Winter testing 08-09

The latest information on the MotoGP teams winter testing

Ohh that time already

maybe if we pretend it isnt about to happen it will go away

i dont want the season to be over but i wanna know when they will be testing at brno as i want to go and watch does anyone have any information on when it is or if you have to pay to get into the track

I don't know if they allow any spectators for the winter testing sessions.

They don't at Phillip Island.

Admin wrote:I don't know if they allow any spectators for the winter testing sessions.

They don't at Phillip Island.

really i got told that you can watch them maybe someone was just messing with me cause i said i might be able to bump into JT

I'm pretty sure if there is a test in Brno that would be right after the race in the summer .

No point to have a test in winter unless they want to find a tyre to use it in the snow..

They are more than welcome to test here..
We haven't any racing circuits mind you..
But what the fcuk.. they are still welcome.. (Vale that is)..

ok thank for the infromation it means i will have to wait till may the 31st 2009 to see if i can meet vale and JT hehe ok i think i can mange to wait that long

MotoGP » Rossi, Pedrosa anticipate 'interesting' test.

Thursday, 23rd October 2008

Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa already looking ahead to post-race Valencia test.

Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa head into this weekend's Valencia season finale with one eye already on the 2009 season, preparations for which will begin with a post-race test at the Spanish circuit.

The test will see Rossi ride an early version of the 2009 YZR-M1 and also get a better idea of the kind of tyres Bridgestone will supply to the entire MotoGP field in 2009.

"The test on Monday and Tuesday will be interesting," said Rossi. "Firstly, in the past we were lucky because usually on Monday we could sleep - after Sunday night [partying] - but this year no journalists will try the bikes and we will test from Monday morning, so for sure it will be more difficult!

"It is interesting because we have the prototype of the 2009 bike to test for the first time, after the cancelled test at Motegi, and also it is possible to try some tyres for next year's new rule," added Yamaha's 2008 world champion, who also announced that he will drive for Ford in Rally GB in early December.

Meanwhile, Pedrosa - who, like Rossi and Casey Stoner, also led the MotoGP World Championship standings this season - is looking forward to the test for similar reasons.

"Monday and Tuesday will be a very interesting test, especially for the tyre situation and some new parts for next year's bike," said the Repsol Honda rider.

"There is not so much time to rest [after the race] because, as Valentino said, before you had Monday to rest but this year the test will start straight away on Monday.

"We have some idea [about how the tyres will be next year], it is still not completely clear but I think after the race they will inform us about the new tyres," added Pedrosa, referring to the fact that the 2009 tyre regulations are still being finalised.

Stoner and Pedrosa have already been confirmed as finishing second and third in the 2008 MotoGP World Championship, but Dani is chasing a perfect hatrick of home Spanish victories this season - and his first win on Bridgestone tyres.

MotoGP winter testing schedule cut
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

28 October 2008 13:31


The switch to a single tyre rule and the global credit crunch has seen the 2009 MotoGP winter testing schedule dramatically cut down.

The traditional test opening in Sepang in late January has been cancelled, as has an early February visit to the Phillip Island circuit in Australia.

The new winter testing calendar was agreed during last weekend’s Valencia GP, with the reduction finalised because the single tyre rule means teams and riders no longer need to dedicate so much time to tyre development.

The worldwide economic crisis is also starting to bite in MotoGP, with teams looking to reduce costs.

A scheduled three-day test session in Jerez at the end of November has been cut down to two days and will now take place on November 26 and 27.

The normal winter testing ban remains in place from December 1 to January, 20, but there will only be three 2009 tests before the first race under floodlights in Qatar on April 12.

A three-day test will be held in Sepang, Malaysia on February 5-7, before another long break to a night test in Qatar on March 1-3. The pre-season finishes in Jerez, though the normal season curtain-raiser in Jerez has been reduced from three to two days on March 28-29.

MotoGP » MotoGP electronics insight.
Thursday, 6th November 2008

Insight into MotoGP electronics at Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki.

