Motorcycling hero Troy Corser has backed talented, young, Australian rider, Josh Forster to compete in the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R European Cup Championship.
Currently dominating the 2005 World Superbike Championship aboard his Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSX-R1000, Corser has teamed with Suzuki Australia to assist Forster in this year's GSX-R Cup series.
“Josh (Forster) is a fantastic young talent – I've got a lot of faith in his ability and given a start in the right competition, he could definitely make his mark on the international racing scene,” Troy Corser said.
“I know from experience how tough it can be to make it overseas without good solid support and financial backing, and that's why I decided to pay the entry fee to enter the series and back Josh – it would be a real waste for such a promising Aussie rider to be left on the sidelines.”
“It's absolutely brilliant that Suzuki Australia will support my/our team with spare parts assistance to help Josh throughout the European GSX-R Cup series.”
Previously known as the Worldwide GSX-R Cup and run over one weekend, the revised GSX-R Cup program now comprises a five round championship throughout Europe.
While non-European Suzuki distributors were not scheduled to be involved this year, Suzuki Motor Corporation has allowed Suzuki Australia to field a late entry at the special request of Corser.
As the inaugural Suzuki GSX-R European Cup Championship round kicked off last weekend in Valencia, Spain on Sunday 24 April, Forster showed much promise in the opening event.
Having only received confirmation of his entry one week prior to the event, qualifying 18 th , Forster finished a very creditable sixth overall in his first outing.
“Suzuki Australia is very pleased to support Josh throughout the Suzuki GSX-R European Cup Championship… with one round completed, he has already shown a lot of potential and is positioned very well for the series,” Glyn Griffiths, National Marketing Manager – Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia said.
“We have a range of on-going initiatives offering assistance for up-and-coming racing talents in Australia; extending this support to a rider contesting an entire series abroad takes our commitment to the next level.”
The next round of the series takes place at the British World Superbike Championship round at Silverstone on 29 May.

SUZUKI GSX-R EUROPEAN CUP

Championship Points (after 1 of 5 rounds):

1. David Salom (Spain) 25
2. Hudson Kennaugh (South Africa) 20
3. David Fouloy (France) 16
4. Carmelo Morales (Spain) 13
5. Mike Edwards (UK) 11
6. Forster Josh (AUSTRALIA) 10
7. Ismael Ortega (Spain) 9
8. Oliver Skatch (Germany) 8
9. Dominic Lammert (Germany) 7
10. Rene Mahr (Austria) 6