MotoGP : Kawasaki, may the force be with them Written: 29/11/2006 : 14:39. Read 41 times (615/day). Last articles All articles Search Divers Endurance Moto GP 125 Moto GP 250 Moto GP 800 SuperSport World SuperBike Harald Eckl fired, Kawasaki will be managed by a new man next season, his name : Ichiro Yoda. Written: 29/11/2006 : 14:39. Read 41 times (615/day). Mister (master) Yoda had already worked for Yamaha MotoGP before. Shinishi Tamba, President of Kawasaki Japan, talks about the new organisation of the Kawasaki racing team. "This is a new beginning for Kawasaki. The performance of the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR during the initial tests has been promising, but we know there is still a lot of development work to do if we are to be competitive from the first race next season." "I'm pleased to say that the team in the pit box will remain virtually unchanged from this season. This has been a great help, and it has undoubtedly allowed us to progress much faster with building the new team infrastructure. We furthermore highly appreciate the full support from Dorna regarding our new MotoGP structure. Last year we fielded the most competitive Ninja ZX-RR since Kawasaki returned to Grand Prix racing at the end of the 2002 season, as Shinya Nakano's second place at Assen proved. But, the overall results in 2006 clearly were not what we were expecting, due, in part, to a lack of dedicated attention from our former Team Manager". "So, while we know we are facing a tough job to have everything ready for the first race of the 2007 season, we are confident that the strong commitment from the new Team management and the rest of the Team, will lead to an improvement in results for Kawasaki during the season ahead," concluded Tamba. Now to Olivier Jacque and Randy De Puniet to show what they can do.

I agree with Master Yoda :thefinger

action speaks louder than words.... didn't we also have this 'we'll do whatever it takes.....' bullshit a few years back :dontknow: I bleed green but 2007 is fucked as far as Kawa is concerned. Theyll have a hard time beating Illmor.....who'll probably be managed be someone named Eckl:wink:

I doubt it we (Kawasaki) were the only team being run by someone other than the factory. I wish Eckl all the best. Now we will be making our own frames swingarms engines. If you think Eckl has more know how that Factory Kawasaki Your Crazy. Are we going to win the Championship probably not but when your on the bottom you can only get better. Are far as Illmor is concerned its a replica of the ZX-RR Frame Swingarm Triple Clamp All were made by Sutter Racing same folks that made ours last year. So I dont see them doing anything special. With the same package just different riders.

It is not only a matter of having know how...it is the commitment to really go for it. Money and effort. I don't see any that from Kawa, that is my main gripe. With riders like de Puniet and Jacque where will kawa end up.....at the rear. I don't want Kawa at the rear I want 'we'll do whatever it takes'...that is podium finishes and a win every now and then The Kawa 800 bike has the least development time of all the current bikes.... I'll say it agian 2007 is fucked as far as kawa is concerned, would have liked it to be different

It is not only a matter of having know how...it is the commitment to really go for it. Remember the early 90's when we were on top and then fell off for about 4-7 years (depends on who you ask) late 2002 we came back with the "Do whatever it take attitude". IMHO Kawasaki is the best and most improved Factory. I think this MOTOGP effort will directly effect our street bikes. I willing to make a friendly wager on us beating the socks off Illmor. Say $5 per race best overall position what say you. :1848:

Illmors frames were developed off of Kawi's by one of Eckl's "friends". Last years design won't go fast in 2007. On top of that their boy McCoy just fell off and broke his leg seriously. Eckl won't have any fun finding results with Ilmor. Yoda is going to be good for the in house team and Kawi will get some R&D done for next year but they still have the flying frog duo riding so I don't expect miracles...

I never felt that Eckl was an asset to Kawasaki's MotoGP success. I was extremely disappointed when Kawi moved him from WSB to MotoGP. He never achieved much in WSB either. I think this is a very positive move.