Kwak OUT?!?!

xx CURVE xx · 12-30-2008, 10:08 AM

Kawasaki poised to quit MotoGP
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72588

By Simon Strang and Toby Moody Tuesday, December 30th 2008, 13:22 GMT

Jamie Hacking, Kawasaki, US GP practiceKawasaki is poised to withdraw from the MotoGP World Championship with immediate effect, autosport.com has learned.

According to sources, the Japanese manufacturer is set to make an announcement regarding its plans for 2009 on Monday, January 5, when it is expected to confirm details of its withdrawal from the premier motorcycle racing class.

It remains unclear why Kawasaki is quitting, though both the global economic crisis and a lack of results are likely to have been factors in the decision.

The news is a blow to MotoGP's organisers, who will have the number of factory teams reduced to four at a time when the rival World Superbike Championship has gained another two in Aprilia and BMW.

Kawasaki's imminent withdrawal will leave Marco Melandri and John Hopkins without a ride for next season. Melandri had hoped to revive his career with the team after a catastrophic season with the factory Ducati squad in 2008.

"I have to wait and hear some words, as at the moment I hear nothing," Melandri told autosport.com.

"If it is true, then I can only hope that when I wake up on January 1st it is all a nightmare."

Kawasaki returned to the premier MotoGP class in 2003 with bold plans to become regular contenders, but has so far failed to record a victory in the premier class.

The closest the team came were three second places in three years with Randy de Puniet (Motegi 2007), Shinya Nakano (Assen 2006) and Olivier Jacque (Shanghai 2005).

Kawasaki secured big-money signing John Hopkins from Suzuki at the beginning of 2008 and it was hoped that this would trigger an upturn in results. But the American was hampered by injuries and both he and teammate Anthony West struggled with the inconsistent handling of the ZX-RR.

In the end, fifth places for Hopkins (at Estoril) and West (at Brno) were the best the team could manage.

Nevertheless, Kawasaki was set to enter 2009 with optimism, having landed former GP-winner Melandri, alongside the fired-up Hopkins to lead the development of the ZZ-XR in the new one-make tyre era.

Kawasaki's withdrawal will be the fourth time a Japanese manufacturer has pulled out of a major motorsport category in recent weeks. Honda announced in early December that it was quitting Formula One, while Subaru and Suzuki confirmed later in the month that they were stopping their programmes in the World Rally Championship.

Dave · 12-30-2008, 10:26 AM

aww that sucks

z06boy · 12-30-2008, 10:30 AM

I hate to hear this.

xx CURVE xx · 12-30-2008, 10:33 AM

The big boys need to leave Moto GP and head over to WSBK... at least till they bring back the 990

anyhow...does suck.

AquaPython · 12-30-2008, 10:36 AM

hmm wasnt expecting to hear something like this this morning. hopefully doesnt pan out

azoomm · 12-30-2008, 10:50 AM

smileyman · 12-30-2008, 11:52 AM

Its all Olivie Jaques and Randy Depuniets fault. They cost Kwak so much money in bodywork all those seasons that now they can't operate! I blame the French!

fasternyou929 · 12-30-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaPython

hmm wasnt expecting to hear something like this this morning. hopefully doesnt pan out

The article reads like it's already a done deal, they're just waiting for the 5th to make the announcement.

Between this and Rossi hinting at leaving MotoGP at the end of his contract, the organizers must not be sleeping much at night.

ontwo · 12-30-2008, 03:00 PM

Kawi was in MotoGP? Hmmmm

Mr Lefty · 12-30-2008, 04:40 PM

fuck that sucks ass for them to do this, this late in the off season... doubt Hopper or Melandri have any chance of find'n a ride...

wonder if they'd jump to WSBK for a year or two... but most of the factory bikes (if not all) have all their riders already...

12-30-2008, 10:08 AM	#1
xx CURVE xx SMELL MY LEVER Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Moto: Tards Posts: 1,034	Kwak OUT?!?! Kawasaki poised to quit MotoGP http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72588 By Simon Strang and Toby Moody Tuesday, December 30th 2008, 13:22 GMT Jamie Hacking, Kawasaki, US GP practiceKawasaki is poised to withdraw from the MotoGP World Championship with immediate effect, autosport.com has learned. According to sources, the Japanese manufacturer is set to make an announcement regarding its plans for 2009 on Monday, January 5, when it is expected to confirm details of its withdrawal from the premier motorcycle racing class. It remains unclear why Kawasaki is quitting, though both the global economic crisis and a lack of results are likely to have been factors in the decision. The news is a blow to MotoGP's organisers, who will have the number of factory teams reduced to four at a time when the rival World Superbike Championship has gained another two in Aprilia and BMW. Kawasaki's imminent withdrawal will leave Marco Melandri and John Hopkins without a ride for next season. Melandri had hoped to revive his career with the team after a catastrophic season with the factory Ducati squad in 2008. "I have to wait and hear some words, as at the moment I hear nothing," Melandri told autosport.com. "If it is true, then I can only hope that when I wake up on January 1st it is all a nightmare." Kawasaki returned to the premier MotoGP class in 2003 with bold plans to become regular contenders, but has so far failed to record a victory in the premier class. The closest the team came were three second places in three years with Randy de Puniet (Motegi 2007), Shinya Nakano (Assen 2006) and Olivier Jacque (Shanghai 2005). Kawasaki secured big-money signing John Hopkins from Suzuki at the beginning of 2008 and it was hoped that this would trigger an upturn in results. But the American was hampered by injuries and both he and teammate Anthony West struggled with the inconsistent handling of the ZX-RR. In the end, fifth places for Hopkins (at Estoril) and West (at Brno) were the best the team could manage. Nevertheless, Kawasaki was set to enter 2009 with optimism, having landed former GP-winner Melandri, alongside the fired-up Hopkins to lead the development of the ZZ-XR in the new one-make tyre era. Kawasaki's withdrawal will be the fourth time a Japanese manufacturer has pulled out of a major motorsport category in recent weeks. Honda announced in early December that it was quitting Formula One, while Subaru and Suzuki confirmed later in the month that they were stopping their programmes in the World Rally Championship.

12-30-2008, 10:26 AM	#2
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	aww that sucks __________________ TWF Post whore #6

12-30-2008, 10:33 AM	#4
xx CURVE xx SMELL MY LEVER Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Moto: Tards Posts: 1,034	The big boys need to leave Moto GP and head over to WSBK... at least till they bring back the 990 anyhow...does suck. Last edited by xx CURVE xx; 12-30-2008 at 10:36 AM..

12-30-2008, 10:50 AM	#6
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	__________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

12-30-2008, 11:52 AM	#7
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	Its all Olivie Jaques and Randy Depuniets fault. They cost Kwak so much money in bodywork all those seasons that now they can't operate! I blame the French! __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

12-30-2008, 10:30 AM	#3
z06boy Letzroll Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Norman area, NC Moto: 07 Red R1 & 07 Blue R6 Posts: 5,265	I hate to hear this.

12-30-2008, 03:00 PM	#9
ontwo Designated Drinker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: shitville Moto: 2009 ZX6R Posts: 1,661	Kawi was in MotoGP? Hmmmm

12-30-2008, 04:40 PM	#10
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	fuck that sucks ass for them to do this, this late in the off season... doubt Hopper or Melandri have any chance of find'n a ride... wonder if they'd jump to WSBK for a year or two... but most of the factory bikes (if not all) have all their riders already...