MORIWAKI BLOG_ENG

For many, the first meters in 2012 on asphalt follow, but of course racing is not only
driving on the circuit. An important part of the preparation is in the physical and mental condition andto the riders of the Honda Moriwaki GP3 Cup and Junior Talent Cup 600 at the start to get good organizes Hennie Lentink in Apeldoorn Core Satility training. On 11 and 25 February are the driversinvited to work up a sweat in the room.

For three hours, the young talents
exercises assigned. The enthusiasm of all riders is great and in a pleasant atmosphere is hardworked on and with the body.

The parents of the talents were the last 20 minutes of thetraining are invited to come in so they can see for themselves what happens.

Some riders are already here and there on the train tracks, others run the show in Utrechtaround looking for new contacts.

They all have one goal in mind of course: wellbe prepared at the start of the first race: The Easter races at Assen. The season seesgood with many races on different circuits. The course of the races can be followed on the website
through short reports. Wait a while and then it will start again in Assen. Until then!
      
February 25, 2012
The preparation
Honda Moriwaki gp3 junior cup


Of course there was much focus on the new calendar. For now it looks like this:

31 March - theory / practical training license TT Circuit Assen
6 April - license training Assen TT Circuit
7/9 april - ONK Paasraces TT Circuit Assen (tbc)
20/22 April - World Superbike Assen TT Circuit
April 28 - KNMV Cuprace TT Circuit Assen
Mid-May - KNMV racescholingsdag conductor Barry Veneman
May 26 - KNMV Cuprace TT Circuit Assen
2/3 June - Oschersleben Dld. IXS GP3 Junior Cup day KNMV support
8/10 June - World Superbike Misano It.
June 16 - KNMV Cup day TT Circuit Assen
July 7 - KNMV Cup day TT Circuit Assen
July 11 - Ten Kate trackday TT Circuit Assen (tbc)
13/14/15 July - CRT Cuprace Oschersleben with Dld KNMV support
4/5 August - ONK Gamma Racing Days TT Circuit Assen
August 11 - KNMV Cuprace TT circuit Assen
8/9 september - Hockenheim Dld. IXS GP3 Junior Cup day KNMV support
10 September - KNMV selection day passes (for KNMV riders selected)
29 Sept. - KNMV Cuprace TT circuit Assen (2 races)
December 17, 2011
New riders for 2012
Honda Moriwaki gp3 junior cup

MOTO2 AND MOTO3 TEST CONCLUDES AT JEREZ
Three days of intense testing for the Moto2 and Moto3 World Championship teams concluded at Jerez on Saturday. For Team Gresini Moto2 pair Gino Rea and Rattapark Wilairot the session has given them valuable time to gather confidence and work on the set-up of the 2012 version Moriwaki. The test has also been a valuable opportunity to work on suspension settings, with Team Gresini having switched to Showa in all classes for 2012. A fastest lap time of 1’ 43.8 was slower than hoped for but both riders put together a solid rhythm that should provide a firm base for the next test.

Team youngster Niccollo Antonelli has made an impressive start to life in Moto3 and he was easily the fastest Italian at this test with a best lap of 1’ 49.3. The teenager is making steady progress throughout preseason had he already looks capable of fighting near the front when the season gets underway in Qatar on April 8th.

TESTING DUTIES CONTINUE AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
Another day of intense work for Team Gresini's Moto2 and Moto3 line-ups took place at Jerez on Friday with Gino Rea, Rattapark Wilairot and Niccolò Antonelli all on duty. Rea completed a tireless 75 laps with a best time of 1’44.0, whilst his Thai team-mate Wilairot made major progress from Thursday and was just a tenth behind the Brit after 59 laps. Antonelli completed 52 laps with a best effort of 1’50.6. Saturday will see a third and final day of set-up work for Team Gresini Moto2 and Moto3, with particular focus on the Showa suspension packages that are fitted to all three bikes.

Promising Moto2 test at Jerez: QMMF riders Elena Rossell
and Damian Cudlin make steady progress with new bikes

QMMF Racing Team riders Elena Rossell and Damian Cudlin concluded three days of testing at Jerez with promising results. Whilst lap times on the legendary Grand Prix circuit in the south-west corner of the Iberian peninsula were still insignificant – all Moto2 teams kept using their own engines with great differences in power output – both riders accomplished all their goals of acquiring detailed knowledge about their brand-new Moriwaki bikes and of supplying the technicians with the feedback necessary to customize the bikes to their specific needs. Whereas Elena Rossell, the only female rider in Motorcycle Grand Prix racing, worked on improving her own riding skills on the challenging Jerez circuit as much as on chassis and suspension set-up, team-mate Damian Cudlin was very specific in his demands, with a clear focus on seating position and steering precision at the corner entries. All rider data and rider comments will now be carefully analyzed and the required modifications to the bikes will be carried out over the next four weeks before testing resumes again at Jerez on March 19th with the official race engines.

