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
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