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. “

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

ASSEN WELCOMES THE KINGS OF SUPERSPORT SPEED

One month after the latest World Supersport win for Honda the championship prepares to play out the final three acts of a ten-race season, at the ultra-fast and flowing Assen Circuit in the van Drenthe region of the Netherlands.

The 6.049km track, a genuine challenge of all aspects of a rider’s skill and a machine’s capabilities, has been a good one for Honda riders in recent years, suiting the fast and agile CBR600RR in all regards. With six supported riders competing at Assen this year the Honda effort will once more be conducted on a number of fronts, featuring competitive entries from Ten Kate, Klaffi and Team Italia Megabike teams.

The current championship leader, Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) has won four races this year, including the last one at Brands Hatch. Possibly more significantly, he was the race winner at Assen last season and has successfully competed in a Dutch Championship event this year.

Muggeridge carries a 24-point advantage into the Assen round, thanks to an incredible run of four wins and one second place in the past five races, emphatically overturning some early season low-scores. The 30-year-old Australian is taking nothing for granted in this pivotal weekend, intending to treat it like any other race.

The second Ten Kate rider, 21-year-old Broc Parkes, has come close to his first win this year without quite making it to the top step of the podium. With similar experience to Muggeridge at the Assen circuit this year, the Dutch race offers Parkes at least as many possibilities to make his ultimate mark in this most competitive class.

Few Supersport riders are as experienced as Sebastien Charpentier (Team Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) a fact reflected by his fifth place in the championship, only one point from fourth place overall. With a season high of second at Brands Hatch, after leading almost every single lap, Charpentier is currently on his best form of the year.

Backing up the challenge of Charpentier is the teenage German hope Max Neukirchner (Team Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) who has been as high as fifth in his rookie WSS season. For once he has experience of the forthcoming track layout, as most circuits are new to him this year.

Team Italia Megabike Honda is represented by the usual pairing of Alessio Corradi (Team Italia Megabike Honda CBR600RR) and Denis Sacchetti, each going for a personal 2004 best. The seasoned Corradi sits tenth overall with rookie Sacchetti just inside the top twenty.

For Muggeridge, it’s one race at a time, despite the close proximity to the end of the championship trail and his impressive 24-point lead. “At Assen it seems we will be going into it just the same as any other race. We’re going there in good shape, not overconfident, but we’re approaching it with the expectation of good results. I need to treat it like any other race. I know we have to keep aware of the championship but we will keep our working format as normal. I hope it will be the same as any other weekend, which means that if we work hard on set-up and qualify well on Friday and Saturday then Sunday can be thought of as the easy part.”

Parkes, who has spent some time in Holland in preparation for the latest Supersport event, is ready to give of his best once more. “I think that we’ll give Assen a pretty good shot. I had a good battle with Karl in the Dutch Championship race earlier this year. I’m pretty confident and bike feels pretty good around Assen, even though I didn’t have much dry track time in qualifying for the National. I’ve been in Holland for a couple of weeks now, getting ready for the race and training hard.”

Assen is a battlefield that suits the style and character of Charpentier. “The track at Assen is curvaceous and truly fantastic. Immediately after the last race at Brands Hatch I started to prepare myself physically and mentally for Assen. It’s one of my favourite tracks and I hope to be on the podium again.”

Neukirchner, one of the fastest rookies of the year, appreciates the challenge Assen presents to any rider. “I like Assen because the long fast turns around the race track are very special. I’m looking forward to a perfect race weekend. A top ten place would be great a top five place even better.”

The European Championship has played a part for both Team Italia Megabike riders, Corradi remembering past glories at Assen as a spur to this weekendâ s action. “I like Assen very much because I won here in 2001, in my European Championship season. This track is very fast and will be hard to stay in the leading group because there will be lots of riders at the front. I will try to repeat my Brands Hatch race, but finish in a better position than sixth. I have a Honda with a fantastic engine, and I think that she can help me at Assen!”

