Motourage

Guy Martin completes the Tyco Suzuki lineup for the forthcoming season. The 2011 Ulster Grand Prix Superbike winner and quadruple podium finisher at last year’s Isle of Man TT will partner Manxman Conor Cummins in an all-new line up for the three major International Road Races.

British Superbike Championship rider Alastair Seeley will also join them in a three-pronged attack at the North West 200 in May.

It will be Lincolnshire rider’s second season racing for Moneymore-based TAS Racing and in inimitable Guy Martin style, he explained just why he wanted to remain on GSX-R machinery with Tyco Suzuki.

Guy Martin:
“It’s taken a while, but it was always on the cards. I’m happy to be back with the team for a second year and I love the new Tyco Suzuki colors. Great job. I couldn’t knock last year to be honest; the only thing we didn’t do was win a TT, but hopefully we’ll put that right in June. That’s the box we want to tick. The North West and Ulster GP are great events but it’s a TT win I really want. The team is good enough, the bikes are good enough; and I believe the rider is good enough, so it’s time to go out and win one.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“After all the speculation it’s nice to finally be able to officially announce that Guy Martin will continue to race for TAS in 2012 in the new Tyco Suzuki livery. I think we both knew that it was going to happen. We made a verbal agreement to each other last August at the Ulster Grand Prix, but all the speculation has brought lots of publicity for our sponsors, the team and Suzuki, which is great. But I suppose when Guy gets out of bed these days he gets media coverage.”

“He’s a hard man to pin down with such a busy schedule, but with Conor onboard and now Guy, I think we have a strong team looking ahead to the three internationals. Guy proved last year that he has all the ingredients required to go all out for that TT win in June. It’s eluded him so far, but we’ll work as hard as we can as a team to make it happen.”

“He’s not just the most popular rider in the UK these days, but also very popular outside the sport, which is good for motorcycling in general. Everyone at TAS, Suzuki, Tyco and existing sponsors like Ian Glen from Beacon are delighted to see him stay for a second year. And as I said before, along with Conor and our BSB duo of Seeley and Brookes, I feel it can be a successful season for Tyco Suzuki.”

TAS Racing has signed Manxman Conor Cummins to race Tyco Suzuki machinery during his 2012 international road racing campaign, which is based around the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix.

The 25-year-old is regarded as one of the sport’s hottest young properties, and despite his high-speed and hugely publicized accident on the Mountain Circuit during the Senior TT in 2010, he is now fighting fit and looking forward to a new chapter in his career.

Cummins will also take in a number of British Superstock rounds throughout the season and hand-picked road races like the Southern 100 for Tyco Suzuki.

Conor Cummins:
“This is the ride I’ve been wanting for three or four years. I’m thrilled to have been given the chance to now ride for a factory-supported team in Tyco Suzuki and to be working with the boys at TAS Racing. I’ve been training hard with gym sessions and out on the pushbike and mountain bike over the winter, so I’m relishing the thought of getting aboard the team’s GSX-R1000 Superbike in testing. I’d say I’m not far off being as fit as I ever was and having been over to the workshop to meet the boys in Northern Ireland and have a look at my bikes. April can’t come quick enough to get racing.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“After months of speculation and negotiations it’s great to finally welcome Conor Cummins to our team for the 2012 international road racing season. It’s fair to say there has been a little bit of pressure to return to a two-rider team on the roads – so once we’d reached that decision, Conor really was the obvious choice. As a person I’ve always been hugely impressed with Conor and his riding skills were evident to all after those blistering lap speeds at the 2010 TT.

“However, probably more impressive is the determination he has shown in his comeback from injury, and for me, that was more than enough to justify a factory-supported ride with us here at Tyco Suzuki. I’ll be looking forward to working with Conor both on and off the track this season, as he has the attitude and personality I was really looking for in a rider.”

Hector Neill, Team Owner:
“It’s no secret the Isle of Man TT is the highlight of the racing season for me, and with that in mind, it was important to have a two-rider lineup. It’s also widely known that my number one desire in racing is to again win the Senior TT trophy. So what better way than to win it with a Manxman onboard.”

