Kawasaki MotoGP Out?

[chunder27]

As many will remember this all happened in 1990 Kenny stepped in with Yamaha to save the day!

Dorna did bugger all!! So dont expect too much!

[leopard]

I feel sorry for Ninja (zx-rr) if this is true ...

[jonny hurlock]

feels sorry for hopper and melandri, Kawasaki have a couple of poor seasons imo, but i heard that aspar are interested fielding the bikes next season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72601

[ms0362]

Sad news. Getting down to few a number of riders. Could be bad for the series.

[tha_jackal]

Aspar in Kawasaki talks

"Eurosport - Fri, 02 Jan 14:52:00 2009

Motorcycling team Aspar are in talks over a possible takeover of MotoGP factory squad Kawasaki.

The Japanese manufacturer will soon announce its exit from the elite class of the World Championship, with 125cc and 250cc outfit Aspar keen to run the ex-works bikes in 2009.

MotoGP rights holders Dorna are keen to keep Kawasaki, one of five factory teams last season, in the sport.

"For the last two days I've been on the phone with Dorna," Aspar boss Jorge Martinez told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "They called me first.

"We are in contact - and talks to buy out the two Kawasakis have started.

"I'm very interested in MotoGP. It's a project that was already in my plans. Now there is this opportunity; I don't yet know with certainty what will happen.

"For my part there is the will to talk."

Aspar had previously held discussions with Kawasaki about forming a satellite squad. However they fell through over Kawasaki's insistence on a spot for Japanese rider Shinya Nakano.

Martinez indicated that John Hopkins, who along with Marco Melandri had signed a deal to ride with Kawasaki in 2009, would be welcome at the team should it come to fruition.

"I certainly wouldn't have any problem with Melandri. In fact, he's a rider I've always liked very much," he said.

"[However] the matter regarding riders isn't a priority at the moment."

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport"

Still life in the old dog yet?

[tha_jackal]

well, it's all over for team green.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/K...ing+activities

[ChrisS]

The wording of the press release saying "factory MotoGP racing activities" leaves a small chance that the team/bikes will remain but as privateers without any support/development from Kawasaki.

If that happens the Grid will remain as is but I expect the bikes to be just grid fillers, backmarkers from the season start and miles behind the rest by seasons end.

[ChrisS]

MotoGP.com says that Kawasaki is testing ins 2009 Ninja ZX-RR that will be available for use by a private team

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/K...+Eastern+Creek

[neninja]

Dorna have said that Kawasaki are contracted to race until 2011. If they race this year they will release them from the contract for 2010 and 2011.

If they don't race they will sue them for £15m

[AndyRAC]

Dorna have said that Kawasaki are contracted to race until 2011. If they race this year they will release them from the contract for 2010 and 2011.

If they don't race they will sue them for £15m

Marvellous logic - they pull out because of the 'credit crunch' so Dorna wish to sue them!!

Similar thing happened in WRC with Hyundai - pulled out early in 2003 with budget issues - so FIA fined them.

Honestly, governing bodies make me laugh......