Sacchetti, like all true racers, gives Assen its proper place. “This track is wonderful. I ran here for the first time last year, in the European Championship and I finished on the podium. I think that the race will be so difficult for me because the other riders will be running fast here. It’s one of the last rounds of the championship and I hope to score points. This target was difficult in the last three races but I will push hard.”

After the Assen event, there are two free weekends before the final frantic run to the end of the season, with the Imola and Magny Cours races run on consecutive weekends, at the end of September and beginning of October.

From a press release issued by Dorna:

MotoGP rumour mill begins to turn at Estoril

Whilst final preparations for the Grande Premio Marlboro de Portugal were taking place under heavy rain at the Estoril circuit today, the refuge of dry shelter brought several riders and teams together as the rumour mill regarding the grid line-up for the 2005 season began to turn. With only six races of the current season remaining, traditional summer speculation has intensified at what is the penultimate round on European shores this year.

At the centre of press attention was Sete Gibernau, who is currently embroiled in a battle for the title with current holder Valentino Rossi and has been linked with a sensational switch from Honda to Ducati. “It is always nice to be involved in these stories because it means you are doing your job well,” commented Gibernau, who has another year to run on his contract with Telefonica Movistar. “But right now my priority is to win the championship, and I’m sure if I do that then Honda will be very happy. I have always said that I want to stay where I am.”

One year ago it was Rossi who was at the eye of the transfer storm, as the world got wind of his proposed move from Honda to Yamaha. Today the Italian revealed his satisfaction that he may never have to go through the same ordeal again. “I remember this time last year, it was a hard time for me with a big decision to take,” said Rossi, who leads Gibernau by seventeen points after finishing second to the Spaniard in the last round at Brno. “I have the contract signed for next year and I think I will stay here for the rest of my career. For me it is quite funny to see the rumours about all the other riders.”

Turning his attention to the weekend’s action and other main talking point of the day, the weather, Rossi added: “At Brno we only had one hour in the dry and with the Yamaha that means we are starting from zero because we need more time to find the set-up. Especially here we are hoping for some dry practice and a dry race on Sunday.”

Nicky Hayden was locked in discussions with his Repsol Honda team for very different reasons today, with a decision yet to be made on the American’s fitness after breaking his collarbone in a training crash last weekend. “I want to ride but the team are understandably being cautious,” commented Hayden. “At the moment it doesn’t look likely that I will ride but I want them to wait until the very last minute before ruling me out so we’ll make a final decision later this evening.”

One man who definitely won’t be taking part is Hayden’s compatriot Kurtis Roberts, who took a late decision to stay in the USA where he will concentrate on making a full recovery from left elbow and wrist fractures sustained in a crash at Brno. Roberts will also miss a subsequent test session at the Estoril circuit with Proton Team KR, who plan to run the KTM V4 MotoGP engine in a hybrid chassis after completing a successful shakedown test last weekend.

Shane Byrne is also injured but has been replaced at Aprilia by Michel Fabrizio. The Italian youngster has split with the WCM team to take his dream ride and will be replaced by Chris Burns, who returns from injury to take his place alongside British compatriot James Ellison.

Dani Pedrosa could not hide his concern about the weather, with his only two results outside the top two in the 250cc class this season coming with a crash in the wet race at Jerez and a controversial third place at Brno two weeks ago. The young Spaniard had called for the race to be stopped due to rain when holding a clear lead and his meteorological concerns this weekend are compounded by a lack of affection for the Portuguese track.

“I’ve never liked Estoril too much – it has a long straight, it’s narrow and bumpy,” commented Pedrosa, who leads the series by 30 points from Randy de Puniet. “As if that wasn’t enough, it’s always really windy and that makes it difficult to ride. Hopefully the weather is good and we can prepare well for the race in qualifying. The good thing about Estoril is the fans – it is close for us and there are always a lot of Spanish fans there. That’s always an extra motivation.”

