Kawasaki Racing Team - Estoril

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 2 - AUTODROMO ESTORIL, PORTUGAL
13 APRIL 2005 - EVENT PREVIEW

NAKANO AND HOFMANN BACK IN ACTION IN ESTORIL

The Kawasaki factory riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann plan to
capitalise on a strong start to the season in round two of the MotoGP World
Championship, which takes place in Portugal this weekend.

The Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril comes just seven days after the
opening race at Jerez in Spain, where Nakano made a superb start to the
season with fifth place.

Nakano was the highest placed rider on Bridgestone tyres in the Spanish
GP, both in qualifying and the race.

After his brilliant race effort Nakano stayed on at Jerez for a test
session on Monday as part of the development programme for Kawasaki's new
big-bang firing order motor.

The engine made an impressive race debut at Jerez, with Nakano being
strongly supported by young German teammate Alex Hofmann, who finished
11th to open his championship points account for the season.

There is an expectation that the big-bang motor, still young in its
development life, will be the catalyst for a change of fortunes for the
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR at Estoril.

The track is unique on the MotoGP calendar. It has a slow average speed
of 152 kph but features a long, super-fast front straight with speeds
over 330 kph. This is combined with a compact infield section that
packages a high-speed sweeper with a sequence of slow and twisty corners.

The Kawasaki team, in company with tyre partner Bridgestone, are
optimistic of backing-up their strong Jerez performances at Estoril this
weekend.

In the lead-up to this year's race Bridgestone have gathered additional
tyre data following the visit of their test team last month to Estoril.

Following a late change in the calendar the Portuguese GP has been
moved from its usual September staging to earlier in the season. Located
adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean coastline the weather is often
unpredictable at Estoril, although there is a forecast of mainly sunny, but cool,
spring weather conditions.

Shinya Nakano: #56
"Estoril is a strange track with a very fast straight and tight infield
section. But this part should suit our new big-bang engine because we
have good traction and smoother acceleration. This year will be very
interesting for Kawasaki at Estoril, because last year we didn't perform
very well either in qualifying or the race. I think we can expect
similar performance to Jerez and now I'm relaxed and confident, there is
always a lot of pressure at the first race."

Alex Hofmann: #66
"The Ninja ZX-RR didn't really shine at Estoril last year, although the
2005 model is a very different package, especially with the benefit of
the new firing order motor. I'm confident the big-bang engine will be a
big change for us at Estoril. There is a long straight and, in the
early stage of development, we still do not have the most powerful engine,
but we have good chassis balance and traction. The surface suits the
Bridgestone tyres and I'm looking for another strong result; Jerez was a
good race for me, I learned a lot and I'm ready for Estoril."

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 2 - AUTODROMO DO ESTORIL, PORTUGAL
14 APRIL 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOFMANN SIDELINED BY INJURY AT ESTORIL

Kawasaki's Alex Hofmann will not race in this weekend's Portuguese
Grand Prix at Estoril after being diagnosed with a fractured scaphoid in
his left wrist, sustained in a crash during a pre-event promotion in
Estoril on Wednesday afternoon.

The 24-year-old German rider was taking part in an organised MotoGP
parade at Estoril's seafront casino when he was highsided from his
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR and landed heavily on his wrist.

Initially it was thought that Hofmann had only suffered bruising and
swelling, but an x-ray taken today, once the swelling had reduced
sufficiently, confirmed that the Kawasaki rider had fractured his scaphoid,
together with another small bone in his wrist.

Unable to grip the handlebars of his Ninja ZX-RR properly as a result
of the injury, the Kawasaki Racing Team made the decision to withdraw
Hofmann from the event, rather than risking further injury by him riding
when not fully fit.

Understandably, given his impressive performance in the opening race of
the season at Jerez just five days ago, Hofmann is devastated not to be
racing this weekend.

"I am so disappointed and frustrated," declared Hofmann. "After last
weekend's result at Jerez, I was so looking forward to coming here and
scoring another good finish. I just can't believe that a silly mistake
during a promotional event has left me unable to race this weekend, and
facing a real fight back to fitness for the next race in China."

"If there were any way I could race then I'd definitely be out there,
but the scaphoid fracture makes it difficult to hold the handlebars at a
standstill, never mind at race pace. Estoril is a very physical track
and my wrist simply isn't up to the job of muscling the bike around
here."

