From a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

NAKANO SET TO DEAFEN TOKYO SHOPPERS THIS WEEKEND

Saturday afternoon shoppers at Tokyo’s Shinagawa Seaside Forest Oval Garden will need to take ear plugs with them this weekend, as Fuchs Kawasaki’s Shinya Nakano will make an appearance aboard his Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine ahead of next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

Nakano will be appearing at the Tokyo shopping centre from 2.15pm onwards on Saturday 11th September. The Fuchs Kawasaki star will take part in a one hour talk show, before signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans.

Determined to bring a little of the MotoGP pit lane ambience to the centre of Tokyo, Nakano will also be treating the assembled crowd to the sound of a 990cc inline four-cylinder engine through open exhaust pipes, when he fires up his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine on the main stage.

The noise limit for MotoGP machines is an ear splitting 130dB, which is equivalent to standing 100 metres behind a jumbo jet on takeoff, and right on the edge of the pain threshold. The Ninja ZX-RR is loud enough when it’s started and warmed up in pit lane, which is why all the Kawasaki Racing Team mechanics wear ear plugs during practice sessions, but in the confines of the Oval Garden the noise promises to be truly deafening!

For those fans unable to make the Tokyo event, Nakano will also be appearing on the KAZE and Bridgestone stands during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Motegi. The 26-year-old Fuchs Kawasaki rider, together with team-mate Alex Hofmann, will take part in a live question and answer session at the KAZE stand on Saturday 18th September at 16.00, after which they’ll sign autographs and pose for photographs before heading over to the Bridgestone stand at 16.30.

“Obviously Motegi is an important race for me as it’s the only time we race in my home country this season,” commented Nakano, who flew to Japan immediately after the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril. “The build up to the race is pretty special too, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at the Oval Garden and letting them hear just how loud the Ninja ZX-RR is close up. I hope everyone remembers to bring ear plugs!”

“The amount of support we get at every race is incredible, but there’s something extra special about racing in front of your home crowd. Motegi will be a busy weekend, both for me and for the team, but I think it’s important that we get out and meet the people who’ve travelled so far to see us during the course of the weekend. I just hope we get a good turnout at the KAZE and Bridgestone stands on the Saturday, and that we can give everyone something to cheer about in Sunday’s race,” continued the affable Japanese rider.

The Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi is the 12th round of the MotoGP World Championship and marks the start of four consecutive overseas races, taking in Qatar and Malaysia and ending in Australia on October 17th.