News 04/01/2008
2008 Dakar rally cancelled amid safety concerns
The 2008 Dakar rally has been cancelled just one day before the 30th edition of the historic competition was due to start in Lisbon, Portugal.
The late move was initiated over security concerns with at least eight of the fifteen stages passing through Mauritania in western Africa. An announcement issued by the event organisers A.S.O today stated that:
“Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.”
“A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators.”
52 Yamaha riders from a list of more than 250 were set to take the start in Lisbon. A.S.O has vowed that the future of the rally is not at threat. “The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar,” the statement also read.
Moto pasaulio naujienos
KAWASAKI’S NEW NINJA ZX-10R RISES TO THE WSB CHALLENGE
Newsflash, 7 January 2008 - A three-day Development Teams’ test at Phillip Island between 8 and 10 January will give PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse riders Makoto Tamada and Régis Laconi a great opportunity to measure the progress of the all new Kawasaki SBK machine against the established order.
Armed with the critically acclaimed new Ninja ZX-10R, new boy Tamada and old hand Laconi will be testing not only their machines but the latest developments in the SBK’s series control tyres, in readiness for the first round of the championship at Qatar, on 23 February.
Phillip Island is the second event on the 15-round 2008 calendar and the 4.445km circuit is notoriously hard on tyres, making this test a vital step along the rapid development curve of the new Kawasaki Superbike in race trim.
Eleven-time SBK race winner and one-time 500cc GP winner Laconi is starting his third straight season with Kawasaki’s lead SBK team, while Tamada is about to face his first full SBK season, after five years competing in MotoGP. Tamada is no stranger to SBK racing itself, however, having competed in SBK races at Sugo as a wild card from 2000 to 2002. He won three WSB races in only six attempts in that period, and also has two race wins in MotoGP to his credit.
Previous tests in Spain have already shown that the latest Ninja ZX-10R is a significant boost for Kawasaki’s SBK ambitions, proving to be powerful and amenable to set-up changes. With riders of such proven pedigree on board, and a rejuvenated backroom squad, the entire PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse team is eager to get their latest testing session underway.
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GIL KAWASAKI DUO READY TO FACE ALL COMERS
Newsflash, 7 January 2008 - The GIL Kawasaki team approaches the 2008 season with an all new riding line up aboard its well-proven ZX-6R machines, in the shape of serial WSS race winner Katsuaki Fujiwara and SBK race-winner Chris Walker.
Each rider will be in place for the Development Team’s tests at Phillip Island between 8 and 10 January to take the next steps along the trail to full competitiveness before the season starts for real on 23 February.
The GIL team is no stranger to success with the current model of ZX-6R, taking a win and a total of four podium finishes last year. With Fujiwara and Walker now on board, the team has signed two vastly experienced riders, but with very contrasting backgrounds and career paths.
Fujiwara has been a virtual fixture at the top end of the WSS world since coming to Europe but his first taste of success on the world stage was a third place for Kawasaki as a World Superbike wild card rider at Sugo, as far back as 1995. Since he moved to the WSS class in 2001 he has scored six WSS race wins, contributing to a total of 21 podium finishes. He was fourth in the World Championship last year, despite injuries robbing him of valuable points at key times.
Walker is a new rider to the WSS scene, but is an experienced SBK and BSB competitor. His most recent major success was a win for Kawasaki at the Assen Superbike race in 2006 and in 2008 he will return to world competition once more, albeit in a class which is entirely new to him.
The immediate focus of both riders and the entire GIL Kawasaki team is the three day Phillip Island test, which ends on Thursday 10th January.
Newsflash, 7 January 2008 - A three-day Development Teams’ test at Phillip Island between 8 and 10 January will give PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse riders Makoto Tamada and Régis Laconi a great opportunity to measure the progress of the all new Kawasaki SBK machine against the established order.
Armed with the critically acclaimed new Ninja ZX-10R, new boy Tamada and old hand Laconi will be testing not only their machines but the latest developments in the SBK’s series control tyres, in readiness for the first round of the championship at Qatar, on 23 February.
Phillip Island is the second event on the 15-round 2008 calendar and the 4.445km circuit is notoriously hard on tyres, making this test a vital step along the rapid development curve of the new Kawasaki Superbike in race trim.
Eleven-time SBK race winner and one-time 500cc GP winner Laconi is starting his third straight season with Kawasaki’s lead SBK team, while Tamada is about to face his first full SBK season, after five years competing in MotoGP. Tamada is no stranger to SBK racing itself, however, having competed in SBK races at Sugo as a wild card from 2000 to 2002. He won three WSB races in only six attempts in that period, and also has two race wins in MotoGP to his credit.
Previous tests in Spain have already shown that the latest Ninja ZX-10R is a significant boost for Kawasaki’s SBK ambitions, proving to be powerful and amenable to set-up changes. With riders of such proven pedigree on board, and a rejuvenated backroom squad, the entire PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse team is eager to get their latest testing session underway.
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GIL KAWASAKI DUO READY TO FACE ALL COMERS
Newsflash, 7 January 2008 - The GIL Kawasaki team approaches the 2008 season with an all new riding line up aboard its well-proven ZX-6R machines, in the shape of serial WSS race winner Katsuaki Fujiwara and SBK race-winner Chris Walker.
Each rider will be in place for the Development Team’s tests at Phillip Island between 8 and 10 January to take the next steps along the trail to full competitiveness before the season starts for real on 23 February.
The GIL team is no stranger to success with the current model of ZX-6R, taking a win and a total of four podium finishes last year. With Fujiwara and Walker now on board, the team has signed two vastly experienced riders, but with very contrasting backgrounds and career paths.
Fujiwara has been a virtual fixture at the top end of the WSS world since coming to Europe but his first taste of success on the world stage was a third place for Kawasaki as a World Superbike wild card rider at Sugo, as far back as 1995. Since he moved to the WSS class in 2001 he has scored six WSS race wins, contributing to a total of 21 podium finishes. He was fourth in the World Championship last year, despite injuries robbing him of valuable points at key times.
Walker is a new rider to the WSS scene, but is an experienced SBK and BSB competitor. His most recent major success was a win for Kawasaki at the Assen Superbike race in 2006 and in 2008 he will return to world competition once more, albeit in a class which is entirely new to him.
The immediate focus of both riders and the entire GIL Kawasaki team is the three day Phillip Island test, which ends on Thursday 10th January.
nepykit, ne specas
go ninja go ninja go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFLGRidfFo4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFLGRidfFo4
POSITIVE START FOR ALSTARE
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 8, 2008.
Team Alstare Suzuki's Yukio Kagayama, Fonsi Nieto and Max Neukirchner have completed the first of three days of World Superbike testing at Phillip Island in Australia positive and confident with their new GSX-R1000s.
The team worked mainly on suspension and engine settings and settled into a good rhythm with Kagayama just three-tenths-of-a-second off the fastest unofficial time of 1:32.6 set by Troy Bayliss.
Yukio Kagayama - 73 laps. Best lap 1:32.9:
"For the first day, the feeling was not so bad and certainly my body is in much better condition than it was in Qatar in the last tests. I didn't find it hard to get into the 1:32s this morning and then we began the testing work. We tested many different areas - suspension, engine and electronics and by the end of the day the rear suspension was getting much better. All in all, I think today was quite a good day."
