More British MotoGP Previews

More British MotoGP Previews

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

KAGAYAMA REJOINS HOPKINS FOR HOME GP

Team Suzuki Press Office July 7th 2003
The British GP is as close as it gets to a home GP for Suzuki rider John Hopkins. The Union Jack alongside the Stars and Stripes on his helmet and personal logo is the mark of a rider who, but for an accident of geography, was very nearly British.

The race, at the historic Donington Park circuit outside Derby, is also the home round for the factory Suzuki team, based in Britain since the days of Barry Sheene’s back-to-back championships in the mid-Seventies.

And second Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama – substituting for injured team regular Kenny Roberts Junior for a second race – also has reasons to think of this as a surrogate home GP. The Japanese Suzuki factory rider is living in England, contesting a full British Superbike season on a Rizla Crescent Suzuki this year.

The hope is that the quirks of the track will work in favour of the home team, and prove a turning point in the development of the technically adventurous 2003 V4 Suzuki GSV-R prototype MotoGP racer.

Hopkins is the only member of his family to be born in America. His mother and late father (a former TT racer) moved from Ealing in London to Ramona in California with his two older sisters before he was born, but he grew up with a strong feeling of his British roots.

His mother Linda and sister Suzanne will be coming to the race, to join his England-resident sister Suzanne and a host of relatives at Donington Park. “It’s going to be fun – there’s a bunch of people coming,” said Hopkins.

Donington Park is a favourite track for other reasons as well. Last year, in his first visit to the technical parkland track, Hopkins finished eighth, equalling his second best result of his rookie season, after qualifying sixth, on the second row of the grid.

Hopkins arrived at Donington fresh from the car GP at Magny Cours in France, where he drove a F1 car for the first time. “I’m not thinking of switching just yet,” he quipped.

Team manager Garry Taylor was looking forward to the race. “There’s always extra pressure at your home GP, and we’ve had some very good results here in the past,” he said.

“This time, we are in the middle of race-developing a new machine in the most competitive season most people can remember. As always, we will be trying our hardest, to give both riders the best possible machine for the job.

“John was already talking with us over dinner after the last race at Assen, explaining the difficulties he expected to have to get over at Donington,” continued Taylor, the most experienced factory team manager in the paddock.

“I know John is flexible enough in his mind and with his riding technique to get the maximum from what we give him.

“Of course it’s disappointing that Kenny is not fit enough, but it is important that he regains full strength before coming back.

“On the other hand, it’s another chance to work with Yukio, who we know well from past GP experiences. He always tries his hardest and is fun to have in the team, and he did a great job for us at Assen, where he was thrown in the deep end.”

The extra GP means that Kagayama will be setting some sort of a record for top riders – it will be the fourth of nine consecutive weekends of racing, including not only GPs and British Superbike rounds but also the gruelling Suzuka Eight-Hour endurance race.

Roberts, who suffered chest injuries in the Italian GP, is still recuperating at home in California, and though he had hoped to make the race was obliged to withdraw a week before by the slow pace of his recovery.

JOHN HOPKINS: HOPE THE WEATHER HOLDS
Donington was pretty good for me last year, and I’m looking forward to racing there. I like the track, and I hope the weather stays good. It’s hard to predict our chances, but some corners are similar to Jerez, where our bike handled the best it has all year. So I’m hoping for the best.

YUKIO KAGAYAMA: I THINK WE CAN DO WELL
I rode at Donington Park at the beginning of this year, testing the Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, and I liked it. That was only the short track, but the GP track is the same except for two easy corners. You don’t need maximum power there, with the short straight and many corners. I think we can get a good result.

ABOUT THIS RACE

The British round was one of the six original races on the first World Championship calendar of 1949 – but in those days, it was held on the Isle of Man. It was the TT, dating back to the dawn of motorcycle racing and reflecting generations of enthusiasm for the sport. The first TT was held in 1907, and when the modern world championship was founded after the Second World War, this week of racing was adopted as the British round. The race moved to mainland Britain in 1977, to be run at Silverstone for ten years after the public-roads Manx circuit was judged too dangerous for modern racing. It moved to Donington Park in 1987 after the length was specially extended to match the FIM minimum. This is the 17th running of the GP at the track outside Derby, bordering on the East Midlands airport – and organisers are confident of a third year with handsomely boosted spectator attendance. The revival began in 2001, after five years of flagging figures and empty banks as British fans switched their attention to production-based Superbike racing instead. In 2000, there were only 18,000 spectators; this year more than three times as many were expected.