"Too many top racers have ended their careers through coming back too
early after fracturing their scaphoid, which is why we decided that the
best course of action would be to withdraw from this weekend's race,
rather than risk further injury. Although I'm devastated to be missing
the Portuguese Grand Prix, I need to put this weekend behind me and focus
completely on getting myself back to full fitness for the race in
Shanghai in two weeks' time," added a very dejected Hofmann.

"For a motorcycle racer, a fractured scaphoid is a serious injury,"
explained Kawasaki Team Coordinator, Michael Bartholemy. "It leaves the
rider unable to grip the handlebars properly and makes controlling a bike
as powerful as the Ninja ZX-RR at such a physical circuit as Estoril
very difficult indeed."

"Also, if the scaphoid doesn't heal properly then it can cause problems
for a rider in the future. Obviously we want Alex to recover fully from
this injury, which is why we made the decision to withdraw him from
this weekend's event, to give the fracture a better chance of healing
before the next race."

The scaphoid bone is found on the thumb side of the hand, within the
anatomical snuffbox (the hollow between thumb and index finger).
Fractures to the scaphoid are common, especially amongst motorcycle racers, and
are normally caused by falling on an outstretched hand and
hyper-extending the wrist joint.

But scaphoid fractures are also particularly slow to heal due to poor
circulation to the bone, and even a rapidly immobilised fracture can
require surgery. Under normal circumstances, a fully immobilised scaphoid
fracture takes between six and eight weeks to heal completely

[aardvark]

Kawasaki's Alex Hofmann will not race in this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril after being diagnosed with a fractured scaphoid in his left wrist, sustained in a crash during a pre-event promotion in Estoril on Wednesday afternoon.

Ah, poor bastard. I know what having a broken scaphoid is like. The only difference is, I did mine on an 80cc trail bike

Still, I tried taping it up and riding the rest of the day. Didn't work. I then spent 3 weeks going to work complaining about the bruising in my thumb before my supervisor made me go to the doctor's for an xray.

[mattyv74]

let me guess jase, you stacked the kiddy bike because you were thinking about donuts rather than what you were doing?

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 2 - AUTODROMO DO ESTORIL, PORTUGAL
15 APRIL 2005 - FREE PRACTICE 1

NAKANO RIDES ALONE FOR KAWASAKI AT ESTORIL

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR rider, Shinya Nakano, completed a heavy work load
of testing during today's two hours of free practice at Estoril,
finishing in the top ten with the eighth fastest time.

The Japanese ace will be Kawasaki's sole representative in Sunday's
Portuguese Grand Prix following the forced withdrawal of teammate Alex
Hofmann.

As a consequence Nakano is carrying the full responsibility of
evaluating tyres, chassis and engine settings. The 27-year-old Japanese rider
is in strong early season form coming off an impressive fifth in last
Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Hofmann fractured the scaphoid bone in his left wrist when he crashed
in a pre-event promotion in Estoril on Wednesday. Wisely, team
management have decided to rest Hofmann to allow him a full recovery for the
next race, the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The Kawasaki Racing Team do not have the benefit of previous test
sessions at Estoril, and today was the first appearance at the demanding
4.1km Atlantic Coast circuit for the 2005 model Ninja ZX-RR.

Apart from Bridgestone tyre tests, Nakano and Kawasaki engineers worked
on crucial adjustments to the engine control systems for the recently
introduced big-bang firing order motor.

The data collected today will prove invaluable in fine-tuning race
set-up in tomorrow's practice and qualifying sessions. Apart from
electronics, it is hoped revised gearbox ratios will improve acceleration and
top speed.

After rain showers interrupted the morning free practice, the afternoon
session was conducted in sunny but cool conditions. Track temperatures
started at 32 degrees, but dropped to 27 degrees by the end of the
session.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Eighth - 1.39.535
"The biggest impression today was how much easier the big-bang type
engine is to use at track like Estoril, especially around the infield
section. This has been a problem track for us in the past, but today I'm
very confident we will have a good race set-up. I had to collect a lot
data today, and we still have many settings to adjust. Tomorrow I will
try different gearbox ratios and hopefully get some more top speed, and
also try and improve front stability over the bumps here. Already I have
two good choices of race tyres from Bridgestone and we will also
confirm that selection tomorrow."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director.
"Shinya did a lot of tyre testing today with Bridgestone and it seems
we already have excellent options for the race in regards to grip and
endurance from the new generation tyres. Technically we need to assess
data from the engine control system to improve acceleration and top
speed; also gearbox ratios are not yet perfect. Spring balance,
front-to-rear, is also on our list tomorrow, so Shinya will again have a lot of
work to do."

