2021 Ninja ZX-10RR On Track Again
After the first signs of a new WorldSBK specification KRT Ninja ZX-10RR were unveiled at Jerez last week Motorland Aragon will host the next key stages of 2021 on-track development in another two-day test, to be held between 25 and 26 November.
Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes are both keen to take part in what is the final on-track action of this unique season, each aiming to get to know the new bike more deeply with each pitlane exit.
Six-times WorldSBK champion Rea topped the test times at Jerez. Once again, however, the main focus of all involved will be to learn the full capabilities of a machine with a different engine character, due to lightened internal parts that allow a higher rev ceiling on the showroom model.
As well as pushing to find the upper reaches of the new bike’s performance envelope, Lowes will continue to make back-to-back tests to confirm the positive base setting improvements he and his crew found at the Jerez tests.
The bold styling of the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR has a real aerodynamic purpose, with internal winglets providing up to 17% increased down force at the front on the road machine. Vents in the new tail section also create a low pressure zone behind the rider that will aid overall performance – especially allied to a higher revving engine providing a greater base to build on in terms of top end performance.
With a vast back straight at the 5.077km long Motorland Aragon allowing riders to max their machines out in top gear, this particular test should give Kawasaki and the team a real insight into the enhanced aerodynamic and mechanical performance of the 2021 machine.
More details of the new Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR machines can be found on the Kawasaki Motors YouTube channel, with videos outlining all the changes made to the showroom models the KRT WorldSBK machines are closely based on.
These two days of testing at Motorland will conclude the on-track elements of the 2020 season, but with a heavily modified new bike for 2021 all elements within the overall Kawasaki racing programme will be working hard to make the maximum impact when testing and racing restart next year.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “Motorland is a great circuit to test at now as we have been fast there this season and it will be a nice to compare where we are now. We will continue to work with our 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR after an initial shake down last week in Jerez. It really is early days but it’s clear that the bike has very good potential and we will continue to work to understand the different engine character. It’s the last test before a long break so it’s important to work well and give good feedback so we can develop things in the right way.”
Alex Lowes, stated: “Of course I’m excited to get back to work with the 2021 bike. I have a lot of things to get through this winter so I’m sure we won’t get all that work done this week. But the important thing for me is to make the same back-to-back tests I did in Jerez to confirm the positive feedback at a track with different characteristics. It’s also I great opportunity to start exploring the new bike more.”
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “We will soon take part in the last track activity of the 2020 season. Nobody could expect after the Australian would that this year would get so complicated. Of course, our activity is a sports show and not a first priority sector; but many people in racing life depend on it, so I have to thank Dorna and all the sponsors who made this season happen. We worked to secure the maximum safety for everyone and we always did our best to develop in our job. Even if we were winning this year – and it seems sure we will not starting next season until approximately the end of April – we will never stop working. We will always do our best to give the best show to the fans and entertainment to everybody who loves racing. We will continue over the two days at Motorland to develop the fantastic new ZX-10RR that Kawasaki launched recently. I’m sure next year we will be able to make another step forward. We have a lot of jobs to do, because we took good note of many areas we need to improve in because other teams are pushing so hard. We will not sleep on our success and will return in 2021 even stronger. Hopefully all the world starts to wake up from this nightmare of Covid-19 soon, thanks to the efforts of many, many people and to vaccines that will arrive soon to start to protect people.”
KRT will be joined at Motorland Aragon in testing by the Outdo Kawasaki TPR team.
