Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Steve Martin and Craig Jones have an immediate chance to bounce back from the disappointments of the opening round of the Superbike World Championship when the early season action continues at the Australian circuit of Phillip Island this weekend.

The stunning coastal venue was the setting for one of the team’s highlights of 2005, when Steve qualified in second place on the grid and missed out on pole by six hundredths of a second.

The experienced Aussie, who at Qatar became the only rider in the history of the championship to have competed in 16 of the 19 seasons (only missing race starts in 1988, 1993 and 2000), almost matched last year’s Superpole time of 1:33.3 at the team’s Phillip Island test in January when he was the second fastest with a lap of 1:33.40, 0.6 seconds behind Troy Corser.

Team-mate Craig Jones will be hoping to put a nightmare debut round behind him and has made a good recovery from the knee wound suffered during qualifying in Qatar.

Team owner Carl Fogarty said: “It’s a shame that we started at Qatar as that is one of our worst circuits and the early indications from winter testing had been that we might do better than last year. The bike is definitely a better package than the one which started last year and Steve goes very well on his home circuit, so this weekend might give us a better idea of how we will do for the rest of the season.

Steve said: “Phillip Island is a circuit that suits our bike so I am going to give it everything I possibly can. This is our chance to see exactly where we are at with the development of the bike. If we can maintain the reliability demonstrated at Qatar throughout the practices and qualifying sessions here and achieve a good set-up, who knows what can happen. I don’t think Qatar as a true reflection of how we will perform throughout the year, even though we did lap a lot faster in the race than in the previous year. But Qatar was an example of how the bike works differently at different styles of track and we are now going from one of our worst circuits to one of our best.”

Craig said: “I want a more consistent weekend and to keep up the momentum we built up at the last test, although I could still do with a bit more track knowledge. I hope that it will be dry in each session so that I can obtain a good base set-up, which I wasn’t able to find in Qatar.”

Circuit information: Phillip Island, Australia

Best lap: Troy Corser, 1:32.193 (Superpole, 1999)
Lap record: Troy Corser 1:33.019 (1999)
Best lap on PETRONAS FP1 on race tyres: Steve Martin 1:33.40 (2006 test)
Pole position: Left
Circuit length: 4.445km
Corners: 7 left, 5 right
Corner radius: 20m maximum, 23m minimum
Maximum slope: 57m uphill

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Steve sixth after first day at Phillip Island

Steve Martin qualified in sixth place for tomorrow’s qualifying sessions at the second round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.

But, with just four tenths separating 5th to 16th places, the competition in this year’s championship remains as hot as the weather at the coastal circuit.

Craig Jones continued to progress along his steep learning curve and gradually improved his times throughout the day on his second visit to the circuit, which was afflicted by typically blustery conditions that affected lap times throughout the field.

Troy Bayliss set the early pace with a time of 1:33.387, closely followed by rookie superbike rider Alex Barros.

Steve said: “The track is definitely a lot more slippery than at the test so it is difficult to do the same sort of times. The wind has been up and changing direction all day and our bike seems to be sensitive to which way the wind blows here. We still have a fair bit to try to see if we can eke out a few tenths because it is so tight at the top. I did a good run of consistently good lap times and I am concentrating on setting the bike up for the race, not for qualifying.”

Craig said: “I listened to what everyone wanted me to do, which was to keep the bike upright and go steady. I wanted to find the limit slowly and, although I am still not down to the times I did at the test here, I think there is a lot of time to find in set-up, track knowledge and also in myself. We are gradually chipping away and we have cured the wobbling that we experienced at Qatar, which is a massive relief. I’m not exactly happy, because I am not pushing 110 per cent like I always do but at least I know I’ve got a little bit in reserve and I will try and turn the wick up a little bit tomorrow. But the main thing is to come away from here with confidence for the remainder of the season.”