FREE PRACTICE - FINAL TIMES
1. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda 1'38.516; 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA)
Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.549; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.556; 4.
Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.628; 5. Carlos Checa (SPA)
Ducati Marlboro Team +0.684; 6. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha
Team +0.930; 7. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +0.961; 8. Shinya Nakano
(JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.019; 9. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha
Team +1.216; 10. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +1.253

[aardvark]

let me guess jase, you stacked the kiddy bike because you were thinking about donuts rather than what you were doing?

No, it was the 2001 Aus. Motorcross Championship winning bike. I was warming it up for my mates kid, and as I brought it back to the cars/trailers/etc I decided to throw it onto the back wheel. All was good, I was waving at the crowd, smiling, laughing, had it on the rear wheel for a huuuuge distance, and then......

The fucken thing hit the powerband and I went over the back.

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005 Download PDF
ROUND 2 - AUTODROMO DO ESTORIL, PORTUGAL
16 APRIL 2005 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE

NAKANO PRIMED FOR STRONG RACE PERFORMANCE AT ESTORIL
Kawasaki rider, Shinya Nakano, will start tomorrow's Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril from tenth position on the grid, following another impressive qualifying effort this afternoon.

Nakano's Ninja ZX-RR heads the fourth row with a qualifying time that was almost a full second faster than his previous best for Kawasaki at this circuit.

Although Nakano expected a little more from qualifying, he was boosted by another productive day of testing and evaluation in preparation for the 23-lap race.

Riding alone, with his teammate Alex Hofmann out with a fractured wrist, Nakano again completed an exhaustive technical programme today.

With a focus on race set-up, Nakano used most of this afternoon's one hour qualifying session to complete a long race simulation that produced fast, consistent times.

Nakano only switched to soft Bridgestone qualifying tyres late in the session.

Following adjustments to both front and rear suspension, and tweaks to the chassis set-up, Nakano reported a more balanced feel on the bumpy and twisting infield section of the 4.1 km Estoril circuit.

Tomorrow's Grand Prix will be the second race for the 2005 model Ninja ZX-RR, now running the big-bang firing order motor that only came online in February.

Despite being in an early development phase, the motor powered Nakano to an impressive fifth place in last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

The strong winds have been absent from Estoril during two days of practice and qualifying, and the forecast for the race is for similar mild and sunny conditions.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Tenth - 1'38.283
"The second or third row would have been better, but tenth is okay for the Ninja ZX-RR at this stage with our new motor. The top guys are faster on pure speed, but my bike and tyres were very consistent during my long run this afternoon; it feels good for the race. The set-up is more balanced compared to yesterday, but we need to continue to work on acceleration and traction. Anyway, the ZX-RR is much improved from last year."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director
"I expected more today, at least the third row in qualifying, but perhaps the race will be a different story. Shinya did an endurance run of 20 laps, and the grip levels of our Bridgestone race tyres was very good. But there are many slow corners here, and this is an area of continuing development with our big-bang engine concept. We know we need more acceleration."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"On this track, with such a long and fast straight, Shinya is going to need a very good start and a slipstream to stay with the leading group. He did it at Jerez, so hopefully it will be the same tomorrow, although this will be a very close, very tough race. Shinya is very consistent on race set-up; this is the strong point of the Ninja ZX-RR."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE - FINAL TIMES
POS RIDER CTY TEAM TIME/GAP

1. ALEX BARROS BRA CAMEL HONDA
1'37.202
2. SETE GIBERNAU SPA MOVISTAR HONDA MOTOGP
+0.127
3. CARLOS CHECA SPA DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM
+0.254
4. VALENTINO ROSSI ITA GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM
+0.441
5. MARCO MELANDRI ITA MOVISTAR HONDA MOTOGP
+0.633
6. LORIS CAPIROSSI ITA DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM
+0.798
7. COLIN EDWARDS USA GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM
+0.801
8. MAX BIAGGI ITA REPSOL HONDA
+0.807
9. NICKY HAYDEN USA REPSOL HONDA
+0.921
10. SHINYA NAKANO JPN KAWASAKI RACING TEAM
+1.081

[redzedx7r]

not the most exciting race, glad to hear Troy finished after his off. Shinya rode a good race but needs to get a bit more mongrel about him. I think that the bike is better than the results that are starting to show.
Go Casey
seanzx7r

[MadKaw]

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005 Download PDF
ROUND 2 - AUTODROMO DO ESTORIL, PORTUGAL
17 APRIL 2005 - MOTOGP RACE

NAKANO EIGHTH IN RAIN HIT PORTUGUESE GRAND PRIX
Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano rode a perfectly judged race on a slippery track to finish eighth in today’s rain hit Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril.

