Haga and Corser move forward at Phillip Island

Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) completed a tough but successful three day test at Phillip Island in conditions which varied from relatively cool to exceptionally hot, finding real improvements while using Yamaha's YCC-I variable intake system in full race trim.

Noriyuki Haga (Position: 6th - Best time: 1'32.4) "It's gone very well. We spent the days testing new parts, the results are good so now I am just waiting for the race. I've tried new suspension, new swing arm linkages and many tyres and the variable inlet trumpets. Before coming to Phillip Island I tested the variable inlet trumpets for two days in Japan and the feeling is very good. We can see from the power curve that it is better and as a rider it gives me a better feeling. It gives us increased adjustment and for sure we will use this from now on." Haga's personal best time of 1'32.4 was only 0.3 seconds from the best over the three days of testing, while Corser set a 1'32.7, both concentrating their efforts on finding good race settings and tyre options in the constantly changing track conditions.

Corser in particular found the surface uncharacteristically bumpy in places, and the final day of testing, run in ambient temperatures of 38°C at times, was hard work for all.

As well as successful trials of the YCC-I system, the team evaluated swingarm and linkage developments, with Corser also trying out new braking components. The very high temperatures of the final day are not expected to be experienced at the Phillip Island race itself, on 2 March.

Troy Corser (Position: 7th - Best time: 1'32.7), "We''ve had a lot to test but we've seen a direction - some were good and some not so good. I've been working to improve the stability on the bike and we've also been trying some new discs to give us better braking. We've had a whole range of front forks, rear shocks and a different swing arm link and tyres to test. The actual one lap fast times on the final day didn't really come but we gained a lot of data, a lot of feedback and have a good race speed. I only spent the final afternoon using the variable inlet but I've been able to feel a bit different power. I think we've still got a bit of work to do to find the best bike balance here but it's definitely been a positive test."

Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team), "We have to be happy with this test because we are better than last year and the year before and in particular over a race distance our speed is good. Still this circuit remains difficult for us because it offers not the grip level that makes are bike work perfect. It is difficult to say the difference between us and the competition, because we did our long run at around 12 noon, most others did theirs at a different time. We were happy with ours, especially the one from Noriyuki, so we are leaving Phillip Island feeling optimistic. Both riders used the variable intake system properly for the first time and both of them were very happy with it. It is a positive step and for sure we will use it at the first race in Qatar."