Kawasaki Racing Team - 2007

Post by **MadKaw** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:40 am

KAWASAKI MOTO GP RACING TEAM PRESS OFFICE
29 NOVEMBER 2006 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KAWASAKI: A NEW BEGINNING IN 2007

The 2007 MotoGP season marks a new era for Kawasaki. Not only will the Japanese manufacturer debut their all-new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR at the opening race of the season in Qatar, but also, for the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, it will be with a complete 'in house' factory team.

This is a major change in the way that Kawasaki go racing. The new team infrastructure is a result of the Japanese manufacturer's recent necessary split from Harald Eckl and the company KMGP, after Kawasaki was confronted with Eckl's serious involvement with a competitor's MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately.

The Kawasaki Racing Team that will contest the 2007 MotoGP season, with the 800cc Ninja ZX-RR - complete with new engine and chassis - is under the control of Kawasaki's Racing Director, Ichiro Yoda.

While elements of the new look Kawasaki Racing Team will be out in Sepang testing with Randy de Puniet at the end of this month, the remaining team members are busy putting together the equipment, tools and transport necessary for a full-scale assault on the 2007 MotoGP World Championship.

Every member of the new look Kawasaki Racing Team is confident that, come the opening race at the Doha International Circuit in Qatar, they will be ready with a competitive Ninja ZX-RR and a set-up commensurate with that of a factory racing team in the premier series.

"This is a new beginning for Kawasaki. The performance of the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR during the initial tests has been promising, but we know there is still a lot of development work to do if we are to be competitive from the first race next season." declared Kawasaki's President, Consumer Products & Machinery Company, Tamba.

"I'm pleased to say that the team in the pit box will remain virtually unchanged from this season. This has been a great help, and it has undoubtedly allowed us to progress much faster with building the new team infrastructure. We furthermore highly appreciate the full support from Dorna regarding our new MotoGP structure."

"Last year we fielded the most competitive Ninja ZX-RR since Kawasaki returned to Grand Prix racing at the end of the 2002 season, as Shinya Nakano's second place at Assen proved. But, the overall results in 2006 clearly were not what we were expecting, due, in part, to a lack of dedicated attention from our former Team Manager".

"So, while we know we are facing a tough job to have everything ready for the first race of the 2007 season, we are confident that the strong commitment from the new Team management and the rest of the Team, will lead to an improvement in results for Kawasaki during the season ahead," concluded Tamba.

mfzx6r · Post by **mfzx6r** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:25 am

" after Kawasaki was confronted with Eckl's serious involvement with a competitor's MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. "

I would love to know what that was about ?????

Cath · Post by **Cath** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:32 am

Me too, Mario!

But, the overall results in 2006 clearly were not what we were expecting, due, in part, to a lack of dedicated attention from our former Team Manager.

How's that for a parting shot, too!

Someone very high up is majorly pissed at Eckl...

ty · Post by ty » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:51 am

Me three!
I knew of course that they'd split - I hadn't heard any reasons though.

Post by **icebreaker** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:13 am

Well the 2 parts of that press release that caught my attention have been highlighted above..

I'd love to know what Eckl did...

And I must say thank God he's out... I always believed he was a thorn in the side of Kawasaki's GP attempts.. Decidinig on riders because they we Germain... Didn't matter that he couldn't keep up with the 250's on the GP bike but managed to get 2 seasons.

So hopefully Kawasaki can start to make some leaps and bounds because now at the end of the day if it's a flop they can't blame anyone but Kawasaki... So fingers crossed.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:22 am

i think you'll find harold's tie up with eskil suter may have led him to have involvement with the ilmor equip.......

mfzx6r · Post by **mfzx6r** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:53 am

Phil wrote: with the ilmor equip.......

Whooo hoooooo just what we need even slower farm equipment