From a press release issued by Radar’s Team Yamaha:

MULTIPLE FORMULA XTREME CHAMPION KEVIN CURTAIN RETURNS TO Radar’s TEAM YAMAHA ALONGSIDE BAIRD AND COXHELL

Triple Formula Xtreme titleholder Kevin Curtain returns to the Australian domestic motorcycle road-racing scene and will rejoin forces with Radar’s Team Yamaha for whom he rode to title success in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

In 2002, Curtain will team up alongside defending Formula Xtreme champion, Queenslander Robbie Baird and hard charging Victorian youngster Craig Coxhell with all three riders campaigning the exciting new 2002 model Yamaha YZF-R1.

The trio will form a formidable line up for their rivals in the six-event Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State which opens at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway on March 17. Along with their Xtreme campaign, the team will also compete at the national support events that are held in conjunction with the Superbike World Championship (Mar 22 – 24) and the Moto Grand Prix (Oct 18 – 20), both held at Phillip Island.

For Curtain, he will return to Australia after a successful season in 2001 where he competed in the World Supersport Championship for the BKM Team. He finished the championship fifth overall and his season was highlighted by race wins at Phillip Island and the Lausitzring in Germany.

Curtain will have an expanded role of responsibility as he will be the only member of Radar’s Team Yamaha who will be competing aboard the team’s YZF-R6 in the Supersport class at every event as well as his regular duties on the all-conquering R1.

“I managed a few laps on the new `02 YZF R1 a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed with the bike that is still in its very early stages of development,” said Curtain. “It feels a lot lighter and more maneuverable than the R1 that I rode in 2000. The power delivery feels a lot smoother which shows that Yamaha have worked on the fuel injection system, so by rights it should be a very good bike. Last year was a great experience for me, but I am glad to be back racing in Australia, especially with Yamaha. The Formula Xtreme scene here is improving all of the time and that was shown by the number of lap records that were broken last year. It definitely appears to be the best series to race in here in Australia.”

Curtain’s return will not only increase the competitiveness of the series, but he will also become a prized scalp for his teammates. Robbie Baird won the Formula Xtreme crown in 2001 after fending off a number of challenges from young riders including Coxhell who completed the series in third place.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” said Baird. “It’s nice to have a Christmas break where I’ve been doing a lot of swimming and cycling, but I’d rather be out there racing. From all reports the new R1 is a great bike and I’m hopeful of being able to get out on the track and start testing in February. It took me a long time to get the Formula Xtreme #1 plate, so I’ll be trying extra hard to hang on to it this season.”

Now in his third season with Radar’s Team Yamaha, 19-year-old Coxhell feels that he is in a position to challenge with the likes of Curtain and Baird and come out on top.

“My goal this year is to win the Xtreme title and if I want to do that I have to beat both Kevin (Curtain) and Robbie (Baird),” said Coxhell. “They are both well credentialed riders, so if I can come out on top it will be more than satisfying. Last year I spent a lot of time thinking about where I would race at the end of the season, but this year I will be concentrating on winning a title first before worrying about anything else. Towards the end of last season I got a few things sorted out, including an operation in September to cure the arm pump I was getting in my right arm, and now I feel that I’m in a good position to concentrate on the title chase.”

Coxhell will also defend his Victorian State championship and Harvey Wiltshaw Memorial Trophy when the state series opens at Broadford, Victoria on February 3.

The growth and professionalism of the Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State in recent years has reflected in the increased commitment from race teams including Radar’s Team Yamaha. Team manager Dave `Radar’ Cullen will be calling on all of his former Grand Prix and SWC technical experience as he prepares to repeat his teams 1 – 2 – 3 finish in 2001. The team has already begun preparing one 2002 model Yamaha YZF R1, with the remaining bikes that the team has ordered becoming available shortly.

Cullen and his team look forward to the challenge as they search for a fifth consecutive FX title for the team.

“Yamaha have definitely done their homework in building the new R1 as there are some significant changes made to the bike which will add up to a great racing package,” said Cullen. “The frame stiffness and geometry will greatly help entry and mid-corner speed that should directly mean a higher exit speed. Even the styling changes that have been made make it look quick while it’s stationary. One of the best features are that while Yamaha have made a number of chassis and engine modifications, a lot of the racing gear that we fit to the bike is still interchangeable. The fuel injection system is another area where the bike has improved greatly and will allow for smoother and stronger power delivery.

“As for riders, it’s great to have Kev back in the team,” added Cullen. “He along with Robbie and Craig will make for a very strong line up. Kev has been a big part of Yamaha’s racing success with the R1 and R6 since 1998, so to have him alongside defending Xtreme champion Robbie is very good for us indeed. I am also expecting Craig to continue improving with the development of his racing career. He is an exciting prospect and will be the young face of Yamaha here in Australia.”