From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI READY FOR ESTORIL MOTOGP

Back to business two weekends ago at Brno, Team Suzuki MotoGP’s aim was to sustain the momentum of constant improvement over the second half of an already exciting and rewarding MotoGP season.

Fast practice times – first and third in one dry session – and another strong race performance proved the point.

The year was earmarked by the traditional racing factory for the task of refining and developing the powerful 990cc V4 Suzuki GSV-R MotoGP prototype, to return to winning races and to regaining the championship last won in 2000. Race by race, the improvement is clear from lap times and results – and there is more to come.

This weekend’s Portuguese GP is another chance for riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and John Hopkins to reap the benefit.

The race, at the scenic but often windy Estoril circuit close to historic Sintra, marks the end of the European season. From now until the closing Valencia GP at the end of October, MotoGP takes to the world trail again, via Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia.

In other ways, it’s just another step in the year-long campaign, and like the other major teams, Suzuki arrives fresh from days of testing at Brno after the Czech Republic GP.

“There was nothing earth-shattering in terms of new parts or equipment, but the tests went very well,” said team manager Garry Taylor.

“Our riders concentrated on settings and learned a lot that should help us in Portugal, where handling is very important. Gregorio Lavilla, our official test rider, worked with new Bridgestone tyres and had a lot of good things to say,” he continued.

“It seems at every race we’re getting closer now – both Kenny and John put up lap times at Brno that were right up at the top. But there’s no room and no time for complacency. We’re not there yet. The factory is still working flat out on important machine developments and the team is doing the same thing to get the best out of every new part and every new idea.

“It’s tough but exciting and hugely enjoyable and we’re all looking forward to Portugal and beyond,” he concluded.

The Estoril circuit has the slowest average speed of the season in spite of a fast 200mph front straight – a reflection of a series of sinuous slow corners up the hill interspersed with the odd short point-and-squirt straight.

It makes a mixed technical challenge but the Suzuki GSV-R should give a good account of itself. The greatest improvement this year has been to overall machine balance and “rider friendliness,” both qualities at a premium in Estoril.

Two weeks after the Portuguese round, the GP circus moves to Motegi in Japan before embarking on the hectic three-weeks/ three-races schedule before the close of play at Valencia.

KENNY ROBERTS – NO PRECONCEPTIONS:

“We’ve shown at several tracks now that we have improved the combination for a fast lap time. We learned some more things at the tests after Brno. It’s all real progress, but there are still more things we need before we can take the next step. We struggled somewhat at Estoril last year but things are different this year at a lot of tracks, so I’m not going to prejudge this one… just get the bike as best possible and look forward to the race. We’re getting closer.”

JOHN HOPKINS – GAINING STABILITY:

“Brno and Estoril are two different tracks. Portugal is bumpier, tighter and not as wide, but we found some things in the tests that I think are going to be useful. We tried a lot of suspension stuff with Ohlins and it has improved stability. Portugal was hard last year, but so was Brno last year. The way the bike’s reacting now, I think the Suzuki will have a lot of advantages there and I’m looking forward to it a lot.”

ABOUT THIS RACE:

This is the seventh Portuguese GP, but only the fifth at Estoril . The first two races actually took place in neighbouring Spain, at Jarama in 1987 and at Jerez in 1988. Subsequent attempts to include Estoril on the calendar flounder on track safety grounds, but modifications to the track have solved these issues and the race took its place as a fully-fledged new GP in 2000. Since then it has become a popular last stop in Europe with a character all of its own. Estoril is on the testing calendar as well, so it is a familiar stop-off for the GP world.

ABOUT THIS TRACK:

The Autodromo Fernanda Pires da Silva at Estoril circuit is west of Lisbon, close to the coastal resorts of Cascais and not far from the historic town of Sintra. In hilly country, it comprises a long downhill straight leading to a series of 13 predominately uphill slow corners and distinguished by a highly technical and twisty section leading on to the fast and crucial final corner. The lap record speed, 94.314 mph (151.783 km/h) is the slowest of the year in spite of a downhill straight where last year the fastest bikes ran close to 200mph. This reflects a number of first-gear corners where throttle control and manageable power are more important than top speed. The most crucial corner is the last, opening out from a slow section at an ever-increasing radius, to debouch riders onto the fast straight already at close to maximum speed. A newly built pit complex was erected in 2001.

GP DATA

Estoril.
Circuit Length: 2.599 miles / 4.182 km.
Lap Record: 1:39.189 – 94.313 mph / 151.782 km/h. V Rossi (Honda), 2004.
2004 Race Winner: Rossi.
2004 Race Average: 46:48.005 – 93.281 mph / 150.122 km/h.
2004 Fastest Race Lap: see lap record.
2004 Pole Position: Capirossi (Ducati) 1:38.412.
2004 KENNY ROBERTS: 17th, qualified 14th (Suzuki).
2004 JOHN HOPKINS: 18th, qualified 17th (Suzuki).