2012 Honda prototype turns a wheel in Jerez in hands of Casey Stoner

Pictures of the 2012 Honda prototype race-machine hit the World Wide Web back in April since the testing began in the hands of HRC test riders Kosuke Akiyoshi and Shinichi Ito at the Suzuka circuit in Japan. The test for factory riders Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner was scheduled post the French GP but due to the injury suffered during the crash in Le Mans Pedrosa was forced to miss the test but Casey Stoner got to spend good time in the saddle of the 1000cc Honda prototype for next season.

Casey started the test at about 11.00 a.m. in the morning under perfect sunny conditions and completed a total of fifty laps (221km) astride the new race-bike running on the current 800cc Bridgestone rubber as well as the new prototype tyres for 2012. Senior mechanics from HRC were also present at the Jerez test to help getter better and instant feedback from Casey Stoner on the new bike as it will help the R&D in setting up the race machine right from the early stages of development. With the new regulations for the MotoGP class for 2012 announced including a capacity hike of upto 1,000cc from current 800cc, maximum bore of 81mm, maximum of 4 cylinders but fuel tank capacity remaining same as current rules state – 21litres, it is clear that the fuel cap will force teams to improve fuel consumption on the 2012 race-bikes, thus restricting their power output.

HRC began development on the new prototype machine from late 2009 and even its sponsor, fuel giant Repsol has been actively involved in order to deal with the fuel efficiency concern and thus sent its experts to Japan to develop a specialized fuel and lubricant for the new bike and develop a special fuel which offers better efficiency as well as improved performance. Each of the factory teams gets eight days of testing during the season only with contracted riders on the 2012 prototype machines. The HRC team will now decide how it will utilize the remaining test days and also try to see if Pedrosa can be fit to ride the 2012 prototype to get his feedback as well on the race machine. After Pedrosa’s nasty crash at Le Mans it still remains to be seen if he will opt for the fracture to heal naturally or prefer going under the surgeon’s knife.