Relentless by TAS Suzuki boss Philip Neill is looking forward to the Dainese Senior TT on Friday after claiming victory in three out of four races so far at the 2008 Isle of Man TT.
Bruce Anstey roared to an emphatic 34 seconds victory in Wednesday’s second Relentless Supersport Junior TT, claiming the team’s third win of the year – teammate Cameron Donald having already taken the top step of the podium in both the Dainese Superbike and Scottish Life International Superstock races.
TAS rider Anstey did cross the line first in Monday’s Relentless Supersport Junior TT race one, but was later disqualified over a technical infringement.
On Wednesday, the 39-year-old Kiwi more than made up for the disappointment by not just taking the win, but also setting a new Supersport lap record on lap two with an average speed of 125.350mph.
That may also help make up for losing the lap record he had set on the second lap of the first Supersport. The disqualification meant he was stripped not only of victory, but also his lap times.
Now there is just one race on the famous Mountain circuit left at this year’s TT, the blue riband Dainese Senior TT on Friday.
The six-lap race is the one everyone wants to win, and last year saw John McGuinness takes his 13th TT victory and set a new outright lap record with an average speed of 130.354mph – the first lap of more than 130mph.
TAS team principal Mr Neill said the success so far in TT2008 has filled him with hope for Friday’s Senior TT.
He said:
‘Finally we’ve got our TT Supersport victory after many years of cruel luck in the class. We really needed to win that race after Monday’s events, and I’m delighted to have completed a full house at the TT.’
‘There was certainly more pressure and emphasis on that race than any other, but Bruce showed why he’s the best rider in the class. I was always confident that the GSX–R600 Suzuki was the best bike, especially after winning last year’s British Supersport Championship.
‘That moves us up to 14 TT wins, which is a remarkable achievement by anyone’s standards. It is a shame that Cameron had to retire with a small electrical problem, but to be fare he hasn’t really had enough time on the Supersport bike this fortnight.’
‘All thanks again must go to Suzuki and Relentless and a big mention must go to Pirelli for supplying the perfect tyre for the job.’
‘I’m now really looking forward to Friday’s Senior Superbike TT.'
Anstey was clearly delighted with Wednesday’s race.
He said:
‘I’m just so glad to have been able to give Suzuki, Relentless and all our other sponsors the race win, especially after the disaster for us all on Monday.’
‘I was a bit uptight on that first lap, but from lap two I just got into a comfortable rhythm and the bike was faultless. I think I could actually have gone faster but the wind was quite severe on the Mountain.’
‘I’m really delighted… that’s all I can say.’
Donald was disappointed to retire, but revealed he was quick to let his family know he was safe and well after being forced out of the race.
He said:
‘We’d made some significant changes to the bike and I was really up for it. I got into the groove pretty quickly and was feeling good to be honest. After a really good pit stop where we made up some time thanks to the boys, I think I was up to eighth when the bike just stopped on the Mountain.’
‘My dad is listening at home in Australia so I cheekily asked to use the emergency phone at the Mountain Box, as it was an emergency for me, and rang Oz to let him know I was ok!’
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