Fonsi Nieto - 82 laps. Best lap 1:33.2:
"I am really happy with how today went. After the holiday it was good to get back on the bike and straightaway I felt at home on it. At the last tests, the bike didn't feel as if it was my bike, but today I was happy on it right from the start and this makes me feel very good. We tried many different things today and we have a lot of good information to consider. I had a very small crash, at MG Corner, when I lost the front end. It was probably because I had a new rear tyre and suddenly I went down. But there was no injury to me at all and I don't think the bike was even damaged much."
Max Neukirchner - 70 laps. Best lap 1:35.0:
"Today we had some problems with the electronics and there was a lot of work to do, but at the end of the day I was quite happy because we had got one bike working pretty well. Then we began the work on the other bike and that is going OK also. My main problem today is me! I had a bit of a sore throat and my head ached a bit so maybe I'm getting a bit of flu or something. Because of that I found it hard to concentrate on the bike for long periods, so I hope I will feel better tomorrow - as I know there is a lot to do and I want to do it!"
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DUNGEY WINS AT ANAHEIM
January 6, 2008
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 6, 2008.
Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey took first blood on his RM-Z250 at the opening round of the AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium, Anaheim in California on Saturday night.
In an event hit by poor weather, 'Lites' class rider Dungey started in third, dropped to fourth and then took the lead on the eighth of 15 laps after a tough fight with Yamaha's Jason Lawrence.
He said: "It was definitely a great night and I put it together. I got slammed early on and dropped back to fourth but I took my time; was patient, and got back to the front just after the halfway stage."
In the Supercross class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi had a successful debut in both the class and on the new Suzuki RM-Z450. After winning the last chance qualifier, Alessi got a good start in the main event and was racing for a podium spot. Focusing on finishing in less-than-stellar conditions, however, Alessi backed off and rode a smooth race, maintaining a strong sixth-place position until the race's end.
Team mate David Vuillemin also put in a smooth and consistent ride getting a good start and running in the top-10 for the entire 20 laps before finishing in 10th position.
Ryan Dungey:
"It was a good race and definitely a great night. The whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team prepared so much for this race. And the Suzuki RM-Z250 was working awesome - we were able to put it all together and come out on top. I was able to take my time and was patient and just let the race come to me so I could put in some good laps. Winning this race, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's so good to just be racing again and I'm pumped to get the win."
Mike Alessi:
"This first Supercross was a learning experience for me. It was pretty muddy this weekend but we tried to take the good with the bad and make the best of the situation. The bike was awesome and I got a great start and was in third when a few guys got around me. I was having a good race in fifth and riding a smooth pace because I didn't want to make any mistakes and fall. But with about four laps to go, I saw somebody coming up on me and I tried to put up a fight but I realized I was riding a little hard and I didn't want to ride over my head and crash. So I settled for sixth and now I'm just looking forward to next week's race at Phoenix."
David Vuillemin:
"I haven't raced in five months so I was kind of rusty. And with the mud, we only had one practice and went straight to the race. My plan was to ride safe and smooth and not take any chances, especially with the weather being kind of sketchy. In the main event I made a few mistakes and some guys got past me, but overall I am satisfied. The bike was really strong and consistent and the team was great. I want to do better and I know I can do better; I'm just rusty from not racing. Now I'm just looking to build from here with better results."
Supercross results: 1 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 2 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 3 Tim Ferry (Kawasaki), 4 Grant Langston (Yamaha), 5 Kevin Windham (Honda), 6 Mike Alessi (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 7 Davy Millsaps (Honda), 8 Andrew Short (Honda), 9 Nick Wey (KTM), 10 David Vuillemin (Rockstar Makita Suzuki).
Points (after 1 round): 1 Reed 25, 2 Stewart 22, 3 Ferry 20, 4 Langston 18, 5 Windham 16, 6 Alessi 15, 7 Millsaps 14, 8 Short 13, 9 Wey 12, 10 Vuillemin 11.
Lites results: 1 Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 2 Jason Lawrence (Yamaha), 3 Justin Brayton (KTM), 4 Daniel Reardon (Honda), 5 Austin Stroupe (Kawasaki), 6 Thomas Hahn (Kawasaki), 7 Gavin Gracyk (Honda), 8 Andrew McFarlane (Kawasaki), 9 Chris Blose (Suzuki), 10 Wil Hahn (Yamaha).
Points (after 1 round): 1 Dungey 25, 2 Lawrence 22, 3 Brayton 20, 4 Reardon 18, 5 Stroupe 16, 6 Hahn 15, 7 Gracyk 14, 8 McFarlane 13, 9 Blose 12, 10 Hahn 11.
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 8, 2008.
Team Alstare Suzuki's Yukio Kagayama, Fonsi Nieto and Max Neukirchner have completed the first of three days of World Superbike testing at Phillip Island in Australia positive and confident with their new GSX-R1000s.
The team worked mainly on suspension and engine settings and settled into a good rhythm with Kagayama just three-tenths-of-a-second off the fastest unofficial time of 1:32.6 set by Troy Bayliss.
Yukio Kagayama - 73 laps. Best lap 1:32.9:
"For the first day, the feeling was not so bad and certainly my body is in much better condition than it was in Qatar in the last tests. I didn't find it hard to get into the 1:32s this morning and then we began the testing work. We tested many different areas - suspension, engine and electronics and by the end of the day the rear suspension was getting much better. All in all, I think today was quite a good day."
Fonsi Nieto - 82 laps. Best lap 1:33.2:
"I am really happy with how today went. After the holiday it was good to get back on the bike and straightaway I felt at home on it. At the last tests, the bike didn't feel as if it was my bike, but today I was happy on it right from the start and this makes me feel very good. We tried many different things today and we have a lot of good information to consider. I had a very small crash, at MG Corner, when I lost the front end. It was probably because I had a new rear tyre and suddenly I went down. But there was no injury to me at all and I don't think the bike was even damaged much."
Max Neukirchner - 70 laps. Best lap 1:35.0:
"Today we had some problems with the electronics and there was a lot of work to do, but at the end of the day I was quite happy because we had got one bike working pretty well. Then we began the work on the other bike and that is going OK also. My main problem today is me! I had a bit of a sore throat and my head ached a bit so maybe I'm getting a bit of flu or something. Because of that I found it hard to concentrate on the bike for long periods, so I hope I will feel better tomorrow - as I know there is a lot to do and I want to do it!"
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DUNGEY WINS AT ANAHEIM
January 6, 2008
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 6, 2008.
Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey took first blood on his RM-Z250 at the opening round of the AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium, Anaheim in California on Saturday night.
In an event hit by poor weather, 'Lites' class rider Dungey started in third, dropped to fourth and then took the lead on the eighth of 15 laps after a tough fight with Yamaha's Jason Lawrence.
He said: "It was definitely a great night and I put it together. I got slammed early on and dropped back to fourth but I took my time; was patient, and got back to the front just after the halfway stage."
In the Supercross class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi had a successful debut in both the class and on the new Suzuki RM-Z450. After winning the last chance qualifier, Alessi got a good start in the main event and was racing for a podium spot. Focusing on finishing in less-than-stellar conditions, however, Alessi backed off and rode a smooth race, maintaining a strong sixth-place position until the race's end.
Team mate David Vuillemin also put in a smooth and consistent ride getting a good start and running in the top-10 for the entire 20 laps before finishing in 10th position.
