Nickel & Dime British Grand Prix

2007-06-22 08:11
The Nickel & Dime British Grand Prix preparations started with a bang today, with one of the biggest non-race events of the year, 'Day of Champions' also taking place at Donington Park. Ahead of the on-track action, which kicks off tomorrow, all manner of activities were put on an the circuit to help raise money for MotoGP's official charity, Riders for Health.

After stunt demonstrations, tours, music sets and meet-and-greets, the indisputable showpiece of the annual event began. The legendary MotoGP auction - Riders for Health's biggest provider of funds as they look to help support transport projects for those less privileged in Africa - involved every MotoGP rider donating various articles and personal effects to go to the highest bidder. The winner of one particular lot will tomorrow get the chance to spend a day with the Suzuki MotoGP team.

Without the final sum known until tomorrow, organisers were confident of this being the most successful ever year for the Day of Champions, with the total reached already topping over 200,000 pounds.

in sporting news, Kawasaki Racing today made official the addition of Anthony West to their 2007 line-up, replacing Olivier Jacque who returns to his testing role for the team.

In a press conference held at Donington Park, scene of the Nickel & Dime British Grand Prix, Michael Bartholemy and Ichiro Yoda from the team were joined by both West and Jacque to make the announcement, which comes off the back of a successful test for the Australian in the post-race test at Catalunya and Jacque's misfortune with injuries in his return to MotoGP action.

West will ride for the team for the rest of the season, accompanying regular rider Randy de Puniet onboard the Ninja ZX-RR. He previously rode 14 races on a 500cc machine in 2001, before dropping down to 250cc with a variety of teams. The decision was made on the strength of a promising performance at the post-race test at Catalunya, with the need for Jacque to aid the team with development and a respect for his body after some unfortunate crashes this year cited as the key reasons for the change of roles for the former 250cc World Champion.

A popular visitor to the MotoGP paddock today was England striker Michael Owen who was taken on a tour of the circuit by reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden. The Repsol Honda rider showed the Newcastle United footballer around the finer details of his RC212V before the duo took to the stage of the Riders for Health auction, where they recouped over 5,000 pounds for the charity.

Back in the paddock, the pre-event press conference for the Nickel & Dime British Grand Prix was a lively affair, with riders who hold a strong history at Donington Park addressing the media ahead of what promises to be a great weekend of unpredictable action.

Casey Stoner was first to face questioning, explaining how he started his career back in 2001 at the British track.

"There's a bit of history here with me; I've had good and bad races at Donington, but it isn't a particular favourite of mine," he said, before analysing what has been an incredible year so far for the Australian.

"No matter what happens from here on, I will be happy with what I've achieved this season."

A rider who took his maiden victory on British soil, and who regards the track as his 'home from home', Valentino Rossi, was next up. The Italian has always had a strong following at the race where he has won seven times, and expressed his delight with the challenge presented by the track.

"The last part of the track, with the hairpin, is difficult, but the first is one of the best sections of the entire championship. Now we have to try and catch Casey here. At the beginning of the season he surprised me, because he always used to be a rider who was fast but made mistakes. Now he is still fast, but there are less errors. We will try though."

Anglo-American John Hopkins is the closest thing that British fans will have to a MotoGP rider in the premier class this weekend, and he expressed the belief that this race would be one of those in which the 990cc times would be demolished by the largest margin.

"I really enjoy Donington. I still have a house here, so the family are coming to watch me. Wet or dry, we'll be strong here, and I think that this track and Laguna Seca will be the two in which we really see the times from the old bikes brought down by the fast corner speed. Now I just have to knock the other three guys here today from the podium!" said the Suzuki rider.

Last year's winner Dani Pedrosa was as ever playing his cards close to his chest, simply stating that "the recent podiums have been a good sign. We will see about the weather here; I feel different about this race than last year."

Team Roberts owner Kenny Roberts Sr. has seen his plans for Donington change drastically in the past few days, with Jonathan Rea being withdrawn from his wild card spot, and Kenny Roberts Jr. being replaced by brother Kurtis for the next few races. The charismatic former World Champion gave his side to the story in today's press gathering.

"It was a shame that we couldn't work something out with Jonathan for this weekend," said the head of the Roberts clan, before showing some gallows humour when pressed about his younger son's withdrawal. "Things haven't been working out with him this year because the bike is too slow and he is too old," he added. "Kenny rides this bike like it was a 1000cc -which it isn't- but Kurtis rides it more like a 600cc."


Source: Dorna Communications

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