WSBK news

[KUCIAR666]

A Striking Hit: Grand Prix Star Alex Barros joins Team Klaffi Honda

Klaus Klaffenb?ck?s latest sensational deal is the engagement of Alex Barros for his Team Klaffi Honda. After 15 years in the top class of motorcycle racing Alex Barros is easily one of the most successful and experienced riders in MotoGP.

During the last two years the Brazilian was a Honda rider in MotoGP. In 2004 Alex finished 4th. 2005 he joined Team Camel Honda. He was winner of one race and 8th in the standings at the end of the season.

Team Manager Klaus Klaffenb?ck: ?Alex was always on the top of my wish list for 2006. He has a lot of experience and aggressiveness to cheer up his competitors in World?s Superbike Championship. The deal is nearly done and I?m sure we will close it soon.

By the way: With the engagement of Alex we are just ahead. The MotoGP looses a lot of its attractiveness. Compared to this the Superbike World Championship becomes more and more interesting and our Team is a part of it! Other climbers from MotoGP are Troy Bayliss, Roberto Rolfo, Fonsi Nieto, Norik Abe, Franco Battaini, Rubens Xaus and probably Max Biaggi.?

Max Neukirchner will bet he team mate of Alex Barros. In 2004 Max finished the Supersport Championship as Rookie of the Year. In 2005 he made an impressive debut in World?s Superbike Championship with a podium at Phillip Island and position 12 in the standings.

End of February the Championship 2006 starts at Doha/Qatar. First test rides for Alex Barros and Max Neukirchner are scheduled in January.

 

[KUCIAR666]

Strong Winds Hamper Testing for FPR at Phillip Island

Strong winds at Phillip Island?s costal circuit proved a force to be
reckoned with for FPR?s Steve Martin and Craig Jones, on the second day
of the team?s four day test.

Both riders made good progress on their PETRONAS FP1 bikes at the
outset of the day, with Craig becoming increasingly confident in his
familiarity of the circuit and improving on his lap time from yesterday by
over a second, to 1:36.75.

Steve was straight back on the pace and able to consistently lap in the
low 1:34s on standard race tyres, to finish the day with a time of
1:34.04 ? over one and a half seconds faster than his quickest lap time
during the race at Phillip Island last March.

Steve and Craig both completed forty one laps each but, were forced to
sit out much of the afternoon?s track session, along with other riders
present at the test, as strong winds that swept across the costal
circuit greatly affected the handling and stability of their bikes.

Craig said, ?I?m happy with my progress in learning the track today and
it?s a shame the winds were so strong this afternoon that it limited
the amount of laps we could do. Hopefully it will die down for tomorrow
as it?s too dangerous to ride at high speed as the wind just pushes you
off line. I tested some different rear shock settings and have found a
direction I?m happy with, so we?ve got a good game plan for tomorrow.?

Steve commented, ?From straight out this morning I was back in the 34s
and lapping there comfortably until the terrible wind came in this
afternoon. So that we didn?t waste testing time I was able to do a few slow
runs in the afternoon in order to gather data for some system
developments, but tomorrow I?m looking forward to testing three new
specification rear tyres which should give me more speed.?


Unofficial Times
1. Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki) 1:32.81
2. Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki) 1:33.62
3. Steve Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1.34.04
4. Norick Abe (Yamaha France) 1:34.88
5. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha France) 1:35.20
6. Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha France) 1:35.8
7. Craig Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:36.75

 

[Oldbull]

Will be interesting to see how the FP1 goes this year..
really hope Graig Jones does well, he deserves his chance..

Has the Barros and Biaggi deals finaly had pen to paper ?? last I heard both deals where still in the air g0551p

 

[Nige J]

Walker

I understand the new PSG1 ZX10 is being unveiled either Friday or Saturday, then on to Philip Island for testing.

Can't wait to see how Chris Walker compares :bow:

 

[KUCIAR666]

FPR Makes Solid Test Progress

FPR?s experienced and youthful pairing of Steve Martin and Craig Jones
today made significant progress with the team?s pre-season testing
programme, on the third of a four day test at Phillip Island.

Steve Martin was again straight on the pace with his PETRONAS FP1 and
finished the day second in the timesheet, with a time of 1:33.40 ? an
improvement of over half a second from his best time yesterday.

A race simulation was planned for Steve during the afternoon, but a
rising track temperature to in excess of fifty five degrees, resulted in
his efforts being turned to further systems? management evaluation.

