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.”

Having recently agreed terms with TAS Racing team manager Philip Neill, reigning British Supersport champion Alastair Seeley will complete the all-new Tyco Suzuki line-up for next season’s British Superbike Championship.

The Northern Ireland rider has won two British Championships – Superstock and Supersport – for the Moneymore, Northern Ireland-based team since joining them in 2009 and will now form a formidable partnership with Australian Josh Brookes in the official Suzuki BSB team aboard the GSX-R1000.

Seeley made the all-important Title Fighters’ top six during his debut season in British Superbike in 2010, which included a memorable victory at Brands Hatch. He will also represent the team at the International North West 200 in May where he has scored five victories to date. He is the current NW200 Superbike Champion.

Alastair Seeley:
“I’m very excited to be back with the TAS team for another year, especially getting back on a Superbike, and I’m equally excited about the new Tyco Suzuki colors. The bike looks really well. Once we get some pre-season testing done my aim will be to try and win the Championship; that really is my only goal. I think the new rules in BSB will be in my favor, having already won two Championships without electronic aids, and I have every confidence in the boys at TAS to give me the best possible package. Until then I’ll be doing plenty of motocross and trials riding to hone my throttle control skills, but I can’t wait to get started.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“It’s fantastic to be able to confirm Alastair Seeley as our second rider in BSB for next year and also for another North West 200 campaign in May. We have had a tremendous journey with Alastair since we brought him into our set-up at the start of 2009, quite unexpectedly. He was a relative unknown in British championship terms back then, so to be able to turn him into a double Champion in such a short space of time is very satisfying.

“He has been hugely impressive on all types of GSX-R machinery and his goal now is to go on and become the first rider ever to win three different British Championships. He had a great rookie season in Superbike back in 2010; probably the best one we have seen so far. He then took on the Supersport challenge this season with the all-new GSX-R600 and did a great job for TAS Racing and Suzuki, taking 10 wins on the way to the Championship.

“We have rewarded that success with another shot in BSB and after his performance recently at Portimao for Crescent Suzuki, standing in for the injured John Hopkins at a track he’d never seen before and posting more-than respectable times, we believe he can be a genuine title contender during 2012 in BSB.”

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.

Alastair Seeley

Reigning North West 200 Superbike champion Alastair Seeley dominated last night’s opening practice sessions for this year’s Relentless International North West 200.

In overcast and blustery conditions, Seeley topped the Superbike leaderboard with a lap time of 4’31.148″ (119.094mph) and a trap top-speed of 190mph on his Suzuki GSX-R1000. The Carrickfergus man also headed the Superstock class with a lap time of 4’32.690” (118.420mph) and brought his Supersport Suzuki GSX-R600 home in second place (4’42.638”/ 114.252mph), just 0.1” off the top spot.

Alastair Seeley:
“I kept my powder dry as I was towing Cameron Donald round in the Supersport session, but I’m happy to be at the top of the timesheets at this stage in the Superbike and Superstock classes. Everything is working really well and the bikes are very stable, which is so important round here. Thursday is a longer session and we’ve a few more things to try with the bike and also with Pirelli, but so far I’m very happy.”

Teammate Guy Martin made his full road racing debut last night for Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing finishing sixth in both the opening Superbike (4’40.269”/ 115.214mph) and Supersport qualifying sessions (4’52.824”/ 110.278mph). The Lincolnshire man took ninth place in the Superstock class, which closed the opening night’s session, registering a time of 4’39.036”/ 115.727mph and he is also looking forward to tomorrow’s daytime session.

Guy Martin:
“The Superbike is mega; we’re right there with that one, and the Supersport bike is – yeah that’s spot-on too. Little problem last night, but nothing to worry about. On the Superstock bike we’ve a little bit of work to do and struggled a little last night with gearing, but all-day practice tomorrow and we should be good. I’m looking forward to a good run in the dry, and we’ll be right there hopefully for Saturday.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“It’s been a good start for us. This is obviously a tough week in general as many different aspects can determine how you qualify. We are in quite a unique scenario with two riders on three different bikes and bike set-up can be turned on its head in five minutes with a change in the weather. Our dry set-up is very good after the opening session and apart from a few teething troubles we are ready for Saturday, although as I say, a drop of rain could offer up a whole new challenge for everyone.”

North West 200 204mph top speed record holder Stuart Easton teams up with 2010 Top Newcomer Gary Mason for a full road race attack for MSS Colchester Kawasaki.
 
The two riders are in fantastic form in British Superbikes and will be competing at the legendary event on the all new Kawasaki ZX-10R machine in two specifications; full Superbike (2 races) and the Superstock class (1 race).
 
