From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
KAWASAKI/FUCHS ITALY IMOLA WEEKEND

FUN WEEKEND AHEAD FOR FUCHS KAWASAKI TEAM AT IMOLA

The Italian Grand Prix may still be two weeks away, but the historic Imola circuit will reverberate to the sound of MotoGP engines this weekend, as Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann give Italian Kawasaki riders their first glimpse of the 2004 Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine that took Nakano to tenth place in the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez less than one month ago.

The annual Imola weekend, which is organised jointly by Kawasaki Italy and the Italian arm of the Kawasaki Racing Team’s title sponsor Fuchs, has traditionally attracted Kawasaki owners from all over Italy, but this year the event is predicted to be bigger than ever.

Upwards of 3,000 Kawasaki owners are expected to descend on the Imola circuit this weekend, where they’ll get the chance to chat and have their photographs taken with Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, before watching the two Fuchs Kawasaki riders tackle the world famous Imola circuit aboard the Ninja ZX-RR machines on which they’ll contest the Italian Grand Prix in two weeks time.

And while the bikes may be too fast to get a good look at during the demonstration laps, there will be ample opportunity for close inspection of the 230BHP machines as they’ll be on display all weekend in front of the Fuchs Kawasaki race transporter.

In addition to autograph and photo sessions with the Fuchs Kawasaki pilots, visitors to this weekend’s event will also have the opportunity to win a set of Alex Hofmann’s leathers, and one lucky female visitor will get the chance to stand on the Mugello grid next to one of the Fuchs Kawasaki riders immediately before the start of the Italian Grand Prix.

Joining the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team at the Imola event will be Mauro Sanchini and Ivan Clementi from the Bertocchi Kawasaki World Superbike team.