Ryan Dungey:
"It was a good race and definitely a great night. The whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team prepared so much for this race. And the Suzuki RM-Z250 was working awesome - we were able to put it all together and come out on top. I was able to take my time and was patient and just let the race come to me so I could put in some good laps. Winning this race, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's so good to just be racing again and I'm pumped to get the win."
Mike Alessi:
"This first Supercross was a learning experience for me. It was pretty muddy this weekend but we tried to take the good with the bad and make the best of the situation. The bike was awesome and I got a great start and was in third when a few guys got around me. I was having a good race in fifth and riding a smooth pace because I didn't want to make any mistakes and fall. But with about four laps to go, I saw somebody coming up on me and I tried to put up a fight but I realized I was riding a little hard and I didn't want to ride over my head and crash. So I settled for sixth and now I'm just looking forward to next week's race at Phoenix."
David Vuillemin:
"I haven't raced in five months so I was kind of rusty. And with the mud, we only had one practice and went straight to the race. My plan was to ride safe and smooth and not take any chances, especially with the weather being kind of sketchy. In the main event I made a few mistakes and some guys got past me, but overall I am satisfied. The bike was really strong and consistent and the team was great. I want to do better and I know I can do better; I'm just rusty from not racing. Now I'm just looking to build from here with better results."
Supercross results: 1 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 2 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 3 Tim Ferry (Kawasaki), 4 Grant Langston (Yamaha), 5 Kevin Windham (Honda), 6 Mike Alessi (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 7 Davy Millsaps (Honda), 8 Andrew Short (Honda), 9 Nick Wey (KTM), 10 David Vuillemin (Rockstar Makita Suzuki).
Points (after 1 round): 1 Reed 25, 2 Stewart 22, 3 Ferry 20, 4 Langston 18, 5 Windham 16, 6 Alessi 15, 7 Millsaps 14, 8 Short 13, 9 Wey 12, 10 Vuillemin 11.
Lites results: 1 Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 2 Jason Lawrence (Yamaha), 3 Justin Brayton (KTM), 4 Daniel Reardon (Honda), 5 Austin Stroupe (Kawasaki), 6 Thomas Hahn (Kawasaki), 7 Gavin Gracyk (Honda), 8 Andrew McFarlane (Kawasaki), 9 Chris Blose (Suzuki), 10 Wil Hahn (Yamaha).
Points (after 1 round): 1 Dungey 25, 2 Lawrence 22, 3 Brayton 20, 4 Reardon 18, 5 Stroupe 16, 6 Hahn 15, 7 Gracyk 14, 8 McFarlane 13, 9 Blose 12, 10 Hahn 11.
nepykit, ne specas
KAGAYAMA SECOND AT WSB TESTS
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 9, 2008.
Yukio Kagayama put his Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 into second place overall on the second day of testing at Phillip Island in Australia today.
With conditions hotter and breezier than the first day, the Japanese rider posted an unofficial lap time of 1:32.32 in the morning session, a fraction behind the 1:32.078 set by Troy Bayliss (Ducati) in the afternoon session.
Fonsi Nieto continued his learning process on the GSX-R1000 Suzuki, getting more and more familiar with the bike with every lap, but Max Neukirchner was a non-starter today due to laryngitis. He hopes to return to the saddle tomorrow.
Yukio Kagayama - 1:32.32 (78 laps):
"This morning was good and my feeling with the bike was very good. Of course we are still testing many things and my other bike did not have such a good feeling - but that's why we are testing. Even though I put in quite a few laps, I felt that it would've been good to do even more! Tomorrow we will continue our work and hopefully we will end the tests with two good bikes working well!"
Fonsi Nieto - 1:33.00 (93 laps):
"For me, today was not so good and we had a few problems, but we're here to experience the problems and then solve them! After all, it's better to have problems at this stage of the season than later on! I did improve my lap times today, but not enough for my own feeling. But I think tomorrow can be a good day for us and I am determined to finish these tests on a positive note."
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 9, 2008.
Yukio Kagayama put his Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 into second place overall on the second day of testing at Phillip Island in Australia today.
With conditions hotter and breezier than the first day, the Japanese rider posted an unofficial lap time of 1:32.32 in the morning session, a fraction behind the 1:32.078 set by Troy Bayliss (Ducati) in the afternoon session.
Fonsi Nieto continued his learning process on the GSX-R1000 Suzuki, getting more and more familiar with the bike with every lap, but Max Neukirchner was a non-starter today due to laryngitis. He hopes to return to the saddle tomorrow.
Yukio Kagayama - 1:32.32 (78 laps):
"This morning was good and my feeling with the bike was very good. Of course we are still testing many things and my other bike did not have such a good feeling - but that's why we are testing. Even though I put in quite a few laps, I felt that it would've been good to do even more! Tomorrow we will continue our work and hopefully we will end the tests with two good bikes working well!"
Fonsi Nieto - 1:33.00 (93 laps):
"For me, today was not so good and we had a few problems, but we're here to experience the problems and then solve them! After all, it's better to have problems at this stage of the season than later on! I did improve my lap times today, but not enough for my own feeling. But I think tomorrow can be a good day for us and I am determined to finish these tests on a positive note."
nepykit, ne specas
Yamaha-Racing News, Phillip Island, Australia 10/01/2008
WSB/ WSS Phillip Island Winter test
Haga and Corser move forward at Phillip Island
Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) completed a tough but successful three day test at Phillip Island in conditions which varied from relatively cool to exceptionally hot, finding real improvements while using Yamaha’s YCC-I variable intake system in full race trim.
Noriyuki Haga (Position: 6th – Best time: 1’32.4)
“It’s gone very well. We spent the days testing new parts, the results are good so now I am just waiting for the race. I’ve tried new suspension, new swing arm linkages and many tyres and the variable inlet trumpets. Before coming to Phillip Island I tested the variable inlet trumpets for two days in Japan and the feeling is very good. We can see from the power curve that it is better and as a rider it gives me a better feeling. It gives us increased adjustment and for sure we will use this from now on.” Haga’s personal best time of 1’32.4 was only 0.3 seconds from the best over the three days of testing, while Corser set a 1’32.7, both concentrating their efforts on finding good race settings and tyre options in the constantly changing track conditions.
Corser in particular found the surface uncharacteristically bumpy in places, and the final day of testing, run in ambient temperatures of 38°C at times, was hard work for all.
As well as successful trials of the YCC-I system, the team evaluated swingarm and linkage developments, with Corser also trying out new braking components. The very high temperatures of the final day are not expected to be experienced at the Phillip Island race itself, on 2 March.
Troy Corser (Position: 7th – Best time: 1’32.7)
“We’ve had a lot to test but we’ve seen a direction - some were good and some not so good. I’ve been working to improve the stability on the bike and we’ve also been trying some new discs to give us better braking. We’ve had a whole range of front forks, rear shocks and a different swing arm link and tyres to test. The actual one lap fast times on the final day didn’t really come but we gained a lot of data, a lot of feedback and have a good race speed. I only spent the final afternoon using the variable inlet but I’ve been able to feel a bit different power. I think we’ve still got a bit of work to do to find the best bike balance here but it’s definitely been a positive test.”
Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
"We have to be happy with this test because we are better than last year and the year before and in particular over a race distance our speed is good. Still this circuit remains difficult for us because it offers not the grip level that makes are bike work perfect. It is difficult to say the difference between us and the competition, because we did our long run at around 12 noon, most others did theirs at a different time. We were happy with ours, especially the one from Noriyuki, so we are leaving Phillip Island feeling optimistic. Both riders used the variable intake system properly for the first time and both of them were very happy with it. It is a positive step and for sure we will use it at the first race in Qatar.”
