FPR gear up for Brno challenge Foggy PETRONAS Racing venture into unknown territory for the seventh round of the Superbike World Championship at Brno in the Czech Republic this weekend. World Superbike action returns to scenic setting for the first time since 1996 and, although Garry McCoy has a wealth of Grand Prix experience at the circuit, this is a new venue for Carl Fogarty’s team. But team manager Jack Valentine is hoping to build on the progress made at the previous round, when Steve Martin recorded the best result of the season with an eighth place in the second Misano race. Jack said: “We have been spending most of our time developing the new engine management system and I think there is still plenty to come from that. The Brno circuit may not suit us because there are some steep climbs, particularly coming out the chicane. However, there are also a lot of fast flowing corners so, until we get there, we do not really know what to expect. It will be critical to get the gear ratios correct quickly so that we can maximise the potential of the bike.” Garry said: “We used to test there in my Red Bull days so I know the circuit pretty well and have had some pretty good results there. I have won in the 125cc GPs there and also clinched the German championship at Brno on a 125cc. I was also third in the 500cc GP in 2001, behind Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi. It’s a big and wide track with a couple of hills, a couple of tight lefts and some blind corners, so it is a bit tricky. The key corner is the one running onto the main hill. If you come out of there a bit untidy you will lose all momentum before that huge hill. I always look forward to going to Brno and I hope our bike is going to be relatively competitive.” Steve said: “I think I will be one of the very few riders never to have seen the track before, but if the bike is handling well it shouldn’t be too difficult to learn. I am not going to have any pre-conceived ideas and I just want to do as many laps as I can with my settings from Misano so that I can get an idea about the gearing. It looks as though the weekend might be wet and I would actually look forward to a wet race. The team have been making a few modifications to the weight distribution which should help improve my lap time consistency with full and empty fuel tanks.” Foggy was a winner at Brno in 1993 and narrowly missed out on a double victory when his bike broke down on the penultimate lap while leading, although he managed to nurse it home in second place.