Kawasaki Racing Team - testing
Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:11 am
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2007
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM PRESS OFFICE
21 JANUARY 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A NEW SEASON AND A NEW ERA FOR KAWASAKI
A revitalised Kawasaki Racing Team will get their 2007 MotoGP campaign underway on Monday, with the first of two planned pre-season tests at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.
This week is the start of an extensive test programme that will see the Kawasaki Racing Team complete 12 intensive days of testing in three different countries, as they work to refine the all-new 800cc ZX-RR ahead of the season opening Grand Prix of Qatar in March.
The Sepang test marks a new era, both for the MotoGP World Championship and for the Kawasaki Racing Team.
For the first time all five major manufacturers will field their 800cc machines at the same circuit, providing all the teams with their first opportunity to make direct comparisons with their rivals for the MotoGP World Championship title.
Sepang is also the first test in which the Kawasaki Racing Team will participate since the team was taken in-house by the Japanese manufacturer in November last year. Under the guidance of Kawasaki's new racing director, Ichiro Yoda, the team have worked tirelessly during the winter break to put in place the infrastructure necessary to support Kawasaki's MotoGP racing activities.
The process of working together to overcome many obstacles, and to meet increasingly tight deadlines, has resulted in a much more cohesive unit, which means that the team arrive in Sepang with higher expectations, and a higher level of morale, than in previous seasons.
But, while there is definitely a new air of optimism within the Kawasaki pit box, nobody is under any illusions about the task that faces them in the run up to the 2007 MotoGP season. Initial shakedown tests of the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR at the end of last year showed the bike's potential, but it also highlighted areas where development effort needed to be focussed in order to improve the overall package.
Work on the new bike has continued unabated during the winter test ban, and the Kawasaki Racing Team head into the first test of the new year confident that the development of the ZX-RR is on target, and with the clear goal of matching their factory rivals on the track by the time the test concludes on Wednesday.
Kawasaki's riders, Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque, know exactly what is expected of them during the three days of testing in Malaysia. With limited track time aboard the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR up to this point, the two Frenchmen must familiarise themselves with the characteristics of the new bike, while also providing Kawasaki's engineers with the data necessary to continue the development process back in Japan.
It will be a tough task for de Puniet and Jacque, but both riders arrive in Sepang refreshed after the winter break, and eager to get the new season underway with a positive first test.
Randy de Puniet: #14
"Let's go! After nearly two months off the bike I can't wait to get started again. I tested the new bike only very briefly at the end of last year, but it was enough to understand that it is a very different machine to the 990cc bike we raced in 2006, and that it demands a completely different riding style to get the best from it. I don't think there will be any problems adapting to the characteristics of the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR, but I guess we'll find out over the next three days. Obviously I want to end the test close to the fastest guys, but I'll be relatively happy if we leave here with a good base set-up and a better understanding of how to get the best from the bike at this circuit."
Olivier Jacque: #19
"It's good to be back full time in MotoGP with Kawasaki, and I'm definitely looking forward to the season ahead. For this test we will concentrate on finding a good base set-up for the new bike, but this will also be the first time I've worked with my new crew chief, Fiorenzo Fanali, so it will be an ideal opportunity for us both to check each other out and to find the best way of working together. As I said, the bike is new, so we will also be looking to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the new Ninja ZX-RR, so that we can pass this information back to the development engineers in Kawasaki's race department in Japan. My first impression of the bike when we tested it in November was that it's like a 250cc machine in feel, but with a lot more power. During the next three days I need to refine that assessment so that we can figure out how to take advantage of the unique characteristics of the 800cc machine."
Ichiro Yoda: Kawasaki Racing Director
"The fact that we are here in Sepang and all ready to start the new season is down to a lot of hard work by everyone involved in Kawasaki's MotoGP project. Our team members in Europe have cooperated closely with Kawasaki's European subsidiary to ensure that we have the infrastructure necessary to support our racing activities, while Kawasaki's engineers in Japan have worked long hours to develop our new 800cc ZX-RR into a competitive package with which to start the season. This cooperation between the many elements that make up the Kawasaki family has produced a strong team, which I'm sure will pay dividends for us in the future. Now we must focus on the next month of testing if we are to realise the full potential of our 800cc machine ready for the first race in Qatar. Our goals for the next three days are clear. Firstly we must find a base set-up on the new bike that both riders are happy with, and then we will start the refinement process based on the riders' feedback and analysis of the data downloaded from the bike. At this stage of the season our first priority must be our development schedule, but I see no reason why we shouldn't be aiming for a high position on the final timesheet by the end of these three days."
