Sixth !

Super Shinya stormed to superb sixth place at Sachsenring ! How about that for a tongue-twister. More to come ...

Three Ninjas

"I expected a little more from qualifying, I thought at least the second row was possible, but I'm much happier than a week ago at Donington. I didn't really have any problems and all the riders on Bridgestone qualifying tyres are grouped together; I think this is our level at the moment. The race set-up is consistent, but I will need a very good start here, it is very difficult to overtake."

- Shinya on qualifying twelfth

Source : Kawasaki-Eckl

Didn't notice the three Kawasaki riders lined up one after another for the race. Well, at least we know who the best rider in green is. Hoffman is riding in his home race while Jacque was given a wild card entry.

Heat Wave

'I'm feeling much better on the bike than I was at Donington just a few days ago. I can do fast, consistent times with improved throttle connection from the latest engine tune on the Ninja ZX-RR. Combined with the grip levels of the new Bridgestone tyres, I was able to concentrate on my riding today, and not worry so much about the bike or tyres. I think we can improve more, both with the engine settings and the front end feeling.'

- Shinya on his free practice times

Source : Kawasaki-Eckl

Shinya was 5th (!) during free practice at Sachsenring for the German Grand Prix under blazing heat. He must've had a meltdown later on though, here are the qualifying times :-

1. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 1min 22.785 secs
2. Sete Gibernau SPA Team Movistar Honda 1min 22.889 secs
3. Alex Barros BRA Camel Honda 1min 22.932 secs
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Yamaha Team 1min 22.973 secs
5. Marco Melandri ITA Team Movistar Honda 1min 23.051 secs
6. Max Biaggi ITA Repsol Honda Team 1min 23.054 secs
7. Colin Edwards USA Gauloises Yamaha Team 1min 23.139 secs
8. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 23.174 secs
9. Kenny Roberts USA Team Suzuki MotoGP 1min 23.212 secs
10. John Hopkins USA Team Suzuki MotoGP 1min 23.296 secs
11. Carlos Checa ITA Ducati Marlboro Team 1min 23.341 secs
12. Shinya Nakano JPN Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 23.382 secs
13. Alex Hofmann GER Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 23.405 secs
14. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 23.715 secs
15. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 23.86 secs
16. Troy Bayliss AUS Camel Honda 1min 23.916 secs
17. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Yamaha Team 1min 24.421 secs
18. Ruben Xaus SPA Fortuna Yamaha Team 1min 24.605 secs
19. James Ellison GBR Blata WCM 1min 24.988 secs
20. Roberto Rolfo ITA D'Antin Ducati Pramac 1min 25.011 secs
21. Shane Byrne GBR Team Roberts 1min 25.713 secs
22. Franco Battaini ITA Blata WCM 1min 26.154 secs

Source : crash.net

Here's to seeing some 'live' action from Star Sports tommorow then. Willing Shinya on to his top 8 spot, at least.

Wash Out

Wash out here at Star Sports. Nary an engine rumble, no coverage of MotoGP. 10 riders didn't finish the race at Donington Park, which was won by who else but Valentino Rossi. He'll win come rain, sunshine, hail or even in the midst of a tornado probably. Shinya qualified twelfth and crashed out on lap four.

"On the grid leaving for the final sighting lap I had a strange feeling with the clutch and the engine stalled. After restarting I took my place on the grid, but then in the opening laps I still had a problem and it was difficult to downshift. I missed a gear on the entry to Redgate and crashed, which is disappointing as it cost me points in the championship. The conditions were very, very difficult today."

- Shinya on crashing out

Source : Kawasaki-Eckl

Oh well, you get knocked down, but you'll get up again. I believe you'll get to 'top podium' before either of us reach 30 ! Go Shinya !

Spot a celebrity

Source : Shinya's Official Site

Say, who's that chunk of hunk beside Brad Pitt ?

Round Up

Been so caught up with Atelier Iris, I've ignored almost every other thing out there. Round 06, the Catalan GP, Shinya qualified twelfth and finished tenth. Round 07, the Dutch TT, he actually qualified fourth, and was racing with the best of them at the head of the pack before the big guns just outpowered his Kawasaki, eventually finishing eighth. Round 08, the American GP was actually completely missed because I just lost track of next racing date. Damn. On the unfamiliar Laguna Seca circuit, Shinya qualified tenth and finished in ninth position. Next up, Donington Park.