KAWASAKI PAIR AIMING HIGH AT CATALUNYA The Catalunya Grand Prix is one of the most eagerly anticipated races on the MotoGP calendar, none more so than for Kawasaki factory rider Shinya Nakano. For Barcelona is Nakano’s base during the European summer, with the Catalunya Circuit just a 30-minute drive from his downtown, beachside apartment. The race is very much a second home Grand Prix for Nakano, after his personal favourite, the Japanese GP at Motegi. And after impressive points-scoring performances in last Sunday’s Italian GP, both Nakano and Ninja ZX-RR teammate Alex Hofmann come to Barcelona in a relaxed and competitive mood. Since the pre-season IRTA tests in Barcelona, the ZX-RR has been boosted by upgraded electronic systems and engine parts that have helped Kawasaki to third place in the Constructors’ World Championship after five races. In this race last year Nakano finished seventh, and he is again targeting a top ten result. For Hofmann, the Catalunya GP will be just his second race back after a fractured wrist, and comes just a week after his determined comeback ride into 12th place at Mugello last Sunday. Hofmann travelled to Barcelona via the 18-hour, Mediterranean Sea ferry crossing from Genoa, a trip that allowed the 25-year-old German to relax and further recuperate from his recent wrist injury. The long, flowing corners of the 13 turn Catalunya track place a premium on smooth riding, combined with precise chassis settings and tyre performance. It is not the easiest track to set-up for, although Kawasaki technicians have the benefit of the data gathered at the pre-season test here. The string of constant radius corners are balanced by a long, 320 kph straight, a combination that produces a stunning lap average speed of 162 kph (101 mph). This 4.72 km track was first used for a motorcycle GP in 1992 and remains a classic test of both rider and bike. Although resurfaced during the off-season the new tarmac has not completely eliminated all of the bumps and ripples. The Catalunya GP is the second of three races scheduled in 2005 for Spain, a country known for its passionate love affair with motorcycle racing. An attendance of over 100,000 spectators is predicted for Sunday’s sixth round of the MotoGP World Championship. Shinya Nakano: #56 “The ZX-RR has improved since the beginning of the season with new electronic and engine parts, so it will be interesting to see the potential of our bike at Catalunya. I was seventh here last year and this is a good racetrack, so that position is a good target for the team this week. I want to aim higher than the tenth position I got in Mugello, which was a difficult track for our bike. For me, this is a relaxing race, like a second home GP, because I can stay in my apartment and not in a hotel or at the track.” Alex Hofmann: #66 “Catalunya is usually one of the hottest races of the year but that suits me. I like the heat and this track, although it is a tricky place to find the best set-up. The new surface has smoothed out some of the bumps, but it also seems to have made some new ripples in different places. My wrist is improving every day and I’m ready to race again; it is the best therapy possible. The ferry ride was a pleasant start to the week, just relaxing and getting some sun. I had a good race here last year and I want to go top ten in my second ride back after the wrist injury.”