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM PRESS OFFICE
21 JANUARY 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A NEW SEASON AND A NEW ERA FOR KAWASAKI
A revitalised Kawasaki Racing Team will get their 2007 MotoGP campaign underway on Monday, with the first of two planned pre-season tests at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.
This week is the start of an extensive test programme that will see the Kawasaki Racing Team complete 12 intensive days of testing in three different countries, as they work to refine the all-new 800cc ZX-RR ahead of the season opening Grand Prix of Qatar in March.
The Sepang test marks a new era, both for the MotoGP World Championship and for the Kawasaki Racing Team.
For the first time all five major manufacturers will field their 800cc machines at the same circuit, providing all the teams with their first opportunity to make direct comparisons with their rivals for the MotoGP World Championship title.
Sepang is also the first test in which the Kawasaki Racing Team will participate since the team was taken in-house by the Japanese manufacturer in November last year. Under the guidance of Kawasaki's new racing director, Ichiro Yoda, the team have worked tirelessly during the winter break to put in place the infrastructure necessary to support Kawasaki's MotoGP racing activities.
The process of working together to overcome many obstacles, and to meet increasingly tight deadlines, has resulted in a much more cohesive unit, which means that the team arrive in Sepang with higher expectations, and a higher level of morale, than in previous seasons.
But, while there is definitely a new air of optimism within the Kawasaki pit box, nobody is under any illusions about the task that faces them in the run up to the 2007 MotoGP season. Initial shakedown tests of the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR at the end of last year showed the bike's potential, but it also highlighted areas where development effort needed to be focussed in order to improve the overall package.
Work on the new bike has continued unabated during the winter test ban, and the Kawasaki Racing Team head into the first test of the new year confident that the development of the ZX-RR is on target, and with the clear goal of matching their factory rivals on the track by the time the test concludes on Wednesday.
Kawasaki's riders, Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque, know exactly what is expected of them during the three days of testing in Malaysia. With limited track time aboard the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR up to this point, the two Frenchmen must familiarise themselves with the characteristics of the new bike, while also providing Kawasaki's engineers with the data necessary to continue the development process back in Japan.
It will be a tough task for de Puniet and Jacque, but both riders arrive in Sepang refreshed after the winter break, and eager to get the new season underway with a positive first test.
Randy de Puniet: #14
"Let's go! After nearly two months off the bike I can't wait to get started again. I tested the new bike only very briefly at the end of last year, but it was enough to understand that it is a very different machine to the 990cc bike we raced in 2006, and that it demands a completely different riding style to get the best from it. I don't think there will be any problems adapting to the characteristics of the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR, but I guess we'll find out over the next three days. Obviously I want to end the test close to the fastest guys, but I'll be relatively happy if we leave here with a good base set-up and a better understanding of how to get the best from the bike at this circuit."
Olivier Jacque: #19
"It's good to be back full time in MotoGP with Kawasaki, and I'm definitely looking forward to the season ahead. For this test we will concentrate on finding a good base set-up for the new bike, but this will also be the first time I've worked with my new crew chief, Fiorenzo Fanali, so it will be an ideal opportunity for us both to check each other out and to find the best way of working together. As I said, the bike is new, so we will also be looking to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the new Ninja ZX-RR, so that we can pass this information back to the development engineers in Kawasaki's race department in Japan. My first impression of the bike when we tested it in November was that it's like a 250cc machine in feel, but with a lot more power. During the next three days I need to refine that assessment so that we can figure out how to take advantage of the unique characteristics of the 800cc machine."