Easton, who finished second in the 2010 feature Superbike event, is in great form racking up a third Macau GP road race victory over the winter and currently sits in third in the British Superbike Championship. “This is one of my favorite events in the World. I enjoy the whole week; away from the riding it’s really relaxed and you get a chance to really bond with the team. It’s obviously far less intense than BSB but then race day goes crazy! This new Kawasaki ZX-10R is all changed for this year so we’re not too sure how it will go at this particular place, it’s been incredible in BSB and only practice will show its capabilities here.”
 
Mason, who took his first British Superbike podium last weekend, is revved up for the event, saying, “It was my first time last year and I couldn’t believe the event. What an atmosphere and the fans were brilliant. I only did Superbike last year, so I’ll get a lot more track time doing Superstock also, plus Stuart is going to help me in practice, which is mega. I’m aiming for top six if I can get away with the group then it’s all down to slipstreaming.”
 
Team boss Nick Morgan added, “As a team we love this event and although we’ve had success here, we’re desperate for that first full Superbike win! With our all new ZX-10R and the form of both Stuart and Gary, this is a great time to be coming here and we have a good chance to make it happen.”
 
Considered to be one of the world’s fastest road races, the International North West 200’s 8.96 mile long course is a challenge to rider, machine and tires alike. The circuit tests handling and performance with differing surfaces, adverse cambers, first gear hairpin bends to super-fast open corners and straights.
 
The Superbike riders will slipstream each other at speeds of more than 200mph on the long NW200 back straight. The North West 200 is recognized to be Northern Ireland’s largest single-day sporting event with around 120,000 spectators expected to gather at the famous triangle course. The Relentless International North West 200 takes place on Saturday, May 21.

Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing’s Guy Martin made an instant impression on his return to the Cookstown 100 Road Races in Northern Ireland yesterday after a seven year absence.

Although the Lincolnshire man’s main goal was to continue his pre-North West 200 development on his stable of GSX-R Suzukis, he left with three podium finishes and a new outright lap record of 90.932mph.

With limited qualifying time on Friday evening, Martin made the best of his second-row starts in all three events – two Superbike and one Supersport – around the tight County Tyrone circuit. All three races were blanket finishes and despite a little disappointed at not winning, the Scarborough circuit specialist is happy to have made giant steps forward with his Relentless Suzukis.

Guy Martin:
“We can’t be disappointed. We learnt a lot more about the bikes and set a new lap record, so job done. I’m a racer and I want to win but we are making progress and this weekend served its purpose. I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks even though I felt comfortable, especially with the North West just a couple of weeks away. It’s always worthwhile getting a run out on the roads and between this week and last weekend at Brands, as I say, we’re making good progress.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“Guy pretty-much exceeded our expectations out there today and it was good to see how he handled himself on GSX-R machinery for the first time on the roads. It was a positive test and a worthwhile day for him and while we are still working on making little improvements to the bikes, we are pretty much ready for the North West 200.”

Ulsterman Alastair Seeley will spearhead Suzuki’s official effort in the 2011 British Supersport Championship on the all-new GSX-R600.

Seeley will also have a full stable of Relentless by TAS Racing Suzuki GSX-R machinery for the International North West 200; currently the only road race in which he participates during the season. Seeley was the first Irishman in 13 years to win the NW200 Superbike race earlier this year, also taking the opening Supersport race victory.

Team manager Philip Neill is delighted to be back in the British Supersport Championship – a series where the Moneymore-based team first cut its teeth in British racing – and he’s confident Seeley is the right man for the job.

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“I’m delighted that Alastair is with us for what is effectively his third year, as we have already formed a formidable partnership. He has been a British Champion in Relentless Suzuki colors, won a British Superbike race as a rookie and lifted the prestigious NW200 Superbike title. We will be looking for bigger and better things with Alastair next season, both in the British Supersport series and at the North West 200.

“It’s an important year for Suzuki reentering British Supersport with a new bike and I know Alastair feels it’s a huge honor to have been asked to represent them. He had a terrific rookie season in BSB in 2010 and he will get various opportunities to ride the Superbike next season, but in the short-term his focus will be on challenging for the Supersport title on the all-new GSX-R600. As previous winners we will not be taking the class lightly, as we know it houses some top riders, but we are confident Alastair can be hugely successful.”

Alastair Seeley:
“I’m very happy to be sorted and back racing with Relentless Suzuki next season and my aim is to try and win the Supersport Championship and put the new GSX-R600 firmly in the limelight. When the team competed in the series back in 2007 with Michael and Ian, the bikes were the best out there and I fully expect the new bike to be the same. It’s an honor to represent the official GSX-R600 effort in the series, and my aim will be to try and hit the ground running, just like I did in ’09 in the Superstock class. With two races per weekend, the Supersport class will be right up there with the Superbikes in 2011 and with an opportunity to ride both the Superbike and Superstock bikes before the North West 200; I couldn’t be in a stronger position.”

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.”