Interview with Fabien Raulo

Interview Fabien Raulo, responsible for Kawasaki Supersport World Champion in Sports Bike magazine/web site:

If you've never heard of Fabien, it’s not really a surprise as he usually has his head down and is charging around the paddock trying to coordinate the day to day needs of many Kawasaki racing teams and….get this….trying to keep them happy – wow what a job!

With Steve Guttridge at the top of the Kawa tree overseeing the overall race strategy for tarmac and off-road Lime Green racing, its people like Fabien that “make it happen”, reporting back of progress and “energising” the teams to do their best for the fans while feeding  back any possible technical issues.

Main issues for Fabien this year was to concentrate on the Supersport and Superstock 1000 Kawasaki with Ichiro Yoda looking after Superbike. His reward… playing a part in the title of World Champion, Kenan Sofuoglu on the Ninaj ZX-6R in Supersport and Superstock title for manufacturer/Kawasaki in 1000, ahead of BMW and Ducati.

Here is a translation of a recent interview with Fabien:

The man himself - Fabien Raulo

What is your background and your career?

"I trained as an engineer on a general level and then moved to specialise in the technical part of the engine. I started my career in competition with Randy de Puniet in the 125 class, at the time with Besse Competition Scrab team. After that I worked with Michael Bartholemy, then I just stopped competing to work in the car industry. It was Mr. Yoda whi me called five years in 2007 and asked me to work on the competition side of things again, this time with Kawasaki. I spent a year in Japan, at the Akashi factory, then I returned to Europe to take care of racing as technical coordinator.

What is your role in Kawasaki?

 "At first, it was mostly technical coordinator for circuit races as Superbike. Starting this year, I also take care of motocross. Therefore I am also working closely with Gautier Paulin, Xavier Boog and Tommy Searle.

 What is your assessment of the Supersport season?

 "This is the best season I've known so far. It's been a few years trying to get that title and we were finally able to put it all together to get it. 

And Superstock 1000?

"It is also an excellent track record. Two years ago my superiors at Kawasaki asked me to help get the Ninja ZX-10 to get on the top step of the podium. Last year, we were in a phase of development and the final result was not reflective of the work we did. This year, we went on a sounder footing in this area, with a little more fair balance between effort and result.

I worked closely with Japan, which helped me a lot. Immediately after the race reports there were immediate changes. The development team in Japan gave me a helping hand to bring the bike to where it is today, namely it is capable of winning races and making podiums regularly with Staring and Guarnoni.

FIM Superstock 1000

 That will change the arrival of Dorna?

 "I'm a bit in limbo and wait to see how things will be handled. Initially in 2013 it will not change much. 2014 by contrast I think a balance may be made between two Grands Prix and Superbike championships and there may be a problem for all the teams to survive – that is reality. Of course we want to have a general discussion to improve the situation, as we saw problems with Liberty Racing, or Lorenzini, whose sponsors were not always able to meet their commitments and therefore it was not always easy. Fortunately we arrived with Kawasaki to follow and help our teams, but we are not a bank. Budgets are shrinking and everyone is in the same situation.

The new ZX-6R is a 636cc. It's a surprise ...?

"No, it is not at all a surprise; this is something that has been done in the past. For Kawasaki, it can boost sales of that model/segment with a reasonable development costs. The 599cc Ninja 600 is already very successful and it is not necessary to change everything right now. So there will be a 636 for two years as road bike, while we will consider the new 600 race version may  happen but not for two or three years maybe. If there is a major overhaul on a technical level it will be things like ride-by-wire for example and things like that.

The 2013 Ninja ZX-6R 636

 How is 2013 shaping up?

"We'll put an accent on Stock 1000 I think. This year, we do not go as far as we wanted. I started with Loris Baz, then he went Superbike (as a result of Lascorz’s injury). I often wonder what we could have done if we had stayed with Loris in Stock - maybe we would have been a little more able to attempt to get the overall title.

Superbike action

Bryan (Staring) had a great season, but he started a little late, as did Jeremy (Guarnoni). In Supersport we will continue the effort in 2013 with a direction a little different now because we won the championship we will not divide our forces. We found new partners, such as the Indian team that wanted to join the Kawasaki family and we will assist them now at the same technical level as Lorenzini.

Also big congratulations also to Vanni Lorenzini and his team, including the chief mechanic Paulo Sofuoglu. They did a great job this year in very difficult conditions, especially financially. Plu Kenan  who is an outstanding rider – he never fails to impress me. "

The team celebrates success

Kenan wins Championship for Kawasaki

Kawasaki in the leading pack