ABOUT THIS TRACK

Donington Park was a famous racing venue before the war, but the original circuit was lost when it was turned over to military use. It was revived by millionaire building contractor and racing fan Tom Wheatcroft nearly three decades later, and last year changed hands for a third time. The track has a distinct dual character – most of the lap comprises sweeping medium-speed bends blending into one another, made more technically challenging as the track drops off the hillside towards the Old Hairpin (actually a fast corner), and then climbs up again to the short back straight. Smooth riding and quick steering are at a premium in this section. The last three corners are completely different – a slow left-right chicane followed by two first-gear hairpins linked by short straight. Here riders must switch from smooth to aggressive, while acceleration and braking performance are what matter from the motorcycle.

GP DATA

Donington Park
Circuit Length: 2.500 miles / 4.023 km
Lap Record: 1:32.247 – 97.555mph / 157.000km/h
V Rossi (Honda, 2002)
2002 Race Winner: Rossi
2002 Race Average: 46:32.888 – 96.566mph / 155.567km/h
2002 Fastest Race Lap: see record
2002 Pole Position: Rossi (Honda) 1:31.563
2002 Kenny Roberts: 14th, Qualified Eighth (Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki)
2002 John Hopkins: Eighth, Qualified Sixth (Yamaha)


More, from a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing Press Information:

British Grand Prix, preview

THE CHALLENGE GOES ON AND THE DEVELOPMENT TOO

NOALE – New commitment for the Alice Aprilia Racing team at the start of the British GP, 8th round of the championship, scheduled on Sunday the 13th at Donington Park.

The team has used the short break after the Assen GP to work on the RScube. The work has been done both at the race dept. in Noale as well as on track. Edwards and Haga in fact tested on Michelin track in Clermont Ferrand, they focused on specific tyre testing as well as some evolutions.

Despite the rain that spoiled the first testing day, the results have been encouraging. A new chassis was tested too, the development of the new chassis will continue during the next test session scheduled the next week in Brno. The idea is to use the new chassis in the second part of the season.

For the moment the challenging track of Donington Park doesn’t frighten the riders and the mechanics, either. The track is divided in two sections: one section is fast and smooth, the second one is much more tormented with lots of stop and go and slow curves.

With reference to some news regarding the riders market Colin Edwards comments:

COLIN EDWARDS – “first of all I’d like to say hello to all the fans, especially the Italian ones that are enjoying the sun. I’m already in England and here it’s raining, just for a change. But I’m not here for speaking about the weather. I have heard that on the newspapers was stated that I could eventually change company for next year. There is nothing true in this statement: I want to remain in Aprilia also next year for many reasons. First of all because I can see that they are working hard to solve the problems and I’m sure that we will see the results quite soon. I think that we can do well in the second part of the season. Moreover I think that at this level it’s not enough to work together for only one season and I have a very good feeling with Aprilia. I think that we are going in the right direction: in France we tested with good results some new material. Certainly, this material needs to be tested again in race like conditions, therefore I’m looking forward to the next test session in Brno. Useless to mention that before Brno there is the race in Donington park: I have lots of expectations from this race and I’m very focused on my job. I hope that the rain doesn’t spoil everything.”

GIGI DALL’IGNA (Project Leader) – It’s a pity that due to bad weather we could only test half a day in Clermont Ferrand. We had a lot of new stuff to test and the time at disposal was not enough. Everybody has spoken about the new chassis but I want to test it again in more race like conditions. I don’t want get carried away by enthusiasm, I’m very satisfied with the tyre testing we did in co-operation with Michelin and the progress of other parts. In Brno we will test again the new chassis.