On the back of his fifth place finish last week in Spain, Nakano is now sixth in the championship with 19 points after two rounds.

The 28-lap Grand Prix was a huge test of skill and bravery for riders in the changeable weather conditions, with rain falling on some fast sections of track in the second half of the race.

Under the new flag-to-flag MotoGP rules the race is no longer stopped for rain, and pit stops for wet weather tyres must be made under green-light race conditions.

Today the rain was not heavy enough to justify a pit stop, but Nakano rode a mistake-free race to keep control of his Ninja ZX-RR fitted with slick race tyres.

The heaviest rain fell over the final ten laps, mainly from the end of the main straight and through turns one to six.

Nakano started tenth but dropped to 11th on the long run to the first corner, overtaken by Troy Bayliss.

Unable to make an impression on the lead group Nakano held 11th for 16th laps, before moving into the top ten and then riding superbly over the final laps to clinch eighth. A numbers of riders fell in the tricky conditions including Bayliss, Sete Gibernau and Colin Edwards.

Nakano's performance consolidated Kawasaki's third position in the constructor's championship, two points ahead of Ducati and 13 points in front of Suzuki.

Nakano will ride again at Estoril tomorrow afternoon, in a test session to continue the engine development programme for the Ninja ZX-RR.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Eighth
"That was not an easy race, especially with rain on some fast sections of the course. It was very difficult to see if the track was wet, so I had to keep checking my visor and windscreen for water. It is very difficult to ride a MotoGP bike on slick tyres on a wet track. My lap times were what I expected, but the front group seemed to be able to go faster than in practice and I couldn’t stay with them from the start. I got some good points today, but I’m never happy to be eighth, we need to keep working on engine performance."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director
"I am happy for the points from this race in these very difficult conditions. This weekend was a good opportunity for us to analyse our weak points and the areas in which we need to catch up, and quickly. Clearly the main area is engine development and engine management systems. Our chassis and Bridgestone tyres are performing well."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"I’m satisfied for the result in the prevailing weather conditions, which were not easy for the riders. Shinya didn’t have the best start, but he did a very good job with constant lap times, to score some very valuable points for the team in the championship."

[aardvark]

:? not the most exciting race, glad to hear Troy finished after his off. Shinya rode a good race but needs to get a bit more mongrel about him. I think that the bike is better than the results that are starting to show.
Go Casey
seanzx7r

I had nearly fallen asleep, struggling to keep my eyes open, and the Gibbers fell off. Suddenly I was wiiiiide awake, and Rossi decided it was time to push on. Then everyone else started slipping and sliding.

Since I was watching it on 10, and now that I was awake I managed to stay up for the 250's. Go STONER!!!! Race of the year.

[redzedx7r]

:? not the most exciting race, glad to hear Troy finished after his off. Shinya rode a good race but needs to get a bit more mongrel about him. I think that the bike is better than the results that are starting to show.
Go Casey
seanzx7r

I had nearly fallen asleep, struggling to keep my eyes open, and the Gibbers fell off. Suddenly I was wiiiiide awake, and Rossi decided it was time to push on. Then everyone else started slipping and sliding.

Since I was watching it on 10, and now that I was awake I managed to stay up for the 250's. Go STONER!!!! Race of the year.

mate you gotta get your priorities straight, go optus or foxtel for uninterrupted live coverage. Your mates will come over more often, usually with beer- fair exchange .
My kids accept the fact they have to sacrifice the odd meal so the old man can watch the Super 12, Super Bikes and MotoGP; and they can watch the rap crap on MTV when I'm at work. Everybody's happy

[aardvark]

I refuse to pay for t.v. that double dips by showing ads!

[redzedx7r]

I refuse to pay for t.v. that double dips by showing ads!

i share your pain but they don't put adds on during the footy or the races