The Proton KR team is parking its four-stroke machines again this weekend and will be using its old 500 cc two-stroke motorcycles for the German Grand Prix.
The Proton KR team is parking its four-stroke machines again this weekend and will be using its old 500 cc two-stroke motorcycles for the German Grand Prix.
The team switched to last year’s bike at the British Grand Prix earlier this month after problems with the new V5 four-stroke prototype.
They were scheduled to use the four-stroke machines this weekend. The team had two days of testing at the Brno circuit last week, but could not solve problems with oil circulation and crankshaft weaknesses. A shortage of engine parts forced the team to send their prototype KR V5 back to the Banbury headquarters.
“I’m really looking forward to the race because I feel the two-stroke will be more competitive at the Sachsenring and we will have more time to set it up than we did for Donington,” said Jeremy McWilliams.
“We had a good test with the four-stroke in Brno last week. We learnt a great deal about the bike and we know which direction we are going in. I’m sure I will be back on the four-stroke within the next two races but on Sunday I’m sure I can do better than I have at the last few grands prix,” he said.
The team said it would use the four-stroke machine again at the race at Brno on Aust 17. “It has been hectic since we first ran the bike – one race meeting after another, with barely time to deal with the development programme in among all the travelling,” said team manager Chuck Aksland.
“Brno was only the second time we’d had the bike at a track where we weren’t actually racing. Without the pressure of racing and the time restrictions, we were able to find out a lot more about the machines, and get some of the data we need to move the bike ahead. We also have an engine on the dyno that should give us more power.
“We need to get it to the stage where it can go round and round reliably, and then keep on developing from there.”
Meanwhile, world champion Valentino Rossi is determined to make up for the disappointment of being stripped of victory at the British Grand Prix.
He was given a 10-second penalty for overtaking under a yellow flag and lost the victory to Max Biaggi.
“I said all along that this season would be a battle,” said Rossi. “We arrive at the beginning of the year in good shape and now the competition is harder and the battle is even better.
“The Sachsenring has never been my favourite track but it’s important to do well here and go into the season break in a good position.”
Honda rider Biaggi said he wanted to keep the pressure on in the standings. “Sachsenring is not a particularly popular circuit among everyone, and while it is not so beautiful, it is certainly a short, fun track that is more like a bobsled run,” he said.
