Relentless Suzuki is pleased to announce that both Michael Laverty and Ian Lowry have put pen-to-paper for the 2008 campaigns in both the British Superbike and Supersport classes respectively. Laverty, who recently secured the British Supersport title in his first year with the team, will moved back into the British Superbike class on a GSX–R1000 Relentless Suzuki. Lowry, who currently lies in second place in the British Supersport Championship, will campaign the all-new K8 GSX–R600 Suzuki as the team’s sole performer in the middleweight class.
Laverty has a wealth of experience in the Superbike class and the Toomebridge rider is looking forward to the challenge in 2008 after dominating this season in British Supersport, whilst Lowry will look to keep the number 1 plate within the Relentless Suzuki camp at the end of 2008 with back-to-back Suzuki Supersport championships.
Michael Laverty“I’m very happy to be staying with Relentless Suzuki and especially happy to be moving back into the Superbike class where I certainly have some unfinished business. The new rules in the Superbike class will be in our favour as the standard GSX–R1000 package is very strong. I’m very comfortable in this all Irish team and having already tested the Superbike in road racing trim earlier in the year, I’m now looking forward to running it at the Sunflower Trophy in a couple of weeks time. Staying with TAS Racing was a relatively easy decision and although I had other offers, getting the chance to work directly with a manufacturer in British Superbikes was too good to turn down. Suzuki have shown great faith in me and I’m also flattered that they have decided to reproduce a replica GSX–R600 in Relentless Suzuki colours on the strength of our championship success.”
Ian Lowry“It’s good to be sorted for 2008 and I’m also very happy to be staying with Relentless Suzuki for another year. The bikes have been very strong this year, but from what I hear the K8 GSX–R600 is going to be even better with improved performance and handling. The set-up at TAS Racing is a tight package and even though I’m the sole Relentless Suzuki rider in British Supersport next season I’ll always have Michael to ‘bounce off’ if need be in the garage. I have no doubt that this is the best package for me and I’m already looking forward to improving on this year, but anything less than a championship win and I’ll be disappointed. I want to be champion!”
Philip Neill – Team Principal“I’m delighted to have secured both riders for 2008 and it’s certainly exciting news that we can now move into the Superbike class for the first time with Michael on a Relentless Suzuki. Moving up as British Supersport Champions was always our goal, but I’m also pleased that we can defend that title with Ian retaining his position on our Supersport machinery. Suzuki has shown a lot of faith in us and although the pressure will not be as great in our first year in the Superbike class, we will expect ourselves to deliver. Michael not only has experience, he was very competitive in the class and with the all-new 2008 specification GSX–R1000 engine, we are confident of delivering some very good results. Ian has also had a very good year in the Supersport class and in 2008 he will undoubtedly be a championship challenger.”
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