Parkes hot at home as Foret continues progress
Broc Parkes left his home circuit of Phillip Island with the best lap time of the three day test in the Supersport category, while his new team-mate, Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) also made great progress with the new Yamaha YZF-R6.
Parkes set a blistering 1’34.6, some 0.4 seconds faster than his closest rivals, and easily inside the previous lap records. Foret found the set-up changes he needed to set his best of 1’35.2 on the very last day. It had been a tough test because of the every increasing temperature, and the fact that since the last test there, the track has become bumpy in places.
A lot of effort was focused on finding suspension setting that worked effectively, as the previous test of the brand new machine was conducted on the smooth and flat circuit at Qatar, in late November.
Broc Parkes (Position: 1st – Best time: 1’34.6)
"It’s been a good test and we’ve been working really well. The engine, chassis and suspension is all working together, we’ve tried a lot of things and it seems that every direction we went in was a good one and we kept improving. The new bike is a big improvement especially the engine, it’s got more torque which makes it more user friendly and it’s also giving us better tyre life. All in all I’m really happy, at the Qatar test I was quickest and I’ve been fastest all three days here in Phillip Island so hopefully we can keep the momentum going until the first race.”
Fabien Foret (Position: 4th – Best time: 1’35.2)
"My test was much better on the final day and I did a few fast laps at the end, so I am a bit happier than I was on day one or two. I am still working on the feel and feedback from the front and because of the very hot conditions everyone seemed to be looking for grip. Turn one was very bumpy, but the grip was the biggest thing for me in the heat.”
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Coordinator - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"The test went OK even if the conditions changed each day and the track was quite bumpy in places compared to the experience we had at the Qatar tests. It was very smooth and flat there. It was 20°C on the first day, 30°C on the second and then 38°C today, so we have tested the new bike in every condition except rain. We had to work hard for three days to find the best suspension settings and we still have work to do to be exactly where we want to, but we still have the time and space to do that. We have been fast, so that is not an issue. We also did some successful long runs to choose tyres.”
Circuit Length: 4.445km
Temp: First day 20°C, rising to last day 38°C
Weather: Dry, sunny
Superbike times combined
1. Yukio Kagayama (JPN-Suzuki) 1’32.1
2. Troy Bayliss (AUS-Ducati) 1’32.2
3. Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 1’32.3
4. Ruben Xaus (ESP-Ducati) 1’32.3
5. Fonsi Nieto (ESP-Suzuki) 1’32.3
6. Noriyuki Haga (JPN-Yamaha) 1’32.4
7. Troy Corser (AUS-Yamaha) 1’32.7
8. Max Biaggi (ITA-Ducati) 1’32.8
9. Regis Laconi (FRA-Kawasaki) 1’33.0
10. Makoto Tamada (JPN-Kawasaki) 1’33.4
11. Max Neukirchner (GER-Suzuki) 1’35.5
Supersport times combined
1. Broc Parkes (AUS-Yamaha) 1’34.6
2. Jonathan Rea (GBR-Honda) 1’35.0
3. Andrew Pitt (AUS-Honda) 1’35.0
4. Fabien Foret (FRA-Yamaha) 1’35.2
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara (JPN-Kawasaki) 1’35.6
6. Chris Walker (GBR-Kawasaki) 1’35.7
7. Josh Brookes (AUS-Honda) 1’35.7
8. Garry McCoy (AUS-Triumph) 1’35.9
9. Robbin Harms (DEN-Honda) 1’36.4
WSB/ WSS Phillip Island Winter test
Haga and Corser move forward at Phillip Island
Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) completed a tough but successful three day test at Phillip Island in conditions which varied from relatively cool to exceptionally hot, finding real improvements while using Yamaha’s YCC-I variable intake system in full race trim.
Noriyuki Haga (Position: 6th – Best time: 1’32.4)
“It’s gone very well. We spent the days testing new parts, the results are good so now I am just waiting for the race. I’ve tried new suspension, new swing arm linkages and many tyres and the variable inlet trumpets. Before coming to Phillip Island I tested the variable inlet trumpets for two days in Japan and the feeling is very good. We can see from the power curve that it is better and as a rider it gives me a better feeling. It gives us increased adjustment and for sure we will use this from now on.” Haga’s personal best time of 1’32.4 was only 0.3 seconds from the best over the three days of testing, while Corser set a 1’32.7, both concentrating their efforts on finding good race settings and tyre options in the constantly changing track conditions.
Corser in particular found the surface uncharacteristically bumpy in places, and the final day of testing, run in ambient temperatures of 38°C at times, was hard work for all.
As well as successful trials of the YCC-I system, the team evaluated swingarm and linkage developments, with Corser also trying out new braking components. The very high temperatures of the final day are not expected to be experienced at the Phillip Island race itself, on 2 March.
Troy Corser (Position: 7th – Best time: 1’32.7)
“We’ve had a lot to test but we’ve seen a direction - some were good and some not so good. I’ve been working to improve the stability on the bike and we’ve also been trying some new discs to give us better braking. We’ve had a whole range of front forks, rear shocks and a different swing arm link and tyres to test. The actual one lap fast times on the final day didn’t really come but we gained a lot of data, a lot of feedback and have a good race speed. I only spent the final afternoon using the variable inlet but I’ve been able to feel a bit different power. I think we’ve still got a bit of work to do to find the best bike balance here but it’s definitely been a positive test.”
Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
"We have to be happy with this test because we are better than last year and the year before and in particular over a race distance our speed is good. Still this circuit remains difficult for us because it offers not the grip level that makes are bike work perfect. It is difficult to say the difference between us and the competition, because we did our long run at around 12 noon, most others did theirs at a different time. We were happy with ours, especially the one from Noriyuki, so we are leaving Phillip Island feeling optimistic. Both riders used the variable intake system properly for the first time and both of them were very happy with it. It is a positive step and for sure we will use it at the first race in Qatar.”
Parkes hot at home as Foret continues progress
Broc Parkes left his home circuit of Phillip Island with the best lap time of the three day test in the Supersport category, while his new team-mate, Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) also made great progress with the new Yamaha YZF-R6.
Parkes set a blistering 1’34.6, some 0.4 seconds faster than his closest rivals, and easily inside the previous lap records. Foret found the set-up changes he needed to set his best of 1’35.2 on the very last day. It had been a tough test because of the every increasing temperature, and the fact that since the last test there, the track has become bumpy in places.
A lot of effort was focused on finding suspension setting that worked effectively, as the previous test of the brand new machine was conducted on the smooth and flat circuit at Qatar, in late November.
Broc Parkes (Position: 1st – Best time: 1’34.6)
"It’s been a good test and we’ve been working really well. The engine, chassis and suspension is all working together, we’ve tried a lot of things and it seems that every direction we went in was a good one and we kept improving. The new bike is a big improvement especially the engine, it’s got more torque which makes it more user friendly and it’s also giving us better tyre life. All in all I’m really happy, at the Qatar test I was quickest and I’ve been fastest all three days here in Phillip Island so hopefully we can keep the momentum going until the first race.”
