Re: Kawasaki Leaving MotoGP?????

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:25 am

Kawasaki to suspend MotoGP racing activities
Friday, 09 January 2009

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has decided to suspend its factory MotoGP racing activities from the 2009 season.

Amid the quickly changing business environment, Kawasaki has been promptly taking countermeasures to cope with the situation. As the world economy is not likely to recover in a short period due to the major impact of the financial crisis, Kawasaki decided to suspend its MotoGP racing activities from the 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently.

Kawasaki will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race-oriented customers.

Kawasaki would like to thank all the fans and all those who have supported us.

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:30 am

Dorna CEO Ezpeleta on Kawasaki withdrawal
Friday, 09 January 2009

Following Kawasaki´s announcement, confirming that the Japanese manufacturer would suspend its factory MotoGP activity, Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has revealed that a Kawasaki privateer project is under consideration.

Prior to Kawasaki´s announcement regarding their withdrawal from MotoGP, Carmelo Ezpeleta, the CEO of MotoGP Rights Holders Dorna Sports, met with representatives of the Japanese factory to acknowledge their decision and discuss the possibility of having Kawasaki machinery run by a privateer team.

`First of all, I would like to clarify the fact that what Kawasaki has suspended is its MotoGP racing activities through its factory team,´ stressed Mr Ezpeleta.

`We had a meeting in Osaka on Thursday (8th January) where Kawasaki explained their problems and the difficulties they had with continuing as a factory team,´ Mr Ezpeleta continued. `Under these circumstances we agreed to cooperate collectively, in order to find a possible solution to their problems which may allow them to continue as a privateer team.´

Kawasaki made their MotoGP debut in 2003 after a string of wildcard entries in the last races of the 2002 season. Since then the Akashi-based factory has secured three podium finishes, with Olivier Jacque second in China in 2005, Shinya Nakano also securing second in Holland the following year and finally in 2007, with Randy de Puniet taking his maiden MotoGP podium with second at Motegi.

Prior to their MotoGP effort, the Japanese factory had participated in the premier category of World Championship competition in two separate periods, firstly from 1970 to 1975, when Ginger Molloy finished runner-up in their first season. Dave Simmonds took victory at Jarama one year later to finish the series in fourth place overall, whilst Mick Grant clinched the Tourist Trophy in 1975.

The second chapter of Kawasaki´s 500cc experience came in a two-year period at the start of the 1980s. Kork Ballington was unable to add to their catalogue of victories but he did take two third place finishes in 1981.

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:34 am

MotoGP » Kawasaki confirms inevitable.
Friday, 9th January 2009

Kawasaki has finally revealed that it will not play a part in this year's MotoGP series.

Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki has finally confirmed that it is to withdraw from the MotoGP world championship, having prevaricated over a decision most involved in the sport thought likely for some time.

The Japanese marque has joined others in various areas of motorsport - Honda in F1 and both Suzuki and Subaru in WRC - by citing the need to 'cut costs amid the global financial crisis' as the main reason for its exit from the top flight of motorcycle racing, to which it returned in 2003.

"The effect of the current financial crisis on the global economy is extremely significant and an extended period of time is required for a recovery,"an official Kawasaki statement explained, "We saw the need for efficient redistribution of our management resources and have decided to forgo participation in the Moto GP from 2009 on," it said.

The team was reported as spending nearly £30m a year to do battle with the likes of Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki, but has felt the pinch as world-wide sales of its road bikes suffered in the current financial climate. Whether the familiar green machines re-appear in MotoGP also remains doubtful unless the situation improves.

"We took the final decision not to continue in MotoGP," Katsuhiro Sato confirmed to Reuters, "It's something we have been considering since mid-December. In the current economic climate, and unless the situation improves, it is difficult to say if we will return."

With only Randy de Puniet's second place in Japan in 2007 to show for its efforts in its five-year stay in MotoGP, results have not been encouraging for the Kawasaki team, whose exit leaves John Hopkins and the luckless Marco Melandri without rides with just weeks to go before the start of the 2009 season.

