Suzuki heads "Down Under" to test

From Rizla Suzuki

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is on its way to Phillip Island in Australia to participate in its final test of 2008, as it further evaluates new parts and components for next season’s Suzuki GSV-R.

Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen will be visiting the Australian circuit as part of a private test – along with Kawasaki’s MotoGP team – while the remainder of the MotoGP paddock will be at Jerez in Spain. The team has chosen to visit Phillip Island as it is a circuit which highlights any lack of engine performance or rear grip and any improvements found at the fast Australian track will certainly help at other venues on the MotoGP calendar.

“It is good to be going to Phillip Island rather than Jerez, because I am sure the weather will be better and we’ll be able to get a lot more work done," Vermeulen said. "This is only the second test since the single tire rule was introduced so it will be interesting to see how the new compound we now have to use performs at a circuit that is always tough on tires. We have had some problems at Phillip Island, but if we find something that works well there then it will almost certainly work even better at other tracks."

The two Rizla Suzuki regulars will be joined by factory test rider Nobuatsu Aoki for the three-day test, where the experienced Japanese racer will be on hand to assist with the assessment of prototype chassis and engine parts for the 2009 machine.

“This will be a very important test for us as we will be able to see where we are at the moment for next year," Capirossi said. "Suzuki has been working really hard since the last test at Valencia and we will have lots of new parts to try out at Phillip Island. We have just done some wind tunnel testing in Japan and with the data we got there it will be interesting to see what the new aerodynamics will be like. We need to make the most of these three days as we don’t have as many tests over the winter.”

The trio of Rizla Suzuki riders will take to the track next Wednesday for the first of a busy three-day period which will see the team planning to make improvements and a good direction in readiness for its attack on the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.