Re: Kawasaki Leaving MotoGP?????

by Mrs James Toseland Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:09 pm

Kawasaki quits MotoGP?

By Matthew Birt
MotoGP
30 December 2008 12:08

Rumours are circulating that Kawasaki has shut down its factory MotoGP squad with immediate effect.

The move would leave Marco Melandri and American John Hopkins without a ride for 2009 and the MotoGP world championship down to a paltry entry of just 17 bikes.
The current global economic crisis is being cited as the reason for the decision for Kawasaki to quit the premier class after a disastrous 2008 campaign.
The Japanese factory failed to build on a promising maiden 800cc campaign with the ZX-RR a perennial backmarker in 2008. Hopkins plummeted from fourth in the rankings in ’07 to only 16th in an injury-hit campaign, while Aussie Anthony West had a torrid time and he was only 18th in the final world championship standings.
Although Japanese management had grown increasingly frustrated at the huge financial outlay for little return in terms of results, there had been no suggestion of a withdrawal for 2009.
The team had already completed two pre-season tests in Valencia and Phillip Island and work was moving forward at a rapid pace on the 2009 ZX-RR in readiness for a February debut in Sepang.
No official comment has yet been made by Kawasaki on the speculation concerning its MotoGP future.

In a recent interview with MCN, team manager Michael Bartholemy confirmed budget cuts had been enforced to counter the dramatic economic slowdown.
Speaking on how the credit crunch had impacted on Kawasaki and what it would mean for 2009, Bartholemy said: “We have approached it in a different way. People might think that for us to be more competitive we need to be spending more money. But we have to spend the same money that we spent in 2008 because everybody will reduce its budget. I have not asked them for more money, but we have heard that some manufacturers are cutting their budgets by as much as 20 to 25 per cent. So if we keep the budget then that means automatically that we will be getting closer. The outcome is though we had a cut, but we have compensated for that and it will not affect the development budget, which is crucial for us to try and move forward.”
So far Bartholemy has been unavailable for comment.

by tammerz Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:01 am

Kawasaki silent on MotoGP withdrawal
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

31 December 2008 10:18

Kawasaki is remaining silent on shock plans to quit MotoGP with immediate effect.

News of the withdrawal broke yesterday (Tuesday) and threatens to plunge the MotoGP world championship into a major crisis heading into 2009, with Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta facing the prospect of a 17-rider field next season.

American John Hopkins confirmed he has been notified of Kawasaki’s decision to quit, citing the global economic crisis and a disastrous 2008 campaign for its reason to withdraw.

MCN understands all team personnel were notified on December 29, though it is unclear when senior Japanese management took the decision to pull the plug on the costly MotoGP project.

It was certainly after December 16 when the FIM published the 2009 entry list, which featured Hopkins and Italian Marco Melandri.

There has still been no official confirmation from Kawasaki about its withdrawal, which would make the Japanese company another major casualty of the financial meltdown.

Honda recently quit Formula One and Subaru and Suzuki pulled out of the world rally series because of the credit crunch.

Team boss Michael Bartholemy has refused to comment on Kawasaki’s current plight, but MCN understands he is frantically working on a rescue plan to continue racing.

And team spokesman Ian Wheeler has also declined to comment with no official statement as yet released from Japan.

A formal announcement is expected early next week.

by tammerz Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:06 am

MotoGP » Kawasaki poised to quit MotoGP?
Tuesday, 30th December 2008

Kawasaki are thought to be preparing to announce their exit from MotoGP.
Kawasaki look poised to announce a withdrawal from MotoGP with immediate effect over the next week.

According to several sources, Kawasaki are plotting an exit from the premier motorcycle class after just six seasons in the top flight, although it isn't immediately certain whether the global economic downturn or their poor results are the primary factor in the decision.

Indeed, while Kawasaki has shown flashes of speed over the years with Randy de Puniet, Shinya Nakano and Olivier Jacque all getting close to a victory with a second place finish apiece, the team is regularly considered to be the 'fifth' best manufacturer team.

Their issues were compounded in 2008 when the combination of John Hopkins and Anthony West managed a best of fifth place each, helping Kawasaki to ninth place in the ten-strong team championship, ahead of only the one-man LCR Honda outfit.

Nonetheless, as a sign of how quickly this decision has come, preparations for 2009 were seemingly well underway, with Hopkins and new team-mate, Ducati exile Marco Melandri, out testing earlier this month in Australia.

However, despite the inclusion of a GP winner to their line-up, it seems Kawasaki will become another major name to scale back their involvement in motorsport, following on from Japanese counterparts Honda, Suzuki and Subaru.

Indeed, despite their limited success over the years, the loss of one of the most distinctive entrants is a major blow to the series, not least because it lowers the number of official MotoGP entries to just 17 next year.