Pedrosa’s compatriot Jorge Lorenzo was also cautious, as he looks to overturn several superstitious precedents on the back of his 125cc victory in the Czech Republic last week. “I’m feeling fit and ready to go for the win again but at the same time I’m being a little wary,” explained Lorenzo, who lies fourth in the championship, 74 points adrift of runaway leader Andrea Dovizioso. “I want to end a bad run because whenever I have won in the past, I have crashed out of the following race. It happened last year at Motegi after winning in Brazil and this year in Brazil after winning at Assen.”

Victory for Lorenzo would also end a record run of 33 races without a back-to-back winner in the 125cc class, as well as moving Derbi up to level sixth in the all time Grand Prix winners’ list by factories, alongside Kawasaki on 85.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

DUCATI RECOGNIZES 17 DEALERS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AT BARBER MUSEUM AWARDS CEREMONY

Munroe Motors of San Francisco is big winner – 4 Awards Total including 2004 Top National Multi-Brand Dealer

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Ducati North America capped it’s 2005 Dealer Conference with a gala dinner party and dealer awards ceremony held on the fifth floor of the Barber Museum. Surrounded by the finest collection of motorcycles in North America, Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America, recognized 17 dealerships with 25 different awards for outstanding achievements. Assisting with the awards presentation was
Federico Minoli, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, and Ducati Austin/Parts Unlimited Team rider Eric Bostrom.

The most dealer awards went to Munroe Motors of San Francisco – 4 total, including 2004 Top National Multi-brand Dealer. Other awards to Munroe’s included:

2004 National Top Accessories Dealer
2004 National Top Monster Dealer
2004 National Top Multistrada Dealer

Other multiple award winners included Advanced Motorsports of Alvarado, Texas. In addition to being named 2004 National Best Exclusive Dealer,
Advanced Motorsports was recognized for:

2004 National Top Sport Classic Dealer
2004 National Top Technician (Jeff Nash)

Ducati Seattle, of Seattle Washington, also earned three awards:

2004 Best Dealer Area 25 – Northwest
2004 National Best Showroom
2004 National Best Salesman

BCM Motorsports, of Laconia, New Hampshire, was recognized for 2004 National Top Service Dealer and 2004 Best Dealer – Northeast.

Other dealerships recognized are as follows:

2004 Best Dealer – Southeast
Ducati Miami, Miami FL

2004 Best Dealer – Southwest
Ducati of Oceanside, Oceanside, CA

2004 Best Dealer – South Central
Erico Motorsports, Denver, CO

2004 Best Dealer – Midwest
Ducati Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI

2004 Best Dealer – Mid-Atlantic
Koup’s Cycle Shop, Harrisburg, PA

2004 Best Dealer – Canada
Revoluzione Cycle Imports, Calgary, AB

2004 Best Marketing Dealer
Tonkin’s Motocorsa, Portland, OR

2004 Best New Dealer Of The Year
Coleman Powersports Falls Church, VA

2004 Most Improved Dealer
Moto Milano, Windham, ME

2004 National Top Apparel Dealer
GP Motorcycles, San Diego, CA

2004 National Top Sport Touring Dealer
Monette Sports, Laval, QC

2004 National Top Superbike Dealer
Spectrum Ducati, Irvine, CA

2004 National Top Supersport Dealer
Bert’s Motorcycle Mall, Covina, CA

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The story blaming motorcyclists doing stunts on a highway for setting off an SUV-against-SUV collision is not as simple as initially portrayed by news outlets.

According to the latest news stories in St. Louis, it turns out the 16-year-old Ford Explorer driver was a stunt enthusiast (who wanted a bike) who had talked to the stunters at a gas station and then followed them, in the opposite direction he was originally going, driving down the highway in the next lane, just behind the motorcyclists.

Witnesses said that the riders dove from the fast lane to an exit but did not “cut off” the Explorer, leaving it plenty of room. But the Explorer in the center lane then swerved into a Suburban in the right lane, sending it off the highway and resulting in several occupants being ejected.


Opinion:

What we think is that the kid just dove for the exit to follow the riders some more, didn’t look first, plowed into the Suburban, then blamed getting “cut off” by the riders.