Swan Yamaha will defend their MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title in 2012 as team principal Shaun Muir has confirmed the team’s lineup of reigning British champion Tommy Hill (@tommyhill33) and TT record-breaker Ian Hutchinson.

Reigning champion Hill will make his much-anticipated BSB return after claiming a maiden crown in sensational style in the final race of 2011 at Brands Hatch last October, in which the Lingfield, England native defeated rival John Hopkins (@jhopper21) by just 0.006 seconds following a last-lap battle. Hill’s return makes him the first British BSB champion to defend the number one plate since John Reynolds in 2005, and he is now determined to become the third rider in history to win consecutive BSB titles.

Hutchinson completes the team’s lineup as the record-breaking five-time Isle of Man TT winner embarks on his first full season of BSB after a dramatic comeback from a broken tibia and fibula which required several operations to save his leg. Hutchinson had been sidelined since the crash at the penultimate round of the 2010 season before making his comeback at the Macau Grand Prix last month where he celebrated a podium finish.

Tommy Hill: “At the end of last season after winning the title I was speaking to different teams and looking at the different championships, but I knew I needed to have the complete package. I have a lot of fans in BSB, and I think having a British champion trying to hold on to the number one plate is something to get excited about; I certainly am. I really wanted to stay with Yamaha and build on the results and our relationship. The Swan Yamaha team have won one BSB title but now we are looking at how we can improve so we can do it again. The consistency with the team is very important and they have already started looking at what we can do to move forward again. The rule changes don’t worry me as through most of my career I haven’t used traction control. I think it will now come down more to rider input and also working as a team to get the chassis set up right. I know there has already been hard work behind the scenes at the workshop and as a rider that really gives me confidence before we even begin testing.

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Pole Position Travel has added the Isle of Man TT to its growing list of motorcycle racing VIP tours. The travel package will include four days of TT action with the option to add days to the beginning and end of the official tour.

Included in the package will be top hotel options, Platinum VIP Senior Race Day hospitality, the team experience, a private guided track tour, many special guests including Irish road racing superstar Ryan Farquhar plus other exciting experiences yet to be announced. The Isle of Man TT VIP package is limited to 10 participants and two top Pole Position Travel guides, making this tour a true VIP experience.

The Motourage crew toured with Pole Position Travel for the 2011 MotoGP Italian Grand Prix in Mugello, so we can speak from experience when we say there is no better deal – and no more exciting experience – than a VIP package with Pole Position Travel.

For more information and to book your reservations today, check out the PPT IOMTT package details.

Guy Martin and the whole Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing team covered themselves in glory during yesterday’s Supersport and Superstock races at the Isle of Man TT with two podium finishes. The Lincolnshire rider took a hard-fought brace of third places on the team’s all-new GSX-R600 and GSX-R1000 respectively.

It was a day of lengthy delays, and although the Supersport race got underway at 10:45am, it was 8:20pm before the final press conference for the Superstock race was completed.

The opening Supersport race was red flagged after less than two laps due to an incident at Gorse Lea. It was later restarted over a shortened race distance of three laps with Martin hovering in around the podium positions for the duration. And when others faltered, Martin was ready to pick up the pieces, giving Suzuki’s all-new GSX-R600 its second International Road Racing podium of the season.

The four-lap Superstock race got underway after a lengthy delay at 6:30pm, but the Isle of Man TT fans were served up a real exhibition of pure road racing. At the first checkpoint at Glen Helen on lap one, less than three seconds covered the top five, and by the end of the lap, Martin had forced his GSX-R1000 to the top of the leader board with a lap of 127.953mph from a standing start.

From there he got embroiled in a battle with John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop, eventually coming home in third place, struggling slightly in the latter stages to find the same level of performance he had done on lap one to challenge for the win.

Guy Martin:
“I couldn’t have taken the little 600 round there any faster today. When Cameron blew up in front of me I thought it was going to end in tears for both of us. I hit the curb trying to get round him, but a podium is a good effort for us. We’ll change a few things and see what we can do on Wednesday.