As for the race on Sunday, I have to say that the British track is similar to the other ones. We don’t have problem with sharp braking, the RScube has a good balance in these conditions so we don’t need a specific set up for this. We will work hard on our weak points that is to say the traction and the wheeling. We are working hard to reach a good balance which is essential to be competitive in the motoGP. To reach this target we have to come to a compromise, maybe sacrificing some thing which represents an advantage for us. But I think we are working in the right direction. We haven’t be lucky sofar and I think we deserve more. But I’m happy that the work is going on and the commitment of the people working on track and those working in the race dept. in Noale is really big. I hope that our bikes are in the lead at Donington park.

THE TRACK

Donington Park: length 4.023 metres equal to 2.500 miles

Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Honda); 1:32.247.

Pole 2002: Valentino Rossi (Honda); 1:31.563.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

British Grand Prix at Donington Park

11/12/13 July 2003

TITLE FIGHT SHAPING UP AS DONINGTON SHOWDOWN LOOMS

Donington marks the mid-point of the season and what Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) predicted would be a much harder fight for him for the World Championship this year is proving correct.

The reigning World Champion is a clear 38 points ahead of Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V), his nearest rival in the points standings. But the Spaniard has won as many races (three) as Rossi and would be even closer if hadn’t thrown away points by crashing while holding second place at his home Grand Prix at Jerez in May.

But it’s not only Gibernau who’s still in the hunt. Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V), Rossi’s most intense rival, is right in touch on 105 points. And it’s the Roman rider’s sheer consistency (apart from a blip when he too crashed while disputing third place with Gibernau in Catalunya last month) that has kept him the hunt.

Rossi seems to lead a charmed life while riding Donington. Last year he fell heavily in Friday practice, but still managed to win the race on Sunday. He won his maiden 500cc race here in 2000 and was victorious again here in 2001 – some record.

But the form book, if it hasn’t quite been torn up and thrown away yet, is at least undergoing some light reappraisal. Gibernau hasn’t won a race yet this year on a dry European track. He won at Welkom, on a wet/dry Le Mans and a saturated Assen), but he is riding well enough to suggest that it’s only a matter of time before he vanquishes the points leader in a ‘fair’ fight.

Gibernau is proving an exceptionally adept wet weather rider, and if he can carry with him the momentum of his toweringly fluid and precise Assen win to Donington, then his title challenge could become much more of a reality than some observers imagined.

The grim determination of Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) to unseat his nemesis from his position as reigning Champion, if not darling of the media, is never in doubt. Now he’s getting the best from his new team on a new machine he’ll be in full flow aiming for his first win of the season.

But his consistency so far in staying in the title hunt is a measure of just how fixed his mind is on in dethroning his rival. He’s won here twice on a 250 and had two-second places here in the big class before, last year and in 2001, so his form at this flowing, undulating track is not an issue.

Donington demands two almost diametrically opposed set-ups for machine behaviour: stability under braking and quick turn-in for the slow corners in the final section of the track on one hand, and good high-speed manners for the faster parts of the majority of the 4.023km course on the other.

Some riders opt for a good high-speed set-up for the main part of the circuit knowing that the major part of a good lap time (at least three-quarters of it) will be made there. Others go a different route and set the machine up to work best in the final chicane and two tight turns onto the start/finish straight, on the assumption that passing other riders there is easier and can be crucial in the final dash for places.

Acceleration, as opposed to outright top speed is vital, so engine response and power in the low to mid rev range is paramount. The other key element to Donington is second-guessing its highly variable grip level. On cold days it’s a very inconsistent surface and even in hot, constant conditions the tarmac can still baffle the best tyre technicians.

Some believe this is due to the close proximity of East Midlands Airport and that jet fuel residues settle on the surface of the track and leech out under certain weather conditions. But most tracks can play tricks with the level of grip they offer under varying conditions and Sunday morning’s pre-race warm-up will be critical for final tyre choice on the day.

“It’s special for me,” said reigning Champ Rossi. “I won my very first 500 race there and then last year I had a big crash and still won on Sunday. The layout suits my style and it’s important to take advantage of that. Points and podium finishes are more important than ever this year and at the halfway point of the season and I don’t think it’s possible to win as many races as I did last season.”

