Carl Fogarty today revealed fans’ favourite Chris Walker as the new rider for his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team in the 2004 World Superbike championship.

And the 31-year-old from Nottingham, England, will have an immediate chance to put the FP1 – the first Malaysian superbike – through its paces when he joins new team-mate Troy Corser at the team’s two-day test in Valencia, starting tomorrow.

Walker, universally known as The Stalker for his gutsy and aggressive style of riding, finished sixth in the 2003 championship with six podium finishes and replaces fellow-Brit, James Haydon, at FPR.

And four-times World Superbike champion Foggy, believes that his new man will be a key factor in his team’s bid to turn the progress made in their debut season into tangible results next year.

Carl said: “This is a great signing for us and Chris will bring a lot to the team. Everyone knows he is fast and that he always gives 110 per cent, which is all I can ever ask for. I am hoping that he will also help Troy by providing more competition within the team. I think Chris’ style is more suited to a four-cylinder bike and, having been on our triple, it definitely behaves more like a four than a twin. So I am hoping that the FP1 will really suit him and that both riders will be up there in the top three. And I have always said that I want a British rider in my team, and Chris is by far the most popular rider in Britain today.”

Chris said: “I am really excited about this opportunity. It is going to be a challenge, but it will be an inspiration to be working with people like Carl and Troy – there are world champions everywhere in this team! And it meant a lot to me to know how much Carl wanted me to join. Carl and chief engineer Steve Thompson have told me all about the potential of this bike and there is no doubt it has the capability to improve more than any other bike on the grid next year. So who knows where we might be finishing by the end of the season.”

The Valencia test will be the first test of Pirelli tyres, which all teams will be using for next year’s championship.

Walker career highlights:
2003 – 6th, World Superbike championship, with HM Plant Ducati. Six podiums

2002 – 9th, World Superbike championship with Kawasaki Racing. Best result: 4th

2001 – 500cc GPs with Shell Honda. Best result 12th

2000 – 2nd, British Superbike championship, with Crescent Suzuki. 2nd WSBK round at Donnington, twice 3rd at Brands

1999 – 2nd, British Superbike championship with Kawasaki UK

1998 – 2nd, British Superbike championship with Kawasaki UK

1997 – 2nd, British Superbike championship with Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha

1996 – Debut season in British Superbike championship with Old Spice Ducati

1995 – 1st British 250cc championship, 2nd in 250cc Supercup, with Padgetts GP Racing

1994 – Shell National Clubmans Championship