“In the Superstock race the early grip and stability was great and the bike was just mega. The whole job was coming easy enough and I wasn’t having to hang it out anywhere and I wasn’t bouncing off any curbs! I started to struggle a little bit in the latter stages with grip and stability – what you’d expect I suppose – so I was just glad to get it home on the podium. It’s not a shabby job at all. I haven’t won one yet but it’ll come. This is a proper team effort and all the Relentless Suzuki by TAS boys are a great bunch of lads.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“It’s been a long day obviously tainted with sadness, which is always the case when a competitor loses his life – so our thoughts and prayers are with Derek Brien’s family at this time. Two podiums is a strong day for us. Yes we are here to win but overall you’ve got to be happy with podiums at the TT. All you can do is make your package competitive enough for a podium finish; after that it’s really down to the circumstances of the race.

“A lot of things must be taken into consideration, but getting into a lengthy dice on the road didn’t help Guy’s chances of second place in the Superstock race. But that’s the way it goes sometimes, although it would make me consider our start numbers for next year. We used to dominate the Superstock class with the GSX-R1000 so it’s good to be back on the podium and also very pleasing to give the new GSX-R600 another international road racing podium, especially here at the TT.

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Alastair Seeley took Saturday’s only race victory at the rain-lashed Relentless International North West 200 and gave the all-new GSX-R600 Suzuki its first top step of an International Supersport podium this year.

And in the second race of the day – the Superbike event – Seeley came from the third row of the grid – again in soaking-wet conditions – to lead at the end of lap one. Unfortunately for the riders and the fans, the race was red-flagged on lap two when another rider’s engine expired, leaving a massive oil spill on the Coast Road from Church Corner to Juniper Hill chicane. Despite a lengthy delay – and the best attention from the organizers – the meeting was abandoned on safety grounds.

Seeley had been in prolific form throughout the week-long event taking Pole positions in both Supersport and Superstock classes, and despite an electrical problem forcing him to sit out the majority of Thursday’s Superbike session, the former British Superstock Champion and current North West 200 lap-record holder made the grid after a tremendous show of allegiance from British Superbike teammate Josh Brookes: While Seeley continued his North West 200 preparations on the Causeway Coast, Australian Brookes travelled to Kirkistown Race Circuit early on Friday morning to make sure the Seeley’s GSX-R1000 was ready to race following a late-night session from his crew back in the team’s Moneymore workshop. And only for the oil spill in the race, Brookes’ generous gesture would have played a significant role in the anticipated victory.

Alastair Seeley:
“That’s an International Road Racing victory to add to the British Supersport win at Brands for the new GSX-R600. It was a great race to be involved in and even more pleasing to beat what is basically a World Supersport specification Honda. I knew I would be stronger into the chicanes despite Cameron using traction control on his bike, as the brakes on the new GSX-R600 are one of its best features and that gave me a lot of confidence in the wet.

“In the Superbike race, the plan was the pick them off and get into the lead so I wouldn’t have to sit in anyone’s spray. The speed of my GSX-R1000 was far superior to Ryan and Michael’s bikes and the way it was set up, I was actually enjoying it spinning up down the big straights in the wet. I was ready to pull the pin and just ride my own race, so it was disappointing to see a red flag on lap two. I really felt like I was in control this week in all classes, and having felt so comfortable in the wet I think we’d have been hard to beat. That five of McCallen’s was definitely a big target.”

Guy Martin:
“It was a tough day for everyone involved and a week’s worth of effort for just one race. Unfortunately I made the wrong tire choice. To come away with eighth place is nothing to shout about but I am now going to the Isle of Man full of confidence; confidence in the blokes working on the bikes and confidence in the bikes themselves. It was a terrible day for the people who turned out to watch the racing, but a confidence-building day for the bigger picture – the bigger picture being the TT.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“The North West 200 has always been one of my favorite events on the calendar and as Ireland’s biggest sporting occasion. It’s a shame to see such a great event abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances. Mervyn Whyte and his team from the Coleraine & District Motor Club did everything in their power to save the day and must be commended for their efforts.

“On a positive note we had a strong showing from both our riders in practice and we won the only race giving us a 100 percent record for our sponsors Relentless, Suzuki and all our other team partners. It really was a masterful display from Alastair Seeley in that Supersport race giving Suzuki and the new GSX-R600 its first international road race victory. What is even more special is the fact that we were running the bike with very limited British Supersport specification electronics; unlike some of our main rivals who were running fancy electronic aids including traction control.