Electronics Industry news site, EETimes.com, has run an article on the use of electronics in MotoGP, featuring information gathered from interviews with technical personnel from three different MotoGP teams during July's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

Those interviewed were EFI technician Andrea Dosoli (Kawasaki), data engineer Andrew Griffith (Yamaha) and crew chief Tom O'Kane (Suzuki). Unfortunately, there was no information for Honda and Ducati.

Here is a brief summary of the findings:
Kawasaki:

Kawasaki was using a 'half-and-half' fly-by-wire system - traditional throttle cables control half of the throttle bodies with electronic systems operating the other half. This was done to help rider feel.

Kawasaki was not yet using GPS to provide real-time location-based engine management (it is rumoured that Ducati, for example, already does) however the introduction of such a system was "fairly imminent". Location-based engine management allows the electronics to be tuned to suit each individual corner on a track.

There are about 50 sensors on the ZX-RR but the most important ones are those that measure acceleration, lean angle, front wheel speed, GPS speed and front-wheel suspension stroke.
The electronics identify a loss of rear wheel grip (potential highside) by comparing "front- and rear-wheel speeds with GPS-speed and engine rev-up".


Yamaha:

Yamaha was using a full fly-by-wire system. Throttle cables were still present, but existed only "to provide the rider [with] a conventional [throttle] feel" rather than to directly control the engine.

Yamaha used GPS for on-board data-tagging, but was also not yet using GPS to provide real-time location-based engine management, due to "the tenuous nature of GPS". However, Griffith admitted (with a smile) that the development of a position-based, real-time control system was "one possible direction" for the team.
Suzuki:

Suzuki, like Kawasaki, also uses a 'half-and-half' fly-by-wire system "to retain a conventional throttle feel and give the rider a strong sense of connection to the machine".
When discussing real-time location-based engine management, and the problem of accurately locating the motorcycle on the race track, O'Kane stated that "transponders around the track could be combined with time-distance interpolation to figure out bike location".

The ECU "counters fluctuations of the engine power curve to deliver linear and predictable response for maximum pilot confidence" but must also allow riders to get the limited amount of rear wheel sliding they need.

The black looks nice on Vales Yamaha for the testing but I much prefer the blue and white.

MotoGP majority head to Jerez for final test of 2008
Monday, 24 November 2008

Riders set for last 800cc test before winter embargo on Wednesday and Thursday.


Fourteen riders are set for participation in the Official MotoGP Test at the Circuito de Jerez this week, a two-day run-out at the Spanish track which marks their final action of the year. The riders will be on track in Southern Spain from Wednesday.

The only members of the provisional 2009 grid not riding in the final official outing before the testing embargo comes into place will be 2007 MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner –recovering after a wrist operation- the respective riders from the Suzuki and Kawasaki factory teams, and LCR Honda´s Randy de Puniet. An additional entrant comes in the form of Vittoriano Guareschi, Ducati´s test rider.

Reigning titlist Valentino Rossi returns to his day job after rally and Formula 1 test appearances, back onboard the Fiat Yamaha M1. Teammate Jorge Lorenzo joins him, whilst the Tech 3 Yamaha duo of Colin Edwards and James Toseland undertake their first test since the season´s end.

Racewinner at this year´s Grand Prix at Jerez, Dani Pedrosa continues work with his Repsol Honda RC212V, as will the team´s new rider Andrea Dovizioso. The only other factory rider on track is the man whom Dovizioso replaces in his new garage, Nicky Hayden, who rides in his second test with the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.

The remaining names on the entry list are those of Toni Elias & Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini), Yuki Takahashi (Scot Racing), Mika Kallio & Niccolo Canepa (Alice Team) and Sete Gibernau (Onde 2000).

Suzuki embark on Australian excursion
Monday, 24 November 2008

Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen to undertake three-day test in Phillip Island from Wednesday.


Electing against accompanying the majority of their MotoGP rivals in Jerez, Rizla Suzuki will continue the development of their 2009 GSV-R at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia this week. Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen will be joined by test rider Nobuatsu Aoki from Wednesday for a three-day test, their final chance to ride in 2008.

Aside from being a shorter journey for local boy Vermeulen, the venue for this week´s run-out has been chosen for its unique demands on 800cc machines and to resolve some problems encountered this past October on raceday `Down Under´. Coming particularly under the spotlight will be engine performance and rear grip improvement.