Ichiro Yoda: Kawasaki Racing Director
"The fact that we are here in Sepang and all ready to start the new season is down to a lot of hard work by everyone involved in Kawasaki's MotoGP project. Our team members in Europe have cooperated closely with Kawasaki's European subsidiary to ensure that we have the infrastructure necessary to support our racing activities, while Kawasaki's engineers in Japan have worked long hours to develop our new 800cc ZX-RR into a competitive package with which to start the season. This cooperation between the many elements that make up the Kawasaki family has produced a strong team, which I'm sure will pay dividends for us in the future. Now we must focus on the next month of testing if we are to realise the full potential of our 800cc machine ready for the first race in Qatar. Our goals for the next three days are clear. Firstly we must find a base set-up on the new bike that both riders are happy with, and then we will start the refinement process based on the riders' feedback and analysis of the data downloaded from the bike. At this stage of the season our first priority must be our development schedule, but I see no reason why we shouldn't be aiming for a high position on the final timesheet by the end of these three days."
Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:22 am
I can't farkin' wait for this year's GP season to start... 
Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:36 am
Bring it on!!!
Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:46 am
lets get it started 
Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:41 pm
First Day of testing and Randy is 7th fastest. A lot higher then where I thought they would be but I wouldn't read too much into it as I'm sure most of the other factory teams are just concentrating on basic set up and testing new parts.
It will be interesting to see if the Suzukis still have the fastest time at the end of the test.
It will be interesting to see if the Suzukis still have the fastest time at the end of the test.
Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:32 am
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2007
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM PRESS OFFICE
22 JANUARY 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KAWASAKI AIM TO BUILD ON SUCCESSFUL FIRST DAY AT SEPANG
Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque completed more than 700 trouble free kilometres during the opening day of testing at Sepang, with the younger Frenchman underlining the potential of Kawasaki's new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR by finishing the day seventh fastest overall.
De Puniet and Jacque rode Kawasaki's new MotoGP racer briefly during shakedown tests at Sepang back in November, but neither could believe just how much progress Kawasaki's development engineers have made with the Ninja ZX-RR in such a short space of time.
Minor mechanical problems cut short that first test, but there were no such reliability issues today, as the two Kawasaki pilots completed a total of 132 laps of the 5.543km Sepang circuit without incident.
Having quickly found a base set-up they were satisfied with on the new bike, both de Puniet and Jacque declared themselves happy with the progress made today. Both riders were able to show on track that, despite such a short development time, the power of Kawasaki's 800cc inline four-cylinder engine was already a match for that of their factory rivals. Equally important was the consistency of the engine's power delivery, with no reduction in performance even at the end of today's test.
But, while Kawasaki's two pilots were happy to make such a positive start to the new season, both know that they face a heavy test and development schedule in the lead up to the first race in Qatar.
Tomorrow both Kawasaki riders will concentrate their efforts on finding a good balance with the Ninja ZX-RR chassis, before switching their attention to tyre testing in support of Bridgestone's development programme.
The characteristics of the 800cc engine place very different demands on the rear tyre compared to the older 990cc motor, and this is an area in which Kawasaki can help accelerate Bridgestone's tyre development with the supply of test data and rider feedback.
Randy de Puniet: #14 - 72 Laps - Best Lap 2'03.542
"It is hard to believe that this is the same bike that we tested back in November. Two months ago we could see that the bike had some potential, but my feeling then was that realising this potential was going to take some time. But, this morning, I couldn't believe the transformation Kawasaki's engineers have made in such a short time. Already the bike feels competitive, but I think there is more performance to be found once we get down to refining the set-up further. I completed more than 70 laps without any problems today, and my lap time was pretty good, but we will be looking to improve further over the next two days. Today was a good start to our test programme, but there is still some work to be done over the next few weeks if we are to be ready for the first race of the season."
Olivier Jacque: #19 - 60 Laps - Best Lap 2'04.718
"I'm happy with what we've achieved today. From the first lap this morning it was obvious that Kawasaki's engineers have made some big improvements to the bike since our first test here last year. Our priority today was to identify a good base set-up on the bike, and I think we've achieved that, so tomorrow we can move on to the next thing on our test schedule. It's been easy to find a good way of working with Fiorenzo Fanali and my new crew, and I think the working relationship will get even easier as we progress through a heavy test programme ahead of the first race. Overall, today was a good way to start the new season."
