THREE SUCCESSFUL DAYS IN SEPANG FOR KAWASAKI
The Kawasaki Racing Team head back to Europe today, after
concluding three successful days of development testing at
the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.
John Hopkins, riding the Ninja ZX-RR for only the second
time at this test, was pleased to finish the final day an
impressive third fastest overall, after quickly getting to
grips with both the circuit and the characteristics of Kawasaki's
MotoGP racer.
Hopkins identified a number of areas where the Ninja ZX-RR
could be better matched to his distinctive riding style during
his inaugural test aboard the bike immediately after the season
ending Valencia Grand Prix. With less than a week between
the Valencia and Sepang tests, the Anglo-American was impressed
to discover that Kawasaki's engineers in Japan had already
made improvements to the bike based on his initial feedback.
Modified clutch, engine and chassis components all but eliminated
the chatter Hopkins experienced in Valencia, giving the #21
more confidence in the front end of the bike and allowing
him to put in the fastest lap ever recorded aboard the Ninja
ZX-RR on race tyres around the 5.548km Sepang circuit.
Hopkins was pleased with the positive progress made over
the three day test, and happy with the working relationship
developing between him and his new crew. The new Kawasaki
pilot heads now for Southern Spain, and the final three-day
test of the year, determined to use the technical and demanding
Jerez circuit to perfect the set-up of his Ninja ZX-RR ahead
of the winter break.
Anthony West also declared himself happy overall with the
Sepang test, although the 26-year-old Australian was a little
disappointed not to have finished closer to his new team mate
on the time sheet.
As well as evaluating new engine components, West used the
three-day test to focus on finding a good base set-up on his
Ninja ZX-RR; a process he was unable to accomplish this year
after being thrown in at the deep end with the Kawasaki Racing
Team mid-season.
Despite concentrating on set-up rather than looking for a
fast lap, West ended the final day of testing eighth fastest
overall, and just over half-a-second behind fellow Kawasaki
pilot, Hopkins.
Like his team mate, West is also looking to end the year
on a high-note, and he heads for his MotoGP debut at the Jerez
circuit determined to move further up the timesheet during
the final three days of testing before the winter test ban
comes into force.
The Jerez test takes place 27-29 November and will be the
final outing for the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2007.
Anthony West
#13 - Best Lap 2'02.659
"We haven't really been looking for a fast time over
the three-day test, but instead concentrating on working our
way through a number of different set-ups to give me some
idea of how different changes affect the feeling of the bike.
It's important work, and it's what I was missing this year,
coming in as I did halfway through the season. But, even though
I know that the work we're doing now is important for next
year, I'm still a little disappointed we didn't get the opportunity
to try for a really fast lap. That's the racer in me I suppose.
Overall, the past three days have been very positive, and
I'm enjoying working with my new crew to try and improve the
bike further. It would be good to end the season with a good,
fast lap and, although I've never ridden the Ninja ZX-RR at
Jerez before, that's what I'll be aiming for when we head
there at the end of the month."
Michael Bartholemy
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"Overall we can be very happy with what we've accomplished
over these three days. It's only John's second outing on the
bike and already he's gone faster on race tyres than we've
ever gone here before, which is very encouraging. His whole
approach to this test has been extremely positive and the
feedback he's given to his crew and Kawasaki's engineers means
we will be able to make another step forward with the bike
ahead of the year's final test at Jerez. Anthony has also
done some excellent work here, evaluating different set-ups
on his Ninja ZX-RR and learning a lot about how changes to
the set-up affect the feeling he has on the bike. This will
stand him in good stead for the future. But, although this
test has been very positive, we're under no illusions about
what lies ahead. We know this is a good circuit for the Kawasaki,
so it will be interesting to see how much progress we make
at Jerez, which is completely different in character to Sepang."
1. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 2’00.592; 2. Colin Edwards (Yamaha)
2’01.811; 3. John Hopkins (Kawasaki Racing Team) 2’02.047;
4. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 2’02.128; 5. Chris Vermeulen
(Suzuki) 2’02.447; 6. Loris Capirossi (Suzuki) 2’02.587;
7. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2’02.643; 8. Anthony West
(Kawasaki Racing Team) 2’02.659; 9. Randy de Puniet
(Honda) 2’02.700; 10. Yamaha Test Team 2’03.269;
11. James Toseland (Yamaha) 2’03.550; 12. Yamaha Test
Team 2’05.755; 13. Yamaha Test Team 2’05.879
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