Kwak OUT?!?!

MotoGP » Melandri: I'll know on Wednesday.
Tuesday, 20th January 2009

Marco Melandri has revealed that he is expecting to know the exact format of Kawasaki's MotoGP future - if there is to be one - on Wednesday.

The Italian, who was planning to make a new start at Team Green after a disastrous 2008 season at Ducati, has a contract in place for 2009 and 2010 - but that counts for little if, following the factory's withdraw, there are no Kawasakis in MotoGP next year.

The only hope of ZX-RRs remaining in the premier-class is if they can be run by a 'privateer' team, something previous factory team boss Michael Bartholemy is attempting to put together with support from Dorna.

"On Wednesday I'll get a telephone call from Michael Bartholemy to say if he has arranged to run the 2009 bikes as a privateer team," La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Melandri, a former MotoGP World Championship runner-up, as saying.

"Then on January 31st a proposal should arrive from Kawasaki saying what they will offer me; a full salary, a gratuity or nothing. I hope that the proposal isn't to go and work in a shop in Japan!" he joked.

Melandri, a five time grand prix winner with Honda, dismissed talk of a return to Fausto Gresini's satellite RCV team or a switch to the World Superbike Championship.

"I spoke with [Gresini] after reading that they might be able to offer me something, but they do not have the resources to run a third bike," said Melandri, who had made a promising start to his Kawasaki career during post season testing. "What is certain it is that I will not ride an uncompetitive motorcycle and I'm not thinking about World Superbikes. I'd rather sit out 2009 and return to MotoGP in 2010."

The future of John Hopkins, who also has a Kawasaki contract in place for 2009, is equally unknown.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sp...ki-partnership/

This is the latest in the Kawasaki bailout situation. It seems as though Ilmor wants back in MOTO GP and wants to work with Kawi. Might be a really good situation for Kawi to give them the bikes and have them develop them on their dime. .... man If Kawi doesn't go for this one I think it is totally a done deal where the team green guys are done for good.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Jan 21 2009, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sp...ki-partnership/

This is the latest in the Kawasaki bailout situation. It seems as though Ilmor wants back in MOTO GP and wants to work with Kawi. Might be a really good situation for Kawi to give them the bikes and have them develop them on their dime. .... man If Kawi doesn't go for this one I think it is totally a done deal where the team green guys are done for good.
and the saga continues. if this is true, it is mcn after all, kawasaki need to get onboard with this.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ROCKGOD01 @ Jan 22 2009, 03:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This is the latest in the Kawasaki bailout situation. It seems as though Ilmor wants back in MOTO GP and wants to work with Kawi. Might be a really good situation for Kawi to give them the bikes and have them develop them on their dime. .... man If Kawi doesn't go for this one I think it is totally a done deal where the team green guys are done for good.
Seems odd that Ilmor, a racing engine design, engineering, and manufacturing enterprise, would want in with Kawi. I'm thinking that this is one of those ubiquitous "off season" rumours designed to boost readership rather than a factual news item... we all know MCN's reputation, no?

Latest New is that the Kawasaki decision to crtire from MOTOGP will be done after the Phillip Island test.

There are rumors of reliability issues!

Check this pages...

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/01/...illip_isla.html

http://www.visordown.com/news/article.asp?UAN=6303&v=1

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick D @ Jan 23 2009, 10:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Seems odd that Ilmor, a racing engine design, engineering, and manufacturing enterprise, would want in with Kawi. I'm thinking that this is one of those ubiquitous "off season" rumours designed to boost readership rather than a factual news item... we all know MCN's reputation, no?
Sure it is a Rumor. SO what. I hope something comes out of one of em cause the GP season is already sucking and it hasn't even started yet.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mick D @ Jan 23 2009, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Seems odd that Ilmor, a racing engine design, engineering, and manufacturing enterprise, would want in with Kawi. I'm thinking that this is one of those ubiquitous "off season" rumours designed to boost readership rather than a factual news item... we all know MCN's reputation, no?
im with you on this one mick. Would be good to see it tho, but an mcn fantasy me thinks !

If true...I'd say smart move...it's going to be the place to race soon

LINK

Hopkins To Join Stiggy Motorsports In World Superbikes?
Submitted by Kropotkin on Sun, 2009-02-01 22:28.
in Honda John Hopkins Kawasaki MotoGP World Superbikes
The MCN London Motorcycle Show at the ExCeL London exhibition center provides all the necessary ingredients for scandal and rumor: Over the course of four days, the motorcycling press, manufacturers, racers, teams and bikers are packed together with little more to do than gossip and gawp at bikes and biking celebrities.

So it is hardly surprising that along with the news emanating from the show comes the rumor that John Hopkins could be moving to World Superbikes. With the chances of a rescue package for Kawasaki in MotoGP fading every day, the American could end up riding a Honda alongside Leon Haslam for Stiggy Motorsports.

At the moment, that seat is held by Roberto Rolfo, but the Italian is still suffering from a fractured shoulder picked up early last year. Rolfo had decided not to have surgery to stabilize the shoulder, as any operation would have required a very lengthy period of physical rehabilitation, causing the Italian to miss most of the 2009 season. But after a difficult test at Portimao, where Rolfo didn't ride much, and only managed to finish second-from-last when he did, there is a good chance that he may be forced to change his mind about surgery.

