Kawasaki Moto GP - Indianapolis

[MadKaw]

Circuit: Indianapolis
Date: 08/09/2008



KAWASAKI OPTIMISTIC AHEAD OF INDIANAPOLIS
Kawasaki's John Hopkins and Anthony West head to round 14 of the MotoGP Championship, which is being held at the Indianapolis circuit for the very first time, in optimistic mood. The Kawasaki pair are looking to score solid results at the 4.216km American circuit, at which none of the MotoGP regulars have had any previous track experience.

West, who has recently struggled with front-end issues aboard his Kawasaki race machine is looking to gain a strong result at this new-to-MotoGP circuit. The 27-year-old Australian, who scored a career best Grand Prix finish with a fifth place at Brno, has been working closely with his crew to improve the set-up of his Ninja ZX-RR to give him more confidence into the turns. Although the recent post-race test at Misano didn't completely abolish the problem, he believes that steps forward have been made and he can continue his progression this weekend.

Hopkins is looking forward to racing his Ninja ZX-RR at his home event this weekend, especially after missing out on the Laguna Seca round through injury. The 25-year-old Anglo-American's progress has been hampered recently due to injury, but the Kawasaki pilot is hoping to make amends in front of a home crowd, especially after making further improvements to his race machine at the Misano post-race test.

The Indianapolis circuit is made up of an oval, famously used for the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400 at the Brickyard races, along with a recently altered infield track. It's a new challenge for all of the competitors in the premier class, as none of them have raced at this circuit previously. One man who does know his way around the circuit, after testing there earlier this year, is Kawasaki's test and development rider, Olivier Jacque.

"The Indianapolis circuit is quite unusual and very different from the tracks that the MotoGP racers compete at in Europe," explains Jacque. "The circuit uses the straights from the famous oval, which lead onto an infield racetrack. The two main areas of concern are the difference in grip levels between these two sections, and the joins in the tarmac because they are quite slippery.

"The test we did earlier this year was quite successful for us and the Ninja ZX-RR was working well, particularly in the tight turns and the quick changes of direction. A good tyre choice will be an essential factor during the race as the second half of the track is very grippy and the machine is at maximum lean angle for a long period of time," concluded the Frenchman.



West
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #13
"Indianapolis is a new challenge for everyone as no-one knows the track. I'm hoping this will give us a little bit of an advantage, as it should be more of an even playing field. At Misano we struggled with the front-end of the bike, and although we managed to make some improvements in the post-race test, there is still work to do. I stayed in Italy following the event where I've been doing a lot of cycling and training ready for this weekend, so I'm feeling relaxed and ready for the challenge. We'll go and try to get as many laps under our belt on Friday to put us in the best possible position for the race, and it will be a case of trying to capture as much data as we can, then going from there. I'm looking forward to it and I hope we can get a strong result."


Hopkins
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #21
"I'm really excited about Indianapolis as it's my second home round and unfortunately I missed Laguna Seca because I was injured. Not only that, but I grew up around the racing world, and although two-wheeled motorsport is my favourite, the family would all get together to watch races like the Brickyard and the Indianapolis 500 at this track. It's a very special feeling to be racing in MotoGP there, and although I'm not familiar with the circuit, I'm incredibly motivated for this event. I've been studying the track layout and Olivier tested the Ninja ZX-RR earlier this year, so we have a little bit of feedback from that, but being in front of my home fans at such an incredible place is going to be fantastic - I just can't wait to get out there."

[Frank]

Well lets see if they can actually finish a race, let alone finish in the points

Finishing is the new winning!!

[Kwak addict]

Bugger me Westy FASTEST in FP1 & FP2
Anybody care to join me in a prayer for rain on raceday?

[MadKaw]

Circuit: Indianapolis
Date: 12/09/2008




WEST STORMS TO FRONT IN WET INDY PRACTICE
Kawasaki's Anthony West dominated both practice sessions during the opening day at a very wet Indianapolis circuit, putting his Ninja ZX-RR at the top of the timesheets in both practice periods to finish as the fastest rider overall.

