SEELEY SECURES SHOOTOUT SLOT IN ROOKIE BSB SEASON View all news
 SEELEY SECURES SHOOTOUT SLOT IN ROOKIE BSB SEASON
Relentless by TAS Suzuki will enter the opening races of the Title Fighters’ Shootout at Croft in two week’s time with both riders impressively making the top six, after Michael Laverty and Alastair Seeley consolidated their positions today at Cadwell Park.
Michael Laverty suffered some chatter problems in race one after his tyre spun slightly on the rim, but the Relentless by TAS Suzuki number 7, finished his day at the Lincolnshire venue with a solid brace of fourth placed finishes, setting him up well for his final assault on the championship.
Alastair Seeley rode a calculated opening race, extending his lead over nearest Shooutout rival John Laverty to 18 points after finishing eighth. This gave Seeley the comfort he needed in race two, finishing ninth, and the Carrickfergus man now enters the Shootout in his rookie season in BSB.
Michael Laverty
“I was as strong today as I expected to be. The tyre spun on the rim in the first race and gave me a lot of chatter so I dropped off the pace towards the end but held on for fourth. In race two I was a bit stronger and put together some good lap times but it still wasn’t enough to match the leading trio. Two fourth places wasn’t ideal but it was only in the last two corners where I was losing time. I plan to come back stronger at Croft and put in a good fight for the championship.”
Alastair Seeley
“Pressure off as they say. I’m delighted to get through to the Shootout and have to thank the whole team as they played a very important part. There were no heroics today from me and I’m in a position a lot of other riders would love to be in. Now we can take our GSX-R1000 to the final three circuits, have fun and hopefully mix it with the title favourites. No one will be expecting me to win the championship, but then no one expected me to be on the top step of the podium at Brands. I’m really enjoying my first season in the BSB series with Relentless by TAS Suzuki, so let’s see if we can deliver some more big results in September and October.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager
“Our objective at the start of the season to get both riders into the top six has been achieved; now we’re heading into the business end of the season, but a big thanks to Suzuki, Relentless and everyone who has been part of the success story – part one.
“As a team we are glad to see the end of Shootout qualifying pressure, as it has been a testing time for everyone, not least the riders. As I’ve said before, Alastair Seeley has earned his place quite rightfully in the top six and it’s a tremendous achievement for his rookie season in BSB. Especially with the championship being so strong with at least ten riders capable of podiums.
“Michael probably didn’t get what he wanted from Cadwell this weekend but his lap times in the second race showed he has the pace to run with the front men. We will now go away and see where we are and try to find those extra tenths. In saying that we have found improved performance with our GSX-R1000 Superbikes and with the final three tracks better suited to our bike and riders, we should find ourselves in the mix for honours again.
“Only two teams have both riders in the top six and we are one of them. Suzuki can also boast fifty percent of the Shootout with three riders in it, making them the leading manufacturer. Now we will re-group as a team and come back refreshed for the 2010 season – part two.”
BSB Race 1 Results
1.Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki)
2.Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +5.116s
3.Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +7.092s
4.Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.522s
5.Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +14.623s
6.James Ellison (Swan Honda) +20.822s
7.Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +28.158s
8.Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +28.533s
9.Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) +34.523s
10.Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +34.945s
BSB Race 2 Results
1.Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2.Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.230s
3.Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.888s
4.Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +5.071s
5.Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +11.719s
6.James Ellison (Swan Honda) +13.178s
7.Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +15.712s
8.Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +21.347s
9.Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +24.287s
10.Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +27.446s
British Superbike Championship standings after Cadwell Park
1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 525
= Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 525
3. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 524
4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 510
5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 509
6. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 505
For further information please contact pr@careva.net or log onto the team’s official website – www.relentless-suzuki.com
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