RELENTLESS SUZUKI GO 1–2 IN CHAMPIONSHIP
Ian Lowry and Relentless Suzuki teammate Michael Laverty continued their consistent British Supersport form at the May Bank Holiday special at Oulton Park in Cheshire, making it seven podiums from a possible eight so far this season. Lowry took second place on the podium for the second week in succession ahead of Laverty, who is still the championship leader with 82 points.
Starting the race from the fourth box on the front row, Laverty lead the race for six laps in a tight duel with Dennis Hobbs. Lowry didn’t make the most of his third placed qualifying position and slipped to seventh on lap one, but the Moira man took the challenge to both Laverty and Hobbs at half distance and narrowly missed out on a debut win on the number 5 Relentless Suzuki.
Laverty was forced to settle for third at the end of 16 laps but the Toomebridge rider again showed ‘ring-craft’ scoring 16 points to maintain his championship lead, with Lowry moving into second place in the series with 56 points.
Ian Lowry
“I didn’t make the best of starts today after working hard to secure a front-row slot and had to battle back from almost five seconds down on Dennis and Michael. I found a good rhythm in the middle section of the race and put in some fast laps that pulled me right back into it. When I got past Michael I could see that Dennis was really riding the wheels of his bike but the GSX–R600 Suzuki was well capable. Frustratingly, I had probably asked too much from my Pirellis in the middle part of the race and I just couldn’t eek out that final tenth to take the win, but it’s not far away. First and second in the championship is also great viewing for the Relentless Suzuki team!”
Michael Laverty
“There’s no point hiding the fact that I’m a bit disappointed after that today. I had what I thought was a good race set-up and wasn’t too worried when I saw that Dennis was making ground on me. When he got past and I tried to up the pace I started to suffer with front-end chatter; then Ian came past as well and I couldn’t fight back as I was missing apexes. I have three circuits coming up that I really enjoy – Snetterton, Mondello and Knockhill – so I’ll be gunning to win them all!”
Philip Neill – Team Principal
“Another double podium and a one-two in the championship after four rounds doesn’t leave me with much to complain about, but from a racers point of view, we need to take the opportunity to win when it’s available. Having both riders so close to the front and missing out on the win today is a bit frustrating, as I don’t believe Dennis Hobbs had a better package than either of them this weekend.
Ian made a bad start but came back through the field with some very fast laps in the middle section. Unfortunately he may have taken the best from his tyre in the process and didn’t quite have the grip to take the win but it will come.
Michael is one of the most talented riders in the paddock and is more than capable of winning more races this season, so if he felt the package wasn’t quite right for him today then I have to respect his decision. He rode a calculated race to third, but I know he won’t be satisfied with losing points this weekend to his main rivals.
So far the GSX–R600 Suzuki has proven to be the bike of the championship and with regular podiums and two wins to date, hopefully we have been able to give our loyal sponsors a positive return.”
Results – British Supersport Round 4
Winner – Dennis Hobbs [Honda] 26:52.676; 2nd – Ian Lowry [Relentless Suzuki] +0.674; 3rd – Michael Laverty [Relentless Suzuki] +1.694; 4th – Guy Sanders [Kawasaki] +13.299; 5th – John McGuinness [Honda] +21.372; 6th – Tom Grant [Yamaha] +21.483