`This will be a very important test for us as we will be able to see where we are at the moment for next year. Suzuki has been working really hard since the last test at Valencia and we will have lots of new parts to try out at Phillip Island,´ says Capirossi, who last week took part in wind tunnel testing in Japan as part of Suzuki´s search for better aerodynamics.

`We need to make the most of these three days as we don´t have as many tests over the winter. It will also be good to have Nobu there to give us some extra info and try out all the newest parts to see their durability and performance.´

Vermeulen adds: `This is only the second test since the single tyre rule was introduced so it will be interesting to see how the new compound we now have to use performs at a circuit that is always tough on tyres. We have had some problems at Phillip Island, but if we find something that works well there then it will almost certainly work even better at other tracks.

`It feels like a long while since we last tested the bike and it will be interesting to see all the new parts that the factory has got for us to try – hopefully they will be a big step in the right direction!´

Whilst the regular riders will be undertaking a general workload, Aoki will be helping out with the assessment of the prototype chassis and engine parts.

Late start for eight riders on day two in Jerez
Thursday, 27 November 2008

Tricky conditions keep riders in their garages until after lunch at Official Test.



Temperatures and track conditions at Jerez on Thursday morning were deemed not to be conducive to testing by the MotoGP riders in attendance, setting the scene for a frantic last few hours of 2008 action at the Spanish track. With programs to be completed ahead of the winter break, the weather threw a spanner in the works on the final day of action overnight, leaving a damp surface to greet the testers.

The first rider on track, Ducati test rider Vittoriano Guareschi, only emerged from the garage after midday, and had a solitary run for his opening laps. As of 2pm, only seven regular riders had joined the Italian in undertaking turns of the circuit, with Colin Edwards the quickest of the group.

Edwards recorded a time of 1´41.641 after his first handful of laps, ahead of Ducati rider Nicky Hayden and San Carlo Honda Gresini´s Toni Elias. Hayden had already improved on his Wednesday time after seven laps of the track.

Notable early absentees were yesterday´s fastest man, Repsol Honda´s Dani Pedrosa, and 2008 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi. They had both also started work late on the opening day before topping the timesheet.

Official Test action concludes at 6pm local time.

MotoGP » 'No illusions' at Kawasaki, January test planned.
Friday, 28th November 2008

Kawasaki under 'no illusions' about work ahead, hopes to return to Phillip Island in January.


Kawasaki concluded its final test of 2008, alongside Suzuki at Phillip Island, under no illusions as to the amount of work ahead - but hopes to return to the Australian circuit before the first official test of 2009 in order to directly compare progress.

After Friday's third and final day of testing, new signing Marco Melandri was the fastest of the three Kawasaki riders present with a best lap time of 1min 31.8sec. That was just 0.115sec under the fastest ZX-RR race lap during October's Australian Grand Prix and 0.9sec behind the quickest lap of the test, set by Suzuki's Loris Capirossi.

"These three days have been pretty successful, as we leave Phillip Island having given our engineers in Japan a clear direction in which to drive the development of Kawasaki's 2009 Ninja ZX-RR," said Kawasaki competition manager Michael Bartholemy.
"All three riders have worked hard this week, and we've seem some positive results, but we're under no illusions about how much work there is to do between now and next year if we are to be competitive from the start next season," he warned.

Kawasaki remains the only MotoGP manufacturer without a race win since the four-stroke era began in 2002 and was the only manufacturer not to claim a podium finish in 2008.

As part of its attempts to be competitive in 2009, Kawasaki hopes to return to Phillip Island after the winter test ban ends on January 20 - and before the first official test, at Sepang from February 5-7.

"We hope to return to Phillip Island to confirm any changes made to the bike as a result of this week's test, as this will provide a good reference point for future improvements, but we won't be able to confirm any test dates until the grand prix commission has ratified the new sporting regulations in December," said Bartholemy.

MotoGP » Pedrosa, Dovi pleased with '09 prototype.
Thursday, 27th November 2008

Dani Pedrosa concludes the Jerez MotoGP test in a close second position.