See related posts:

8/27/2004 Note To Irate Readers Who Apparently Didn’t Catch The Reference To A Ford Explorer Doing A Wheelie: It’s Called S-A-T-I-R-E…

8/26/2004 Rider Claims He’s Innocent In Alleged Stunt-caused SUV Crash

8/26/2004 Stunt Riders Earn Negative National Headlines For Allegedly Causing Auto Accident

From a press release issued by Ed Beckley:

Dirt in the Atlanta Pit Area
FT. Worth, Texas — Scott Beckley, the young dirt tracker turned road racer, is following another former dirt tracker to the pits in Atlanta. In his second race ever as an AMA pro road racer, the first being at Mid Ohio where he had a nasty get-off, Beckley has been invited to the Larry Pegram pit area at Road Atlanta where he will compete in the AMA Supersport race Sunday September 5th.

Since the early this summer the 18-year-old Yamaha privateer rider from Bridgeport, Texas, has been the points leader in the prestigious CMRA Super Stock “A” Expert Points Championship. Scott has made Road Racing his main focus after doing well in the AMA Grand Championships and then qualifying 25th at Mid Ohio only one day after he got his AMA Pro license. Beckley started 25th and was running well on the 7th lap when he hit a slick spot on turn 11 and then crashed hard, with the bike going end over end. He was passing riders every lap and was reportedly up to 15th at the time of his crash.

Beckley feels as though he is ready after his much televised get off at Mid Ohio. The young Texan is determined to qualify and finish this time, “My mechanic Scott Fisher totally rebuilt our R6 and it seems to be even better than it was before the crash. We feel that we got stung by a rookie mistake and a wet track at Mid Ohio and we are ready for Atlanta.” Fisher chimed in with “We know we must qualify well and finish the race, that is the plan.”

So why is Beckley in Pegram’s pit area? The real story is that he has idolized Pegram for years, “I have known Larry for years and my father and his father are good friends, and so Larry is kinda looking out for me,” Beckley chuckled. Pegram actually sponsored Scott at the Daytona AMA Amateur Nationals back in 2000 with a ride on his Mad Dog DR-100 Suzuki. Beckley won all three races and the 100cc Championship that year. Actually it is no secret both Larry and his father Jimmy helped Scott at Mid Ohio. The younger rider was all ears when Larry would give him hints and information about the track and set-up. “Larry has always taken the time for me and being able to pit with him (Larry) at Atlanta is something I am really looking forward to,” said Beckley. Beckley’s mechanic, Scott Fisher summed it up “With both riders on Pirelli’s and Yamaha’s and both with a little dirt in their veins it is an opportunity that Scott cannot miss.”

From a press release:

DOCURAMA BRINGS THE MIND-NUMBING SPEED OF MOTOGP RACING TO DVD WITH ‘FASTER’ THE ULTIMATE COLLECTORS EDITION

2-DISC SET FEATURES OVER 2½ HOURS OF EXHILARATING BONUS MATERIAL INCLUDING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SEQUEL TO FASTER: FASTER & FASTER ’03-’04

NARRATED BY EWAN MCGREGOR AND STARRING MOTOGP SENSATIONS VALENTINO ROSSI AND MAX BIAGGI, FASTER RACES TO HOME VIDEO NOVEMBER 16, 2004

“Thrilling” – LA Times

“Awesome” – LA Weekly

New York, NY — An adrenaline-pumping, death defying trip inside the world of motorcycle racing, unparalleled racing scenes at exhilarating speeds, and the intriguing rivalry between two international superstars are at the center of FASTER, coming to DVD in the ultimate 2-Disc Collectors Edition November 16, 2004 ($29.95 SRP) from Docurama. With more energy and intensity than a Hollywood action movie, this high-octane doc narrated by Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Big Fish) is the most true-to-life look at grand prix motorcycle racing ever brought to screen. A heart-hammering smash at Slamdance and a real-life look inside the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, the MotoGP, this tread-burning DVD set chases four seasons of the super track tour over five continents, capturing the speed junkies of MotoGP in thrilling action and featuring interviews with riders, mechanics, doctors, commentators, and fans.