The 27-year-old Australian was quick to get to grips with the 4.216km track, which is new to the MotoGP regulars and, as a result, spent the majority of the opening practice at the top of the standings, over two seconds ahead of the rest of the field. The Kawasaki pilot responded to challenges from reigning World Champion, Casey Stoner, and finished the one hour and a half long stint 0.117 seconds clear of second-placed Alex De Angelis, with the fastest time of the day of 1'53.034.

West's storming pace aboard his Ninja ZX-RR continued throughout the hour-long afternoon session, as he impressively led the field while conditions on track worsened. The Kawasaki pilot looked smooth and comfortable aboard his Bridgestone shod machine, and although none of the MotoGP competitors improved their times from the morning session, West still set a lap time nearly one second faster than closest rival, Chris Vermeulen. A confident West is looking forward to qualifying tomorrow, for which the forecast is continued rain, as he looks to further refine his set-up around the slippery Indianapolis circuit.

John Hopkins also made a strong start to his home Grand Prix, finishing the day fifth in the overall standings. The 25-year-old Anglo-American set his fastest time of 1'53.715 on lap 28 of 28 during this morning's opening wet session.

Hopkins worked through different Bridgestone rear tyre options during the second session, and ended the day confident that he can fight for a front row position during tomorrow's qualifying with further improvements that he intends to make to his machine overnight.



West
#13 - 1st - 1'53.034
"This is a great way to start the weekend, especially after the results we've had recently. There's a lot of water out on the circuit, and it's a bit strange as there are quite a few changes of surface, but I've found my way around here quite easily, so I'm feeling happy. In some ways this track is a bit like those I used to ride on back home in Australia, because many of the circuits there have inconsistent surfaces, and I've found it relatively easy to adapt my riding style to suit the changes throughout a lap here. The bike is working well, and although we've had a few scary moments, I'm feeling pretty confident for tomorrow. It's promising that we can come to a new track, learn the lines quickly, and be able to put in good lap times quite comfortably."


Hopkins
#21 - 5th - 1'53.715
"This morning conditions started off quite wet, so we concentrated on finding the right lines around the circuit, and it's quite strange as I really had to alter the way I was riding the bike to suit the changes in surface. I was fairly pleased with our lap time, which we set on a softer compound tyre, before trying something a bit harder during the opening part of the afternoon session. This didn't really work so well for us, but by the time we went back to the soft tyre, conditions had worsened and there was a lot of standing water out on track. My first impressions of the layout of the circuit are quite good, but it's difficult to tell with so much rain. It's pretty special for me here this weekend with all of the American fans, and I'm confident there's a lot more to come from us during tomorrow's qualifying, after we've made a few adjustments overnight."



West Crew Chief
"Anthony's performance today was very strong. We have found a good set-up for the Ninja ZX-RR to suit this circuit and it's the first time he has felt really comfortable aboard the bike. We have a little bit of an advantage in that our test team was here earlier this year, but as conditions are completely different this weekend, the data we have from them doesn't replicate exactly what Anthony is feeling out on track. To finish the day in first place is a big motivation for the team, and I hope we can continue to build on this tomorrow, especially as the forecast is for more rain."



1. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing Team 1'53.034; 2. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini +0.117; 3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.156; 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JIR Team Scot +0.670; 5. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.681; 6. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +0.737; 7. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha +0.816; 8. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +0.897; 9. Ben Spies (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +1.263; 10. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team +1.582

[rooster]

Unfortunatley the sun came out

[sneakypete]

from first to last....unbelieveable...

i dont know what to say except..let us pray...

[Six Addict]

chance of rain due the hurricane thats just hit texas....

cmon wet weather!!!!

on the down side, i have to be up at 4am

[MadKaw]

Circuit: Indianapolis
Date: 14/09/2008



WEST ELEVENTH AT WET AND WINDY INDY
Kawasaki's Anthony West battled the elements today to bring his Ninja ZX-RR race machine home in 11th position at the inaugural Indianapolis Grand Prix, which was red-flagged eight laps early due to treacherous weather conditions.

