FPR riders aim to validate test results in Spain Foggy PETRONAS Racing start the European section of the Superbike World Championship season at Valencia this weekend hoping to turn encouraging test performances into race results. Valencia is a happy hunting ground for the team and Australian rider Steve Martin recently finished the official WSBK test at the Spanish circuit in fifth place with a time of 1:35.178 two seconds faster than his previous best at the circuit on the PETRONAS FP1. And, having had a chance to test further engine developments at Misano, Steve is hopeful of transferring fast qualifying times into championship points in the third round races. Steve said: “The test at Valencia last month was really positive and I think we have a really good set-up for the race at a circuit that suits our bike. We have also made some improvements since that test so I am 100 per cent charged up. The recent test at Misano has also made me even more hungry for results, as I was able to do some race-distance work and hopefully everything will come to fruition this weekend.” Team-mate Craig Jones also made great strides forward at the Misano test and is looking to build on those set-up developments Craig said: “I am looking forward to getting back on the bike having had a positive test at Misano. We found a good base set-up there and I’m keen to see how that works at Valencia. But I still have to be realistic about my goals at this stage of the season. Now I feel that I am ready to start trying to finish each session in the top 20 and I want to try and get into Superpole. If I could start on the first four rows I think that would give me a better chance of putting my race skills into practice.” Circuit facts: Valencia, Spain Circuit length: 4.005km Pole position: Right Corners left: 9 Corners right: 5 Corner radius: Min 30m – Max 250m Maximum slope: Downhill 5.33 per cent, Uphill 3.58 per cent