Fabien Foret (Position: 4th – Best time: 1’35.2)
"My test was much better on the final day and I did a few fast laps at the end, so I am a bit happier than I was on day one or two. I am still working on the feel and feedback from the front and because of the very hot conditions everyone seemed to be looking for grip. Turn one was very bumpy, but the grip was the biggest thing for me in the heat.”
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Coordinator - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"The test went OK even if the conditions changed each day and the track was quite bumpy in places compared to the experience we had at the Qatar tests. It was very smooth and flat there. It was 20°C on the first day, 30°C on the second and then 38°C today, so we have tested the new bike in every condition except rain. We had to work hard for three days to find the best suspension settings and we still have work to do to be exactly where we want to, but we still have the time and space to do that. We have been fast, so that is not an issue. We also did some successful long runs to choose tyres.”
Circuit Length: 4.445km
Temp: First day 20°C, rising to last day 38°C
Weather: Dry, sunny
Superbike times combined
1. Yukio Kagayama (JPN-Suzuki) 1’32.1
2. Troy Bayliss (AUS-Ducati) 1’32.2
3. Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 1’32.3
4. Ruben Xaus (ESP-Ducati) 1’32.3
5. Fonsi Nieto (ESP-Suzuki) 1’32.3
6. Noriyuki Haga (JPN-Yamaha) 1’32.4
7. Troy Corser (AUS-Yamaha) 1’32.7
8. Max Biaggi (ITA-Ducati) 1’32.8
9. Regis Laconi (FRA-Kawasaki) 1’33.0
10. Makoto Tamada (JPN-Kawasaki) 1’33.4
11. Max Neukirchner (GER-Suzuki) 1’35.5
Supersport times combined
1. Broc Parkes (AUS-Yamaha) 1’34.6
2. Jonathan Rea (GBR-Honda) 1’35.0
3. Andrew Pitt (AUS-Honda) 1’35.0
4. Fabien Foret (FRA-Yamaha) 1’35.2
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara (JPN-Kawasaki) 1’35.6
6. Chris Walker (GBR-Kawasaki) 1’35.7
7. Josh Brookes (AUS-Honda) 1’35.7
8. Garry McCoy (AUS-Triumph) 1’35.9
9. Robbin Harms (DEN-Honda) 1’36.4
nepykit, ne specas
IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE APACE FOR NEW NINJA ZX-10R, Kawasaki-Racing news, 10 January 2008 - PSG-1
Kawasaki Corse riders Régis Laconi and Makoto Tamada took part in a positive three day test of the all new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R World Superbike machine at Phillip Island between 8 and 10 January, and each found improvements day-by-day.
Conditions at the 4.445km circuit varied from a cool first day to an incredibly warm final day, complicating the task of finding a consistent set-up, and evaluating the latest batch of control tyres.
Laconi was slightly the faster of the two, putting his vast WSB experience to good work in ending the test with a time of 1’33.0 - less than one second from the quickest time of all over the three days. Tamada, with more recent experience of MotoGP racing than Superbike racing, took some time to get up to speed but still posted a highly respectable 1’33.4.
Régis Laconi: “We’ve worked hard all three days, especially today, as I completed over 100 laps. That included two race simulations. Right now I am very tired but I am very happy because the bike is giving me a really good feeling from both the front and the rear. Also, when we change the settings I can really feel the difference. Now the bike is easy to change direction plus the new electronics are working really well and giving me a good feeling. The new bike already has more power than last year, yet with the help of the new electronics it is wheelying less, making it much easier to ride. Overall, I am very happy.”
Makoto Tamada: “It’s been a while since I was on a Superbike so I feel that I am still getting used to it, all of which made me ride carefully for the first couple of days. We’ve had some difficult times during this three day test but it is getting better day-by-day. One of my priorities is to bring the team together because I am new and we have new team members, so we will focus on this at Qatar. From a machine set-up point of view, we had some chatter problems, especially over the bumps. We need to concentrate on this aspect so that I can really start pushing.”
The team returns to its European base before preparations are made for the last pre-season test, at Qatar, to be held one week before the opening race of the scheduled 15-round SBK championship on Saturday 23 February.
---
GIL KAWASAKI’S NEW RIDERS MAKE STRONG PROGRESS
Katsuaki Fujiwara and Chris Walker (GIL Kawasaki) both found their latest test sessions, at Phillip Island in Australia, immensely beneficial in getting to know the GIL team and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Supersport machine.
Fujiwara, coming into the team after a long and illustrious WSS career, and Walker, a class rookie but one of the most experienced riders in the SBK paddock, made great improvements in set-up across the three days, and ended up with highly respectable times in their first big test against their new peer group. Fujiwara set a time of 1’35.6, while Walker was only one tenth of a second off.
Neither rider pushed hard on the first two days, but despite temperatures which sometimes hit 38°C on the last day, ultimate lap times were still improved.
Katsuaki Fujiwara: “This is still a new bike and a new team for me so we spent the first two days working hard with the geometry and suspension set-up, so it was not always possible to go full gas. At the end of day two we made a big improvement with the front fork and that meant I was able to do a lot of fast laps. I have not been focussing on one fast lap because consistency is the key as it is the last five laps of the race that are the most important ones.”
Chris Walker: “I’ve still got a lot to learn but I’m really enjoying it. Having three days at a track like Phillip Island has been so worthwhile and I feel that I’m riding the bike much better now than when I first arrived. I’m a lot more relaxed and doing a 15 lap run on the final day felt a lot easier than doing seven laps on day one. The only thing I’m annoyed about is that I didn’t really push for a lap time on day two when the conditions were a bit cooler. But that’s not the end of the world as we’ve ended up pretty close, especially on a race run.”
The WSS season starts at the same time and venue as the SBK class, at Qatar on 23 February
Kawasaki Corse riders Régis Laconi and Makoto Tamada took part in a positive three day test of the all new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R World Superbike machine at Phillip Island between 8 and 10 January, and each found improvements day-by-day.
Conditions at the 4.445km circuit varied from a cool first day to an incredibly warm final day, complicating the task of finding a consistent set-up, and evaluating the latest batch of control tyres.
Laconi was slightly the faster of the two, putting his vast WSB experience to good work in ending the test with a time of 1’33.0 - less than one second from the quickest time of all over the three days. Tamada, with more recent experience of MotoGP racing than Superbike racing, took some time to get up to speed but still posted a highly respectable 1’33.4.
Régis Laconi: “We’ve worked hard all three days, especially today, as I completed over 100 laps. That included two race simulations. Right now I am very tired but I am very happy because the bike is giving me a really good feeling from both the front and the rear. Also, when we change the settings I can really feel the difference. Now the bike is easy to change direction plus the new electronics are working really well and giving me a good feeling. The new bike already has more power than last year, yet with the help of the new electronics it is wheelying less, making it much easier to ride. Overall, I am very happy.”
Makoto Tamada: “It’s been a while since I was on a Superbike so I feel that I am still getting used to it, all of which made me ride carefully for the first couple of days. We’ve had some difficult times during this three day test but it is getting better day-by-day. One of my priorities is to bring the team together because I am new and we have new team members, so we will focus on this at Qatar. From a machine set-up point of view, we had some chatter problems, especially over the bumps. We need to concentrate on this aspect so that I can really start pushing.”
The team returns to its European base before preparations are made for the last pre-season test, at Qatar, to be held one week before the opening race of the scheduled 15-round SBK championship on Saturday 23 February.
