|
Date: 7th March
2005
Subject: Preseason Testing – Misano Adriatico, Italy
With the
2005 Season only four weeks away, Team Diablo 666 Bolliger Kawasaki along with
its partners, Bolliger Kawasaki, organised this test to blow the cobwebs off the
ZX 10’s both teams will once again be using in this years World Endurance Racing
Championship, prior to the first round of the 2005 season at Assen. Within hours
of departure for Bologna Forli Airport, Miles Hutchins received a call from
Hanspeter Bolliger to say that the weather in Switzerland was snow, snow and
more snow and the forecast for the Misano area wasn’t much better.
With the riders desperate for any track time prior to the first round at Assen,
the decision was made for part of the original Diablo party to fly out to Misano
to find out if it was possible to test or not before Hanspeter set off on the
650 kilometre drive.
Miles
Hutchins (in the middle) feeling well hacked off. Capirossi look-alike (left) on
his No. 65 MV Agusta didn’t help.
Landing
at Bologna Forli airport, Thursday night, where the snow ploughs had been out
clearing the runway, things looked bleak!
First
inspection at the circuit on Friday, where the temperature was a typical
Mediterranean -1 degree C, the track looked superb with a handful of riders
braving the freezing conditions. With no sun and no wind, “parts of the circuit
were wet and extremely slippery”, we were informed by a frozen Austrian rider,
impersonating MotoGP rider Capirossi, on his number 65 MV Agusta.
James
Hutchins and Kevin Falcke dressed and ready for action (not!) at a freezing
Misano.
After many calls between Misano and Switzerland, Team Principal Miles Hutchins
made the final decision to not have Hanspeter Bolliger trek down to Misano. This
decision was further complicated by the possibility of another test being
organised by Bolliger for two weeks time at another famous circuit, Mugello,
where it was hoped that the weather would be more favourable. This would be only
the weekend before the first round at Assen, where at the moment the circuit is
covered with 30cm of snow.
With return flights booked for Sunday the intrepid squad stayed on for a Team
break to take in the beautiful but deserted tourist area of Rimini. A trip down
to Mugello to check out the circuit the explorers also took in such memorable
tourist sites as the snow laden Tuscany Hills, the beautiful Ponti di Vecchio
and David’s statue in Florence, the wonderful picturesque mountain tax haven of
San Marino and (for a typical Diablo slap-up meal) MacDonald’s in Forli. The
riders particularly liked the look of some of the sights in the local Disco’s
especially at about 6 in the morning. (where's
the pictures? - Ed.)
After the 100 kilometre drive down to Mugello to check out the circuit for the
test in two weeks time, the team were greeted with typical Italian warmth from
the resident security guard, “you ees notta coming in here, you ees notta
Valentino Rossi!”.
Cheers mate - we’ll sort you
out in a fortnight! The circuit looked superb (from behind the security fencing
of the overlooking hill). James and Kevin both agreed the circuit looked
awesome. Two weeks to wait before they could try the circuit out. Doh!
A very
picturesque Tuscany, perfect downhill skiing weather. 175bhp ZX-10’s – no way!
Sunday
Morning – Catching a few rays at Autodromo Santa Monica, Misano
Whay-hay!
Where have those wussy Diablo 666 riders got to!
Ready for
the off during one of Sunday’s races
Last port of
call on Diablo’s Grand Tour of Italy – The Castle at the Republic of San Marino
– Again good snowboarding weather!
The
spectacular view from the castle ramparts – Manuel Poggiali's home territory.
All in
all the weekend was a great break and team building event. Much sampling of the
local culinary delights and vino was undertaken in true British style. The
weather has ruined the plans of many of the top motorcycle racing teams over the
last month. Why should Diablo 666 be any different?
DATELINE
MARCH 12th
With the 2005 Season only two weeks away, Team Diablo
666 Kawasaki along with its partners, Bolliger Kawasaki, have organised a test
at Valencia for the 18th and 19th March 2005. This replaces the weather ruined
test two weeks earlier at Misano, and the later cancelled test at Mugello,
thanks to a certain Mr. M. Schumacher needing the Ferrari owned Mugello circuit
for a whole weekend to practice his overtaking technique.
None of the riders have so much as sat on a motorcycle let alone tested one.
This would be the last chance to test prior to the Easter Weekend’s season
opener at Assen. Fingers and every other available digit are well and truly
crossed for the weather to allow James Hutchins, Kevin Falcke and Steve Mizera
to have some constructive track time on Diablo’s Kawasaki ZX-10’s.
| 