Michael Bartholemy: Kawasaki Competition Manager
"This is the start to the season that we needed. Sure, it would have been nice to finish the first day at the top of the timesheet, but today's performance was certainly enough to silence those doubters who thought we wouldn't even make it to the first test. The fact that we're here and ready to start the season is down to a lot of hard work on the part of everyone involved with the Kawasaki Racing Team, and the fact that we had a trouble free day and finished with a respectable lap time is down to an equal measure of hard work on the part of everyone in Kawasaki's race department back in Japan. Now we need to build on this successful start and refine our new Ninja ZX-RR ahead of the first race of the season in Qatar. It's a tall order, but I think we've shown today that the potential is there; both with the bike and with everyone working on Kawasaki's MotoGP project."
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM PRESS OFFICE
22 JANUARY 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KAWASAKI AIM TO BUILD ON SUCCESSFUL FIRST DAY AT SEPANG
Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque completed more than 700 trouble free kilometres during the opening day of testing at Sepang, with the younger Frenchman underlining the potential of Kawasaki's new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR by finishing the day seventh fastest overall.
De Puniet and Jacque rode Kawasaki's new MotoGP racer briefly during shakedown tests at Sepang back in November, but neither could believe just how much progress Kawasaki's development engineers have made with the Ninja ZX-RR in such a short space of time.
Minor mechanical problems cut short that first test, but there were no such reliability issues today, as the two Kawasaki pilots completed a total of 132 laps of the 5.543km Sepang circuit without incident.
Having quickly found a base set-up they were satisfied with on the new bike, both de Puniet and Jacque declared themselves happy with the progress made today. Both riders were able to show on track that, despite such a short development time, the power of Kawasaki's 800cc inline four-cylinder engine was already a match for that of their factory rivals. Equally important was the consistency of the engine's power delivery, with no reduction in performance even at the end of today's test.
But, while Kawasaki's two pilots were happy to make such a positive start to the new season, both know that they face a heavy test and development schedule in the lead up to the first race in Qatar.
Tomorrow both Kawasaki riders will concentrate their efforts on finding a good balance with the Ninja ZX-RR chassis, before switching their attention to tyre testing in support of Bridgestone's development programme.
The characteristics of the 800cc engine place very different demands on the rear tyre compared to the older 990cc motor, and this is an area in which Kawasaki can help accelerate Bridgestone's tyre development with the supply of test data and rider feedback.
Randy de Puniet: #14 - 72 Laps - Best Lap 2'03.542
"It is hard to believe that this is the same bike that we tested back in November. Two months ago we could see that the bike had some potential, but my feeling then was that realising this potential was going to take some time. But, this morning, I couldn't believe the transformation Kawasaki's engineers have made in such a short time. Already the bike feels competitive, but I think there is more performance to be found once we get down to refining the set-up further. I completed more than 70 laps without any problems today, and my lap time was pretty good, but we will be looking to improve further over the next two days. Today was a good start to our test programme, but there is still some work to be done over the next few weeks if we are to be ready for the first race of the season."
Olivier Jacque: #19 - 60 Laps - Best Lap 2'04.718
"I'm happy with what we've achieved today. From the first lap this morning it was obvious that Kawasaki's engineers have made some big improvements to the bike since our first test here last year. Our priority today was to identify a good base set-up on the bike, and I think we've achieved that, so tomorrow we can move on to the next thing on our test schedule. It's been easy to find a good way of working with Fiorenzo Fanali and my new crew, and I think the working relationship will get even easier as we progress through a heavy test programme ahead of the first race. Overall, today was a good way to start the new season."
Michael Bartholemy: Kawasaki Competition Manager
"This is the start to the season that we needed. Sure, it would have been nice to finish the first day at the top of the timesheet, but today's performance was certainly enough to silence those doubters who thought we wouldn't even make it to the first test. The fact that we're here and ready to start the season is down to a lot of hard work on the part of everyone involved with the Kawasaki Racing Team, and the fact that we had a trouble free day and finished with a respectable lap time is down to an equal measure of hard work on the part of everyone in Kawasaki's race department back in Japan. Now we need to build on this successful start and refine our new Ninja ZX-RR ahead of the first race of the season in Qatar. It's a tall order, but I think we've shown today that the potential is there; both with the bike and with everyone working on Kawasaki's MotoGP project."
Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:11 am
thats good news
Just 2 questions
1 is the Honda still a v5 ??
2 Where did Nakano finish ?
Just 2 questions
1 is the Honda still a v5 ??
2 Where did Nakano finish ?
Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:27 am
Here are the times what about a poll? who likes the colour, I myself think its awful. 
Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1 John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP GSV-R800 2:02.277
2 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP GSV-R800 2:03.049
3 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR 2:03.184
4 Colin Edwards Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR 2:03.337
5 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 2:03.413
6 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-7 2:03.537
7 Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 2:03.542
8 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 2:03.620
9 Makoto Tamada Tech3 Yamaha Yamaha 2:03.785
10 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-7 2:03.944
11 Alex Hofmann Team D'Antin Pramac Ducati Desmosedici GP-7 2:04.003
12 Alex Barros Team D'Antin Pramac Ducati 2:04.011
13 Kenny Roberts Jnr. Team Roberts KR212V 2:04.088
14 Carlos Checa LCR Honda Honda RC212V 2:04.101
15 Shinya Nakano Konica Minolta Honda RC212V 2:04.138
16 Marco Melandri Fortuna Honda Honda RC212V 2:04.270
17 Shinichi Itoh Ducati 2:04.641
18 Toni Elias Fortuna Honda Honda RC212V 2:04.710
Pos. Rider Team Bike Time
1 John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP GSV-R800 2:02.277
2 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP GSV-R800 2:03.049
3 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR 2:03.184
4 Colin Edwards Yamaha Team Yamaha YZR 2:03.337
5 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 2:03.413
6 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-7 2:03.537
7 Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 2:03.542
8 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda RC212V 2:03.620
9 Makoto Tamada Tech3 Yamaha Yamaha 2:03.785
10 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati Desmosedici GP-7 2:03.944
11 Alex Hofmann Team D'Antin Pramac Ducati Desmosedici GP-7 2:04.003
12 Alex Barros Team D'Antin Pramac Ducati 2:04.011
13 Kenny Roberts Jnr. Team Roberts KR212V 2:04.088
14 Carlos Checa LCR Honda Honda RC212V 2:04.101
15 Shinya Nakano Konica Minolta Honda RC212V 2:04.138
16 Marco Melandri Fortuna Honda Honda RC212V 2:04.270
17 Shinichi Itoh Ducati 2:04.641
18 Toni Elias Fortuna Honda Honda RC212V 2:04.710
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Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:37 am
Stretchy wrote:who likes the colour, I myself think its awful.
What, green & black? What colours your 10?
Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:48 am
Hmmm Randy might be 7th. But 1.2sec is a bloody big gap... esp over 20 laps when you are only talking about 1 fastest lap..
Fingers crossed they can squeeze alot more out of it, as I'm sure everyone else will be doing the same.
Go Randy!!!
OJ... Umm.. yeah He's out wet weather man..
Fingers crossed they can squeeze alot more out of it, as I'm sure everyone else will be doing the same.
Go Randy!!!
OJ... Umm.. yeah He's out wet weather man..
Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:50 am
Bike looks horn, is it a darker green ?.
Sounds really positive that the engineers impressed the riders, hopefully the RIDERS can impress the engineers.
Nakano is living up to my expectations, nice bloke but a sofcok imho.
Hopefully Randy can find his Balls from 05 & get our first win
Sounds really positive that the engineers impressed the riders, hopefully the RIDERS can impress the engineers.
Nakano is living up to my expectations, nice bloke but a sofcok imho.
Hopefully Randy can find his Balls from 05 & get our first win
Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:01 pm
I like the classic green rather than that metalic green like what was on ZX12s a few years back.
Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:07 pm
Pontikat wrote:Bike looks horn, is it a darker green ?.
I think it looks the ducks nuts...
I still cant bloody wait for the season to start though...
Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:11 pm
red_dave wrote:Pontikat wrote:Bike looks horn, is it a darker green ?.
I think it looks the ducks nuts...
Well there is a lot of algae in the pond, so I guess the duck's nuts would be that shade of green...
Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:51 pm
Stretchy wrote:I like the classic green rather than that metalic green like what was on ZX12s a few years back.
I'm the opposite.
I know it's sacrilege but I've never liked kawasaki green.
ty