“We dearly wanted the Superbike race to run full distance as in all honesty with Alastair coming through from the third row of the grid to lead within a lap, there was no beating the wee Carrickfergus man, although it was the correct decision to stop the race and eventually abandon the meeting on safety grounds.

“Guy made a solid debut on the international roads for our team. Unfortunately he took a gamble with his intermediate tire choice in the Supersport race and with everyone else on wets – which was the correct choice – makes his eighth place an impressive finish given the conditions. More importantly for Guy is the fact that he now feels really confident with his three GSX-R Suzukis, which he now believes he can take to success at the Isle of Man TT Races in two weeks’ time.”

Supersport Results (5 laps – 8.9 mile circuit):

1 Alastair Seeley [Relentless Suzuki by TAS] 4mins 55.835; 2 Cameron Donald [Honda] +0.844; 3 Bruce Anstey [Honda] +14.081; 4 Michael Dunlop [Yamaha] +23.104; 5 Gary Johnson [Honda] +25.227; 6 William Dunlop [Honda] +28.845; 7 Ryan Farquhar [Kawasaki] +42.558; 8 Guy Martin [Relentless Suzuki by TAS] +58.777.

Fastest Lap – Alastair Seeley [lap 5] 109.155mph.

Guy Martin had his first taste of Relentless Suzuki by TAS machinery at the Almeria Circuit in Spain when he tested the team’s GSX-R1000 Superbike this past weekend.  The newly signed Kirmington, England rider also took time out to ride the all-new GSX-R600 during Suzuki’s official launch at the same circuit and was suitably impressed.

Martin completed more than 80 laps of the Almeria circuit in near perfect conditions and was immediately blown away by the performance of the GSX-R1000 Superbike. The bike was run with the same specification that had been used at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix, as team manager Philip Neill wanted Martin to use it as a starting point.

Two different engine specifications and a number of new parts were taken to the test, and although the team opted to run the bike with limited electronic aids – to give Guy a feel for the engine – he still reported it was the best Superbike he’d ever ridden.

Philip Neill- Team Manager:
“This is a great start to our relationship with Guy and to be one step ahead of the rest with an early test in December demonstrates our commitment to the job in hand. He’s also the first rider to test the new 600, even though it was in road trim. We still have a lot of updates for the Superbike, which he will now try in February; things like a full Magneti Marelli package that will make the bike even better for him, so we are pretty excited at his feedback and already looking forward to getting started in 2011.”

Guy Martin:
“It’s mega to get out before Christmas with no pressure and no stop watches and just try different things – I mean who else is out there testing before Christmas? The last time I rode a GSX-R1000 was for a magazine test last year and I gave it a good write up, but the Relentless Superbike was just mega. I was more than impressed with it and the way the boys worked with me was equally as impressive. They knew exactly what I wanted and in less than a day the bike felt like it was mine – I would have been quite happy to race it. They tailored all the little things I like to suit me and the feel I got from the engine, suspension and chassis was fantastic.

“I also got the chance to ride the new little 600. The GSX-R600 was never a bad bike, but having lost a bit of weight and added more grunt, it’s not going be on the back foot now is it? I’m looking forward to running it in race trim in the New Year.”

Cameron Donald will partner new signing Guy Martin on the International Road Racing scene in 2011 for Relentless by TAS Suzuki, completing the Moneymore-based team’s ‘pure road racing’ line-up.

Donald will remain in the TAS Racing set-up for a third successive season and the double Isle of Man TT winner is very much looking forward to renewing his connection with the team, on a full stable of GSX-R machinery.

Cameron Donald:
“What can I say apart from, I couldn’t be happier to be racing for Relentless by TAS Suzuki again in 2011. My goal, as always, is to win International Road Races, and I know better than anyone I need to come out fighting in 2011. In saying that, I couldn’t have a better team in my corner for the job ahead and the only way I can thank Philip and Hector’s loyalty is by winning races next season. Securing this deal will also make the trip to Macau for the Grand Prix later this month a whole lot more enjoyable for all involved. Hopefully we can put on a good show in the Far East as it feels like the start of 2011 for me already.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“After a lot of rumors on who we might sign for 2011, I think it’s very good news that Cameron is back onboard for 2011. It’s been well documented that this season has not been his best in Relentless Suzuki colors, but having fought back from a bigger injury than some people imagined in 2009, a TT Superbike podium was no mean achievement.

