Carlos Checa joins elite few with Nurburgring track knowledge

Carlos Checa is one of a small number of riders who will bring previous track knowledge of the Nurburgring circuit to this weekends seventh round of the World Superbike championship.

Checa joins Noriyuki Haga, Troy Corser (1999 race two winner), Max Biaggi, Ruben Xaus, Gregorio Lavilla, Max Neukirchner, Kenan Sofuoglu, Regis Laconi and Checa’s brother David who have competed at the German track in either World Superbike events held in 1998 and 1999, Grand Prixs or the German championship.

Checa last raced at the track on a 250 and 500GP bike in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

Checa said: “I think I finished seventh on a 250 and then maybe I crashed on the 500. I remember one crash very well because it happened when I was behind (Mick) Doohan.

“Since I was last here they’ve changed the second and third turns for the F1, which has made it better. Turn one will be difficult but the rest of the track is very nice.

“Our bike is working well and I am confident in the set-up. I think we’ll have to make a few changes to the rear of the bike to make it stiffer for the hills but otherwise it should be no big problem.

“At the moment it is raining so this will make things very interesting.”