As things stand, the MotoGP grid will have just 17 bikes when the season kicks off in Qatar in early April and promoter Dorna's only hope of increasing that number - and keeping the number of competing marques at five - now rests with a privateer Kawasaki effort. Such a possibility has been mooted in recent days, with Jorge Martinez among the options having been rumoured to be interested in running a semi-works effort, but there are no commitments to keeping either Hopkins or Melandri in the series.

The Italian, however, is among those that Dorna would like to see battling with the likes of Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, and it is rumoured that efforts will be made to keep him involved, even though Hopkins is rumoured to bring more sponsorship to the table which, ultimately, could decide who, including those outside the erstwhile '09 Kawasaki line-up, makes any Aspar team.

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:38 am

MotoGP » Kawasaki statement in full.
Friday, 9th January 2009

Kawasaki gives reasons for pulling out of MotoGP series.

Kawasaki's involvement in the MotoGP world championship was officially curtailed on Friday morning [9 January] as parent company Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd confirmed that the economic climate had taken its toll.

The withdrawal was revealed with a short statement from Japan, reproduced in full below:

"Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has decided to suspend its factory MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season.

"Amid quickly changing business environment, Kawasaki has been promptly taking countermeasures to cope with the situation. As the world economy is not likely to recover in a short period due to the major impact of the financial crisis, Kawasaki decided to suspend its MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently.

"Kawasaki will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race-oriented customers. Kawasaki would like to thank all the fans and all those who have forwarded us great help.

"Mr Yoshio Kawamura, the managing director of Kawasaki Motors Racing B.V. deeply appreciates the contribution and the dedication brought by staff members of the MotoGP team."

Kawasaki's exit leaves the MotoGP grid with just 17 expected entries unless a privateer effort can be found to run the green machines - or others from rival marques - ahead of the 2009 season-opener in Qatar in April. The future of intended Kawasaki riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri remains similarly clouded.

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:03 am

Carmelo Ezpeleta holds Kawasaki crisis talks
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

08 January 2009 11:21

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta has staged crisis talks with top Kawasaki management in Japan today in a bid to get the Japanese factory to race in MotoGP in 2009.

Kawasaki has still not officially announced details of its plan to withdraw from MotoGP with immediate effect, but the Japanese factory signalled its intention to quit during the Christmas break, as was first reported in the UK by MCN.

Having met with the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association yesterday (Wednesday), Ezpeleta met directly with Kawasaki bosses today to discuss Kawasaki’s shock decision to quit because of the global economic crisis.

Kawasaki could face a hefty fine by pulling out as it signed a contract in 2007 that assured Dorna of its participation in MotoGP until the end of the 2011 season at least.

If Kawasaki is reluctant to continue in a factory role in 2009, then Ezpeleta has also been exploring other options to get two ZX-RR machines on the grid.

Current team boss Michael Bartholemy has also been frantically working on a rescue package since team members were informed of Kawasaki’s quit plan on December 29.

And high-profile 125 and 250 team boss Jorge Martinez has confirmed his interest in taking over the Kawasaki project. The loss of Kawasaki could drop the MotoGP grid down to 17 bikes and leave John Hopkins and Marco Melandri out of a ride.

Following today’s meetings between Ezpeleta and Kawasaki’s senior officials, an announcement of Kawasaki’s 2009 plans could come as soon as tomorrow.

tammerz · by tammerz on Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:11 am

Dorna boss hopeful Kawasaki ‘private’ team will race in 2009
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

09 January 2009 19:15

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta is confident that Kawasaki will have some involvement in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, despite today’s announcement its factory team would not race next season.

Although Kawasaki will have no direct factory involvement in 2009 after the Japanese factory quit because of the global economic crisis, Ezpeleta believes a private team could takeover the project and field the ZX-RR bikes.

As it stands, Kawasaki’s departure drops the entry list down to 17 bikes and also leaves John Hopkins and Marco Melandri without a ride.

