Team Owner Kenny Roberts has made the commitment, after five years of racing a lightweight alternative two-stroke machine, in a rewarding but ultimately not fully successful attempt to beat the big manufacturers at their own game.

"We chose a lightweight three-cylinder bike against the four-cylinder factory machines because we believed that its agility would outweigh any relative lack of ultimate performance," said Roberts.

"Now we are building a full-scale multi-cylinder machine to tackle the new-generation four-strokes directly ... because I'm tired of seeing our riders get overtaken on the straights."

The new project combines a spirit of sporting and technical adventure with well-founded and thoroughly developed existing strengths.

The all-new V5 motorcycle is a truly innovative exercise in prototype engineering, with a clear goal of racing success for the independent team against the might of the major factories.

At the same time, Proton Team KR will be relying on 17 unbroken years of GP racing experience, and on technical and other partnerships formed and polished during that time.

The new motor, offering high power from a compact package, breaks new ground in its configuration as well as the scale of its ambition. The running gear, meanwhile, will incorporate hard-won knowledge from three previous generations of KR3 racers, including a wide-line chassis already tested and raced successfully in 2002.

Running a four-stroke racer will be a new experience for Proton Team KR, but they are already highly skilled and familiar with racing in general and the motorcycle GP series in particular. The team has already been reinforced this year with ex-F1 technical staff, who can add the special skills demanded by the four-stroke engine.

Proton have also announced that Jeremy McWilliams and Nobuatsu Aoki have signed to continue with Proton Team KR for 2003.

"Each of them has performed way beyond anybody's expectations so far this year," said team owner Kenny Roberts, himself a triple World Champion and racing legend.

"I knew they were both good riders, but I had no idea just how much they would bring to the team, how hard they would be prepared to try, nor how well they would work together.

"They've surprised all of us not only with their speed and ability, but also the focus and sheer determination they've brought to every race.

"They've also pushed the machine to new limits, sometimes uncovering weaknesses that hadn't come to light before, and pushing our engineers to continual improvements to achieve new levels of performance and reliability. They've raised each other's standards, and the level of the whole team," he continued.

"There was never any question in my mind that I wanted them both to stay for our new four-stroke venture, I'm pleased and proud that they have shown their faith in the team by signing on to stay."

McWilliams had no hesitation in deciding to stay with Proton Team KR. "In fact, I wish I'd joined the team a lot earlier. It suits me in so many ways, and I think it's fair to say that I am the right sort of rider for this team as well," the 38-year-old Ulster rider said.

"I like the independence of the operation, and I've been very impressed with their professionalism and dedication, and Kenny's determination to be successful, which he passes down to the whole team. I think a lot of people have made the mistake of under-estimate them. They surprised me with their capabilities, and the quality of their engineering.

"Working with Nobuatsu has also opened my eyes, to how good a rider he is, and also how a team-mate like that can raise your own standards. We have a meeting every day at the races, and it helps both of us, as well as the team. On the track, we push each other to go better. I've certainly learned a lot from him," continued McWilliams.

"I've never raced a four-stroke before, but I think we've seen that they're easier to ride than the two-strokes. There's only a handful of people who can get the best out the old 500s, and they don't have any trouble when they get on a four-stroke. I don't say it'll be easy, but I don't have any fears, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Aoki (31) came to the team after a year testing tyres for Bridgestone, preparatory to the Japanese tyre manufacturer's entry to the top class of racing. Prior to that the GP winner had ridden factory Honda and Suzuki machines in 250 and 500cc classes.

"I am very happy to stay with this team," said Aoki.

"I have been so impressed with their efforts during my first year, and also the partnership with Jeremy has been very good. We help each other a lot, and also enjoy racing against each other, which improves our performance as well as the team chances.

"Of course, I am also very excited about riding the V5. It's already an interesting idea for a motorcycle. To develop this new machine with an independent team is a big responsibility for a rider, and an honour as well. Not many riders get a chance like this," said Aoki.

Bridgestone tyres, who came into the top class in GP racing in 2002 with Proton Team KR, will continue with the team in 2003. And the successful Japanese manufacturers are looking forward to the new challenge of the four-stroke machine.

"Our results so far this year have been better than we expected, and that is partly thanks to Proton Team KR, who have given us a lot of valuable input and information," said Mr Hiroshi Yamada, motorcycle racing manager of Bridgestone Tyres.

"We know we face a new level with the new four-stroke project. The machine will be more powerful and also heavier, and we will need another step forward to achieve the grip and durability," he continued.

"We will begin tests before the end of this year with another four-stroke machine that is already racing this season. By the time the Proton starts testing we will already have some experience and data," he said.

"Our experience with Proton Team KR this year has been very rewarding - the team includes gifted engineers with some very original thinking.

"Next year will be a new level, and we are happy to take that step with this team," he concluded.

Kenny Roberts echoed the mutual confidence achieved between team and tyre manufacturer in their first year together.

"Bridgestone came into the top class with no previous experience, and they have achieved a high level well before the end of their first season," he said.

"They bring new tyres to every race, and they've made very big strides - especially since the restart of the season after the summer break, when the endurance of the tyres improved significantly," he concluded.
 

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