Furthermore, it isn't clear what this will mean for the team's World Superbike effort, which has also struggled in recent seasons. They recently announced that their bikes will be run under the Paul Bird Motorsport banner in 2009.

by tassiedevil Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:47 am

Holy Shit !

Wonder what hopper will do..

I'm a race official again in about 3 weeks at phillip island

by tammerz Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:05 am

tass i read that Moviestar & Monster are working to sponsor a 3rd bike for Suzuki maybe.....but it looks like marco is out in the cold

by tammerz Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:11 am

John Hopkins still waiting on Kawasaki
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

01 January 2009 13:00

American John Hopkins is still waiting for official confirmation that Kawasaki will plunge the MotoGP world championship into crisis by withdrawing its factory team from the 2009 season.

Kawasaki has signalled its intention to quit with immediate effect with team personnel all told on December 29 that the team would fold.

Hopkins though is still waiting on clarification of Kawasaki’s plans; with the Japanese factory as yet to release any official statement concerning its future plans.

In a message posted on his personal website to fans on New Year’s Eve, Hopkins said: “As you all know, everything is up in the air and people want answers.

"Everything from here is now in my manager’s hands. I have read nearly all articles posted and I find it absolutely crazy how people are stating that I have announced this or said that when in fact I have avoided phone-calls from the media until time permits.

"There will be an official press release very soon, where we can confirm or deny all rumours. I will let you all now as soon as I get the go ahead. I just wanted to say thank you for all your support through this year and now.”

An official statement is expected from Kawasaki next Monday.

Hopkins’ manager Bob Moore has so far refused to comment on the situation.

by LilSmiler46 Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:45 am

I really hope Hopper gets a ride...from somewhere...anywhere!!
Hope what you say is true Tam!
I can't believe all of this is going on now with the start of the GP practically around the corner....well, maybe not around the corner but at least we are actually in the new year now!

by tammerz Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:16 pm

Jorge Martinez from the Aspar team in 250 and 125's is also trying to work out a deal to keep them going, so there are things in the works
we can only hope!

by tammerz Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:09 am

Tech 3 Yamaha boss dismisses John Hopkins move
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

05 January 2009 13:41

Tech 3 Yamaha team manager Herve Poncharal has categorically denied considering bringing in John Hopkins to partner James Toseland for the 2009 MotoGP campaign.

Rumours circulated that Hopkins was being considered an option to replace fellow American Colin Edwards in the French-based squad following the collapse of Kawasaki’s factory team during the Christmas break.

Hopkins is still waiting on an official announcement from Kawasaki about its plans, but he has been informed of Kawasaki’s intentions to quit with immediate effect.
Poncharal though has quickly quashed his hopes of a move to Tech 3 Yamaha.

He told MCN: “I saw this rumour on the internet, but there is no possibility of John being a Tech 3 Yamaha rider in 2009. We have signed contracts with James and Colin and they will be our riders for 2009, there is absolutely no doubt about that.

"Changing our line-up for the forthcoming season is simply not under consideration and not an option. We are very happy with James and Colin and we are looking forward to another successful 2009 season with both of them.”

by tammerz Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:14 am

Lucio Cecchinello rules out Marco Melandri swoop
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

05 January 2009 15:38

LCR Honda team boss Lucio Cecchinello has told MCN he won’t be offering Marco Melandri a MotoGP lifeline in 2009.

Former world 250 champion Melandri is frantically searching for a ride following the shock demise of Kawasaki’s factory team.No official announcement has been released by Kawasaki in Japan, but Melandri is already exploring alternative options and his manager Alberto Vergani has contacted Fausto Gresini and Lucio Cecchinello about a ride in their satellite Honda squads.

Melandri was checking out the option of running one of two bikes allocated to either Alex de Angelis in the Gresini squad or to French rider Randy de Puniet in Cecchinello’s Monaco-based team.

Cecchinello has confirmed Vergani approached him after news of Kawasaki’s withdrawal broke on December 29.

But he has ruled out letting Melandri ride one RC212V in his squad while de Puniet has to make do with only one of the two bikes he expected to ride.

Cecchinello has ruled out a swoop for former MotoGP runner-up Melandri though for several reasons.

He told MCN: “I was approached by Melandri’s manager about him riding for me in 2009. But this won’t happen for several reasons. The first is the budget. To find a budget to fund a second rider is very difficult, particularly with the current economic situation, and it is hard to find a sponsor willing to pay for Melandri when you consider the season he had last year.

"Secondly, and I haven’t spoken to Honda about this, but I am 99.9 per cent certain that Honda would not agree to Melandri having the use of one bike. This would mean HRC would need extra engines and therefore more spare parts and the maintenance would also increase.

"This is a time when Honda is looking to reduce its costs and not spend more money. Thirdly it comes down to the team personnel as well and finding mechanics at this late stage. So I don’t think there is any chance that Melandri can join my team.”

