From a press release issued by FG Sport Group:

WINTER TESTS – 2005 SUZUKIS MAKE A BIG IMPRESSION AT THE ISLAND

Phillip Island (Australia) 20 January 2005. – The Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki team, comprising of 1996 World Champion Troy Corser and Japanese star Yukio Kagayama, gave the 2005 GSX-R1000 an excellent debut during a three-day test at Phillip Island.

In the favourable weather conditions of an Australian summer Corser and Kagayama pushed to the limit at the awesome seaside circuit, Corser setting a best of 1:34.2; Kagayama 1:34.8. This combined pace, after just one test, compares favourably with the best lap time of the 2004 race weekend, set by Garry McCoy (Ducati), at 1:34.514.

Corser had a particularly eventful three days, as his GSX-R twice collided with seagulls, while Kagayama escaped a crash unscathed.

The 2005 season championship will feature high calibre World Superbike entries from six manufacturers, and even after one test Suzuki has already proved that it will play a part in what will be a particularly fascinating year of global competition.

At least ten riders will have a chance of winning in 2005, thanks to confirmed entries from closely matched teams and riders on Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Petronas and Suzuki equipment. The single make tyre rules, with all riders on equal Pirelli racing products, has already proved to be a great success in 2004 and is another factor which promises close and exciting racing.

On Sunday 23 January Noriyuki Haga will have his first ride on Yamaha’s impressive YZF-R1, alongside 2005 team-mate Andrew Pitt, allowing a fair comparison between two of the championship’s big hitters, Suzuki and Yamaha.
Yamaha Motor Germany’s Australian duo of Broc Parkes and Kevin Curtain will also have a chance to test their 2005 YZF-R6 World Supersport machines.