Elena Rossell:
“Jerez is a fantastic track that I know from the Stock Extreme category, but with the Moto2 machine, it’s a completely different experience than with my former 1000 cc bike. I had to find and establish new reference points for braking and cornering before we could start to work on the set-up of the bike. But with every lap, I got a little bit faster and more confident. Over the three days, we managed to improve steadily, step by step, concentrating on these reference and braking points and a smooth and precise corner entry. I am starting to develop the right feel for the bike and even though there are a few guys that seem to be really fast, much faster than I at the moment, I am confident that we will be fairly competitive soon and that we will be able to put up a fight when the season gets under way!”

Damian Cudlin:
“We are making steady improvements. We have gone through a lot of options with the set-up and we are starting to get a little closer to what I want and need from the bike. Footpegs, handlebars, all the controls are now at a place where I feel comfortable sitting on the bike. Riding around the track, there are still places where I’m not quite able to do what I want to do with the bike at this moment. We are working on cornering, as I can’t hit exact lines the way I’d like to. It sometimes feels as if the bike is taking me for a ride instead of the other way around. But I’m not worried: Between the Valencia tests and the session here at Jerez was not much time to make changes to the bike. Now, we have a few weeks in which we can go ahead with certain modifications like a higher windscreen to suit my size. At the next tests in Jerez, we will not only be able to confirm these changes, we will also be able to see where we really stand in comparison to the other riders in this class, because we will be using the official single engine for the first time this year!”

SECOND TEST OF PRESEASON UNDERWAY AT JEREZ FOR MOTO2 AND MOTO3 TEAMS
Following tests at Valencia last week a host of Moto2 and Moto3 teams were back on track today further south in Spain at the Jerez circuit, including Team Gresini with Gino Rea, Rattapark Wilairot and young Niccolò Antonelli. The busiest of the three riders was Rea with a total of 55 laps and a best time of 1’44.4, whilst Wilairot clocked a 1’45.7 as the best of his 30 laps. Antonelli continued the job of gathering experience on board the Honda Moto3 machine, completing some vital bas e set-up work over 43 laps with a best time of 1’51.4. The trio will be back on track tomorrow, with the Moto2 pairing planning more set-up work on the 2012 version Moriwaki and Antonelli set to continue the intense learning process he faces before the start of his rookie season

POSITIVE FINISH TO VALENCIA TEST FOR TEAM GRESINI MOTO2 AND MOTO3

The final day of testing at Valencia today saw bright weather despite low ambient and track temperatures, giving Team Gresini's Moto2 pair Gino Rea and Rattapark Wilairot plenty of opportunity to work on the set-up of their machines and Showa suspension settings, despite a pair of crashes for both. The British rider once again showed his excellent potential whilst his Thai colleague Wilairot gained a feel for the 2012 version Moriwaki chassis. Rea completed 48 laps with a best time of 1’36.4 whilst Wilairot clocked a 1’37.8 as his best effort of 54 laps. Niccolò Antonelli enjoyed another positive day on board the Honda Moto3 machine, with his confidence and knowledge improving in tandem with every lap. After 68 laps he finished the day with a best time of 1’43.2. The next date in the team's diary is another test at Jerez next week, with Rea, Wilairot and Antonelli all scheduled to ride.

SECOND DAY OF MOTO2 AND MOTO3 TEST AT VALENCIA

Sunshine and slightly higher temperatures than yesterday gave the teams and riders the opportunity to get through a busy test schedule at Valencia today. Team Gresini were represented on track by Gino Rea and Rattapark Wilairot in Moto2, with youngster Niccolò Antonelli on their Moto3 bike. Thankfully it was a decidedly more productive day than yesterday for British rider Rea, who was able to make progress with the set-up of his Moriwaki 2012 over 50 laps, with a best time of 1’37.8 that he is confident he can improve on tomorrow. Thai rider Rattapark Wilairot had his first taste of the 2012 machine today, gathering confidence over 61 laps and establishing a good base for tomorrow, with a fastest time of 1’38.6 showing plenty of room for improvement.
Things also got serious for Antonelli today, the Italian teenager clocking up 56 laps on Honda's Moto3 bike with an encouraging lap time of 1’44.1. Tomorrow promises to be a busy final day at Valencia for Team Gresini, with lots of work planned ahead of the next test at Jerez.

Elena Rossell and Damian Cudlin, the new riders of Team QMMF for the 2012 Moto2 World Championship, turned the first test with their Moriwaki prototypes into success. Both the young Spanish lady racer and her experienced Australian team-mate made steady progress over the three track days at Valencia, gaining experience and knowledge on every lap around the Ricardo Tormo circuit. Whereas Elena Rossell kept her focus on adjusting her riding style to the new bike and getting closer and closer to the limit when opening the throttle on the corner exits, Damian Cudlin started to evaluate a broad variety of different set-up solutions in order to adjust the bike to his personal preferences. “We are on track. Both of our riders have been working into a clear direction and improved steadily over the three days of testing”, said team coordinator Luis Solano. “The conditions were difficult, with air temperatures as low as five degree in the morning and a track that took a very long time to warm up, especially in the shady sections. It would have been silly to take unnecessary risks und to push for fast lap times. Instead, our riders took a step-by-step approach with the new bikes, trying to learn as much as possible. Elena feels comfortable on her bike even though the Moriwaki is very different to the Suter she rode last year. She improved her lap times every day and is slowly but surely building up the confidence she needs. Damien also got faster and faster with every run, even though he struggles a bit more than Elena to find the best and most comfortable position on the bike, since he is relatively tall. Now we move on to the next testing session in Jerez, where we will continue our work toward a good base set-up for both our riders.”