Melandri has also been linked with the Scot Honda squad in a similar share deal where he would use one of the two bikes allocated to Japanese rookie Yuki Takahashi.

by valegirl46 Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:13 am

Poor Marco, I really hope he manages to find a ride this year Crying or Very sad

by tammerz Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:10 am

me too, he finally gets out from under the duke, literally, and then this happens

by tassiedevil Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:52 am

awww poor Marco Crying or Very sad

If he didn't have bad luck he'd have no luck at all..

Even all the spots at world superbikes are taken up..

by tammerz Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:10 am

MotoGP » Kawasaki rumours rumble on.
Wednesday, 7th January 2009

Kawasaki stay silent a week after news first broke of their plans to withdraw from MotoGP.

The saga of whether Kawasaki will remain in MotoGP continues on this week with the rumour mill shifting to the future of riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri.

The Japanese manufacturer was strongly rumoured to have announced their withdrawal from the series earlier this week, but with the ‘deadline' passing and no word emerging from the ‘Team Green' camp, some hopes have been raised that a rescue deal may be sought.

Although it is still expected that Kawasaki are planning to end their manufacturer involvement in MotoGP, the delay in confirming it is rumoured to stem from a possible deal involving Jorge Martinez's Aspar concern.

As revealed earlier this week, Martinez claims to have been contacted by series organisers Dorna, who are determined to maintain Kawasaki's presence in the series, even if it is not in a works capacity.

The options could see Martinez take up the running of the two bikes Kawasaki has already spent time and money developing for 2009 (albeit not fully), although the identity of the riders will undoubtedly come down to who gets the most sponsorship space.

Between Hopkins and Melandri, Hopkins comes with heavy backing from American energy drink company Monster, making him a tempting candidate for the teams currently fighting the global economic crisis. Linked with Tech 3 Yamaha in place of Colin Edwards, Superbike Planet are reporting that Hopkins could still ride a Kawasaki in 2009, albeit in the AMA Superbike Championship - provided the team commits to an entry.

Melandri, meanwhile, is thought to be more of a concern for Dorna, who are keen to keep him in the series, despite his disastrous season with Ducati. With less money to bring to the table than Hopkins, Corriere dello Sport report that it is up to Dorna to arrange something for him to stay in the series.

Both Hopkins and Melandri's options seem very limited, with MotoGP having already posted a provisional entry list and no team seemingly wanting to commit to a second or third bike in a time of economic hardship.

The World Superbike Championship has been mooted, particularly for Melandri as it would be likely that FG Sport would aid his attempts at securing a top ride, but with all of the top seats filled (barring a financially-aided expansion), both riders could be facing a season on the sidelines.

by tammerz Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:14 am

MotoGP » Kawasaki speak: No decision made yet.
Wednesday, 7th January 2009

Kawasaki finally admit they are considering quitting MotoGP, but are still unable to confirm anything.

Kawasaki has seemingly broken its silence over the rumours they are withdrawing from MotoGP by claiming that no decision has been formally made yet.

A week since news first broke that they were on the verge of quitting the series, owing to the global economic crisis, an anonymous source has apparently revealed for the first time that it is ‘under consideration'.

According to Agent France Presse, Kawasaki are still in the process of evaluating whether it would be worth pulling out having already sunk a considerable amount of money in securing riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri, as well as developing the 2009-specification bike.

"The issue is under consideration," the source said. "We have made no decision. We are in contact with parties concerned so that we can decide our future course of action.”

Those ‘parties concerned' could be Jorge Martinez, who is touted to be taking on the team under the semi-works Aspar banner.

Indeed, with Dorna determined to keep up the numbers on the grid to a respectable level, the retention of Kawasaki as a fifth manufacturer is crucial in their plans, particularly as the economic downturn is expected to grip the sport further into 2009.

The withdrawal of Kawasaki Heavy Industries would see them join Japanese counterparts Honda, Suzuki and Subaru in scaling back their motorsport plans this year in a bid to ride out the storm.

by tammerz Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:25 pm

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.

Kawasaki Leaving MotoGP????? 220244_Kawasaki+Racing+garage-1280x960-may2.jpg.preview

Kawasaki Leaving MotoGP????? 220244_Kawasaki+Racing+garage-1280x960-may2.jpg.preview

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.

by tammerz Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:30 pm

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.

Kawasaki Leaving MotoGP????? 221712_Dorna+Sports+CEO+Carmelo+Ezpeleta-1280x960-may17.jpg.preview

Kawasaki Leaving MotoGP????? 221712_Dorna+Sports+CEO+Carmelo+Ezpeleta-1280x960-may17.jpg.preview

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.

by tammerz Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:34 pm

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.

by tammerz Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:38 pm

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.

by tammerz Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:03 pm

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.

by tammerz Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:11 pm

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.

by tassiedevil Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:50 am

wow, kwaka is out huh..

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

by tammerz Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:20 pm

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

by tassiedevil Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:37 am

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

by tammerz Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:31 am

thats definately true

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