posted March 27, 2005 02:36 AM
Kaw doing well in Moto GP testing! This is taken from MCNEWS.COM.AU
Promising.
March 26th, 2005
"The MotoGP riders woke up to slashing rain at the Jerez circuit this morning as they prepared for the second of three days' testing at the southern Spanish track. With most of the teams having spent their pre-season testing programme working in the sunshine of Malaysia and Australia, it was a first opportunity for many riders to try out their 2005 machines in wet conditions; a valuable exercise considering the fact that last year's Grand Prix here was ridden entirely in the wet.
The very real possibility of there being a wet race somewhere along the seventeen races this year forced teams to try out their settings for the conditions, with reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi explaining the choice: "It was really important for us that it rained today, because we had never ridden this 2005 machine in the wet. Of course, it is also good preparation in case of a wet race too, which is always possible."
"We got some good feelings out of the new bike in those conditions this morning, and of course, there are a few little problems that need ironing out, but I was quick straight away. We might not be at 100% in the wet, but were not too bad at all."
The heavy rain came to a head around lunchtime, and with watery sunshine poking through the clouds, the riders decided to wait until the track was fully dry before embarking on further tests. Suzuki's Kenny Roberts was fastest in the wet conditions with a lap of 1'53.218, but once the action got going once more it was Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano who surprisingly set the pace in the dry.
Nakano and his team-mate Alex Hofmann had both shown encouraging signs on the first day of the test and, although the lap times were not as fast today due to the inferior grip levels caused by the weather, the Japanese rider confirmed the progress being made with the Ninja ZX-RR machine. Nakano's best time of 1'42.112 was over a second slower than John Hopkins' effort yesterday but it was enough to secure top spot on the time sheets overnight as the riders cross their fingers for better conditions tomorrow.
"It's a good feeling to be fastest but the track conditions weren't so good today and there were a lot of wet patches," explained Nakano. "The new Bridgestone tyres are very compatible with this circuit in the dry and, together with the new 'big bang' engine, there is a big improvement with the overall package. The tyre offers better side grip and the engine gives better throttle control in slippery conditions."
Nicky Hayden was again second fastest on the Honda, just 0.027 seconds behind Nakano and less than a tenth ahead of factory colleague Sete Gibernau. Hopkins was fourth fastest today on the Suzuki whilst Gibernau's team-mate Marco Melandri completed the top five. With Hofmann sixth fastest, Rossi made it four different manufacturers in the top seven riding the Yamaha."
MotoGP Test - Free practice classification, 26/03/05;
1. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) 1'42.112
2. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1'42.139
3. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1'42.278
4. John Hopkins (Suzuki) 1'42.359
5. Marco Melandri (Honda) 1'42.575
6. Alex Hoffman (Kawasaki) 1'42.679
7. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1'42.710
8. Kenny Roberts Jr (Suzuki) 1'43.086
9. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 1'43.095
10. Troy Bayliss (Honda) 1'43.130
11. Alex Barros (Honda) 1'43.328
12. Max Biaggi (Honda) 1'43.559
13. Ruben Xaus (Yamaha) 1'43.756
14. Toni Elias (Yamaha) 1'43.813
15. Vittoriano Guareschi (Ducati) 1'44.375
____________ ''The angle of my dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of my meat''Will Ferrell
posted March 27, 2005 02:37 AM
Kawasaki quickest as wet slows progress
March 26th, 2005
A classy performance in variable weather conditions saw Japanese ace Shinya Nakano claim the fastest lap time on day two of the final pre-season IRTA test at Jerez.
Nakano's stylish effort was backed-up by his ever-improving teammate Alex Hofmann, who was sixth fastest as he continued on a steep learning curve with the new Ninja ZX-RR big-bang motor.
Today was just Hofmann's third outing using the new motor, which has completely different engine characteristics to last year's 'screamer' version of the 990cc, in-line four-cylinder power plant.
Apart from engine set-up, Hofmann also tested a revised rear swinging arm and chassis geometry.
The pre-lunch session was conducted initially on a wet and then slowly drying track after steady morning rain showers.
Clearing sun broke through in the afternoon, although only the final hour provided close to ideal track conditions. Nakano's fastest lap of 1'42.112 was three tenths of a second slower than his day one time.
However the conditions provided a valuable opportunity for Kawasaki and their tyre partner Bridgestone to collect valuable data for future development.
Bridgestone had variations of their latest full-tread, wet pattern tyres available and both Nakano and Hofmann were impressed with the improved side grip.
Also aiding wet track performance is the smoother power delivery and improved throttle control of the big-bang ZX-RR motor, although, as technical director Ichiro Yoda notes, there is still more to come from this motor, which is still in an early development phase.
In the dry afternoon session Nakano's main job was to gather data for Bridgestone in advance of the first race, and his lap times reflect the competitive level of the Japanese tyres at Jerez.
Kawasaki engineers are planning to assess updated settings from electronics supplier Magneti Marelli during tomorrow's third and final day of testing.
Shinya Nakano: #56 - 46 laps (1'42.112)
"It's a good feeling to be fastest, although there were still some wet patches from the rain. In the dry the Bridgestone tyres are very compatible with this track, and I just worked to provide as much data as possible. The new type Bridgestone wet tyre, combined with the big-bang engine, is a noticeable improvement from last year in the rain. There is now better side grip and easier throttle control in slippery conditions, but there is still more work to be done."
Alex Hofmann: #66 - 42 laps (1'42.699)
"The new Bridgestone wet tyres are a step forward, although the consistency is not perfect once the track starts to dry out. In the dry I'm working on the set-up of the engine braking with the big-bang motor, and I'm still lacking some confidence. In the slower first gear corners the motor is pushing me forward rather than helping me control the rear tyre. I hope we have a clear day tomorrow to try and solve this problem for the first race."
Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director
"Today's weather was very beneficial, because it provided some very clear directions for our engineers, both at Kawasaki and Bridgestone. With the wet tyres the performance needs to improve in drying conditions when the rain has stopped. Also very clear from today's wet conditions is that we have to improve the throttle connection and power delivery with the big-bang motor, as this is the most important function of a MotoGP engine. So, overall, today was an excellent day to provide a future direction for our next development phase."
____________ ''The angle of my dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of my meat''Will Ferrell
You have to go back and edit the Yoda quote to sound like the SW character. It's important. I'll get you started: "The weather today very beneficial was..."
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted March 31, 2005 05:29 AM
Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director
"weather very today's was beneficial, mmmmmm, directions some our because for
provided very clear engineers it mmmmmm, at bridgestone. kawasaki and both
mmmmmm the to performance wet needs drying the improve in tyres
with conditions mmmmmm when stopped has the rain. mmmmmm
wet clear also today's conditions from very mmmmmm to and that throttle
the have improve connection power mmmmmm big-bang motor,
the with mmmmmm motogp of this engine is important the most function as
mmmmmm excellent day overall,so, today was mmmmmm
direction development a future our next to provide phase mmmmmm."
posted April 01, 2005 08:01 PM
lol. thats a cool website swft.
____________ ''The angle of my dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of my meat''Will Ferrell
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posted March 27, 2005 02:36 AM