---
GIL KAWASAKI’S NEW RIDERS MAKE STRONG PROGRESS
Katsuaki Fujiwara and Chris Walker (GIL Kawasaki) both found their latest test sessions, at Phillip Island in Australia, immensely beneficial in getting to know the GIL team and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Supersport machine.
Fujiwara, coming into the team after a long and illustrious WSS career, and Walker, a class rookie but one of the most experienced riders in the SBK paddock, made great improvements in set-up across the three days, and ended up with highly respectable times in their first big test against their new peer group. Fujiwara set a time of 1’35.6, while Walker was only one tenth of a second off.
Neither rider pushed hard on the first two days, but despite temperatures which sometimes hit 38°C on the last day, ultimate lap times were still improved.
Katsuaki Fujiwara: “This is still a new bike and a new team for me so we spent the first two days working hard with the geometry and suspension set-up, so it was not always possible to go full gas. At the end of day two we made a big improvement with the front fork and that meant I was able to do a lot of fast laps. I have not been focussing on one fast lap because consistency is the key as it is the last five laps of the race that are the most important ones.”
Chris Walker: “I’ve still got a lot to learn but I’m really enjoying it. Having three days at a track like Phillip Island has been so worthwhile and I feel that I’m riding the bike much better now than when I first arrived. I’m a lot more relaxed and doing a 15 lap run on the final day felt a lot easier than doing seven laps on day one. The only thing I’m annoyed about is that I didn’t really push for a lap time on day two when the conditions were a bit cooler. But that’s not the end of the world as we’ve ended up pretty close, especially on a race run.”
The WSS season starts at the same time and venue as the SBK class, at Qatar on 23 February
nepykit, ne specas
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 15, 2008.
VERMEULEN TO RUN NUMBER SEVEN
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP's Australian star Chris Vermeulen will run a new racing number on the front of his machine in 2008, using the number seven made famous by Suzuki's double World Champion Barry Sheene.
Vermeulen will have the iconic crossed seven on his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R from the start of the forthcoming season and will be hoping that the new number will spur him on to similar success as that enjoyed by his hero and mentor Sheene.
The 25-year-old Queenslander came to Europe to race in 2000, following the advice of Sheene, and he has always had an ambition to run the number seven on a Suzuki as a tribute to the 1976 and 1977 500cc World Champion, who lost his life to cancer in 2003. He has used 71 on his race machines in his first two seasons of MotoGP racing with Suzuki and when the chance came to change to seven - following Carlos Checa's departure from the Championship - Vermeulen jumped at the opportunity.
Vermeulen will race with his new number for the first time at Losail in Qatar on Sunday March 9th in the opening round of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship, when he will be joined by new team-mate Loris Capirossi who will still be using his familiar number 65 when he makes his debut onboard the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R.
Chris Vermeulen:
"I am really pleased to have secured the number seven on my bike for 2008. Barry was a huge influence on my career and I always had it in my mind to one day race a Suzuki with the number that he made famous on it - I just hope that I now have the same success that he enjoyed!
"It was an honour for me to ride his bike at a demonstration event in England a couple of years ago and then to have the retro livery on my bike at Phillip Island last year that was also inspired by one of Sheene's bikes was just awesome, so for me to now compete with the number seven is like the icing on the cake!
"It has been over 30 years since Barry won his second world title and I will be doing all I can to make sure that I follow in his footsteps and make it my lucky number seven as well!"
VERMEULEN TO RUN NUMBER SEVEN
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP's Australian star Chris Vermeulen will run a new racing number on the front of his machine in 2008, using the number seven made famous by Suzuki's double World Champion Barry Sheene.
Vermeulen will have the iconic crossed seven on his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R from the start of the forthcoming season and will be hoping that the new number will spur him on to similar success as that enjoyed by his hero and mentor Sheene.
The 25-year-old Queenslander came to Europe to race in 2000, following the advice of Sheene, and he has always had an ambition to run the number seven on a Suzuki as a tribute to the 1976 and 1977 500cc World Champion, who lost his life to cancer in 2003. He has used 71 on his race machines in his first two seasons of MotoGP racing with Suzuki and when the chance came to change to seven - following Carlos Checa's departure from the Championship - Vermeulen jumped at the opportunity.
Vermeulen will race with his new number for the first time at Losail in Qatar on Sunday March 9th in the opening round of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship, when he will be joined by new team-mate Loris Capirossi who will still be using his familiar number 65 when he makes his debut onboard the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R.
Chris Vermeulen:
"I am really pleased to have secured the number seven on my bike for 2008. Barry was a huge influence on my career and I always had it in my mind to one day race a Suzuki with the number that he made famous on it - I just hope that I now have the same success that he enjoyed!
"It was an honour for me to ride his bike at a demonstration event in England a couple of years ago and then to have the retro livery on my bike at Phillip Island last year that was also inspired by one of Sheene's bikes was just awesome, so for me to now compete with the number seven is like the icing on the cake!
"It has been over 30 years since Barry won his second world title and I will be doing all I can to make sure that I follow in his footsteps and make it my lucky number seven as well!"
nepykit, ne specas
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 16, 2008.
ALSTARE HAPPY WITH TEST PROGRESS
Team Alstare Suzuki riders Yukio Kagayama, Fonsi Nieto and Max Neukirchner finished their World Superbike testing at Phillip Island extremely satisfied with the progress they made with their GSX-R1000s and are eager for the first race to start in Qatar next month.
All three riders have worked hard during the tests and have given the team a lot of information and data to analyse upon the return to the workshops after the long trip home.
The team was able to test a variety of new parts and material during the test and was very happy with the feedback given by the riders.
After his illness, which caused him to miss two days of the official tests last week, Neukirchner was particularly happy to be able to get down to work this week and showed this by putting in more laps than either of his team mates.
Yukio Kagayama - 190 laps:
"Generally, my feeling is that this has been a good test and I know I put in many, many laps. The 2008 bike is not so different to last year's bike but there are some new bits and it was up to us to test many things and ideas and give our engineers comments about which way to go. Although this year's bike is not a big change, the small differences have made this a better bike, I feel. We worked in all areas, including engine, chassis and electronics and my personal feeling is that the electronics are working very well. Concerning the chassis, we tried many different things, but for me the standard setting is pretty good. This means we have a good base and that's important.
"Phillip Island is a good testing track because it has a big variety of corners and that means that the bike has to work very hard. My goal for 2008 is to be consistent and take as many podiums as possible. If I do that, I am sure some race wins will follow."
Fonsi Nieto - 252 laps:
"This test I have been trying many parts - in fact, just the regular 2008 bike - and I'm happy, even though maybe I could've lapped a bit quicker. But for me, this test is not about lap times; it is about getting comfortable with the bike and the team and then pushing hard. Remember this is a new bike and a new team for me so there is a lot to learn. But I feel we have made good progress since the last test and have been able to try many different things. At the moment, I have a very good feeling about the engine. For me, the front end is not quite what I would like yet, so this is an area where we have to do more work. It affects my turning in, but exiting corners is no problem at all. Phillip Island is a good track for testing and we were lucky because the weather has been pretty good and not caused any problems. My next time on this bike will be in Qatar on the race weekend and I am looking forward to it already."