“FASTER takes the DVD format and pushes the throttle all the way to the finish line,” said co-president and founder of New Video, Steve Savage. “Our Ultimate Collectors Edition offers an exhilarating, real life look at the sport of grand prix motorcycle racing-with over 2 and a half hours of bonus content on two discs including the sequel to FASTER, Faster & Faster ’03-’04, the set is a must-have for motorcycle enthusiasts as well as fans of speed and action sports in general.”

Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Mark Neale (William Gibson: No Maps for these Territories), FASTER captures every flip, slide, wheelie and wipeout in the white-knuckle world of MotoGP – the fastest sport on two wheels – where riders race at speeds over 200 mph. Featuring notorious racers and bitter rivals Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi, both international superstars and world champions, FASTER also follows other well known riders including the rising teenage star John Hopkins, accident-prone Garry McCoy, and others.

The Ultimate Collectors Edition of FASTER has been digitally remastered in 5.1 audio and features over 2½ hours of exclusive bonus content including:

* Faster & Faster ’03-’04, The Sequel

This highly anticipated follow-up film picks up right where FASTER left off

* Interactive Racing

Ride with Rossi, Biaggi and Gibernau and switch between onboard cameras to experience four epic last lap battles from every angle: Australia 2001; France 2003; Germany 2003; Czech Republic 2003.

* 14 Never-Before-Seen Additional Scenes

* French, Spanish & English Subtitles


Synopsis

Starring a who’s who of the motorcycling elite, FASTER is a true-to-life look at MotoGP, the fastest sport on two wheels. Following the world championship over two seasons and five continents, this thrilling documentary takes viewers inside the sport’s sub-culture through revealing interviews with riders, mechanics, doctors, commentators, and fans and constantly explodes with unbelievable, jaw-dropping racing footage.



FASTER

Street Date: November 16, 2004

Pre-book Date: October 12, 2004

Suggested Retail Price: $29.95

Running Time: 107 minutes + additional content



About Docurama®

Founded in 1999 by parent company New Video Group Inc., Docurama is the only label dedicated exclusively to bringing critically acclaimed and cutting-edge documentary films to the home entertainment marketplace. Since its launch, Docurama has released over 100 award-winning and highly acclaimed documentary titles including DA Pennebaker’s Bob Dylan: Dont Look Back, The Brandon Teena Story, Southern Comfort, Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy, and the recent theatrical phenomenon Rivers and Tides, as well as both seasons of Michael Moore’s The Awful Truth. Docurama’s impressive collection of Academy Award® winners and nominees include Murder on a Sunday Morning, The Weather Underground, Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision, Regret To Inform, Children Underground, and Sound and Fury. In partnership with the Independent Film Channel (IFC) Docurama has released numerous acclaimed documentaries and theatrical hits including Lost in La Mancha, Go Tigers!, Keep the River on Your Right, A Decade Under the Influence, and Brother’s Keeper, as well as the recent John Landis doc Slasher. Most recently, Docurama has partnered with P.O.V., PBS’ premiere documentary series, to release their critically-acclaimed documentaries on DVD. Among some of the first to be released include the 2003 theatrical doc Lost Boys of Sudan, and the recent Sundance Special Jury Prize winner Farmingville. New Video is also the exclusive label and distributor for the A&E Home Video lines, including The History Channel® and Biography®. To order these or any Docurama products, please call 1-800-314-8822 or visit www.newvideo.com.

From a press release issued by DXS Diablo Suzuki:

DXS Diablo finish 2nd and 6th at Montreal Molson Indy and waste no time celebrating:

DXS Diablo Racing, Team Suzuki took 2nd and 6th in a non-championship round of the Parts Canada Superbike series held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Montreal’s Ille Notre-Dame. Riding their Suzuki Superbikes, teammates Steve Crevier and Jeff Williams entertained the enthused crowd of over 130,000 spectators who were in attendance for a day of racing at the Montreal Molson Indy. The track offered an array of excitement for the riders and fans alike. Jumbo video screens fed by on track television cameras displayed live racing action to the fans and offered same day television coverage of the event on RDS.

