From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:
Corser aims for further improvement in Japan
Troy Corser is aiming to make the most of the latest developments to the FP1 in order for Foggy PETRONAS Racing to meet the challenges set at the third round of the World Superbike championship in Japan this weekend.
Following a fifth-placed finish in the previous round at Phillip Island, Corser is hoping that further progress in Sunday’s races will help banish painful memories of the Sugo circuit.
The Australian crashed and ruptured his spleen in the morning warm-up for the final two races of 1998, resulting in his new boss, Carl Fogarty, securing a third world title. And, while grip remains a constant issue at the hillside circuit near the northern city of Sendai, Corser realises that he and team-mate James Haydon will have to contend with the inclusion of local Japanese wild card entrants in order to maintain current progress.
Troy said: “I’m confident the bike will handle well round here and I’m just hoping that our latest engine developments will give extra power and torque, especially coming out of the last chicane before going onto the uphill start-finish straight. I’ve done well there in the past and have nearly always been near the podium but it’s
always a difficult race because of the fast Japanese wild cards.”
The FPR team has been working closely with Swiss engine developers Suter Racing Technology to constantly improve the FP1 package. Team manager Nigel Bosworth said: “A development of the camshafts should give more power and torque which will be important, especially out of the last chicane. We also have a revised exhaust system, with new balance pipes to provide extra power. And we’ve also worked hard on fuel and ignition mapping, to produce a far smoother curve.”
James said: “Obviously, having never ridden here before, I know it’s going to be a difficult weekend but I am still really looking forward to it. I am pretty good at learning circuits so I want to concentrate on getting the FP1 working
how I need it to work. So far I haven’t been able to prove what I can do and the pressure will be on until I am running up at the front all weekend.”
Team owner Carl Fogarty, whose surgeon advised against long-distance flights within a week of an operation to remove a plate from his leg, is unable to attend the event.
Circuit information: Sugo, Japan
Best lap: Makoto Tamada, 1:28.658 (2001)
Superpole record: Makoto Tamada, 1:28.797 (2001)
Race record: Makoto Tamada, 1:29.108 (2001)
Pole position: Left. Circuit length: 3.737km
Corners: 6 left, 9 right. Corner radius: 250m maximum, 20m minimum
Maximum slope: 10 per cent
Race times: 0400 and 0730 hours, GMT.
Corser, Haydon Look Toward The Sugo World Superbike Round
Corser, Haydon Look Toward The Sugo World Superbike Round
© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.