End of the road for Foggy Petronas.

Carl Fogarty enters the final round of the Corona Extra Superbike World Championship this weekend at Magny-Cours in France with one eye fixed firmly on the future of his race team.

His Foggy Petronas Racing outfit are preparing for their last outing with the Petronas FP1, after a five-year project with the petroleum giant in which the first Malaysian Superbike was developed and raced against established manufacturers.

Martin, Imola WSBK Race 1, 2006
Martin, Imola WSBK Race 1, 2006
© Gold and Goose

Carl Fogarty enters the final round of the Corona Extra Superbike World Championship this weekend at Magny-Cours in France with one eye fixed firmly on the future of his race team.

His Foggy Petronas Racing outfit are preparing for their last outing with the Petronas FP1, after a five-year project with the petroleum giant in which the first Malaysian Superbike was developed and raced against established manufacturers.

But with his team yet to find a replacement sponsor, to fund the purchase of alternative machinery and finance the team's racing activities during 2007 and beyond, Fogarty will have little time for sentiment as he seeks to secure the future of Foggy Racing.

"In many respects it is sad that this will be our last race with Petronas and the FP1," reflected Carl. "This has been a unique project and things have been achieved that people did not think were possible, although you always wish you could have done better in certain areas. But I am still very confident I will have a team, with new sponsors, challenging at the front next year."

Foggy Petronas and the FP1 took two pole positions and two podiums during a four-year WSBK career leading up to this weekend (2002 was spent setting up the team and developing the motorcycle away from the racetrack) and Magny Cours will also mark another farewell for Fogarty, with Steve Martin already confirmed as switching to DFX Honda - with Carl's full blessing - next season.

To add to Martin's emotions, his partner Sandra Cork is imminently expecting their first child: "I probably will not know until I am on the grid for the last race what I will feel," said the Australian. "But I want to enjoy my last race with Petronas and FPR and will be giving 110 per cent to show to everyone what they have meant to me over the last two years. My aim is to finish the year with our best two results and go out on a positive note."

Rookie team-mate Craig Jones will end his first season in World Superbike will a less certain future, but is also planning a fitting finale.

"This circuit looks a bit easier than Imola to learn, so I'm looking forward to getting out there and getting going. I'm hoping to be able to score points in both races and finish the season on a high, particularly with it being the last race on the FP1 as well," said the Briton. "It would be great to make it into Superpole to have that experience, but all I can do is give my usual 120 per cent effort and work with our great team to get the best we can out of the bike."

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