As the ambitious and constantly evolving Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR project enters its second year of GP racing there is no lack of motivation to aim for the best possible result at Phillip Island with the support of family, friends and home fans alike.
"I would like qualify on the front row again like last year, but that will depend on how the ZX-RR and our tyres shape up with the track and, hopefully, cooler weather," McCoy said, "The Island is fast and the Kawasaki is not short of power, but the long, high-speed corners make it hard for us to get on the throttle early. I reckon we'll be hanging off the bike through the fast stuff out the back."
The Phillip Island circuit, with its amphitheatre style seaside location, is a spectacular race track setting. The undulating layout combines the challenging test of a high speed straight, a sequence of long and fast curves and two hairpin corners that provide the ultimate test of braking skills.
"All season, our goal has been to develop the Ninja ZX-RR for a top performance at Phillip Island, and our early aim was the podium because Garry and Andrew know this track very well," commented team manager Harald Eckl, "Unfortunately, at this stage of our new
MotoGP programme, we have not reached the point of being able to provide our riders with a bike that will allow them to really show their home fans what they are capable of - and a podium position is out of reach in our first season.
"But, as always, Andrew and Garry will be highly motivated and again we are expecting strong support from our tyre partners Dunlop, who have been working hard on the special demands of Phillip Island."
