Kawasaki miss Sepang Test
Added on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Kawasaki miss Sepang Test
Kawasaki were absent at the official MotoGP test in Sepang today, prompting further speculation over the future of the ZX-10 RR project.
Kawasaki, who withdrew factory support for MotoGP ahead of the new season due to cost cutting measures, are still thought to be in discussions about running the Kawasaki motorcycles in the 2009 season, albeit through a privateer entry, with Dorna threatening legal action against the manufacturer is a rescue deal can’t be found.
With discussions over a buyer ongoing, Kawasaki had continued testing with test rider Olivier Jacque at Phillip Island and Eastern Creek in Australia but opted out of making an appearance in Malaysia this weekend. It’s believed that reliability problems uncovered during private testing have hampered negotiations with the major interested party, headed by former Kawasaki Racing Team manager Michael Bartholemy.
Meanwhile, of those that did test in the opening session of day one, it was Suzuki veteran Loris Capirossi who topped the time charts with a fastest lap of 2:01.869 – the only rider of the session to dip below the 2:02 mark.
Casey Stoner was second, 0.169 of a second behind with Valentino Rossi third. British rider James Toseland was 14th fastest at 2:04.502.
