Donald seals debut podium
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Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing made a positive start to their 2008 British Championship campaign at Thruxton with a debut British Superstock podium for Aussie Cameron Donald in third place; a fifth-placed British Superbike debut for the Relentless Suzuki GSX-R1000 in the hands of Michael Laverty, and a hard-fought fifth place for Ian Lowry in the Supersport class.
Normally used to running only two riders in one class within the series, it was a busy day for the Relentless Suzuki team competing in four races at Thruxton. All eyes were on the team’s BSB debut and Michael Laverty did them proud after having to deal with tyre problems in race one.
Donald has continued to impress everyone since joining the team and his podium will only add to his eve- increasing profile in Relentless Suzuki colours. Ian Lowry ended a tough opening weekend with a positive result and the Moira man will have more to offer in the coming rounds.
Michael Laverty [BSB]:
I’m reasonably happy with today’s results; at least we have shown potential. In the first race the tyre spun two-thirds of the way round on the rim knocking the tyre out of balance and it was hard just to hold on. In race two I had a bit of a problem on the side of the tyre through the really fast curves, but the Relentless Suzuki was up to the job and only for that I could have possibly held on to the Hondas. Top five in the first meeting of the year is positive and it was also satisfying to be the first Suzuki home in the second race.
Cameron Donald [Superstock]:
That was a tough little weekend but I’m absolutely pumped with the result. That must be the happiest I’ve ever been with third place! I was confident all weekend that we could go quicker and although I qualified ninth, when the boys told me that Michael won last year from 12th on the grid that gave me even more confidence. That was my first race at a fast circuit on the Superstock Suzuki and I just can’t wait now to race it at the North West 200. I’m pumped for all the guys in the team and I’m just rapt with this new bike!
Ian Lowry [Supersport 600]:
I’ve had easier weekends in British Supersport but along with the support of the whole Relentless Suzuki team, we worked hard all weekend and salvaged what was a respectable fifth place. It’s not where I want to be but it’s points on the board and Oulton, which is up next, is one of my favourite circuits.
Philip Neill - Team Principal:
This was a good solid start to our career in the British Superbike Championship and we have already bettered the goals we set ourselves for each round of the series. It’s just a shame that we had a small tyre problem in the opening race, which unsettled the bike for Michael or we could have had two fifth places. We always knew that Michael was a better racer than a qualifier and he’s proved that this weekend on what is essentially a home-built bike. We still have a bit to do but I’m pleased nonetheless.
Ian Lowry had a tough weekend but it was good to see him pulling something out of the bag. The result doesn’t reflect his effort or lap times in the race, but again it’s a good solid start for Ian. Hopefully he can now regain some of the confidence that had him topping the pre-season time sheets in Spain on the all-new K8 GSX-R600.
What can I say about Cameron? He has produced a phenomenal result and just continues to impress everyone. He has been hired to do a job at the international road races for Relentless Suzuki but he has proved to everyone what he can also do on the circuits. It is surprising how comfortable he is, and to come from ninth in qualifying to a podium on his debut race with the team is just superb. He’s a guy who deserves a full time ride in the UK and it’s almost a shame we haven’t scheduled to do a full season of Superstock with him.
Overall this weekend has been very positive for all three riders and I would like to thank all our sponsors, especially Suzuki and Relentless for making our Superbike dream a reality.
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