From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
FUCHS KAWASAKI DEVELOPMENT TEST – ESTORIL
6TH SEPTEMBER 2004
DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES FOR FUCHS KAWASAKI AT ESTORIL
Fuchs Kawasaki were back on track at Estoril today, just 24 hours after the Portuguese Grand Prix, testing new fuel injection components and chassis settings as part of the ongoing development of the Ninja ZX-RR.
For Alex Hofmann, today’s test gave him the opportunity to work on solving the set-up problems that affected his performance in yesterday’s race. Changes to suspension and chassis made a noticeable improvement and resulted in the Fuchs Kawasaki rider ending today’s test one second faster than his best race time.
With his set-up sorted, Hofmann completed 63 laps of the Brno circuit, testing new fuel injection components and a range of new front and rear tyres from Bridgestone. But while the 24-year-old German rider was happy with his progress today, the same wasn’t true of his feelings for the local wildlife. On his final run this afternoon, an errant wasp managed to force its way into Hofmann’s leathers, stinging him three times on the chest before the Fuchs Kawasaki rider had a chance to open his zip and remove it.
Shinya Nakano also tested the new fuel injection system, designed by Magneti Marelli specifically for the Ninja ZX-RR, with positive results. The 26-year-old Japanese rider felt that that the latest version of the fuel injection system gave more power, but also made this additional power easier to use.
In addition, the 26-year-old Japanese rider tested revised chassis geometry on his Ninja ZX-RR that made the bike more stable under braking and less likely to spin up the rear tyre under acceleration.
Both Fuchs Kawasaki riders now have a few days of well earned rest, before heading out to Motegi and the Japanese Grand Prix; round twelve in this year’s MotoGP World Championship.
Alex Hofmann: 63 Laps – 1’39.97
“It’s no secret that I struggled with set-up in yesterday’s race, so the test today gave us an opportunity to work through a few options in a bid to improve things. The changes definitely seem to have worked, as I was a full second faster today than I was in the race. We also continued to test the new fuel injection parts we first tried on the bike in Brno, and there is definitely a lot of potential there. Bridgestone also had some new front and rear tyres for us to test and, again, there was a definite improvement. So, overall we’ve made a lot of progress today, which will stand us in good stead at Motegi. It’s just a pity that circumstances stopped us from making the same progress in time for yesterday’s race.”
Shinya Nakano: 58 Laps – 1’39.63
“The main focus today has been on testing again the new fuel injection system, but we’ve also tried slightly different chassis geometry on the bike as well. The new fuel injection seems to offer more power, as well as improving acceleration. I think this new system has a lot of potential. The chassis changes also produced a positive result, providing better stability under braking and making the bike less prone to spinning up out of the turns. Now I’m looking forward to Motegi; it’s my home Grand Prix and I’ll definitely be looking for my best result of the season in front of my home crowd.”
Naoya Kaneko: Technical Coordinator
“Our main focus today has been on the new fuel injection system; gathering enough data for the engineers so that they can continue the development process between now and the next test. Both riders had positive comments about the new system, which indicates that we’re definitely moving in the right direction. We also managed to rectify the chassis problems that both riders suffered from in yesterday’s race, as well as testing a number of new front and rear tyres from Bridgestone. Overall, we’ve made quite a few improvements ready for the next race at Motegi.”
More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:
Team Test
Estoril, Portugal
Monday, 6 September, 2004
ROSSI AND CHECA MAKE THE MOST OF LAST TEST IN ESTORIL
The gruelling schedule of the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team continued today at the Estoril circuit in Portugal, where Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa made more impressive lap times aboard their YZR-M1 machines. Fresh from Rossi’s sixth victory of the year in yesterday’s Portuguese Grand Prix, this was the Factory team’s last chance to test before the season finale in October. Championship leader Rossi spent the day testing a new exhaust system, new engine parts, and continuing to test electronic controls, while team-mate Checa continued working on various settings with his M1 machine, with both riders sampling a variety of tyres for Michelin.
Rossi and Checa were joined out on track by Honda rivals Sete Gibernau and Colin Edwards, the Kawasaki pairing of Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, as well as lone Proton rider Nobuatsu Aoki. Rossi made 80 laps in total with a best time of 1’38.31s, and with all scheduled tests completed today, leaves Estoril tonight for a well-earned short break before heading off for next weekend’s Japanese race at the Motegi circuit. Checa, who completed 76 laps today with a best time of 1’38.90, will continue to test tomorrow.
“We tried new pipes, a different exhaust system, it’s good and I like it”, commented Rossi. “From the bottom power level, the engine characteristic becomes more smooth and sweet. I like it. We tested it all day and everyone agreed it’s good.”
Of the challenge that faces him in the final five races of the season, Rossi said, “There are only five races to go, and I think Motegi will be the most difficult as it’s a Honda track. It will for sure be difficult but we’ve worked well today, and our target is for a podium in Motegi. There would be more pressure if we were 29 points behind rather than 29 points ahead as we have now, so I’m happy to be leading the championship. To be ahead with Yamaha is fantastic, we will try to make five great races together, Yamaha and I.”
Team Director Davide Brivio was pleased with the progress of both riders, commenting, “Everything is working well, we seem to have made a small step today. Once again it was a good test, we tested a lot of tyres for Michelin again. It’s our last chance to test before the end of the season and with five races to go, so we wanted to improve and check as many things as possible. We have concluded our plan so we hope to be prepared for these last races.
“Carlos worked again on his bike setting and improved his lap times from yesterday, so it was a positive test for him. Valentino also had a beneficial day, which I think could put us in a good position for the final part of the championship.”
Carlos Checa will continue testing at the Estoril circuit tomorrow before the team packs up and heads out of Europe for the string of intercontinental races in Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia before returning for the last round in Valencia, Spain on 31st October.
UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES:
1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1’37.63 (74 laps)
2. Colin Edwards (Honda) 1’38.08 (71 laps)
3. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’38.31 (80 laps)
4. Carlos Checa (Yamaha) 1’38.90 (76 laps)
5. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) 1’39.63 (58 laps)
6. Alex Hofmann (Kawasaki) 1’39.97 (65 laps)
7. Nobuatsu Aoki (Proton) 1’39.63 (58 laps)
8. Nobuatsu Aoki (with KTM engine) 1’43.18 (21 laps)
More, from a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda:
Positive Day of testing at Estoril
After a complicated and hard race weekend, the team Telefonica Movistar Honda carried out a positive day of testing at Estoril.
Sete lapped 74 laps, 1’37″6 his best time.
An incredible lap time that shows the good work done today. Sete focused on analysing the problems encountered yesterday during the race and he was satisfied with the work done.
“Today iwe did a good job and we could understand more things about the RC211V, I’m confident for Motegi and I’m strong and determnined for the race as I have always been this year.”
A positive test session also for his team mate Colin Edwards. The texan lapped 71 laps, 1’38″08 his best time. Colin focused first on the set up of the bike and then made some test tyres. “Thanks to Michelin we have tested a new tyre today, I had a very good feeling and found a good pace. I’m confident for Motegi”
At the end of the test session the team prepared the crates to ship all the material to Japan, where the round 12 of the championship will be held next 19th of September.
