Foggy FP-1 faces biggest challenge.

Foggy Petronas Racing faces what could well be its biggest challenge of the World Superbike season this weekend, when the FP-1 takes on the high speed straights of Monza.

Despite posting podium finishes at Valencia and Misano, with Chris Walker's third place at the opening round being followed by Troy Corser's second place last month, team owner Carl Fogarty's expectations for the fourth round of the championship are much more 'realistic'.

"I think this could be a difficult race for us as it is the fastest circuit and we do not have the fastest bike yet," said straight talking Carl. "It might be down to the riders and maybe the conditions if we are to get both riders into the top ten.

"It's a case of trying to keep our feet on the ground although it will be interesting to see if the improved cooling of the bike will close the gap between the top speed of the FP-1 and that of a factory Ducati," he added.

The stresses placed on a new engine were apparent at last season's Monza round when Corser's 13th place in the first race was all the team could muster, with both bikes being black-flagged in the second race when the old-style silencers caught fire under the intense heat generated by the engine down the long straights.

However strides forward have since been made in temperature management and a new specification engine will be used in the FP-1 this weekend. The focus for this stage of development has been to improve reliability and consistency of the engine, and an increased power output is not expected until the next stage of development is available later in the season.

The latest development to the engine incorporates two main features: a revised sealing strategy to prevent oil, water and combustion gas leakages; and new ports, cams and combustion chambers to improve driveability, running temperature, reliability and fuel consumption.

"I really enjoy the Monza round because of the nostalgia of the place," said Walker. "But we know it is going to be tough for us here and an immediate test of the work the Petronas engine development team have been doing. The key will be to try and qualify well so that we can get off with the leading pack and get a tow down the straights."

"Monza isn't actually my favourite circuit as it's not much of a rider's track," added Corser. "It is purely just a horsepower track. It will be a different kind of race to the last three because of all the drafting.

"The left hand side of the tyre doesn't get used much here and stays cold. So you have to be careful at the last chicane before coming onto the back straight because, if you get on the gas too early, you can lose the back end easily," he warned.

Monza first qualifying takes place this Friday.