Alastair Seeley continued to demonstrate the pedigree of the 2009 GSX-R1000 at Donington Park - taking his third victory in Relentless Suzuki livery - to lead the National Superstock 1000cc Championship by 28 points after only three races.
Seeley was virtually unchallenged all weekend and when the Carrickfergus man hit the front on the opening lap of the 15-lap race, he ruthlessly gapped his rivals at lap record pace. With an eight second lead at half distance, he settled into his super-smooth economic style and cruised to another win for Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing.
Superstock rookie BJ Toal was fighting for a top-10 position when he unfortunately slid off unhurt at the Melbourne Loop late in the race.
In the British Superbike class, Ian Lowry demonstrated his fighting qualities when he ran out of road on lap two of the opening race at the Foggy Esses. The 22-year-old rejoined race one in 24th place but didn’t give up, recording podium pace in the latter stages to finish in eighth position.
In race two he spent the early laps circulating with Karl Harris on the fringes of the top 10, but once the youngster had dispensed with the former multiple British champion, he found his rhythm, scything his way through the field to finish impressively in sixth place. With 18 points from today’s races, Lowry moves into ninth place in the 2009 Visk British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli.
Atsu Watanabe had a tough day at Donington Park, and after failing to find a comfortable set-up on his Relentless Suzuki Superbike, the Japanese rider recorded a best result of 19th place in race one.
Ian Lowry:
“Believe it or not I’m happier with the way I rode in race one coming from 24th to eighth, as in race two I got caught behind Karl Harris for too long; then when I did get past I knew Glen Richards was too far in front. The frustrating thing is, I was running the same lap times as him. My confidence is growing and with the help of the team I’m learning all the time, so I’m really enjoying the Superbike.”
Alastair Seeley:
“The 2009 GSX-R1000 worked well all weekend. Brogie gave me a bit of trouble at the start of the race but when I got in front I pulled the pin and reeled off a few qualifying type laps to gap them all. I watched my pit board and when it got to +8, I backed off a little and nursed it home as I didn’t want to do anything stupid.”
Philip Neill - Team Principal:
“It’s been a superb day all round, but I really feel for Atsu. He couldn’t find his comfort zone today, which is more frustrating as we all know how talented he is as a former all Japan champion. Unfortunately he hasn’t yet found the ingredients required to master the UK circuits on the 2009 GSX-R1000.
“Whilst we are delighted with Ian’s results today, it is also frustrating as he could run the pace of the top three or four. If he can master his starts he will be up amongst them challenging for a podium very soon, but to come from almost last to eighth in race one was nothing short of phenomenal. In race two Karl Harris was actually holding him up, but his sixth place, again, was encouraging and we can see him growing in confidence every week.
“I’ve run out of superlatives for Alastair Seeley, but we must not get complacent. Since jumping on the 2009 GSX-R1000 he hasn’t been headed by anyone in qualifying or in a race situation and today, he was still in his comfort zone.”
National 1000cc Superstock: 1 Alastair Seeley [Relentless Suzuki]; 2 Scott Smart [Ducati]; 3 Richard Cooper [Yamaha]; 4 Adam Jenkinson [Honda]; 5 Steve Brogan [Honda]; 6 James Hillier [Kawasaki]. DNF - BJ Toal [Relentless Suzuki].
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