Team-mate Craig Jones completed almost eighty laps over the course of
the day as he worked on the set-up of his FP1, to include geometry,
suspension and chassis adjustments in preparation for the race at Phillip
Island in six weeks. The young Brit was also able to knock a further one
second off his lap time to achieve a respectable 1:35.6.

Steve commented, ?It?s been a good day and we were able to take another
half a second off my lap time by using the new 2006 race tyre compounds
which we evaluated this morning. We?ve also done a fair bit of work
with the suspension settings, on older tyres, which has been useful, and
tomorrow I?m hopefully going to do two long runs to test the different
tyres that Pirelli are bringing to the race here. I feel really good in
myself physically this evening, and that I?ve got my ?bike fitness?
back which is great.?

Craig said, ?I?ve spent a lot of the day working on the straight line
stability and set-up of my bikes to suit this circuit and made good
progress in both areas. I?ve learnt the track even more today and am now
very confident with my racing line and braking points. We?ve got a good
direction for tomorrow and I?m confident that we can come away from this
test with a set-up for the race that I?m very happy with.?



Unofficial Times (race tyres)
1. Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki) 1:32.79
2. Steve Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:33.40
3. Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki) 1:33.68
4. Norick Abe (Yamaha France) 1:34.5 (1:34.0 qualifying tyre)
5. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha France) 1:34.6 (1:34.2 qualifying tyre)
6. Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha France) 1:35.1
7. Craig Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:35.6

 

[KUCIAR666]

Will be interesting to see how the FP1 goes this year..
really hope Graig Jones does well, he deserves his chance..

Has the Barros and Biaggi deals finaly had pen to paper ?? last I heard both deals where still in the air g0551p

it's very strange g0551p last news about his new deal:

12/01/2005
In what seems to be the final part of the Max Biaggi saga, the Roman Emperor has confirmed his divorce with MotoGP, blaming Honda for his inability to find a Grand Prix seat for next seat, and has now signed a deal to ride a fourth Corona-backed Suzuki in next year's World Superbike Championship.

So, after weeks, even months of negotiations, Max Biaggi is to quit MotoGP and join fellow MotoGP refugees Troy Bayliss, Alex Barros, Ruben Xaus and Franc Battaini in World Superbikes, but on the even of signing with Corona Suzuki, the Emperor had one last swipe at former employers Honda.

"As all of you already know I've have been put in this terrible situation by Honda and therefore I won't participate at the 2006 MotoGP Championship," he told his official website, before adding that a book containing many home truths will be released shortly.

"As for Superbikes, I have always appreciated this category, I also have few friends in there and they have all my respect," he added. "So this opportunity is a very good one."

At the time, a deal with Suzuki hadn't been signed, but on Wednesday, the 34-year old is reported to have put pen to paper to ride a fourth Suzuki GSXR1000 prepared by reignning champions Team Alstare Suzuki Corona, alongside reigning champion Troy Corser, Yukio Kagayama and France's Fabien Foret.

The bike appeared in the provisional 2006 World Superbike entry list issued by the sports governing body, the FIM, on Wednesday, but it is thought that Biaggi will carry the number 30 as former MotoGP rider Norick Abe (Yamaha) has already claimed the No3.

Biaggi's first taste of the 1000cc Suzuki GSXR1000 will come during a four-day test at Phillip Island, Australia, next week (17-20), before heading to the Losail circuit in Qatar for a two-day test ahead of the opening round on the same circuit on February 25th.

but its look like Biaggi didnt start his first taste with Suzuki why??????
today I heard in TV that he tested Formula 1 car on Silverstone circut.......
maybe deal with Suzuki is....... sh1tehppns


still nothing about Barros...... g0nn3

 

[stan the man]

latest news.............

After a third day of testing at Phillip Island, during which Troy Corser (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) ran a full race simulation, the reigning World Champion took 30 seconds off his previous Suzuki best, despite track temperatures that got up to 55?C at some stages.

Said Corser, ?We just did a full race simulation today on my 2006 Suzuki. Over 22 laps, I was over 30 seconds faster than last year?s race time. That is nearly a second a lap faster than my lap times last year, so I am very happy. I?m really racing against our own clock, but you have to be happy with consistent 1:33s. I am lapping faster than what we did in qualifying last year, on race rubber, so it is a good sign.?

