ROUND 9 - BETANDWIN.COM BRITISH GRAND PRIX, DONINGTON PARK
23 JULY 2005 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE

NAKANO AND HOFMANN SET FOR TOUGH DONINGTON ASSIGNMENT

Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, will start tomorrow's British
Grand Prix from twelfth and fifteenth positions respectively.

On the compact Donington layout the 30-lap race promises to be a difficult task,
after both riders could not maximise their qualifying performances today.

Both Nakano and Hofmann set their fastest times using race tyres, with their
soft compound Bridgestone qualifiers not producing the expected increase in
performance.

After slicing almost one second from his morning free practice time on race
rubber Nakano was expecting a similar improvement on his one qualifying run.
Hofmann was also frustrated by the slower times on qualifying tyres.

However, the positive outcome today was the evaluation of a race tyre compound
that appears to offer stable race distance performance. The tyre specification
was tested in practice at last week's USGP, but found to be unsuitable for the
Laguna Seca circuit.

But the special demands of the Donington surface and layout appear more
favourable, and Nakano in particular is confident of consistent race times.

Kawasaki technicians have made detailed refinements to rear suspension set-up in
an attempt to optimise tyre performance.

Both riders will also benefit from today's successful test of revised traction
control systems, which offer more rider friendly throttle control on the unique
combination of fast and slow sections at Donington.

Hofmann had a scary moment on his final lap while pushing for a faster time with
a spectacular, 180 kph highside through the Craner Curves. Fortuitously Hofmann
bounced back into the seat of his Ninja ZX-RR before taking a wild ride across
the grass.

Shinya Nakano: # 56 - Twelfth - 1'29.742

"Today was a special situation, our qualifying tyres didn't work as expected and
were slower than the race tyres. On a positive note I tried a race tyre this
afternoon that should be okay for tomorrow, although our times are a long way
from the front group. But 30 laps is a long way here, hopefully the race
distance will work in our favour."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Fifteenth - 1'30.151

"I had a very scary moment on the final lap with a huge high-side in the Craner
Curves and I was off across the grass at 180 kph. I still don't how I didn't
crash. Qualifying was frustrating because my times were faster on race tyres,
there was nothing extra from the qualifiers which made it difficult to get a
decent grid position. We have worked hard to get a rear end set-up that will be
kind to the tyres for the race distance, but it's wait and see over 30 laps at
this track."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director

"The track surface and layout at Donington requires a very special tyre
configuration and, in conjunction with Bridgestone, we have found a good
direction for the future over the past two days. Today we tried a rear tyre that
we tested at Laguna Seca but have not raced before and it appears to be our best
choice for the race distance here. The latest update to the traction control
system should also make 30 laps here less stressful for the riders."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager

"I thought the Ninja ZX-RR would be a more competitive package at Donington, but
it appears that in dry conditions here our tyre options are not ideal. It was a
surprise that both Shinya and Alex could not go faster on qualifying tyres
compared to race rubber. If it rains heavily tomorrow perhaps the cards will
fall our way."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE - FINAL TIMES

 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team  1'27.897
 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP      +0.285
 3. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP     +0.398
 4. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda                  +0.497
 5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda                +0.518
 6. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team      +0.759
 7. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Camel Honda                 +0.823
 8. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda                  +0.829
 9. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda       +1.079
10. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP          +1.334
11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team     +1.834
12. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team       +1.845
15. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team        +2.254