Series rookie Alastair Seeley scored a magnificent debut British Superbike victory at Brands Hatc.
The Relentless by TAS Suzuki rider qualified his GSX-R1000 Superbike strongly on row two in seventh position around the GP circuit. Then in a two-part opening race - red flagged because of rain - the diminutive Ulsterman, better known to racing fans as 'The Wee Wizard', held off seasoned professionals Michael Rutter and Ryuichi Kiyonari to take the team's second British Superbike victory of the season in treacherous conditions.
The victory sets the reigning British Superstock Champion up well for Sunday's opening race, where he will take the coveted pole position slot after posting the fastest lap in today's encounter. His victory also lifted him back into a provisional Showdown top-six position, eking out a 17-point margin over closest rival John Laverty.
Alastair Seeley:
"I got good starts today and that made the difference. I had some front-end issues in the dry part of the race, and in the re-start in the wet I had loads of slides on white lines and the kerbs, but managed with it okay. My visor steamed up so I opened it, but with the wind streaming into my eyes I had to shut it again. We held on for the win and it's all credit to my Relentless by TAS Suzuki team and our superb GSX-R1000 Superbike that we made the top step.
"This is what I've always wanted in racing and now that I've sampled it I'd like more of the same. A big thanks to all the team sponsors, and also those who have helped me over the years and brought me to this stage of my career, including my family."
Michael Laverty couldn't better his Q2 qualifying time, but still made the all-important Q3 session - eventually heading up row three in ninth position. In today' re-started race, Laverty had to come from dead last after being shunted off the circuit at Surtees on the opening lap. After re-joining the circuit, he kept his composure to pick his way through the field, taking some very valuable points in sixth place at the chequered flag.
Michael Laverty:
"It was a tough race for me today, especially after I got hit from behind on the opening lap and almost went down. Luckily I saved it and took a detour across the grass, but it left me in last position, so I had to fight hard to come through the field. Sixth was a decent result in the circumstances but also very frustrating as I know what I was capable of today. I will be hoping for better fortunes tomorrow."
Philip Neill - Team Manager:
"What a phenomenal performance today from both riders. Alastair had me on the edge of my seat with his win, but his years of Superstock experience certainly aided him in today's difficult conditions: he showed his precocious talented using absolute precision on throttle control in the closing stages.
"It's our second win this year from nine podiums, but to do it this weekend when Suzuki is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of its GSX-R range is pretty special. Granted we have found an extremely good wet set-up with our GSX-R1000 Superbikes and that credit must go to the boys in the team.
"Michael Laverty showed true pedigree to come from last place after getting pushed off the track on lap one, and to come through to sixth place at the end with the fourth fastest lap of the race, also shows how polished Michael is becoming as a top BSB rider.
"Whilst we are delighted to have taken our second win of the season today, we must not get carried away. Alastair, for me, must be the best rookie to have graced this series for many, many years, but he needs to remain calm and finish the weekend with two strong results on Sunday. We are also delighted to have scored maximum points for Suzuki in the manufacturers' standings."
British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race one result:
1 Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 2 Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +0.298s 3 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +1.470s 4 Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +2.926s 5 Tom Sykes (Kawasaki WSB) +14.320s 6 Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +17.241s 7James Ellison (Swan Honda) +21.713s 8 Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +23.516s 9 John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +24.738s 10 Ian Lowry (Kawasaki WSB) +26.213s
Championship standings:
1 Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 229 2 Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 219 3 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 209 4 Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 193 5 Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 185 6 Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 153
