Pablo Nieto – Team Manager: “We are proud to say that in 2020 the Sky Racing Team VR46 will once again on track with 4 bikes in 2 categories, with 4 of the most interesting and talented young Italian riders. A choice made for strengthening the team spirit, a constructive work atmosphere and the mutual help with the confirmations of Luca and Celestino, the arrival of Marco and the return of Andrea. Two teams of fast and experts riders ready to impress everyone and give us many emotions. From a technical point of view, we have made a choice driven by the stability and solidity of the relationships of mutual trust that, over the years, we have built extending our existing partnerships with KTM and Kalex.”
“Yeah of course the main target is to be top of the podium, or be on the podium. This is the main target, then we can fight for the top of the podium,” began Marquez. “Last weekend was very hard for us all weekend, but in the end we did it. We finished on top and we take 25 points in the championship and we increase the gap a lot to me and Dovi. It’s time to enjoy every race, why not try to enjoy here in Aragon – home GP, a layout I like. It doesn’t mean it will be a nice and easy weekend, everyone will be riding tough but I hope it will be a nice weekend.
2019’s two leading names in round one – Team Suzuki ECSTAR’s Cristianmm17 and Ducati Team’s AndrewZh – found themselves off the front row at the close of the 15 minutes, with the inseparable pair fourth and fifth here. Surely their title riders will sense a chance to claw back points on the pair here tomorrow. EleGhosT555, riding for Repsol Honda Team, qualified sixth.
If qualifying is anything to go by, the first of Friday’s two races will be an all action fight between Ducati Team’s AndrewZh and Team Suzuki ECSTAR’s Cristianmm17, the two leading championship contenders, with the Ducati man getting the edge with his final lap of the 15-minute session. That Cristianmm17 leads the championship, 12 points ahead of AndrewZh, adds to the excitement ahead of for tomorrow’s action.
What’s more there will be considerable television coverage with as many as tennetworks providing live coverage. The event will be broadcast on Fox Australia, DAZN (Spain), SKY (Italy) MTV3 (Finland), Sony Sports (India), Sky New Zealand, BT Sports (UK), Sportklub (Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro), SuperSport (South Africa) and OTE (Greece).
The Teruel province is one of Spain’s quieter regions, but that makes it all the more special to visit, with its sometimes deserted landscape, strong rural culture, fine local Spanish food and its beautiful provincial capital, the town of the same name – Teruel. The region is known in other parts of Spain for the harsh local climate which is very hot in the summer and cold in the winter, whilst its famous Spanish cured ham (jamón serrano) should not be missed.
This is the prototype KR350 sent to Team Kawasaki Australia for development during 1977. It was built in ’77 and based on a ’76 KR250. The modified 250 motor had a larger bore and a capacity of 306cc.
Kawasaki’s KR350 as ridden by Greg HansfordThe bike originally featured a KR250 motor bored to 306cc
Gregg Hansford tested the bike and resulting changes included modified KR750 front brakes being fitted. In 1979 a full 350cc motor was installed and the bike was raced by Rick Perry in 1980, winning the 350cc ARRC.
KR750 brakes were added on Hansford’s feedbackA 350 engine was added in 1979 and Rick Perry rode the bike to ARRC victory in 1980
One of the interesting features of the motor is that the water pump casing was cast integrally with the side case, rather than being a seperate unit. I was surprised to note that the whole barrel assembly is angled at 15º to the centreline of the motor.
Kawasaki’s KR350 as ridden by Greg Hansford
Overseas Kork Ballington won the 1978 350cc World Championship with a dominant 9 wins. Hansford finishing 3rd with 3 victories. The result was the same the following year with five and three wins respectively.
Kork Ballington won the 1978 350cc World Championship, with Hansford thirdRacing success continued until 1981!
1980 saw Anton Mang finish in second with Jean-Fraçois Baldé in third. The KR350 filled the top three positions in 1981 (Mang, Ekerold, Baldé) and for the final season of the 350cc Championship Mang again finished in first with Baldé in third. So ended the extremely successful career of the KR350!
Kawasaki’s KR350 as ridden by Greg Hansford
This bike was retired after the 1980 season and subsequently restored. The motor and parts are 1978 vintage.
Kawasaki KR PA KRP
Kawasaki KR PA KRP
Kawasaki KR PA KRP
Kork Ballington won the 1978 350cc World Championship
“After a fantastic win in Misano I am excited to race again, especially in Aragon where I really feel like I am at home as it is so close to Cervera,” said Marquez, looking ahead to the weekend. “It’s where the most people from my hometown come to watch and always the fans help to give me something extra. We have a good lead in the championship but it doesn’t change how we approach the weekend, we keep pushing and trying to achieve our maximum. Let’s see what happens in Aragon!”
From there the field will also race at Oulton Park, Donington Park, Snetterton, Knockhill, Brands Hatch, Thruxton and Assen throughout the year, with a couple of venues featuring twice. The first visit to Donington is on the national layout and the second on the full layout, and at Silverstone the Cup race on the national layout with BSB and then the Grand Prix layout with MotoGP™, creating 10 unique race weekends.
“After the Misano podium I’m feeling extra optimistic about coming here in Aragon,” previews Viñales. “Like every Spanish round, this GP is very special to me because the fans and atmosphere are great, and I really like this track. We have been doing good work in the previous rounds, so I expect to be fast here too.