“He knows what it takes to win on the Isle of Man and with a 131mph lap also under his belt, we believe Cameron will be back to his very best on GSX-R machinery in 2011. We never enjoy having to let anyone go from our set-up, so we’re delighted to welcome him back into the fold alongside new signing Guy Martin. I’m sure both boys will be a credit to our sponsors and fans.”

Both Donald and Martin’s full program of races for 2011 will not be announced until the New Year, although the team can provisionally confirm the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix at this time.

Team manager Philip Neill with Guy Martin

Relentless by TAS Suzuki signs Guy Martin for 2011 International Road Racing campaign. The Kirmington, England rider has one of the biggest followings in British and Irish motorcycling, and team owners Hector and Philip Neill are confident of guiding the fast-talking rider to his debut victories at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.
Martin will join his yet-to-be-announced Road Racing and British Superbike teammates in pre-season tests in Spain, scheduled for February or March, before possibly opening his account with a British Superstock appearance at the end of April.

The plan is to take in a number of Superstock races throughout the 2011 season, but a full itinerary of his, and the rest of the team’s plans, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Guy Martin:
“You just don’t get any more of a proven team than Relentless by TAS Suzuki and with its official support from Suzuki and something like 15 TT wins; it wasn’t a difficult decision to make. I was at a Pirelli test earlier this year and took 101 pictures of their bikes and the preparation of them is ‘proper’ – that’s what made my mind up. They are the best team I’ve been with do date; that’s all there is to it. I just want to hit the ground running now. After pre-season we’ll hopefully do some Superstock races in the British Championship, as we know the GSX-R1000 is very capable. Let’s face it – it won the Championship just last year with Alastair Seeley on it. Yeah; it’s all proper and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“It’s been a difficult decision changing our line-up as we pride ourselves on loyalty. In saying that, Guy is a rider I’ve wanted to work with for a couple of seasons now and my loyalty to other riders probably held that decision back a little. He came to us full of enthusiasm and wants to do things our way, which was a good starting point. And on top of that, I’m a sucker for a challenge and I like Guy’s free-spirit attitude. He’s created a Guy Martin-brand without even trying and that’s also pretty special.  Obviously we know he’s a very talented rider and has been extremely unlucky not to have won races at both the North West 200 and the TT. So our motivation is to complete that task, while making sure Guy also fulfils his commercial responsibility representing a manufacturer-backed team. Having spoken to him at length before we agreed a deal, I know he won’t let Suzuki or our sponsors down.”

Fresh from his Isle of Man TT Superbike podium on the Relentless by TAS Suzuki, Cameron Donald will make a welcome return to the British Superbike paddock this weekend, riding in the National Superstock class at Knockhill.

Donald last competed in the British series at Oulton Park in 2009, but will use the Scottish round for some added track time on his GSX-R1000 Auperstock machine before the Southern 100 Road Races on the Isle of Man,  July 12–15 and the Adelaide International Kells Road Races, July 17-18 in County Meath, Ireland.

Cameron Donald:
“I’m really excited about getting over to a BSB round as I still love to get involved in short circuit racing, and I’d like to thank Philip and the team for giving me this opportunity. My last outing in the BSB Superstock class was at a wet Oulton Park last year, but I’ve raced at Knockhill before and I like the circuit. It’s technical and tricky; a bit like my local circuit at home in Melbourne, and more importantly, it gives me some extra time on the Superstock Suzuki. I’m going to keep it simple this weekend and have some fun, but I’m also here to give it my best shot – so hopefully the weather is kind to us.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“Our idea is to keep Cameron as sharp as possible, and giving him some extra track time on our Superstock GSX-R1000 at Knockhill will stand him in good stead for the forthcoming races at the Southern 100 and Kells Road Races. Since we came back from the TT, Cameron has shown a huge desire to get back out on our bikes, and on his day he’s no mean performer on the short circuit scene. There will be no pressure on him this weekend, and some extra miles on the Superstock bike will also provide the team with important set-up information, should we decided to take in any other races this year.”