Official team statement on Corser deal

Carl Fogarty today completed the rider line-up of his new Foggy Petronas Racing team by capturing the coveted signature of former team-mate Troy Corser.

The 30-year-old Australian former World Superbike champion has signed a three-year deal with Fogarty’s outfit, which is being backed for five years by Malaysian petroleum giant, Petronas.

Corser, who won the World Superbike title in 1996 to become the youngest ever champion, joins British rider James Haydon on the new Foggy FP1 bike.

Foggy said: ” When we set up this team, I didn’t think for a minute we could have attracted as big a name as Troy Corser for our first season.

” Everyone knows how talented a rider he is, but Troy is also one of the best riders for setting up a bike.

” What he did for Aprilia on a new bike was sensational and we want him to try even harder to make this project a success.

” Now we have the perfect blend of youth and experience and I could not be happier with the two riders that we have signed.

” It’s now up to me to make sure that we have a bike that lives up to their expectations.

” I know Troy well from being his team-mate for two years in 1998 and 1999. Contrary to a lot of reports he was the perfect team-mate, always willing to share information on the set-up of the bike.

” Last year wasn’t the happiest for him and I wasn’t the only one to point that out. But now he is raring to go and wants us to develop this bike around him. That’s exactly the kind of attitude and motivation we need. ”

Corser, who lives in Monaco but is currently enjoying a break at his Australian home, agreed the deal with Fogarty’s holding company, Team Foggy Racing Ltd, after being impressed by the ambition of the Foggy Petronas Racing team and the depth of the backing provided by Petronas.

He said: ” This is a really exciting project and something that is unique in motorcycle racing.

” I’m really happy to be working with Carl and his team and am fired up to take on this new challenge. This is a long-term project and the aim is to get this new bike out on the track and winning races.

” This season is obviously going to be a test year but who knows what might happen towards the end of the season. Then we want to be up there and challenging at the front by the start of next year.

” Petronas are a huge company and are not going into this half-heartedly.

” It’s now up to everyone on the team to repay their faith. ”

Corser has won 23 World Superbike races and was fourth in last year’s championship.

Both new riders will now become involved in developing the Foggy FP1 bike before the team’s planned start date at the ninth round of the World Superbike championship at Laguna Seca.

Running in parallel to the race team project, Petronas are committed to producing a Foggy range of road bikes.