DONALD SEALS DEBUT PODIUM
 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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