From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

“Incredible” Valencia Test For Foggy PETRONAS Racing

CARL Fogarty described the progress of his new Foggy PETRONAS Racing team, backed by Malaysian petroleum giant PETRONAS, as “incredible” after their latest track test in Spain.

The four-times World Superbike champion was on hand to see his two riders, Troy Corser and James Haydon, set promising times at the challenging Valencia circuit.

Australian Troy Corser, a former team-mate of Foggy, made the most of the warm sunshine on the final day of the three-day test to record some encouraging lap times of one minute 36 seconds, just over one second off race pace. With several key areas already earmarked for improvement, the team is hoping for further strides forward before their next test.

Three further tests are also planned for early 2003, before the team makes its eagerly-awaited debut in the World Superbike championship at Valencia on 2 March.

Carl said: “I’m really pleased with the way it has gone again. I think our performance at this stage of the project is incredible and we know there is more to come.

“This was our first test with other World Superbike teams present and so I wanted us to look our best, which I feel we did. Sure, it has been frustrating at times over the weekend, but that is what testing is for. If things are going wrong now and then come right for the first race, then that’s fine. Having said all that, we know we have still got a long way to go and a lot of work to do.”

Troy, who won both races at Valencia in the 2001 season, added: “Considering I had a few technical problems on the first day, this test has ended on a really positive note. I spent the final day trying to vary everything to find the best feel. But I still wasn’t really pushing the bike, as I wanted to stay at around the same lap times so that we could evaluate the changes. I also think a slightly harder front tyre helped me towards the end.”

The final morning was marred by an injury to James Haydon, who high-sided when his rear wheel locked as a result of the clutch problems he had been working on throughout the test. The 28-year-old suffered bruising to his hip and elbow and was unable to complete the session, but is expected to be fit for the next test.

James said: “It’s such a shame that this happened when it did as I was having a particularly good run. My lap times were progressing well with each lap and I was starting to achieve lap times not far off Troy’s pace, which is encouraging considering he knows this circuit so well. I was just starting to get a much better feel for the bike at this circuit, which was new to me at the start of the test.

“My rear wheel locked going into turn three and I was thrown off. I am a bit sore but considered going back out before deciding to play safe. I’m looking forward to returning to Valencia and making further progress with the bike.”