The next step in the evolution of the Kawasaki Racing Team‰Ûªs 2011 machine took place at high speed in Valencia this week, with impressive times being set by Tom Sykes and Katsuaki Fujiwara.
The Spanish track offered good conditions for the test, but high afternoon temperatures made it hard - if ultimately rewarding - work. Despite the heat and busy schedule the new Ninja ZX-10R machinery ran faultlessly throughout. Fujiwara‰Ûªs test bike had only recently arrived from KHI in Japan, to give the team two machines to work with from now on.
On the second day lap times fell to the mid 1‰Ûª34s on fresh race tyres. Real world pace is already in the mid 1‰Ûª35s after race simulations were carried out.
Effective new geometry and Showa suspension settings were found in what was only the second European test for the new bike, which is still very much at the start of its final development programme.
The next test will be the first public one for the new Ninja ZX-10R, to be held at Magny-Cours, after the final race of the current season.
‰ÛÏA very positive test for us overall. It is very early days but I think we have already achieved quite a lot," Tom Sykes said. "Knowing where we are at now, and where we can eventually arrive at, there is still big potential there. So to be where we are now, in such good shape, is an extremely nice starting point.‰Û
