NAKANO FIFTH FASTEST IN GERMAN HEAT WAVE
29 July 2005 - Kawasaki Racing

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano sweated through heat wave conditions at the Sachsenring, to lead the Kawasaki assault in today''s free practice for the German Grand Prix.

Nakano posted the fifth fastest time, just 0.3s off the quickest lap by Alex Barros, as he made excellent use of the latest engine configuration supplied for this race.

Nakano is part of a three man Ninja ZX-RR squad entered for the German GP. He is joined by regular team rider Alex Hofmann and wild card Olivier Jacque, who is Kawasaki''s MotoGP test and development rider.

For this afternoon''s second one hour session, track surface temperatures started at 48 degrees but soared to a tropical 52 degrees in the baking summer sun.

Nakano, Hofmann and Jacque all used different configurations of engine tune today, allowing Kawasaki engineers to evaluate the most suitable for Sunday''s 30-lap race.

This use of different motors is also part of the test and development programme for Kawasaki''s all-new MotoGP power plant for the 2006 season, which is currently being designed in Japan.

The presence of test rider Jacque is providing valuable additional track time and feedback, with six Ninja ZX-RR race bikes for the three riders in the Kawasaki garage. Jacque last raced for Kawasaki at the French GP in May.

Kawasaki''s tyre partner Bridgestone have delivered a range of new dual-compound tyres, which were not available for last Sunday''s British GP, to the Sachsenring.

With the left side of the tyre carrying a much heavier load through the ten left-hand corners, the ideal tyre for this track requires a different compound on each side of the tyre. There are just four right-hand turns in the 3.67 km lap.

Edge grip is critical for the long periods of maximum lean angle. Apart from further engine evaluation Kawasaki technicians are also searching for improved front-end grip for the special demands of the Sachsenring.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Fifth - 1''24.113
''I''m feeling much better on the bike than I was at Donington just a few days ago. I can do fast, consistent times with improved throttle connection from the latest engine tune on the Ninja ZX-RR. Combined with the grip levels of the new Bridgestone tyres, I was able to concentrate on my riding today, and not worry so much about the bike or tyres. I think we can improve more, both with the engine settings and the front end feeling.''

Olivier Jacque: #19 - Fifteenth - 1''24.752
''Today was very difficult to get back into the rhythm of MotoGP in these very hot conditions. You cannot compare any type of training to the demands of a MotoGP bike in this heat. Plus there is no time to relax on this track. Overall my feeling is okay, although I''m lacking some confidence in the front end. I have a preference for one of the different engine configurations I tried today, throttle connection is much improved, but I need more miles on the bike.''

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Seventeenth - 1''25.070
''Hot, tough and disappointing, that''s my reaction to today''s two hours of free practice. I don''t want to complain about the heat or lack of grip levels, it''s the same for everyone. My big problem is I''m missing front end feel, I''m not comfortable on the bike and the front set-up is a long way from where it needs to be. This track is all about front-end confidence, I''m not happy.''

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director
''Today we were able to confirm our latest ideas on engine configuration, both for this race and our 2006 plans, and we will concentrate further on this tomorrow. In particular the feedback from Shinya was very positive, although we still need to work on the engine management system to improve power delivery, it''s a little slow at the moment. But throttle connection is very good. Also for all three riders we need to improve front end balance for better grip and turning.''

FREE PRACTICE - COMBINED TIMES
1. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda 1''23.808; 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.107; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.187; 4. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.246; 5. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.305; 6. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +0.322; 7. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +0.440; 8. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Camel Honda +0.450; 9. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.512; 10. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +0.574; 11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.581; 15. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.944; 17. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.262

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