Corser: Just like old times!

A crash in the first race wasn't enough to dampen a great start for Troy Corser and the new Foggy Petronas FP1 at Valencia yesterday, as the only former World Champion on the grid took a battling seventh in his second outing.

Corser [pictured with former rival Colin Edwards] had made a confident start in the first race until, on lap ten, a tyre pressure problem meant loss of grip - causing the Australian to run off into the gravel for a slow crash while lying ninth.

"On the inspection lap, I knew something was wrong but I thought that maybe the tyre wasn't up to temperature," said Troy. "Then on the first lap, I knew it was going to be a struggle. I thought that the tyre would heat up and I might be OK, but it seems that the rear had lost a bit of pressure and going into the hairpin, I ran a bit wide, then saved it and then found myself heading into the gravel. When I saw the armco getting closer, I just laid the bike down. No problem and no injury."

Corser more than made up for the frustration of his early exit in race two - when he was locked in a three-way battle for fifth with Steve Martin and Gregorio Lavilla until, with three laps remaining, he backed off slightly to secure the nine points.

"I used the same bike and the same tyre for the second race and there were no problems," revealed Troy. "I was in fifth spot and having a good time, but I made a little mistake when I overshot the first turn and Lavilla and Martin got past me. Their bikes seemed to have a bit better acceleration and, although I could catch them on the brakes, I just couldn't get past."

When asked how it felt to be back racing after his year and a half waiting for the machine to be built, Corser admitted that when the race started it was like he'd never been away.

"I feel generally pretty fit, but I'm lacking a little race fitness and race concentration. I haven't been on a start line for eighteen months or so, but when the lights went out, it was just like old times again!

"All in all - apart from the first race - I think we had a pretty good day. One thing I will say though, is that it is a great relief, for me and the whole team, to get this first race under our belt. Now we're off to Phillip Island - a track I know a bit - and I think we can look forward to some good results," concluded Troy.