DONALD SEALS DEBUT PODIUM AS LAVERTY SHINES
Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing made a positive start to their 2008 British championship campaign yesterday 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 last but not least, 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. Cameron Donald has continued to impress everyone since joining the team and his podium will only add to his ever 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
“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.”