But one of the topics up for discussion when Ezpeleta staged crisis talks with Kawasaki senior management in Japan yesterday (Thursday) was the option of running a privately run Kawasaki team.

“First of all, I would like to clarify the fact that what Kawasaki has suspended is its MotoGP racing activities through its factory team,´ stressed Ezpeleta.

“We had a meeting in Osaka on Thursday where Kawasaki explained their problems and the difficulties they had with continuing as a factory team. Under these circumstances we agreed to cooperate collectively, in order to find a possible solution to their problems which may allow them to continue as a privateer team.”

It has been strongly rumoured that Ezpeleta has been trying to engineer a deal between Kawasaki and high profile 125 and 250 team boss Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez. Kawasaki team boss Michael Bartholemy has also been linked with a rescue bid, but contrary to reports he has not visited Japan for talks this week.

tassiedevil · by tassiedevil on Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:50 pm

wow, kwaka is out huh..

not suprised really, i wouldn't pay 40 million bucks to come last either..

tammerz · by tammerz on Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:20 am

coming in last isnt always a bad thing tass....

tassiedevil · by tassiedevil on Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:37 pm

No coming last isn't all that bad, but paying 40 million bucks sure stings though

tammerz · by tammerz on Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:31 pm

thats definately true

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:38 am

Kawasaki drops motogp

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:39 am

Kawasaki boss heads to Japan for crunch talks
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

20 January 2009 10:22

Kawasaki’s MotoGP team boss Michael Bartholemy is flying to Japan today (Tuesday) for crunch talks expected to decide the fate of a proposed rescue plan to keep John Hopkins and Marco Melandri on the grid in 2009.

MCN has learned that Bartholemy will meet senior Kawasaki management tomorrow (Wednesday), and sources have confirmed he will be given a final answer on whether two ZX-RR machines will be made available for the forthcoming campaign.

Bartholemy has been working on a rescue deal since Kawasaki team staff received notification of the Japanese factory’s decision to quit MotoGP on December 29.

Kawasaki’s failure to honour a commitment to supply bikes to MotoGP until the end of the 2011 series at least, could leave them facing a reported £20m fine from Dorna.

Carmelo Ezpeleta told tomorrow’s MCN that he is confident he will have 19 bikes on the grid for the first race in Qatar on April 12 as he too was heavily involved in brokering a rescue deal for Kawasaki.

A hint that Kawasaki might be willing to supply bikes to a ‘private’ team run by Bartholemy came today with the start of a planned two-day test in Phillip Island cancelled.

Having completed a two-day test on the 2009 prototype ZX-RR in Eastern Creek last weekend, test rider Olivier Jacque was due on track today in Phillip Island, venue for the Australia MotoGP race.

But now the team will only test tomorrow (Wednesday) to avoid breaching strict testing restrictions.

No team is allowed to test between December 1 and January 20, so to avoid any possible penalty for breaching the testing ban, Kawasaki opted not to run on track today.

The move suggests Kawasaki is seriously considering supplying a satellite team operation, with Bartholemy again at the helm.

MCN also understands that a mystery engineering firm has been sourced to manufacture a shortfall in 2009 spare parts and also help with development, with Kawasaki not seeking any active role in the running of the team or evolution of the bike.

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:51 am

No Aspar involvement in Kawasaki rescue deal
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

21 January 2009 10:14

Jorge Martinez won’t be involved in any potential Kawasaki MotoGP rescue deal for 2009.

The Spaniard had effectively ruled himself out earlier this month when he doubted a deal could be clinched on his own terms.

And Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta, who had initially urged Martinez to mount a takeover bid for the Japanese factory squad, has confirmed to MCN that he won’t be involved in a last-minute rescue deal.

Martinez, who currently runs successful 125 and 250 teams, had wanted to secure a minimum three-year deal with a factory.

He wanted to nominate at least one rider for the team, even though John Hopkins and Marco Melandri have contracts with Kawasaki for ’09.

He also wanted guaranteed factory support from Kawasaki and a long-term deal to join the premier class ranks after Kawasaki announced it would withdraw its factory team from MotoGP with immediate effect in early January.

