News, 08/09/04

Honda have officially confirmed that Tohru Ukawa will return to MotoGP action at Motegi next week riding the 2005 prototype versión of the RC211V. The Camel Grand Prix of Japan on the 19th September will be Ukawa’s first Grand Prix appearance since the final race of the 2003 season and the Japanese rider says he is looking forward to his return.

“I am surprised because I didn’t expect this decision,” commented Ukawa, who has been registered as a wildcard entry. “I’m really happy to be taking part in the MotoGP race – the fact that it will be in front of all the Japanese fans is a double satisfaction for me.

“This time I won’t have the pressure of worrying about championship points – I’ll just go out there and give it everything I’ve got.”

After twice winning the 250cc Japanese Championship, Ukawa stepped up to the World Championship in 1996 and was promoted to the 500cc class in 2001, becoming the first Japanese rider to win a MotoGP race after the introduction of 990cc prototypes at Welkom the following season.

This season Ukawa has spent his time developing the RC211V but got back into racing mode to take victory in both the Suzuka 300km race back in May and the Suzuka 8 Hour race in July.

i seriously wonder what'll be so special about that '05 rc211...
i would think that with the current state of affairs in motogp (rossi +29 points) HRC is already throwing everything they've got towards 'puddle of mud' gibernau and biaggi/the repsol boys...

but then again, it's honda, and don't they always have some tricks up their sleeve?? ;)


cheers,
J.S.

Honda is going to try everything they can to stop The Doctor.
This season is getting even more interesting as the season
comes to the end.

:beer :corn

Originally posted by THE NAVIGATOR
Honda is going to try everything they can to stop The Doctor.
This season is getting even more interesting as the season
comes to the end.

:beer :corn

And it has been a REALLY long time since a Japanese rider won the GP Championship. NEVER to be exact! So Honda is trying for it next year with Tamada.

i love how all the other honda boys keep taking points away from the fish. that's what you get for choosing bike over rider.

I wonder how far Honda is going to push with the V5 knowing that in 2007 they will probably have a new 3 cylinder competing. Rumor is the 3 cylinder is already running around and testing. I know they have a lot of financial resources but I question the motivation of investing much more into their V5 design when they already have a dominant motorcycle (Rossi being their problem not Yamaha)and knowing they are going to change designs in 2 years. All this to say that I don"t believe the 2005 spec rc211V is going to be all that different....but I definitely can be wrong lol.

V3 could be the ticket with the sone required lowere fuel load and smaller engine. This might be them beginning to develop it. Plus they would get some weight benefit as well....interesting as usual.

Honda, IMO is not giving enough support to Gresini Racing even though Gibernau is cleary the only man who's capable of beating Rossi.

Be warned, the next 2005 RCV i expected it to be a killer. Next year Rossi will struggle again (and use 110% of his ability) like this year to beat that bike.

Originally posted by THE NAVIGATOR
Honda is going to try everything they can to stop The Doctor.
This season is getting even more interesting as the season
comes to the end.

:beer :corn :iamwithst

If Yamaha wants to keep Rossi on top in Moto GP for 2005 they better find away to improve the M1's acceleration, and top end speed. Honda will not stand pat with thier current bike for 2005.

Originally posted by guru#1
If Yamaha wants to keep Rossi on top in Moto GP for 2005 they better find away to improve the M1's acceleration, and top end speed. Honda will not stand pat with thier current bike for 2005.
Yeah Honda's not happy at all with their current position, especially with the works team that is behind the other Honda teams.

Check this thread:
http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98563

However, I can't wait to see the O5 RC211V prototype, they should have some pictures in a few hours... :yesnod

Should look exactly the same as the 04 RCV but the real difference is what's under the skin. I didnt expact it to be fast and last the race distance. But if everything works out well we should see a podium finish for this new machine or even a suprise win as tohru is a very capable rider.

Originally posted by EliminatorR1
Should look exactly the same as the 04 RCV but the real difference is what's under the skin. I didnt expact it to be fast and last the race distance. But if everything works out well we should see a podium finish for this new machine or even a suprise win as tohru is a very capable rider.
Tohru Ukawa rolled out the latest version of the Honda RC211V at Motegi this morning, with the world’s press eagerly surrounding the Japanese rider as he emerged from his pit-box. However, hopes of a radically new version of the all-conquering machine were quelled for now, with Ukawa’s bike virtually identical in looks to that of factory rider Alex Barros.

Any attempt to get a swift peek under the fairing was also prevented by Honda, who quickly pulled down the shutters on the garage when Ukawa returned to boxes at the end of the session.

To get a closer look at Ukawa’s new RC211V, click the video link at the top of the page.

Video! (http://motogp.tiscali.com/ppv_multimedia2/303/303102_61493.wmv)


I was expecting to look different... :dunno

There will not be any radical changes until the new rules will take effect. There will be improvements but nothing in my opinion radical. The bike looks pretty close to the "normal" rc211v, the engine though might be a bit diff. Ukawa had the fastest trap speed at the end of the straight at Motegi....310km/h, I believe Max was second with 306 then a bunch of other Hondas....Rossi had a 302km/h and Hopkins a 298km/h

here are the exact speeds in km/h
Ukawa - Honda - 310.1
Biaggi - Honda - 306.0
Edwards - Honda- 305.4
Gibernau - Honda - 305.3
Capirossi - Ducati - 304.6
Tamada - Honda - 304.2
Rossi - Yamaha - 302.6
.
.
.
.
Hopkins - Suzuki - 297