PREPARATIONS GOING WELL: New machinery modifications and the latest Pirelli control tyres contributed to the high pace set by the leading runners in the most recent pre-season tests, at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. Three main teams were in attendance, the Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki squad, Yamaha Motor France and Petronas, in what was scheduled to be a full four-day test.

CHAMPION STAMPS HIS AUTHORITY: Current SBK™ World Champion Troy Corser (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) was once more the master of not only his home circuit, but of his peer group, as he set the fastest times of the test – in both single lap sprints and race simulations. His absolute best was 1’32.79 but he put in a race simulation time almost 30 seconds faster than last year’s race times. The 1996 and 2005 champion put that level of performance down to improvements in his Suzuki GSX-R1000 and a great leap forward in the control Pirelli tyres, particularly the newest rears. He did not opt to run on the final day, such were the high winds – an unpredictable factor which frequently affects this particular track, located so close to the seashore. Corser’s team-mate Yukio Kagayama was one of only three regular SBK pilots to ride on the final day of testing. He nonetheless improved his best time to 1’33.5, for third fastest overall.

MARTIN MAGNIFICENT FOR PETRONAS: Despite comparatively recent kidney surgery and feeling only 95% fit, Petronas FP-1 rider Steve Martin went over two seconds faster in race conditions than he managed last year, with a best of 1’33.4 coming on day three. His plan to complete a final race simulation on the last day fell foul of the high winds, but both he and his rookie team-mate Craig Jones can leave Phillip Island with a feeling of satisfaction at their progress. It was a particular boost to the Foggy Petronas team for Martin to record a best single lap time inside that of Suzuki rider Kagayama. Jones, the young Briton drafted into the team for the 2006 season, set a personal best of 1’35.6.

YAMAHA MOTOR FRANCE FINISHES TESTING EARLY: The three man Yamaha Motor France IPONE squad ended their test with one day left to run, having satisfied themselves of the efficacy of their new front forks and engine electronics systems. Norick Abe set a best time – on race tyres - of 1’34.5, only a tenth of a second faster than his 2005 team-mate Sebastien Gimbert. Each was reported to have gone faster on qualifying rubber. New inductee to the team, Shinichi Nakatomi, scored a best of 1’35.1 on his last day of testing.

SEASON BUILD UP CONTINUES: Preparations continue for the vast array of teams intent on SBK™ glory in 2006, with tests in Spain the most popular choices for many, in the run-up to the start of the year at Losail, Qatar, on Saturday 25 February. Phillip Island itself becomes the venue for the second round of the series, on Sunday 5 March.

Unofficial Times
Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki): 1’32.79
Steve Martin (Petronas): 1’33.40
Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki): 1’33.5
Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France): 1’34.5
Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France): 1’34.6
Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha Motor France): 1’35.1
Craig Jones (Petronas): 1’35.6