With grids based on Championship points Steve Crevier started Sundays race on the 2nd row. After a not-so-great-start Crevier was soon passing Yamaha sponsored Frank Trombino to take 3rd. Honda rider Jordan Szoke then pulled into the pits with a failed clutch leaving Crevier with a 2nd. With Crew Chief Jamie Bruines substituting the usual pit board with his “do wheelies” hand signals Crevier was uncertain of the traffic behind him and began to close the gap on first. Of course time ran out when Steve was a little behind so a second place was where he finished.

Meanwhile Jeff Williams had a great time battling with Matt McBride for 5th place. Watching himself on the jumbotrons Williams sneaked around McBride on the last lap by cutting the final turn in true Williams style.

Both riders immediately joined the cool down lap celebrations that really pumped up the excited crowd. Creviers Infamous stoppies, Jammin Jeff Williams wheelies rounded out the day for 2 very happy Diablo riders.

Next on the Schedule for DXS Diablo team Suzuki is the closing round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship in Shannonville Ontario September 3 – 5. See you there.

From a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

PROTON PREPARES FOR DOUBLE TASK IN PORTUGAL

Proton Team KR go to next weekend’s Portuguese GP one rider short, but with something extra in the back of the team transporters.

As well as their own continuous modifications, and in addition to a full complement of new Dunlop tyres, the team will also have a Proton KR MotoGP chassis fitted with the Austrian KTM V4 MotoGP engine.

Certain to be the object of much intense interest, the hybrid test machine will not be seen in action until tests after the Portuguese race.

The race, 11th of 16 rounds and the last in the European season, will see Nobuatsu Aoki riding alone on the regular England-designed and built KR V5. Team-mate Kurtis Roberts will not race, still recuperating from injuries suffered in a qualifying crash at the previous round at Brno

Estoril, slowest track of the year, gives the team promising prospects for a repeat of Aoki’s points-scoring ride at that Czech Republic GP. Even though a hoped-for engine upgrade is still under development at Banbury, tests after the Brno race yielded a significant lap-time improvement, with a new generation of tyres from the team’s partners Dunlop.

But GP racing insiders will be looking beyond the race itself, towards the tests of the KTM engine on the following days. The V4 engine was built for the Austrian factory’s own planned MotoGP project, which they later cancelled, but engine development was continued. Until now, running has been limited to the test bench and dynamometer: this is the first time the powerful V4 has been fitted in a motorcycle chassis.

In fact, the hybrid has already run – in secret tests last Saturday at Brno. Nobu Aoki ran some 20 “shake-down” laps, to identify niggles that might spoil the first full test at Estoril.

“We wanted to blow out any cobwebs and see if there were any problems – to check that it shifted gear, didn’t overheat and so on,” explained team manager Chuck Aksland. “There were a few little problems, but first impressions were good.”

The main aim was to get the bike ready for the Estoril tests, he continued, which were a joint project between KTM and Proton Team KR.

“The aim is to assess the potential of the engine, which is of interest to KTM and ourselves,” said Aksland. “But at this stage there’s no policy on any future with the engine. It could be an option … but we just don’t know yet,” he said.

Kurtis Roberts suffered left elbow and wrist fractures in a wet-weather qualifying crash at Brno, and though he did not require surgery, it was decided late last week that he should remain in the USA to recuperate for the next round, the Japanese GP at Motegi in two weeks time. “It was too late to consider a replacement,” said Aksland.

After the Portuguese GP and the following tests, Proton Team KR join their MotoGP rivals for the start of a long-haul extravaganza: Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia, before returning to Valencia for the final round at the end of October.

NOBU AOKI – REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC

After Brno we stayed on to test a lot of new tyres, both front and rear. Dunlop had new combinations of construction and compound. I found at least three tyres that I liked, and we were getting lap times one second fast. It seems Dunlop may have found a direction of development, and that means I can be optimistic about this race. The first ride with the KTM engine was very interesting, and I am looking forward to testing it after the race, but first I want to finish in the points again, like Brno.