanese Grand
Prix.

With just two seconds remaining of the session, Nakano began his final
qualifying lap and produced a superb performance, getting the best out
of his Ninja ZX-RR and Bridgestone qualifying tyre.

Start positions will be critical for the 22 lap race, which will be run
in heat wave conditions at the sand blown Losail Circuit on the
outskirts of Doha.

There is a narrow racing line on the strip of track swept clean by
riders, and both Nakano and his Fuchs Kawasaki team-mate, Alex Hofmann, say
that overtaking will be extremely difficult.

Hofmann has set himself a massive task for the race by qualifying 18th,
after a frustrating session in heat wave conditions with track
temperatures officially reaching 58 degrees.

Despite set-up changes to improve rear end grip, Hofmann was unable to
go any faster on a soft qualifying tyre than his standard race tyre
set-up. His consistent speed on a race set-up is a positive for the race,
but not so his starting spot on the sixth row.

Overnight set-up changes to front fork and spring settings produced
much improved front end feel on the brakes and turn-in on Nakano's ZX-RR.
The Japanese ace is also more confident with the consistency of his
race set-up for the 16 turn Losail track.

This will be Nakano's third second row start of the season, backing up
his fifth place qualifying efforts at Assen and the Sachsenring.

Shinya Nakano: 5th (1'59.232)
"After yesterday I would have been happy to be on third row today, so
going to fifth place is much better than my target. I was much more
confident with the front end and spent a lot of time trying to understand
the conditions; it is like racing on a wet track with just a dry racing
line. To make a fast lap here it helps to follow someone, because it is
difficult to judge the braking markers. On my final lap I had a very
good run behind Alex Barros. I'm very confident with my race set-up, but
the start will be the most important part of the race, as trying to
overtake here is almost impossible."

Alex Hofmann: 18th (2'01.531)
"This is not the result I was looking for; 18th on the grid at this
track and in these conditions is going to make the race very difficult.
Overtaking will be tough, the dust and dirt gives you virtually no grip
if you run wide. Today I just couldn't get any extra speed out of my
qualifying tyre compared to race tyres, it is very frustrating and
hopefully there is a set-up solution for the race. I was sliding more on the
soft qualifier than the race tyre, which probably made for great photos
but not a fast time."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"This is a great qualifying performance by Shinya, coming as it has
just two weeks after his podium in the Japanese Grand Prix. He did a
fantastic job, and from the second row he has an excellent chance in the
race with overtaking being so difficult. Alex also has good pace on race
tyres, but today he paid the penalty for not maximising the speed from
the qualifying tyres - although I think he can join Shinya in the points
in the race. It's going to be tough, but I think we have a good bike
and tyre package for these conditions."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE 2 - COMBINED TIMES
1. Carlos Checa (SPA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1'58.988; 2. Alex Barros
(BRA) Repsol Honda +0.131; 3. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar
Honda +0.138; 4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.199; 5. Shinya
Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.244; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati
Marlboro Team +0.293; 7. Ruben Xaus (SPA) dAntin Ducati Team +0.364; 8.
Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +0.506; 9. Troy Bayliss
(AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.563; 10. Colin Edwards (USA) Telefonica
Movistar Honda +0.594; 11. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki Grand Prix Team
+0.956; 12. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda Team +1.075; 18. Alex Hofmann
(GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +2.543

[mrmina]

is the tv program right?

is it 12:30am on ten.

[ty]

seems on track for that so far

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GRAND PRIX OF QATAR - LOSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
2ND OCTOBER 2004 - MOTOGP RACE RESULT

HOFMANN FINISHES A FAST NINTH IN QATAR HEAT WAVE

Fuchs Kawasaki rider Alex Hofmann scored his best result of the season
so far, with a determined ride to ninth place in today's inaugural
Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit on the outskirts of
Doha.

But while Hofmann celebrated, his team-mate Shinya Nakano saw a
potential podium finish snatched away when his Ninja ZX-RR suffered a
mechanical failure on lap four.

The retirement was a huge disappointment for the Japanese speed
merchant who had made a brilliant start from fifth on the grid to move into
third place behind eventual race winner Sete Gibernau, and Carlos Checa
on lap two.

It was an impressive turn of speed by Nakano aboard his
Bridgestone-shod Kawasaki, and he had high hopes of repeating his third place podium
result at last week's Japanese Grand Prix.

Today's 22-lap race was run in heat wave conditions with track
temperatures of over 50 degrees, which tested the endurance of both riders and
bikes to the limit.

Starting 18th on the grid Hofmann's task was made more difficult on the
sand-blown Losail Circuit, which had a narrow racing line that limited
overtaking opportunities.

But the German young gun rode with patience and skill to be 13th on lap
nine, and then position himself for a late race charge into ninth.

Hofmann had lost ground with a poor start from his grid position on the
dirty side of the circuit, with his ZX-RR spinning and sliding all the
way to turn one.

It was lap six before the 24-year-old Fuchs Kawasaki pilot had settled
into 15th and raced at the same pace as the group in front, which
included John Hopkins and Norick Abe.

The Qatar race broke new ground for MotoGP, opening up a new market in
the Middle East and providing riders and teams with many new challenges
from the dusty but fast circuit, and the stifling and exhausting
tropical temperatures.

Alex Hofmann: 9th
"That was a really tough race, but I'm really happy because it's my
best result of the season after starting so far back. But it could have
been even better, because towards the end of the race I could run at the
same pace as Hopkins and Abe, but I was just too far behind. The start
was a big problem from the dirtiest part of the track on the inside; I
was just spinning and sliding and lost too much time in the early laps.
In the final laps I was just riding smoothly and shifting gear early."

Shinya Nakano: DNF
"I had bad luck today, but that's racing. Last race I was on the podium
but today an engine problem meant a disappointing end to the race while
running in third place. My start was very good, but there were a lot of
riders bumping into each other, so there was a big chance of crashing.
Obviously Kawasaki have to work hard to understand our engine problems,
but despite this result, I'm very confident for the future after
qualifying fifth and racing in third place."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"It is disappointing to know that the ZX-RR has the performance
potential that Shinya again showed today, only to have some engine problems
rule him out of the race. It is clear that we have to work harder to keep
our motors alive and that is our priority now. Shinya did a fantastic
job this weekend, so I understand completely how he feels today. Alex
also performed strongly for his best result of the season, and if he can
qualify better and make stronger starts then his performances will only
improve."

MOTOGP RACE RESULT
1. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Telefonica Movistar Honda 44'01.741; 2. Colin
Edwards (USA) Telefonica Movistar Honda +1.315; 3. Ruben Xaus (SPA)
dAntin Ducati Team +23.844; 4. Alex Barros (BRA) Repsol Honda +25.458; 5.
Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +31.417; 6. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda
Team +39.209; 7. Norick Abe (JPN) Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha +53.373; 8.
John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki Grand Prix Team +58.006; 9. Alex Hofmann
(GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1'04.320; 10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Camel Honda
Team +1'18.518