MotoGP Sepang test: No Screamer motor but Kawasaki test new parts

Kawasaki’s new and spectacularly loud Screamer ZX-RR engine will not be tested this week in Sepang, though the Japanese factory still has a host of new parts ready for early evaluation.

After the new firing order in-line four-cylinder motor made its public debut in Sepang last month (January), Kawasaki had initially intended to bring the new motor back to Malaysia for more development work at this week’s three-day session.

But instead engineers have chosen to focus on improvements on the dyno in Japan, with more crucial durability tests to be undertaken before the new motor is deemed good enough to hand down to John Hopkins and Anthony West.

The new engine will be flown to Europe though next week for French test rider Olivier Jacque to test at the three-day IRTA session in Jerez starting on Saturday, February 16.

Kawasaki technical boss Ichiro Yoda said he was still unsure when the new motor would be ready to roll out on a race weekend, but told MCN: “We will try the new engine again in Jerez because we need a bit more time to work on a few things.

“The plan was to try it again in Malaysia but we need to work on the mapping for the power delivery and also to check some parts for reliability.”

Ichiro Yoda said the first shakedown in Sepang at the end of January had already proven that the Screamer was an improvement on the Big Bang version, even though it is still in early development.

“Olivier was around 2-3ks faster on the straight than the standard engine, and this is with the same amount of revs.

“We still have to increase the revs on the Screamer to reach its potential.”

Although the Screamer wasn’t on track today in Sepang, Jacque and Japanese test rider Tamaki Serizawa still had a hectic testing schedule, with the current Big Bang motor running increaed rpm.

A new chassis was also available.

Olivier Jacque posted a best time of 2:03.655 while Serizawa logged a 2.06.874.