Max Neukirchner - 269 laps:
"I guess I did quite a lot of laps but then I had to make up for the time I lost when I was sick last week! Being ill last week was a big disappointment, so I was determined to put in the laps and the track time this week. The good news is that I was fully fit this week and ready to give everything I had. My feeling is that, over three days, the tests have been good. I've improved each day and got quicker. I've spent most of the time trying to find a good base set-up and getting comfortable on the bike. The bike is new to me and so are the mechanics, so we are learning together and it is going very well. We've done a lot of work on the chassis and I feel we've improved it quite a bit. For me, I need to do more work on the rear end feeling. At the moment, I'm not sure if the problem is the set-up or the tyre itself, but we're not far off and I think the bike will be ready for the first race. I've had no big problems - except hitting a couple of birds - and I'm happy that we found a good base from which to work and that means that I'm now looking forward to the first race."
ALSTARE HAPPY WITH TEST PROGRESS
Team Alstare Suzuki riders Yukio Kagayama, Fonsi Nieto and Max Neukirchner finished their World Superbike testing at Phillip Island extremely satisfied with the progress they made with their GSX-R1000s and are eager for the first race to start in Qatar next month.
All three riders have worked hard during the tests and have given the team a lot of information and data to analyse upon the return to the workshops after the long trip home.
The team was able to test a variety of new parts and material during the test and was very happy with the feedback given by the riders.
After his illness, which caused him to miss two days of the official tests last week, Neukirchner was particularly happy to be able to get down to work this week and showed this by putting in more laps than either of his team mates.
Yukio Kagayama - 190 laps:
"Generally, my feeling is that this has been a good test and I know I put in many, many laps. The 2008 bike is not so different to last year's bike but there are some new bits and it was up to us to test many things and ideas and give our engineers comments about which way to go. Although this year's bike is not a big change, the small differences have made this a better bike, I feel. We worked in all areas, including engine, chassis and electronics and my personal feeling is that the electronics are working very well. Concerning the chassis, we tried many different things, but for me the standard setting is pretty good. This means we have a good base and that's important.
"Phillip Island is a good testing track because it has a big variety of corners and that means that the bike has to work very hard. My goal for 2008 is to be consistent and take as many podiums as possible. If I do that, I am sure some race wins will follow."
Fonsi Nieto - 252 laps:
"This test I have been trying many parts - in fact, just the regular 2008 bike - and I'm happy, even though maybe I could've lapped a bit quicker. But for me, this test is not about lap times; it is about getting comfortable with the bike and the team and then pushing hard. Remember this is a new bike and a new team for me so there is a lot to learn. But I feel we have made good progress since the last test and have been able to try many different things. At the moment, I have a very good feeling about the engine. For me, the front end is not quite what I would like yet, so this is an area where we have to do more work. It affects my turning in, but exiting corners is no problem at all. Phillip Island is a good track for testing and we were lucky because the weather has been pretty good and not caused any problems. My next time on this bike will be in Qatar on the race weekend and I am looking forward to it already."
Max Neukirchner - 269 laps:
"I guess I did quite a lot of laps but then I had to make up for the time I lost when I was sick last week! Being ill last week was a big disappointment, so I was determined to put in the laps and the track time this week. The good news is that I was fully fit this week and ready to give everything I had. My feeling is that, over three days, the tests have been good. I've improved each day and got quicker. I've spent most of the time trying to find a good base set-up and getting comfortable on the bike. The bike is new to me and so are the mechanics, so we are learning together and it is going very well. We've done a lot of work on the chassis and I feel we've improved it quite a bit. For me, I need to do more work on the rear end feeling. At the moment, I'm not sure if the problem is the set-up or the tyre itself, but we're not far off and I think the bike will be ready for the first race. I've had no big problems - except hitting a couple of birds - and I'm happy that we found a good base from which to work and that means that I'm now looking forward to the first race."
Last edited by nepykit on 17 Jan 2008, 14:23, edited 1 time in total.
nepykit, ne specas
Biaggi beats lap record.
Crash.net Thursday, 17th January 2008
New Sterilgarda Go Eleven rider Max Biaggi left the team's second Phillip Island test having set a best lap time inside both the official lap record and the fastest set during last week's Pirelli test.
Biaggi had been 0.7secs behind former Alstare Suzuki team-mate Yukio Kagayama during the official test, but found a further 1.1secs during his second three-day test on the new 1098R - putting him 0.1secs inside Troy Corser's official circuit record, set during the 2007 WSBK event.
Max Biaggi:
"We did really useful work," said Biaggi. "I had the opportunity to get some feeling with the twin-cylinder engine, and everything worked fine. I got a good time and I was fast during the race simulations. I focused my work on finding the best set-up. I'm really satisfied about the front of the motorbike while we must work on some rear vibration still. We can work on it during the test in Qatar."
Team-mate Xaus was just 0.2secs slower than Biaggi and, after campaigning an underpowered satellite-spec 999 for the past two seasons, is enjoying 1200cc power.
Ruben Xaus:
"I'm really satisfied with the motorbike and the feeling I have found with it," declared the Spaniard, a race winner in 2007. "The new motorbike has a powerful engine compared to the 999, and it allows me to come out of bend really fast. I think I've already found a good set-up and I think I'm ready to run the race on this track if the weather will be the same of the last six days. I have worked but I enjoyed it as well. Driving this motorbike is a pleasure."
"During the past six days we worked hard and we did some race simulation also," confirmed team manager Marco Borciani. "Furthermore we have found the good set-up for both the riders. We leave Australia really thrilled and we feel confident about our big potential."
With factory Ducati team leader Troy Bayliss recovering from injury, both Biaggi and Xaus have a real opportunity to lead the 1098 challenge - at least during the opening rounds.
Alstare Suzuki also remained in Australia for extra testing this week.
Crash.net Thursday, 17th January 2008
New Sterilgarda Go Eleven rider Max Biaggi left the team's second Phillip Island test having set a best lap time inside both the official lap record and the fastest set during last week's Pirelli test.
Biaggi had been 0.7secs behind former Alstare Suzuki team-mate Yukio Kagayama during the official test, but found a further 1.1secs during his second three-day test on the new 1098R - putting him 0.1secs inside Troy Corser's official circuit record, set during the 2007 WSBK event.
Max Biaggi:
"We did really useful work," said Biaggi. "I had the opportunity to get some feeling with the twin-cylinder engine, and everything worked fine. I got a good time and I was fast during the race simulations. I focused my work on finding the best set-up. I'm really satisfied about the front of the motorbike while we must work on some rear vibration still. We can work on it during the test in Qatar."
Team-mate Xaus was just 0.2secs slower than Biaggi and, after campaigning an underpowered satellite-spec 999 for the past two seasons, is enjoying 1200cc power.
Ruben Xaus:
"I'm really satisfied with the motorbike and the feeling I have found with it," declared the Spaniard, a race winner in 2007. "The new motorbike has a powerful engine compared to the 999, and it allows me to come out of bend really fast. I think I've already found a good set-up and I think I'm ready to run the race on this track if the weather will be the same of the last six days. I have worked but I enjoyed it as well. Driving this motorbike is a pleasure."
"During the past six days we worked hard and we did some race simulation also," confirmed team manager Marco Borciani. "Furthermore we have found the good set-up for both the riders. We leave Australia really thrilled and we feel confident about our big potential."
With factory Ducati team leader Troy Bayliss recovering from injury, both Biaggi and Xaus have a real opportunity to lead the 1098 challenge - at least during the opening rounds.