Ezpeleta told MCN: “I think Aspar is not interested in this matter with Kawasaki. If it is possible, the team must be run by the same people that were running the project before they took the decision to withdraw.”

Kawasaki team boss Michael Bartholemy flew to Japan yesterday (Tuesday) for crunch meetings with senior management. He is expected to find out whether Kawasaki will provide bikes for a privately run team later this week.

Failure for Kawasaki to be involved in some shape or form in the 2009 series is likely to see them hit with a massive £20m fine for breach of contract.

Kawasaki signed a contract with Dorna in 2007 that committed them to supplying bikes until the end of the 2011 campaign at least.

tammerz · by tammerz on Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:52 am

Ilmor confirm interest in Kawasaki partnership
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

21 January 2009 14:20

Ilmor Engineering bosses have confirmed expressing serious interest in being part of a last-minute bid to keep Kawasaki involved in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, MCN can exclusively reveal.

The Northamptonshire-based engineering experts have been in ‘recent’ contact with team management including Michael Bartholemy about becoming technical partner in a plan to run the ZX-RR bikes in a private team.

Ilmor management have been closely monitoring the Kawasaki situation, with Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta trying to influence a rescue deal to keep John Hopkins and Marco Melandri on the grid in 2009.

Bartholemy is currently in Japan holding crunch talks with Kawasaki management to try and clinch a deal to run the ZX-RR bikes after Kawasaki announced it would withdraw its factory team in early January.

Part of a rescue package includes the need for Kawasaki to agree a technical collaboration with an independent engineering company.

Kawasaki doesn’t have enough parts built for its 2009 ZX-RR to complete the full season, while its withdrawal because of the global economic crisis means it won’t even consider engine servicing or the development of new performance parts during the season.

Ilmor Managing Director Steve Miller told MCN: “First of all as we understand it, Dorna are obviously very keen to make sure that the team keeps going, even if it is not officially funded by Kawasaki. I think they are trying to do everything they can to help.”

In terms of the discussions Ilmor had conducted, Miller said he only talked with Kawasaki team staff and Dorna about collaboration, and not any senior management in Japan.

“I don’t think I am speaking out of turn by saying we have certainly expressed in it. But other than us coming forward and expressing an interest in the possibility we haven’t got too much further forward because it is waiting on a decision from Kawasaki.

"We have spoken to the team. We are just waiting on Kawasaki’s decision, because all we have done is express interest and say we are keen to do the work. We believe a decision is imminent,“ said Miller.

Miller said Ilmor’s involvement would hopefully extend to the development of new parts to improve performance as the season went on.

He added: “We are obviously quite keen to do the servicing work and then if funds were available to do some on-going development then we would be more than happy to do that too. We would love to find a way back into the MotoGP scene and see where it might lead from there.”

Ilmor is currently awaiting news on Bartholemy’s talks in Japan this week, with an outcome on the saga expected by the end of this week, or early next week.

Ilmor’s possible return would see the highly respected engineering company back in the MotoGP fold for the first time since an ill-fated attempt to break into the bike racing world in 2007.

Ilmor boss Mario Illien withdrew the team after just one race in 2007 as he struggled to source sponsorship for the ambitious project, leaving Jeremy McWilliams and Andrew Pitt frozen out.

The bike had struggled to make any significant impact in its early track appearances with reliability and performance issues.

Ilmor though has the distinction of being the first 800cc machine to compete in a race when Garry McCoy rode against 990cc machines at the end of the 2006 campaign.

Ilmor, formed in 1984, has enjoyed success in Formula One and Indy racing in America.

It now possesses its own independent design, development, testing and manufacturing facilities, employing 55 staff in total. Its main business is the development and production of racing engines, from conception through to trackside.

tassiedevil · by tassiedevil on Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:52 am

Yes we were talking about this today at Phillip Island..

Melandri got paid out, and Hopkins is still under contract with Kawasaki so he can't change teams until Kawasaki decide what they are going to do..