Corser aims to close on Bayliss

From Yamaha Racing

After taking part in a successful official FGSport test at Vallelunga in July both Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) and Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) will see nothing but opportunities at the final Italian round on the 2008 World Superbike calendar.

Corser, who moved into second place in the championship standings after the previous round at Donington Park, will be out to make up ground on long-term championship leader Troy Bayliss, with three rounds left to run.

Haga secured a podium finish of third for Yamaha in the second race at Vallelunga in the 2007 season and he goes for his fifth race win of 2008 this weekend. Corser finished that same 2007 Vallelunga race immediately behind Haga, and with the improvements made on the YZF-R1 racebike since that competition last year, much is expected from the Yamaha duo this weekend.

The Vallelunga test in July this year was the site of the first public test of Öhlins' variable electronic suspension, which was tried again during the largely wet Donington rounds. The team intends to use this technology once more this weekend, and through to the end of the season.

The team will also be using some new engine parts at this race, developed to keep the competitiveness going right to the end of what has already been a classic year of racing, one which has delivered Corser nine podiums so far, and Haga seven.

Corser is keen to get back into action at Vallelunga and he is raring to have another two tries at scoring his first WSB race win for Yamaha.

"We tested at this track earlier in the year; mostly evaluating our electronics package and some development tires," he said. "The track's layout is pretty good. I don't think they have changed it from last year, when we had a fair result. The weather may be changeable for us this weekend, even though we expected earlier it would be good, but either way our bike is working well in wet or dry conditions.

"In terms of set-up, we will probably start the weekend from where we ended testing, before we try anything different. My body is OK after my Donington falls, and the physiotherapy I have had has worked well, so I'm ready to race."

Haga stated, "I go into the Vallelunga race ready to score more points. Donington didn't turn out well, but I am determined to make a good raceday this weekend. We have tested at Vallelunga already this year, so that will help us to find good settings for the track."

Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha Team YZF) scored points in the dry race at Donington, and this weekend he will be looking for some dry weather to meet the Vallelunga challenge. He is 21st overall, on 32 points.

David Checa (Yamaha GMT94) is currently 26th, after scoring well with an 11th place finish in race one at Donington. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha GMT94) is now two places behind Checa, but ready to take some more points if the opportunity arises.