Date : 18/07/2010

DOUBLE PODIUM SUCCESS FOR RELENTLESS BY TAS SUZUKI AT SNETTERTON

Snetterton’s triple header produced podiums seven and eight of the season for Relentless by TAS Suzuki, with Alastair Seeley taking third place in Sunday’s opening race and Michael Laverty repeating his team-mate’s success in race two. Both riders also gave a solid account of themselves in Saturday’s re-scheduled Knockhill race two with Seeley fifth and Laverty sixth.

Race 1
In Sunday’s opening race Seeley didn’t let his slow start down in eighth place hinder his progress, and once the BSB rookie settled into his rhythm he forced his way past Chris Walker, closing in on the back of James Ellison and team-mate Michael Laverty. By lap eight he was up to third place and on lap 14 he moved up to second, just over a second behind Josh Brookes. Ellison and Hill became his main podium threats in the closing laps, and although fellow Suzuki rider Hill came through to take second place at the flag, Seeley defended third place valiantly on the final lap to take his second podium of the season. Michael Laverty finished fourth.

Race 2
In race two it was Laverty’s turn to show some Relentless Suzuki determination, and after completing the opening lap in third place, just behind Brookes and Ellison, the hard-charging Toomebridge man slotted his GSX-R1000 Superbike into second place at half distance. When the safety car came out late in the race it bunched the pack together, offering Laverty the perfect opportunity to have another go at race leader Ryuichi Kiyonari. Laverty did take the lead on two occasions, but over the final three laps he lost out narrowly to the Japanese rider with Tommy Hill stealing in for second. Third place gave Laverty his sixth podium of the season, maintaining his fourth place in the overall BSB standings. Alastair Seeley crashed out while disputing fifth place with James Ellison on lap 14 of 24.

Michael Laverty
“That was some scrap in the final race and I really thought I could beat Kiyo but just didn’t have the pace in the final laps. I was disappointed to lose second place right at the end to Tommy, but it has been a tough weekend and we’ve had to really battle for everything in all three races. After Saturday’s race I had to ask myself a few questions, basically why I wasn’t getting the best out of my GSX-R1000 Superbike. I changed my riding style in the final race to get more drive off the corners. What I did learn this weekend is that I can’t go so far away from our base setting and I really did take myself in the wrong direction on Friday. Thanks to Arnie and the team for a big effort, but the main thing is: we are still well in contention in the championship after our 3–5–6 effort.”

Alastair Seeley
“In that last race Ellison left the door open and as I was catching Michael Laverty and Michael Rutter I had to have a go. Ellison looked like he was dropping off the pace after Rutter passed him. I just grabbed a little too much front brake and lost the front, or I’d have been through. My bike just tagged the back of him and he went down but that’s racing – it wasn’t intentional and thankfully he’s not injured. In race one I struggled to get off the line but once I got into third place I was determined to hold on. Ellison did have a sniff and nudged me into the Esses, so it was nice to get another podium. We are back at the sharp end now and I’m really looking forward to Brands Hatch.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager
“It was a tough weekend and all the races involved tight battles, but I think we have now firmly established ourselves as one of the top teams in the championship. That’s eight podiums now in 14 races, which we can’t be too disappointed with, although as I have always said: we are here to win races and that’s what we will keep pushing for. Michael struggled a bit this weekend with his set-up changes but ultimately proved his strength by finishing the weekend on a high and Alastair is now right back at the sharp end. Unfortunately the crash in the final race drops him just one point outside the top six, but he looked strong throughout and we will never criticise our riders for trying hard.”

British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race two result:
1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.472s
3. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +2.740s
4. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +3.757s
5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +4.152s
6. Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +15.640s
7. Chris Walker (Sorrymate.com SMT Honda) +17.779s
8. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +18.417s
9. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +18.880s
10. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +19.131s

British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race three result:
1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.591s
3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.954s
4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +1.584s
5. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +3.897s
6. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +4.899s
7. Chris Walker (Sorrymate.com SMT Honda) +6.127s
8. Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +8.211s
9. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +8.349s
10. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +9.566s