Kawasaki hoping for a better MotoGP year in 2004

A new version of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine, together with two new riders and a change in tyre supplier for the 2004 season mean that expectations are high as the Kawasaki Racing Team head for Sepang in Malaysia, and the first of three overseas preseason tests.

Kawasaki's assault on the 2004 MotoGP World Championship will be spearheaded by seasoned Grand Prix campaigner Shinya Nakano. Twice a winner of the prestigious Rookie of the Year award, Nakano will test the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR for the first time at Sepang next week, but already the 26-year-old Japanese rider has his sights set firmly on the podium.

Joining Nakano on the Ninja ZX-RR will be former Kawasaki test and development rider, Alex Hofmann. The 23-year-old rider - the only German competing in this year's MotoGP World Championship - is determined to build on his impressive wild card performances in 2003, with regular points scoring finishes on the new Ninja ZX-RR being the ultimate aim in his first full season in the blue-riband class.

Developed using the lessons learnt during Kawasaki's debut MotoGP season, the latest version of the Ninja ZX-RR machine features a revised 990cc inline four-cylinder engine, housed in a new chassis, designed jointly by engineers in Japan and Europe. The new chassis, which will be built in Europe, has resulted in a much more compact Ninja ZX-RR and a lower centre of gravity.

Also new on the Ninja ZX-RR for the 2004 season are Bridgestone tyres. The Japanese tyre company have invested heavily in research and development in recent years and this commitment has been rewarded on the track, with Bridgestone securing their first MotoGP podium finish in 2003. Initial tests of the new tyres have been extremely positive, with Hofmann managing to improve his previous best lap time by almost two seconds during end of season testing at Valencia.

The Kawasaki Racing Team will test at Sepang later this month, before returning on February 11 for a further three days of testing at the Malaysian circuit. The Phillip Island circuit in Australia will be the venue for the final four day overseas test, scheduled for 23-26 February, after which the Kawasaki Racing Team will return to Europe for the annual IRTA tests at Catalunya and Jerez.

Shinya Nakano - #56
"I am very happy to be joining Kawasaki and grateful to the factory for giving me this opportunity. I think it is a great project - Harald Eckl has explained the development plans for the bike and the details of the team for 2004 and I am extremely motivated for the challenge ahead."

"I am looking forward to testing the new bike at Sepang and working with my new team-mate, Alex Hofmann, to develop the bike ready for the start of the season. This will be my sixth year in Grand Prix racing and my target is very clear; to get back on the podium."

Alex Hofmann - #66
"I am obviously looking forward to my first full season in MotoGP aboard the new Ninja ZX-RR machine. We tested the new bike briefly at the end of 2003 and it was a definite improvement over the previous version. I'm confident that, with an extensive preseason test schedule ahead of us, we'll be able to improve the bike even further before the season gets underway in South Africa."

"I'm also looking forward to working with Shinya, not just because he's an experienced MotoGP rider who I can learn a lot from, but also because he's such a nice guy and so easy to get along with."

"My aim for this season is to continue to improve my riding, score points in every race and, hopefully, be in a position to challenge for top ten finishes on a regular basis towards the end of the year."

Harald Eckl - Team Manager
"This, our second year in the MotoGP World Championship, is obviously very important to us and excuses about being beginners in this class just won't cut it anymore. We have applied the lessons learned in 2003 and, as a result, we head into the coming season with a new team structure, an updated version of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR, a new tyre supplier and two new riders. Expectations are high."

"The latest version of the Ninja ZX-RR is a result of collaboration between engineers at Kawasaki in Japan and engineers based in Europe. The chassis will be jointly developed, which gives us the development flexibility we need to compete at the very highest level. Engine development will be conducted entirely in Japan. For me it is a very promising package."

"We also have two good riders in Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann. Shinya's Grand Prix experience will undoubtedly accelerate our development process, with his input allowing us to close the gap on the top teams in the championship. This will be Alex's first full season in MotoGP, but I fully expect him to be up there with Shinya in the races."