Alstare Suzuki also remained in Australia for extra testing this week.
Last edited by nepykit on 19 Jan 2008, 13:02, edited 1 time in total.
nepykit, ne specas
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP fired up for first test of 2008, 18/01/08
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is heading to Sepang in Malaysia in an eager mood, to begin this year’s testing in readiness for the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.
Chris Vermeulen and new Suzuki signing Loris Capirossi will join up with the rest of the crew from around the world at the 5.5km Sepang International Circuit on Tuesday 22nd January, for the first test of a busy pre-season schedule before the opening race of the season at Qatar on Sunday 9th March.
The Suzuki Factory Engineers have been working in a methodical and focussed manner during the enforced winter break to ensure Vermeulen and Capirossi can continue with the positive testing on the 2008 Suzuki GSV-R, as shown in last year’s post-season tests at Valencia, Sepang and Phillip Island. Team Test Rider Nobuatsu Aoki will join the two Rizla Suzuki racers to assist with the thorough test programme that the team will undertake during the three days in Malaysia.
Sepang will be the first time that new signing Capirossi will appear in the recognisable Rizla blue, as the experienced Italian star begins his Suzuki career. It will also signal the first official sighting of Vermeulen running the iconic crossed seven – made famous by Barry Sheene – on his GSV-R.
Chris Vermeulen:
“I can’t wait to get back on the bike and start testing again. We made really good progress during the tests at the end of last year and I have been in constant touch with my Crew Chief Tom O’Kane, and from what we have been told the bike is looking good for this season. This is my third full year in MotoGP so it is a very important time in my career and I need to be performing at the top of my game from the start. I believe I am in the right team and with the right bike and we can make a big impact in 2008!”
Loris Capirossi:
“This is a great time to be with Suzuki, I believe that I have joined a team that is very much on the way up. I was pleased with the way the bike behaved in the tests last year and am very excited about what we will have to test in Sepang. For sure it is not going to be easy this year as other teams will have improved their bikes, but I feel we will be able to compete with anybody. We need to get into the tests and make sure we can get the best set-up and performance from the bike in time for the first race. You don’t win races in tests but we have a good chance to make sure that we are in the best position to win them when the season starts by using these upcoming days to make every possible improvement that we can.”
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is heading to Sepang in Malaysia in an eager mood, to begin this year’s testing in readiness for the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.
Chris Vermeulen and new Suzuki signing Loris Capirossi will join up with the rest of the crew from around the world at the 5.5km Sepang International Circuit on Tuesday 22nd January, for the first test of a busy pre-season schedule before the opening race of the season at Qatar on Sunday 9th March.
The Suzuki Factory Engineers have been working in a methodical and focussed manner during the enforced winter break to ensure Vermeulen and Capirossi can continue with the positive testing on the 2008 Suzuki GSV-R, as shown in last year’s post-season tests at Valencia, Sepang and Phillip Island. Team Test Rider Nobuatsu Aoki will join the two Rizla Suzuki racers to assist with the thorough test programme that the team will undertake during the three days in Malaysia.
Sepang will be the first time that new signing Capirossi will appear in the recognisable Rizla blue, as the experienced Italian star begins his Suzuki career. It will also signal the first official sighting of Vermeulen running the iconic crossed seven – made famous by Barry Sheene – on his GSV-R.
Chris Vermeulen:
“I can’t wait to get back on the bike and start testing again. We made really good progress during the tests at the end of last year and I have been in constant touch with my Crew Chief Tom O’Kane, and from what we have been told the bike is looking good for this season. This is my third full year in MotoGP so it is a very important time in my career and I need to be performing at the top of my game from the start. I believe I am in the right team and with the right bike and we can make a big impact in 2008!”
Loris Capirossi:
“This is a great time to be with Suzuki, I believe that I have joined a team that is very much on the way up. I was pleased with the way the bike behaved in the tests last year and am very excited about what we will have to test in Sepang. For sure it is not going to be easy this year as other teams will have improved their bikes, but I feel we will be able to compete with anybody. We need to get into the tests and make sure we can get the best set-up and performance from the bike in time for the first race. You don’t win races in tests but we have a good chance to make sure that we are in the best position to win them when the season starts by using these upcoming days to make every possible improvement that we can.”
nepykit, ne specas
Yamalube now taking performance from the paddock to the street, Yamaha News 18/01/2008
2008 will see Yamaha’s principal factory racing teams hit the circuits of the world with Yamalube as an important part of the technical set-up; drawing the bridge between works machinery and production motorcycles even closer. The Fiat Yamaha MotoGP squad, Yamaha World Supersport Team and the Yamaha Motocross Team have all reached multi-year agreements to embrace the use of Yamalube for their 2008 competitive campaigns.
The Yamalube range has already been used by Yamaha and their factory motocross effort since 2005 and in that time two world championships have been won by the team. Yamalube already has a long-standing racing tradition in non European countries such as North America and Australia.
With a legendary reputation built on countless victories, Yamaha is the name trusted to deliver ‘Quality before anything’; and the company’s oils are no different.
Yamalube was born to provide the finest quality oil for Yamaha engines; from the very same team who engineered and created the technology. The marine world has already benefited since the mid-1990s and enjoys wide European distribution. The motorcycle market was targeted in 2005 and Yamalube can be found in fifteen European countries with more to follow in 2008.
Yamalube is the only line of oils that lives up to Yamaha’s stringent standards for excellence and performance with formulations that are engine and application specific. This bold and pro-active link with the firm’s premier racing teams now welcomes the long awaited pan-European introduction of these high-tech lubricants.
The Yamalube line-up consists of two-stroke semi-synthetic oils to four-stroke mineral, semi and full synthetic. The choice of lubricants is also augmented by a spectrum of other cleansing and care products such as helmet and visor Ph neutral liquid, paint and plastic polish, shield and silicon spray and platinum chain sprays and gels.
2008 will see Yamaha’s principal factory racing teams hit the circuits of the world with Yamalube as an important part of the technical set-up; drawing the bridge between works machinery and production motorcycles even closer. The Fiat Yamaha MotoGP squad, Yamaha World Supersport Team and the Yamaha Motocross Team have all reached multi-year agreements to embrace the use of Yamalube for their 2008 competitive campaigns.
The Yamalube range has already been used by Yamaha and their factory motocross effort since 2005 and in that time two world championships have been won by the team. Yamalube already has a long-standing racing tradition in non European countries such as North America and Australia.
With a legendary reputation built on countless victories, Yamaha is the name trusted to deliver ‘Quality before anything’; and the company’s oils are no different.
Yamalube was born to provide the finest quality oil for Yamaha engines; from the very same team who engineered and created the technology. The marine world has already benefited since the mid-1990s and enjoys wide European distribution. The motorcycle market was targeted in 2005 and Yamalube can be found in fifteen European countries with more to follow in 2008.
Yamalube is the only line of oils that lives up to Yamaha’s stringent standards for excellence and performance with formulations that are engine and application specific. This bold and pro-active link with the firm’s premier racing teams now welcomes the long awaited pan-European introduction of these high-tech lubricants.
The Yamalube line-up consists of two-stroke semi-synthetic oils to four-stroke mineral, semi and full synthetic. The choice of lubricants is also augmented by a spectrum of other cleansing and care products such as helmet and visor Ph neutral liquid, paint and plastic polish, shield and silicon spray and platinum chain sprays and gels.
nepykit, ne specas