From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy focus on Phillip Island progress

Carl Fogarty is hoping for more progress from his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team when action in round two of the World Superbike championship starts at Phillip Island tomorrow.

Riders Troy Corser and James Haydon both scored points when the FP1 made its race debut at Valencia in the first round. And, with native Australian Corser finishing seventh in the second
race after qualifying on the front row, Carl is expecting further strides forward – from both riders.

Foggy, who had to return to England for family commitments after riding the FP1 at the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix last weekend, said: “Troy knows the track like the back of his hand and James went well in our test there after Christmas – so it would be great to think they will both be challenging for a top six finish. It was obvious that we were still lacking a bit of punch coming out of the slow corners but the fast flowing curves of Phillip Island should suit our bike a bit better, as the chassis is good at holding corner speed. We have also made one or two changes for this round, with a slight development of the exhaust system, which will hopefully improved torque at low revs.”

Troy, who has raced at Phillip Island every year since 1989 and who still holds the fastest race lap of 1:33.019 from 1999 – when he beat his current boss in both races, is relishing the return to action on home territory. “Everyone enjoys racing on their home circuit and I think the benefit for me is that it’s a circuit that suits my racing style. I find it easy to race here because I know it so well and I can almost ride without having to think where I am going.

“That means I can concentrate on what’s happening with the bike – which is important because the FP1 is still very new. I think the races will be a lot closer here – nobody will be finishing nine seconds in front of anyone. My expectations are to make the front row, or the front two rows after qualifying, and then catch the four guys expected to be at the front on the Ducatis. My next goal is to be the first Australian.”

James said: “I loved being back in a race situation at the first round and I can’t wait to get going again here. I just want to get in there and start showing what I can do and the bike can do. We had a good test here and the track will suit our bike better than Valencia at this stage of the development.”

Both FPR riders will be wearing black armbands for Sunday’s races as a mark of respect for Barry Sheene, who died earlier this month.