Friday qualifying, Superbike World Championship, round 2, Phillip Island, Australia: 1 Bayliss 1:33.387; 2 Barros 1:33.790; 3 Toseland 1:33.851; 4 Corser 1:33.868; 5 Kagayama 1:34.461; 6 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:34.501; 7 Haga 1:34.577; 8 Walker 1:34.589; 9 Chili 1:34.601; 10 Nieto 1:34.618; 28 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:36.408

Free practice: 1 Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1:33.483; 2 Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 1:33.755; 3 Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1:33.951; 4 Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:34.163; 5 Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1:34.208; 6 Haga (Yamaha Italia) 1:34.486; 7 Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:34.601; 8 Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 1:34.717; 9 Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1:34.785; 10 Rolfo (Ducati SC – Caracchi) 1:34.790; 13 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:34.877; 28 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:38.011

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Martin on front row for Foggy PETRONAS Racing at Phillip Island

Steve Martin will start from the front row of the grid on the PETRONAS FP1 for the second season in succession at Phillip Island tomorrow.

The Australian qualified in fourth place for the second round races in the Superbike World Championship, alongside James Toseland, Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss.

Having qualified in fifth place in the morning session, Steve posted his best lap time of the weekend of 1:33.206 to claim his front row place.

He was also able to complete extensive race simulation runs during afternoon free practice, in which he finished sixth fastest.

Craig Jones continued to gain valuable knowledge of the circuit, in only his second visit to Phillip Island, and sliced more than half a second off yesterday’s best time during morning qualifying.

Steve said: “I have gone progressively quicker all weekend and to do my fastest lap when it counted was great. It was just about as quick as I could go, while knowing that I would be returning! So we have given ourselves every chance for the races tomorrow, as being on the front row is a great asset for us. I have been practising starts all weekend and think I have them nailed now, so I can be nice and aggressive into the first corner. I might not be able to run the top guys but I should be able to race for the points this weekend and I am really hoping for a top ten finish, which should be achievable. The level of competition in the Superbike World Championship has always been high but to be on the front row this year, with the addition of the MotoGP riders, is a real achievement and a measure of how much progress we are continually making with PETRONAS.”

Craig said: “I made a little bit of progress with the bike towards the end of morning qualifying and tried other things in the free practice which didn’t make a massive difference. Trying to make the bike suit me and go fast at a track that I don’t fully know is difficult. I have a setting I am reasonably happy with but circuit knowledge is important round here, but tomorrow I will be riding as hard and as fast as I can with the package I have.”

Superpole results, Superbike World Championship, round 2, Phillip Island, Australia: 1 Bayliss 1:32.159; 2 Corser +0.214; 3 Toseland +0.844; 4 Martin +1.047; 5 Barros +1.214; 6 Muggeridge +1.412; 7 Pitt +1.439; 8 Haga +1.472; 9 Lanzi +1.632; 10 Walker +1.769; 11 Chili +1.839; 12 Kagayama +1.952; 13 Nieto 1.999; 14 Laconi +2.333; 15 Rolfo +2.560; 16 Clementi +2.873

Saturday qualifying times: 1 Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1:32.321; 2 Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona) 1:32.991; 3 Haga (Yamaha Italia) 1:33.441; 4 Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1:33.548; 5 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:33.566; 6 Pitt (Yamaha Italia) 1:33.567; 7 Rolfo (Ducati SC – Caracchi) 1:33.658; 8 Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1:33.702; 9 Barros (Klaffi Honda) 1:33.749; 10 Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 1:33.784; 11 Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 1:33.945; 12 Clementi (Team Pedercini) 1:34.089; 13 Chili (DFX Treme) 1:34.132; 14 Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona) 1:34.158; 15 Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1:34.174; 16 Laconi 1:34.182; 26 Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:35.886

Saturday free practice times: 1 Bayliss 1:32.081; 2 Toseland 1:32.539; 3 Corser 1:32.693; 4 Muggeridge 1:33.334; 5 Barros 1:33.471; 6 Martin 1:33.479; 7 Nieto 1:33.694; 8 Pitt 1:33.792; 9 Kagayama 1:33.805; 10 Walker 1:33.846; 27 Jones 1:36.487

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Steve in the points for FPR at Phillip Island

Steve Martin secured two finishes for Foggy PETRONAS Racing in a roller-coaster of a second round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.