Rival Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) feels his Championship challenge is gaining momentum after his second place at Assen. “I lapped fast enough there to keep Rossi behind me,” he said. “And those 20 points were very important. I go to Donington full of confidence and I’ll be looking to keep the pressure on.”

“First of all I want to dedicate my victory at Assen to the Telefonica MoviStar Honda Team,” said Sete Gibernau. “Victories are always credited to the rider but my team has been very important in my success. I’m looking forward to England and the race and hope we can keep working in the same positive way. We have a very good set up for the rain – that was obvious at Assen. Now we are also getting close to finding the best possible machine settings in dry conditions.”

Biaggi’s team-mate Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) comes to Donington after a miserable Assen. “I’ve got nothing but bad memories of Donington,” he said. “There was my big crash there when I damaged my ribs and ankle, and I don’t know why, but Donington’s always trouble for me – crashes, jump start penalties, or something else. The track is okay, but I wouldn’t say it was a favourite of mine.”

Rossi’s team-mate rookie Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) will start from scratch at a track he’s never seen before. “It’s another new track and I’ll have to get up to pace early,” he said. “I’m pretty confident after Assen where everything was real good until the race. The team has been a real help and I just want to pick up from here and get to riding the bike closer to its limits.”

Rookie Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) is ready for another new challenge. “I’ve never seen Donington before but looking at the videos of races at the track I think it will be good for my riding style. On the downhill part you can see the corners, entry and the exit, which you can’t at Assen. The last part is hard braking and fast acceleration, which I like. When I arrive I will do a few laps on the scooter to check if I’m right.”

Another rookie Ryuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) is slightly more sceptical. “The team had told me Assen was very technical and complicated, he said. “After competing in the race I agreed and I didn’t think anything could be as difficult as Mugello, but it was. I’ve never been to Donington Park but I’m getting more experience with each race, so it will be another new one for me. I hope to leave England with some more points.”

The 250cc World Championship is still wide open. What looked initially like a first season cakewalk for 125 graduate and Aprilia rider Manuel Poggiali has stuttered. The San Marinese rider still has more wins this season than any of his rivals, but the staggeringly consistent Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) with none so far, is only 15 points behind in the Championship.

The Aprilia’s sheer speed has been the major factor so far this season and at fast tracks with long straights like Mugello and Catalunya, the Italian factory’s riders have made that advantage tell. But Donington’s requirements are different. Acceleration out the turns is key and the Hondas have been steadily improving in that area as the season goes on. And rapid Rolfo is well overdue a win.

“I like Donington a lot,” says Rolfo. “Last year we had set-up problems in the final part of the track but I love the first section – the downhill. We did the best we could at Assen (sixth), but Donington has similar fast changes of direction without quite the same emphasis on power and we should be able to even better there. You need confidence there and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Sebastian Porto (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) who lies eighth in the overall standings needs a good result here. “Last year was okay,” said the experienced Argentine. “Last year we took a long time to find a set-up but we know this bike a lot better now. Top speed is not a problem at Donington but power is, and we should have new parts to help us with that there.”

The World 125cc Championship leader Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) arrives at Donington with three wins so far. But as the season has developed so have his rivals and the young Spaniard’s 26 point World Championship lead, as is so often the case in this hotly contested class, is under constant threat from many sides.

Steve Jenkner (Aprilia) who has twice this season come within inches of a maiden win finally nailed a rostrum top spot in Assen two weeks ago. And this German rider who is consistently among the leading groups in races could prove even more of a threat as the season goes on. He currently lies second in the standings.

Third man in the points table Lucio Cecchinello (Aprilia) suffered a dip at Assen with a 16th place and will be all out to rectify that here. Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) who lies fifth will want a victory points haul and new sixteen-year-old rookie sensation Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) who finished second to Pedrosa at Catalunya will be looking to spring more surprises.

Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) said. “I quite like racing at Donington Park. Last year I finished second in a close race. I’m confident and the bike is running well, I just hope it doesn’t rain again.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R), still nursing an arm injury is up for the race. “My arm is not in the best condition but better than it was at Assen,” he said. “I like Donington Park, I finished ninth last season and hope for a good race this time. The bike is very good and if I’m in better condition I think I will have a good race.”

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