From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

FUCHS KAWASAKI PREPARE TO GET SEASON BACK ON TRACK AT ESTORIL

Estoril is a popular stop on the MotoGP calendar, and a fitting venue to end the European summer races with this Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Prix; the eleventh round of the MotoGP World Championship.

Following are four long haul races in Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia, before the season-ending Valencia GP in Spain.

But for now the challenge is the 4.1 km Estoril circuit; the slowest on the GP schedule with a lap average speed of just 151 kph (93 mph).

And it is a challenge Fuchs Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, are relishing after last week’s exhaustive test sessions at Brno in the Czech Republic.

The tests produced positive data on a range of performance options including motor, fuel injection, electronics, clutch, suspension and tyres. Both Nakano and Hofmann ran a string of impressive and consistent lap times in an effort to advance development of the Ninja ZX-RR, and both are in a confident mood for the Portugal race.

At Estoril the Kawasaki squad are planning to run ZX-RR machines in slightly different specifications for their factory riders.

Hofmann will use the latest Akrapovic exhaust system tested at Brno plus a revised motor specification, which the 24-year-old German rider found complimented his style at the Brno test.

Meanwhile Nakano will stay with the proven ZX-RR race package that has produced four top ten results for the stylish Japanese ace this season.

The Estoril track has a long main straight of almost 1,000 metres, which produces 300 kph plus top speeds, but much of the rest of the circuit is tight and technical, with two corners that are critical to lap times; the fast, fifth gear right hander on the approach to the back straight, and the final turn, a long right-hander through which riders are constantly accelerating at high lean angle onto the high-speed front straight.

Typically the weather plays an important role at Estoril with its proximity to the Atlantic coast. Strong winds, baking sun and summer rain showers are all in the mix for a circuit that is also notoriously bumpy and a challenge for set-up balance for both riders and engineers.

Alex Hofmann: #66
“I didn’t race in MotoGP at Estoril last year, so my only experience at this track is on a 250. I’m sure it’s going to be very interesting to see how the latest ZX-RR adapts to this circuit. The main straight is just a power blast coming off the final corner, while the rest is technical and very challenging. The new forks tested at Brno are a step forward on the brakes, and also the clutch parts should give us a better start line launch, which has been a problem for us this year. Often the weather can be strange at Estoril, so I hope that is kind to us and that we have a warm and dry weekend.”

Shinya Nakano: #56
“I’m optimistic for Estoril following the Brno tests, where we did a lot of work to evaluate many performance ideas for the ZX-RR. I have been disappointed with my results at the past two races, so it is important for our motivation to make progress at the test sessions. The forks have improved the front chatter problem and provide more front tyre feedback, which will give us confidence at Estoril. I’m hoping for a better start with our new clutch set-up, and to be racing much closer to the front than I did at Donington and Brno. I’ve enjoyed a few days relaxing in Barcelona since the hard work of the test days, and hopefully the weather will stay dry and hot.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“The Brno test was very productive for Kawasaki engineers and the ZX-RR program. It was a busy two days and we made important gains with the new Öhlins front forks, and also with the fuel injection system. The long straight at Estoril will test our current level of top end power, but we are optimistic for our overall performance – although we would prefer a dry race in terms of tyre choice. Shinya will race our proven package here, and we agree with his preference for that set-up at the moment, while Alex will use a slightly different motor and exhaust parts as part of our development program. “