PREVIEW GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN
MARCO MELANDRI: THE PROTAGONIST
The land of the rising sun is the final stop on a whirlwind
global tour for the MotoGP World Championship. The FORTUNA
HONDA team arrives in the factory’s home country with
another great opportunity to show their strength in front
of a worldwide audience. Marco Melandri’s spectacular
victory at Phillip Island has blown the race for the title
wide open. The Italian rider now stands on 193 points, 32
behind series leader Nicky Hayden (Honda) with three rounds
remaining. His team-mate Toni Elias enjoyed a great start
to this season but an unfortunate crash at Assen left him
out of action for three races and halted the excellent progress
he was making. Now the Spaniard is ready to get back to the
form that had given a true sign of his real potential.
MARCO MELANDRI:
“The championship is open – there is a lot of
competition and I don’t think it will be decided until
the last moment. My win at Phillip Island has given me another
chance to stay in the fight for the world title. I have to
keep going like this for the final three races. The circuits
coming up are going to be very difficult – mainly because
of the unpredictable weather conditions. I really enjoyed
myself at Phillip Island so I am going to Japan feeling happy
and confident. I like Motegi a lot as a circuit and I think
that if we keep working as we have been doing we have a great
chance of getting a good result. Last year I didn’t
have much luck here so I hope I can improve on that this time.”
TONI ELIAS:
“Motegi is a circuit I enjoy and I have always ridden
well there. In 250 I won twice so I hope this weekend can
be a turning point in what has been a difficult season for
me. The team is doing a good job and we all deserve a better
result. To start well on the first day with the right setting
for my Honda will be essential to get the result we are after.
The hard braking zones demand a perfect bike set-up. We have
to find the right compromise so that we can tackle Motegi
in good shape.”
TWIN RING: DOS CIRCUITOS EN UNO
Honda’s home circuit is an obligatory destination for
any MotoGP fans. The track, constructed in 1997 by Honda as
a test venue and attraction for motorsport fans, is one of
the most difficult on the calendar. As the name suggests,
Twin Ring is made up of a 1.5 mile American oval that hosts
Formula Indy races and a 2.9 mile road circuit that has been
home to Grand Prix motorcycling since 2000.
Initially designed as a test track, Motegi’s layout
is specifically intended to challenge bike reactions. The
complex also plays host to a dirt-track, go-kart circuit,
driving school and the Honda Collection Hall museum, which
charts the history of the company and is home to robots, motorcycles
and Formula 1 cars.
From a technical point of view the circuit is characterised
by hard braking zones and strong acceleration – features
which demand a perfect machine set-up, particularly when it
comes to front-end feeling.
FOCUS: HONDA ITALIA TO CELEBRATE ITS 35th ANNIVERSARY
On the 7th October, Honda Italia Industriale Spa celebrates
35 years of activity alongside its official distributors and
Italian associates. The Italian organisation has represented
the great Japanese motorcycle manufacturers since 1971.
The Honda Italia adventure started with 150 workers and currently
employs around 800. As far as production is concerned, it
began with 1000 motorcycles in 1981, compared with annual
sales in 2005 of 170,200 units. Over the past 35 years it
has produced some 3 million engines as well as another 1.2
million for different two-wheeled vehicles.
The Hornet 600, with 80,000 units, and the SH125/150 scooter,
with 200,000, are the brand’s most popular products.
“It doesn’t feel like 35 years!” remarks
Carlo Sabbatini, Communications Director for Honda Italia.
“We have achieved great results with respect to the
production of street bikes, in the same way Honda have achieved
great victories in the MotoGP World Championship. For this
reason at Honda Italia we wanted to celebrate our 35th anniversary
on Maro Melandri’s bike. Furthermore, the active collaboration
we have with Team Gresini allowed us to bring this proposal
to fruition.”
During the Grand Prix of Japan, Marco Melandri‘s Honda
RC211V will carry the image of Honda Italia’s 35th anniversary
as a sign of collaboration and mutual respect.
“It is a great honour for us to be able to celebrate
this 35th anniversary with Honda Italia,” comments Fausto
Gresini, owner of Team Fortuna Honda. “We are an Italian
team and with 3 victories and 6 podiums this season we are
delighted to carry the image of the anniversary.”
Team Gresini, along with Marco Melandri and Toni Elias, would
like to wish our congratulations to the manufacturer, who
produce 40% of the motorcycles sold in Europe.
Honda Italia in numbers
764 millones de facturación
800 workers
170,000 bikes produced in 2005
10 models produced in Italy (CBF1000, CBF1000ST, CBF600, CBF600N,
CBF500, Hornet 600, Foresight, PS125i/150i, SH125i/150i, Pantheon
125/150)
CB125 – the first model produced in 1971
Hornett 600 and SH 125/150 – the lead products sold
worldwide
330,000 SH units sold (including 50cc, 100cc, 125cc and 150cc),
200,000 of those between 1984 and 2006
3 million engines produced over the past 35 years
1.2 million bikes and scooters sold
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