Press release:Alastair Seeley maintained his one-hundred percent pole position record with another quality performance on the 2009 GSX–R1000 at Donington Park, during qualifying for round three of the National 1000cc Superstock Championship. Seeley dominated both sessions and his pole time of 1min 34.336 was inside the European Superstock lap record for the Donington Park circuit.
In the British Superbike Class, series rookie Ian Lowry thoroughly enjoyed his day in the sun, making the final cut off for the fastest ten riders, and although Ian didn’t post as quick a time in the final shoot-out, he can take it to the men in front, from his third row grid slot [10th] in Monday’s two races.
Japan’s Atsushi Watanabe missed the cut for the top 20 by 1/1000th of a second and will start Monday’s Spring Holiday race on row six in 22nd position.
BJ Toal, also running a 2009 GSX–R1000 in the National Superstock series with Relentless Suzuki qualified on row four in 16th place. The Omagh lad is making his first foray in the National Superstock 1000cc Championship and is confident of improving his grid position in tomorrow’s race, inspired by his second session time, where he shaved almost a second off his personal best.
Ian Lowry:“I’m happy and I’m not happy as I’m capable of going faster. If I can get on the back of those front men tomorrow, I know I can run their pace all day long and be in the mix. We are constantly working on set-up to suit my style, but the GSX–R1000 Superbike is awesome to ride and I’m loving the challenge of the BSB class. The boys in the garage are all happy and we’re working really well together – let’s hope it clicks tomorrow.”
Alastair Seeley:“These next two circuits are my favourite in the series and if the 2009 GSX–R1000 can work as well as it has been doing, I feel very confident of replicating my Oulton and North West 200 results for the team. I was P2 half way through the second session but we stuck a new tyre in and pushed some traffic out of the way to record another pole slot for Relentless Suzuki. We may make a few minor adjustments for tomorrow’s race but I’m a happy chappy.”
Philip Neill – Team Principal:“It’s been a positive day all round for the team. Ian Lowry has progressed all weekend with a faster lap speed in every session and the boys have worked hard to help him achieve his place in the top ten. Given that it’s only his third time on the 2009 GSX–R1000 Superbike in a competitive environment, Ian is doing tremendously well and a pair of top ten finishes tomorrow is his target.
“Atsu is still not feeling as confident as he would like to be with his set-up on the Superbike, so we will work with him and hopefully he can improve his times in both races.
“I’m beginning to think the 2009 GSX–R1000 was made for Alastair Seeley with yet another pole time. He has kept his one–hundred percent record in Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing colours and despite leading the series, he will no doubt be looking for another win tomorrow. BJ Toal is steadily improving and although he’s a few places behind where he’d like to be, I have every confidence in his ability.”
Qualifying Results
British Superbikes: Pole – Leon Camier [Yamaha] 1:31.047
2nd – Sylvain Guintoli [Suzuki] 1:31.111
3rd – James Ellison [Yamaha] 1:31.442
4th – Simon Andrews [Kawasaki] 1:31.585
5th – Chris Walker [Yamaha] 1:31.805
6th – Glen Richards [Honda] 1:31.863
10th – Ian Lowry [Relentless Suzuki] 1:32.891
22nd – Atsushi Watanabe [Relentless Suzuki] 1:34.189National 1000 Superstock: Pole – Alastair Seeley [Relentless Suzuki] 1:34.3362nd – Steve Brogan – 1:34.518
3rd – Scott Smart [Ducati] 1:34.741
4th – Richard Cooper [Yamaha] 1:34.992
5th – Adam Jenkinson [Honda] 1:35.256
6th – Daniel Hegarty [Suzuki] 1:35.990
16th – BJ Toal [Relentless Suzuki] 1:37.067