Dani Pedrosa was denied a perfect sweep of the two-day Jerez test by just 0.018sec, but the Repsol Honda rider left the Spanish track happy with the engine and chassis work completed on a prototype version of the 2009 RC212V.

Pedrosa won two out of the three 2008 grands prix held on home asphalt, including Jerez, and had continued that form by claiming a 0.610sec advantage over nearest rival Valentino Rossi on day one.

However Pedrosa - now riding with a #3 on his bike, in reference to his third place in the 2008 standings - could only lower his best lap time by 0.078sec on day two and lost the top spot to reigning six-time MotoGP world champion Rossi as a result.
Both Pedrosa and Rossi were using prototype versions of their 2009 machinery, while Rossi's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo - third on both days - used an evolution of the 2008 M1 on Thursday. Lorenzo was almost one-second behind Rossi and Pedrosa by the close of testing.

"After working with the engine yesterday, today we concentrated on the chassis," stated Pedrosa. "We worked to improve the behaviour of the machine during braking and in the turns. The only problem was the weather, which meant that we didn't get so much time on the bike today. We had to wait for the track to dry, so we didn't start until 2pm, and we finished at five. But we worked well and got the most out of those three hours.

"I found a good feeling with the bike this afternoon, so now we can sit down and analyse all the data we've gathered here in order to be ready for our next testing appointment at Sepang next year," he continued. "I don't have any special plans for the holiday season. During December I have some promotional events to do for some sponsors and then I will relax and enjoy some time with my family and friends."

New team-mate Andrea Dovizioso is still adapting to his new role as a factory rider, and to Bridgestone tyres. The Italian was seventh on day one and tenth on day two, out of the 14 riders, but at least lowered his lap time by 0.689sec. Dovi was also using the prototype 2009 factory RCV.
"We didn't have too much time to try too much today. Our target was to find the best riding position for my style. We made quite a few changes to the position and we understood many things. We didn't really have time to make any other big changes," he said.

"We are working to try and find a good setting for the Bridgestone tyres, but this isn't so easy because the tyre construction is very different to what we're used to. We saw last season with other riders who switched to Bridgestone that it takes a while to find the best setting.

"Anyway, I am happy because the 2009 prototype machine feels better than the 2008 bike in both engine and chassis. The engine is smoother and it is easier to feel the limit with this bike, which makes it easier to ride fast. I wasn't so fast here but it is still early days and now we have many ideas to try at Sepang.

"Dani was very fast and that proves the bike has a great potential," he concluded.

The first test of 2009 takes place at Sepang in Malaysia from February 5-7.

MotoGP » Phillip Island MotoGP test times - Friday.
Friday, 28th November 2008

MotoGP test times from Phillip Island, Australia.

Lap times from the third and final day of MotoGP testing at Phillip Island in Australia.

The test was attended by Suzuki and Kawasaki - Yamaha, Ducati and Honda teams chose to test at Jerez instead. The Jerez test finished yesterday (Thursday).

Phillip Island marked the last MotoGP track action of 2008, with the winter test ban starting on December 1. The first test of 2009 takes place at Sepang from February 5-7.
1. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 30.9 sec
2. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 31.1 sec
3. Marco Melandri ITA Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 31.8 sec
4. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 32.1 sec
5. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider 1min 32.3 sec


2008 Australian Grand Prix - 05/10/2008:
Pole position: Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro (B) 1min 28.665sec
Fastest lap: Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 30.059sec

Fastest laps by Suzuki and Kawasaki riders:
9. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki (B) 1min 30.971sec
12. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki (B) 1min 31.313sec
14. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing (B) 1min 31.915sec
15. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing (B) 1min 32.010sec

Winter testing ban comes into effect
Monday, 01 December 2008

No on-track action permitted until January 21st, 2009.



The MotoGP World Championship begins its customary winter testing ban period today (Monday, December 1st) in a complete embargo on on-track action until January 21st, 2009. During this time riders are not permitted to ride their respective machines in preparation for the upcoming season.

During the seven-week break constructors will continue developmental work, whilst riders will use the free time for training, recuperation and any pending surgical procedures. The first test for the premier class after the ban is lifted is set for February 5th-7th, at the MotoGP Official Test in Sepang.