Having qualified on the front row of the grid, the Australian had to battle for the minor places when the starts to both races left him in the middle of the field. His 14th and 15th places were scant reward for the team’s efforts during the weekend.

Steve finished the first race less than 30 seconds behind winner Troy Corser. A similar gap in last year’s race would have seen him finish in eight place. He was eventually involved in a battle for 11th with Lorenzo Lanzi, Yukio Kagayama and Regis Laconi, again highlighting the new strength in depth of the championship.

Team-mate Craig Jones completed his first race in World Superbikes in 21st place in the afternoon after being unhurt in a high-side crash coming out of Honda Corner on the 11th lap of the opening race while running in 22nd place.

Corser emerged victorious from a long tussle with Alex Barros after early runaway leader, Troy Bayliss, dropped back through the field in the closing laps of the opening race. Bayliss made amends in the second race, while Corser was taken to hospital after being hit by Barros following a spectacular high-side.

Steve said: “I have three more points than I had at the same point last season. Even though the standard is tougher we are also closer to the leaders than we have been before. I feel as though I am riding well, we just need to work on acceleration and we have a few things to try with the handling at the two tests before the next round. I got a better start in the second race and I managed to stay up there until they came past one by one on the straight. The tyre started to wear and the others could then use their acceleration even more. I was just doing the best I could to hang on where I was. In the first race I got the best start I could but it is a longish run to the first corner and that doesn’t help us. I was racing in a quality group and was less than 30 seconds behind the winner. My bike was handling well compared to the bikes of the guys I was dicing with, but had less acceleration. So I was heaps quicker coming onto the straight but couldn’t do anything with it.”

Craig said: “I had forgotten where parc ferme was! It was a long boring race but I am just glad to finish one. My times were really slow and I was struggling like anything but I was determined to finish no matter what. I definitely feel better for getting one under my belt and now I can build on that, starting with the two tests when I am going to be working on handling in general and getting a good base set-up. I have already been fast on the bike, I just need to get consistent and build on what we have got. In the first race I didn’t have any grip, which was causing the back to pump. I was in a rhythm and going steady and I can’t believe the bike sprung me off.”

Team manager Jack Valentine said: “The team has done everything they possibly could with our current package. The bike was handling superbly and Steve rode as hard as he could. We are just losing a lot of speed on the straights and acceleration out of the turns. I’m pleased that Craig had his first finish in World Superbikes. He rode consistently and hopefully he can build on that to regain the confidence he had during winter testing.”

Race two, Superbike World Championship, round 2, Phillip Island, Australia: 1 Bayliss; 2 Toseland 5.528; 3 Barros 14.312; 4 Haga 16.208; 5 Pitt 17.656; 6 Kagayama 20.832; 7 Rolfo 21.130; 8 Xaus 25.224; 9 Nieto 25.638; 10 Walker 26.007; 11 Fabrizio 32.867; 12 Abe 33.171; 13 Neukirchner 33.211; 14 Chili 34.314; 15 Martin 34.467; 21 Jones 1:20.378

Race one results: 1 Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra); 2 Barros (Klaffi Honda) 0.450; 3 Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 7.974; 4 Haga (Yamaha Italia) 15.121; 5 Rolfo (Ducati SC – Carrachi) 16.292; 6 Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 17.120; 7 Xaus (Sterilgarda Berik) 17.192; 8 Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 22.457; 9 Pitt (Yamaha Italia) 22.490; 10 Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 23.176; 11 Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 28.347; 12 Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 28.413; 13 Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 28.833; 14 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 28.977; 15 Fabrizio (DFX Treme) 29.122

For more news visit our web site: www.foggyPETRONASracing.com