Adding to the good mood and high spirits of the team was Nasser Hasan Al Malki, who joined his old friends as a visitor and guest in Valencia. The 28-year-old rider from Doha, Qatar, who rode several Grand Prix for Team QMMF in 2011, will take part in the Spanish Moto 2 championship this season and will ride another three Grand Prix as a wild card entry for QMMF. “Last year, I thought of the Spanish Moto2 Championship all the time, knowing it would be the right category for me. I was really waiting and hoping for this chance to come”, said Nasser. “Now my dream has come true, I have become a full-time rider in the CEV and I am determined to make the best out of this opportunity! I now live in Madrid and I am training very hard, with the bike as much as in the gym, to be fully prepared for this season. My goal is to fight for top ten positions in every race!”

Elena Rossell
“I am very happy with these three days of testing. We made steady progress and we improved the bike and our lap times step by step without suffering any setbacks like big scary moments or even a crash. My confidence to the bike grew accordingly, even though I still struggle a bit on the corner exits where I still don’t open the throttle as early and hard as I probably could. I’m still in the process of adjusting to our new bike, since the Moriwaki feels very different to the Suter that I rode last year. The seating position is much more comfortable on my new bike and the front end feels more stable, whereas the Suter felt somehow lighter and easier to steer. It is an interesting comparison that helps us a lot in our search for the best set-up!”



Damian Cudlin:
“I like the bike and the whole package, but I am still trying to get more feeling, more grip and control from the front end. We’ve been trying many different arrangements, from the geometry of the bike down to basics like my seating position and we are learning something every time we leave the box. It’s a normal process of elimination at this moment in time, finding out what the bike likes and what it doesn’t like. We are making progress and we improved our lap times every day, but there is a lot of work left to do. I look forward to the next three days of testing in Jerez, where we will continue our search for the best possible balance and base set-up!”

The winter cold snap that has gripped Europe this week could be felt keenly at Valencia today although that didn't stop the Moto2 and Moto3 teams from taking to the track for their first test of 2012.
Riding for Team Gresini were Moto2 pair Gino Rea and Rattapark Wilairot, with young rookie Niccolò Antonelli on the Moto3 bike. Unfortunately Rea was only able to compete 10 laps due to an engine problem although Wilairot had plenty of track time to get accustomed to the 2011 version Moriwaki. The Thai rider will get chance to test the 2012 version tomorrow, when British rider Rea will be looking to make up for lost time. Today was a first shakedown for the youngster Antonelli, who completed 20 laps as he got to grips with Honda's brand new Moto3 machine. Set-up work will continue over the next two days of the test.

First day of testing for Elena Rossell and
Damian Cudlin: Good feelings despite cold weather

Despite very low air and track temperatures at Valencia, lady racer Elena Rossell and her team-mate Damian Cudlin started off with a hot and busy first day of testing for this year’s Moto2 World Championship. Both new riders of QMMF Racing, the team of Qatar’s Motor and Motorcycle Federation, tried to put in as many laps as possible in order to get a feeling for their Moriwaki prototypes, to develop their work routine with the technicians and to make initial adjustments to seating position and the base set-up of their bikes. “It was a very good and encouraging first day, with lots of smiles in the garage and without any incidents”, said team-coordinator Luis Solano. “Our goal was to give Elena and Damian their first impressions of the bike and to find a base where to start our work from. Everything went very well even though it is much too early to take lap times into consideration and to compare ourselves with the other teams. It was much too cold to push to the maximum and the results are distorted anyway, since some teams run very fast and highly tuned engines whereas others like we use standard street motors with much less horsepower!”

Elena Rossell:
I am surrounded with a great team of fantastic people. It’s the first time that we are together on the race track and I couldn’t be happier. We have a lot of work to do in order to be competitive because I don’t have a lot of experience in this class and on this level of racing. But in only one day, we made good progress and I am very confident for this season. The Moriwaki is very different to the bike that I had a chance to ride last year, especially the seating position, but the handling is very good and I can feel that it’s got a lot of potential. The only problem today were the low temperatures that made riding a bit more difficult. But I still completed 57 laps because I have to ride as much as possible in order to get the experience I need!”

Damian Cudlin:
“This first day of testing was like the first day at work. It was like setting up your desk and your computer screen on the first day at a new office, with all the small adjustments to make you comfortable. But it all went very well and the feeling in my stomach is great. From the first moment, there was a good connection between my crew chief Marco, my mechanics and myself. I am also quite happy with my first impressions of the Moriwaki. I can already see the strong and the few weak points and like Elena, I’m convinced that we have a good product with lots of potential. I feel good about the decision that I made and about being here, because I know that, with a bit of work, we can be very strong!”