Following heavy rainfall after this morning's dry warm-up, the 28-lap race got underway at the Indiana circuit and John Hopkins made a determined start into 10th place from 16th on the grid, while West moved up into 16th from the back row of the grid.

The Kawasaki duo both made up a place in the opening two laps, but it was West who impressively fought his way up to 13th position behind teammate Hopkins, who had lost out to Chris Vermeulen and Sylvain Guintoli by lap four. West continued his surge through the field and by lap eight the 27-year-old Australian had managed to pass three of his rivals, including teammate Hopkins, to take 10th position aboard his Ninja ZX-RR.

The wet weather expert then focussed his attentions on closing down the gap to fellow countryman, Chris Vermeulen, who had a four second advantage over the Kawasaki pilot. However, by lap 13 the weather rapidly deteriorated, as heavy gusts of wind and rain descended on the 4.216km track. West fought to hold onto his top-ten place, but with a lack of visibility and reduced grip around the circuit, he lost a position to Alex De Angelis shortly before the race was red-flagged on lap 20 for safety reasons.

Hopkins suffered similar difficulties in the tricky conditions, with the heavy wind making it difficult for the 25-year-old Anglo-American to change direction aboard his Bridgestone shod machine. The Kawasaki racer, despite looking to re-catch Tony Elias who was just over a second ahead, dropped back in the last few laps of the race to cross the line in 14th position.

Soon after the Kawasaki pair entered pit-lane, it was declared that the race wouldn't be restarted on safety grounds.



West
#13 - 11th Position
"I'm actually really disappointed because I was sure we could have achieved a much better result in the wet today. The track was cleared of standing water before the beginning of the race, and because I was so far back I had to really push hard to make up positions in the opening few laps. We got up to 10th place and I really felt we were capable of catching the riders ahead, but as the weather deteriorated so did the grip level left in my tyre, as I'd worked it so hard in the beginning, and we couldn't push any harder towards the end. From dead last on the grid eleventh isn't so bad, and given the weather we were up against, at least we were able to fight for what nearly was a top ten place."


Hopkins
#21 – 14th Position
"Warm-up this morning was dry and then the weather deteriorated not long before the race. We got a really good start, and we ran a fairly hard compound rear tyre as we thought a dry line might appear before the end of the race. This took a while to get up to temperature, so I rode quite steadily in the opening laps and unfortunately lost a few places. We got into a good rhythm and our lap times were good, but then the weather rapidly got worse. The rain we could deal with, but the wind was unbelievable, which made it hard to get the bike to change direction. There was a lot of debris all over the track and then the race was red-flagged. Overall 14th is certainly not where we wanted to finish, but in the dry we definitely made some improvements during qualifying and I hope we can put these to good use next time out in Japan."



Kawasaki Competition Manager
"We made a really promising start to the weekend in Friday practice, with both of our riders nearing the top of the time sheets. The weather then changed for Saturday and it was dry at the circuit, which is new to MotoGP and we came across some difficulties. Although we didn't qualify so well, we were hoping for good results in today's wet race. Conditions were very tough out on circuit, and Anthony managed to get up to the top ten, but after working his tyre so hard at the beginning of the race he dropped off a little towards the end. John also made a really good start, but the heavy wind really affected him before the race was red-flagged. We do have some positives to take away from this weekend, but we certainly have a lot more work to do, and we really have to make improvements to put us in good stead for the team's second home race in Japan in a few weeks time."



1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha 37'20.095; 2. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +5.972; 3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha +7.858; 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +28.162; 5. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JIR Team Scot +28.824; 6. Ben Spies (USA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +29.645; 7. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team +36.223; 8. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +37.258; 9. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +38.442; 10. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini +42.437; 11. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing Team +47.179; 14. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing Team +58.353

[sneakypete]

all this proves is the bike is a pig, and hopper n westy are riding the tits off it.