Foggy Fulfilled
FOGGY FULFILLED
ROUNDUP
CARL FOGARTY shocked the racing world when he spurned Ducati to lead Malaysian oil-giant Petronas’ entry into World Superbike racing. After all, the fourtime champ appeared to have it made: legions of fans, buckets of money, dealership options, etc.
But the idea of a fresh challenge-not to mention having his name on the gas tank-won out, and the cleansheet Foggy Petronas FP1 was born. What began as a flawed MotoGP concept just two years ago now has a full season of WSB racing under its fire-belching belt, along with the requisite ups and downs. Now comes word and images of the muchanticipated street version of the three-cylinder racer.
The engine that powers the FP1 and the new road-going replica isn’t the Formula One-inspired, 989cc pneumatic-valver originally designed by Sauber Petronas Engineering for the ill-fated GP project. Reverse-cylinder architecture, contra-rotating crankshaft and geared camdrive remain, but the fuelinjected (55mm throttle bodies), 899cc Triple uses conventional valve springs, and is fitted with a six-speed, cassette-type transmission (with straight-cut gears-noisy!) and hydraulically actuated dry clutch. In street trim, the FP1 produces a claimed 127 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 68 foot-pounds of torque at 9700 rpm. The exotic, carbon-canned, 3-1-2-3 exhaust seen on the racebike has given way to a 3-1-3 stainless-steel system.
Chassis dimensions mirror those of the machine raced this past season by former WSB champ Troy Corser and British standout James Hay don to 12th and 26th, respectively, ] in the title chase.
U.K. firm FabTech produced the twin-spar aluminum-alloy frame, which is complemented by Brembo brakes, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension and six-spoke O.Z. alloy wheels. The airbox fairing, instrument panel, intake and seat base/subframe are carbon-fiber.
Gotta have one?
May not be in the cards. Of the 150 limited-edition FPls produced, just 100 are slated for public sale.
Hey, Foggy has friends, you know...
Matthew Miles
