From a press release:

WORLD SUPERBIKE & SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS
ROUND 2 – PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
21 MARCH 2002 – PREVIEW

FUCHS KAWASAKI CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS DOWN UNDER

The Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team head for Australia and round two of the World Superbike and Supersport Championships this weekend, confident that they can repeat the success that saw Hitoyasu Izutsu, Chris Walker and reigning World Supersport Champion, Andrew Pitt, score top-10 finishes at the opening round of the season in Spain just two weeks ago.

For Australian, Andrew Pitt, expectations are high as he returns to his home circuit to continue his world title defence. Despite the added pressure of racing in front of his fellow countrymen, Pitt is confident of a good result at one of his favourite circuits on the World Supersport calendar.

‘I suppose there’s always a bit of added pressure when you’re racing in front of a home crowd, but that just makes a win feel even better I suppose. And that’s exactly what we’re here to do this weekend: Win. Championship points are important but, if I find myself in a position where I can win the race, then you can bet I’ll be going all out to do just that.’

Pitt’s World Supersport teammate, James Ellison struggled with handling problems in the opening round at Valencia, but the 20-year-old European Superstock Champion was fifth fastest during preseason testing at Phillip Island and is looking forward to his second outing on the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

‘I feel a lot more confident going into this weekend than I was prior to the Valencia race. After testing at Phillip Island at the beginning of the year, I know the circuit and the bike goes real well around here; certainly well enough for me to be confident of a top-10 finish on Sunday.’

Less technical than many of the other circuits on the World Superbike calendar, Phillip Island is a real horsepower track; a characteristic that Hitoyasu Izutsu, who celebrated his 31st birthday in Australia on Thursday, will be looking to take maximum advantage of with the awesome top speed of his factory Kawasaki ZX-7RR.

‘I was very happy with the way the bike performed at Phillip Island during preseason testing and I’m looking forward to the weekend ahead. This is a very, very fast circuit, which suits the Kawasaki and, if I can qualify near the front of the grid, then I think I’ll be in with a chance of a good result on Sunday. I will be trying very hard whatever the circumstances.’

Although unhappy with his progress during testing at Phillip Island, two strong performances during the opening round in Spain have bolstered Chris Walker’s confidence and the 29-year-old British rider is looking forward to the weekend ahead.

‘I really like the Phillip Island circuit and the bike goes real well around here speed wise. With the confidence boost that Valencia gave me, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be on the pace this weekend. If I can qualify on the first three rows of the grid, and then get a good start like I did in race one at Valencia, then I reckon I’ll be able to run with the leaders during the two races on Sunday.’

PHILLIP ISLAND STATISTICS

Superbike:
Lap record: Troy Corser, Australia (Ducati) 1:33.019 – 1999

2001 Superpole: Troy Corser, Australia (Aprilia) 1:33.576

2001 Race 1 Winner: Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda)

2001 Race 2 Winner: Race cancelled due to weather

Supersport:
Lap record: Adam Fergusson, Australia (Honda) 1:37.973 – 1999

2001 pole position: Paolo Casoli, Italy (Yamaha) 1:36.917

2001 race winner: Kevin Curtain, Australia (Honda)

TV COVERAGE

Eurosport (Pan Europe): Superbike Race 1, Sunday 24 March 02:00-03:00 (Live), Superbike Race 2, Sunday 24 March 05:30-06:30 (Live), Supersport Race, Sunday 24 March 03:00-04:00 (Live)

BBC (UK): Superbike Race 1&2, Sunday 24 March 16:45-17:45 (Delayed)

LA7 (Italy): Superpole, Saturday 23 March, 17:55 (Delayed), Superbike Race 1 & Supersport, Sunday 24 March 13:50 (Delayed), Superbike Race 2, Sunday 24 March 17:40 (delayed)