This would leave the ride open for Hopkins, and as Rolfo brings with him a lot of personal sponsorship, any money that Hopper could bring would be more than welcomed by the Scandinavian team. With Hopkins' Monster sponsorship covering his salary, the American could effectively ride for Stiggy Motorsports for free. And with John Hopkins and Leon Haslam, both riders with proven talent, the team could well be a serious threat in the already crowded World Superbike championship.

The new "team dude".

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Feb 2 2009, 09:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If true...I'd say smart move...it's going to be the place to race soon

LINK

Hopkins To Join Stiggy Motorsports In World Superbikes?
Submitted by Kropotkin on Sun, 2009-02-01 22:28.
in Honda John Hopkins Kawasaki MotoGP World Superbikes
The MCN London Motorcycle Show at the ExCeL London exhibition center provides all the necessary ingredients for scandal and rumor: Over the course of four days, the motorcycling press, manufacturers, racers, teams and bikers are packed together with little more to do than gossip and gawp at bikes and biking celebrities.

So it is hardly surprising that along with the news emanating from the show comes the rumor that John Hopkins could be moving to World Superbikes. With the chances of a rescue package for Kawasaki in MotoGP fading every day, the American could end up riding a Honda alongside Leon Haslam for Stiggy Motorsports.

At the moment, that seat is held by Roberto Rolfo, but the Italian is still suffering from a fractured shoulder picked up early last year. Rolfo had decided not to have surgery to stabilize the shoulder, as any operation would have required a very lengthy period of physical rehabilitation, causing the Italian to miss most of the 2009 season. But after a difficult test at Portimao, where Rolfo didn't ride much, and only managed to finish second-from-last when he did, there is a good chance that he may be forced to change his mind about surgery.

This would leave the ride open for Hopkins, and as Rolfo brings with him a lot of personal sponsorship, any money that Hopper could bring would be more than welcomed by the Scandinavian team. With Hopkins' Monster sponsorship covering his salary, the American could effectively ride for Stiggy Motorsports for free. And with John Hopkins and Leon Haslam, both riders with proven talent, the team could well be a serious threat in the already crowded World Superbike championship.
they have 4 weeks to get this done if true. sounds like smoke puffin out a pipe to me...

Hopper on a superbike. Woo hoo im so excited. This must be the most exciting bit of news since they dug up Gibbers for Ducati.

Bayliss must be so relieved he's retired now the mighty H is in WSBK.


Pete



The above post may contain traces of "tongue" and "cheek". Please consult your Humour Practitioner if you have any unpleasent reactions to the content.

Oh...Oh....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#46 @ Feb 5 2009, 06:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Oh...Oh....

nono......

Here's what's being said in Italy:
http://www.sportmediaset.it/motori/articol...colo20529.shtml
Here's my quick translation for ya...

Kawasaki on track without Logos
Away with logos and Bartholemy's team

Kawasaki's slow agony could be close to an end, although not without a series of heavy compromises. It would in fact appear that the ZX-RR's could take part in the world championship bereft of their Akashi house logos. Fairings which would be cleared, maybe even changing colour and abandoning their historical green, in favour of a hypothetical sponsor. An obvious sight that the team is no longer under the direction of Michael Bartholemy and his set up.

Once more Dorna's patron, Carmelo Ezpeleta has had to be called in, becoming directly involved in making agreements with a new team which should be lining up the bikes at the starting line.
Obviously the whole affair is still shrouded in a thick fog of mystery, but there is already talk of a test at Sepang to evaluate the ZX-RR in 2009 configuration. A test which Marco Melandri could take part in.

On his part the Ravenna man wants guarantees before deciding whether to take part in the upcoming season. Marco wants to do well, he wants a competitive bike and has declared he doesn't want to risk being there just to 'make up the numbers, as happened in the last season.

Meh...I think if the Kwaks field the bikes Marco would be making a HUGE mistake sitting a season out. Better make do and show he can make a crappy bike go. If he sits the season out he won't be getting any knocks at his door next year. Too much talent in the field and too many good 250 riders (cheaper and eager to prove themselves) ready to take any available seat.

This out - in - out - in - out - in - thing has been going on for a month now. When will we get the confirmed setup on how "Kawasaki" team will run IF it will run?

Thanks for the translation!
I agree with you on Marco.To keep competing and be seen is better.

If Melandri was to ride on one of the kawasaki's he won't be doing himself any favours. The bike will will be at the back of the field. Why bother? 2 seasons at the back of the field won't help his cause, it'll probably destroy his confidence totally.
If I was him, I'd be trying to find a superbike seat somewhere.

MCN says Tech3 are closing in on monster sponsorship. I guess if Kawasaki do make the grid this year monster wont be paying for it. What does that mean for Hopper?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Feb 10 2009, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>If Melandri was to ride on one of the kawasaki's he won't be doing himself any favours. The bike will will be at the back of the field. Why bother? 2 seasons at the back of the field won't help his cause, it'll probably destroy his confidence totally.
If I was him, I'd be trying to find a superbike seat somewhere.
I don't disagree. Two awful seasons could end his career. But so could a season out. I don't think Superbike seats fall out of the sky either though.

as much as i like marco, he semms to be making a hell of a lot of demands for a rider with no saddle and is trading on his 2nd place in the 2005 championship. that was a long time ago and its the 800s now, a bike which he is yet to prove himself on....