The latest breed of Pirellis appear to have hit the mark, providing some of the push that was missing from last year?s control rubber.

?I am a lot more comfortable on the new Pirellis, I?d say there is half second there with the tires, with better grip,? affirmed Corser. ?And the rubber is lasting, from the first to the 17th lap, there was only 2/10ths of a second difference.?

His new Suzuki, an uprated version of last year?s rather than a complete new model, is also improved.

?My Suzuki?s engine is definitely stronger, with more horsepower; there?s a different power curve and I am happier with it. It just accelerates harder, faster and it?s a bit easier to ride.?

Corser was marginally slower than his day two best, but worked through race set-up in readiness for the Aussie World Superbike round, scheduled for March 5.

?It has been really worthwhile to do the full race test, we?ve now done a race, before a race,? explained Corser. ?We?ve been testing tires for life for Pirelli, checking clutch wear and things like that. Last year, I struggled with a lot of wheel spin and not too much side grip, but no longer.?

Such was the progress that Corser and Alstare intend to only take part in the final morning on Friday, although the Petronas team, of Steve Martin and Craig Jones, will most probably continue to the end. SBK rookie Jones is looking for a missing second from his lap time, while Martin plans some race distance simulations.

Still recovering from his kidney troubles, Martin claimed to be 95 percent fit, and stated, ?At one point today I was second quickest and I?m also lapping consistently faster than my race pace here last year, on standard race tires, so that?s encouraging. It?s a sign of the amount of development work we?ve achieved in the last 12 months.?

The three-man Yamaha Motor France team quit after the end of the third day, with Sebastien Gimbert using new forks and engine management systems to go a second faster than he did in race trim last year.

Fastest man of the test today was not Corser, but AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin, regaining some of the pace he appeared to lose after a heavy opening day crash. He set a 1:32.2 on Dunlop rubber.

Unofficial Day Three Times

Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki): 1:32.2

Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki): 1:32:89

Steve Martin (Petronas): 1:33:6

Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki): 1:33:6

Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France): 1:34:5

Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France): 1:34.6

Craig Jones (Petronas): 1:35.6

Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha Motor France): No Time

 

[KUCIAR666]

and something about Biaggi:

Max Biaggi tests Formula One car




At a rainy Silverstone circuit, former MotoGP rider Max Biaggi tested today a Midland-MF1 Toyota Formula One car. The 34 year old Italian completed nine laps of the track, which hosts the British F1 Grand Prix.

"It was an amazing experience" declared Biaggi afterwards. "The weather made it quite difficult and I had one moment on opposite lock when I put down the power too early, but the overall grip and power of the car was very impressive."

"The car is a big toy. It?s like a big go-kart. I didn?t get anywhere near its limit today, but I went fast enough to appreciate what level of performance can be reached."

However the Roman Emperor refused to make any comparisons between MotoGP and F1. ?I love both, you can?t compare them because on a bike I am free, it?s like I am dancing on it to make it go fast. In an F1 car you are strapped in very tight, which is a weird sensation for me?.

and photos from Philip Island test:

 

[stan the man]

Alex Barros joins Klaffi Honda in World Superbikes

2004 ? ?ED? DoeringBy blue2bikes - January 20 2006

It has been announced that rider Alex Barros, a seven-time Grand Prix winner, has now signed to race in the World Superbike series with Klaffi Honda. Unfortunately, this means that Max Neukirchner no longer has a position within the team, due to lack of funding.

The team is supported by Honda money, and the Japanese company supports the placement of Alex within the team - but an increase of further funding to retain Max was not forthcoming.

How will Alex fair within the SBK series? After the failure to regain a position within the MotoGP series it?s anyone?s guess, but he will be one to watch. And hopefully Max will be able to gain another ride with a WSBK team, in readiness for the start of the season - beginning on 25th February at the Doha Circuit, Qatar.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[KUCIAR666]

yes you are right, I recived mail from Team Klaffi Honda :

Team Klaffi Honda ? Superbike World Championship 2006 without Max Neukirchner

Team Klaffi Honda will take part in World?s Superbike Championship 2006 without Max Neukirchner. Honda supports our team in 2006 with a financial budget, which definitively suffices only for one rider. By request of Honda this rider is Alex Barros.

Team Manager Klaus Klaffenb?ck: ?At the race before last in 2005 I immediately informed the management of Max Neukirchner that there may be a negative development for his rider. So this first discussion happened already in the beginning of October 2005. Regrettably my fears came true now. On the 18th of January I had my last meeting with Honda. An additional Honda budget for Max is not available.

To fund a second rider in World?s Superbike Championship we would need a substantial additional amount. During the last three months we tried everything. We started a co-operation with an agency for sport sponsoring. But in spite of all our efforts we are not able to make more money available.

I?m very sorry for Max, this talented young rider. Furthermore it is very unfortunate that there was no adequate alternative found for Max Neukirchner during the last month since October 2005.?

 

[Oldbull]

Well that stinks..
Baros's wages alone would allow 3 young riders a chance..let alone one..
must have bought some sponsorship with him..:bang:

hope Chris Walker kicks his ass big time

man8um



MAT MLADIN at PI....wow :yo:

 

[KUCIAR666]

The Striking Deal Is Done ? Alex Barros Signed For Team Klaffi Honda

05 February 2006 - Klaffi Honda



Alex Barros signed the contract today. The Brazilian rides a Klaffi Honda Fireblade in World?s Superbike Championship 2006.
After the signature was done Alex gave his opinion concerning his new team and the season 2006.
Alex, what was the determining factor for you to change from MotoGP to SBK?

Well, end of last year I had several offers to stay in the GP. But all of these different possibilities were not so attractive for me and my career. I want to fight for the title and in World?s Superbike Championship I have a real chance to do it. Honda and the Klaffi Honda Team offer perfect conditions to me.

Do you think SBK may become as popular as MotoGP during the next years?

The ambience is terrific and the competition is on a top level. So with some efforts concerning promotion and tv-coverage it may be possible.

What are your first impressions of the Team Klaffi Honda?

Everything looks very professional. They are one of supported teams from Honda Europe and I trust in them .

Do you think it will be a big difference to ride a Superbike after all these years in MotoGP?

In 2002 I had my last ride with a Superbike. This was in 2002 at Suzuka where I finished third in Endurance. So this is not so long ago.

The CBR 1000 RR is new for me. But if we all work together we will manage it.

The most challenging thing will be the change of the tyres, because I have no experience with Pirelli. Also some of the tracks are new for me. I?ll ride this year for the first time at Brands Hatch, EuroSpeedway Lausitzring and at the new course of Silverstone.

Your personal target for SBK 2006?

My target is to fight for title and have fun!

Which will be your most important competitors?

Personally I know only a few of the other riders. For sureTroy Corser will be very tough. And don?t forget Haga, Bayliss and Ruben Xaus.

You signed the contract finally now?

Yes and we did it in a record time. We started in November 2005 with our discussions. At this time most of the deals were already fixed and Honda Europe helped me to find the best solution with Team Klaffi Honda.

You have only three days for tests in advance. What do you think about the start of the season?

This is not so perfect. But I have to accept these conditions. I only concentrate to do all my best. Here we go!

Team Manager Klaus Klaffenb?ck:

This is a sensational deal for our team. Alex was always on the top of my wish list for 2006. He has a lot of experience and aggressiveness to cheer up his competitors in World?s Superbike Championship. ? Now that the contract is signed we still have a lot of work and we are a little bit pressed for time. Our target is to give the best material and all our support to Alex. His Klaffi Honda Fireblade will be one of the best and fastest bikes of the whole Championship

 

[KUCIAR666]

Alex Barros ? First test rides with Klaffi Honda

Sicily, 06th Feb 2006: Alex Barros passed a first test with his Klaffi Honda Fireblade on the Italian island. A new race track and dry weather during the first two days - the conditions were nearly perfect .

Alex Barros: ?We started on Saturday last week. In the morning there was some basic work to do but already in the afternoon I was out on a 2005 Klaffi Honda Fireblade.

After some slow laps in the beginning I became more and more familiar with the bike and the tyres. Only a short time later I already opened the throttle and I did as much kilometres as possible.

On Sunday I changed to the new 2006 Klaffi Honda Fireblade and this was a pleasant surprise. This Fireblade is even better than the 2005 bike. The whole package is terrific. The Pirelli tyres are excellent. They have a perfect grip. It was great to ride this bike.

Only on Monday we had a break caused by bad weather conditions. We still stay to Tuesday. And I hope to do some laps more. It is important to push the bike to the limits because I want to get to know the complete characteristic of the Fireblade.

Here in Italy I met my new team for the first time. The whole crew works very professional and they are really enthusiastic. I think we will have a good season together.?