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British Supersport Championship – Final, Brands Hatch
Tom Sykes finished his account in the 2006 British Supersport Championship
with his eighth podium of the season in a fine 3rd place. This also secured
second place in the championship for the TAS Suzuki team on the all-new
GSX–R600
Suzuki. Team mate Ian Lowry who returned from a nasty injury at Silverstone unfortunately
crashed out on the opening lap at Brands Hatch. The 19–year–old
Ulsterman, in his debut season, finished in a creditable ninth place in
the championship gaining valuable experience for 2007.
The GSX–R600 TAS Suzuki is now one of most complete packages in British
Supersport racing with no mechanical DNFs being registered during the 2006
campaign demonstrating the reliability of the package.
Tom Sykes
“I made two mistakes at Brands and they probably cost me the chance of
the victory but another podium and taking second in the championship for TAS
Suzuki is quite satisfying. Looking back, the first three rounds were quite poor
for me and I suppose we were really still testing the new bike, but since the
fourth round we were really on it. The team have performed a great job for me
this year and we really got the GSX–R600 flying; it is now a great package
and worthy of a championship victory. I’m now off to Magny Cours for the
final round of the GSXR Cup then it’s over to Ireland for the Sunflower
at Bishopscourt. Thanks to all the sponsors, and hopefully the TAS Suzuki
team can put on a good show for you all at Bishopscourt.”
Ian Lowry
“It was disappointing to end the season in this way at the final round
but I have really enjoyed my first season in British Supersport and I have
gained a lot of knowledge over the 12 rounds. Obviously the high point was
my podium at Knockhill and hopefully I can builds on that success in 2007.
Finally I would just like to thank everyone at TAS Suzuki for the opportunity
this year.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager
“It was a difficult weekend with the weather but we must be pleased after
securing second place in the championship. Like all the top teams we are here
to win but the next best thing is to promote TAS Suzuki and our sponsors on the
podium – something we did nine times during 2006, and all on a new bike.
I am a little disappointed that we couldn’t take the win to end the
season on a high, as Tom was right in the thick of the action for fifty
percent of the race. He did drop off in the second half but another podium,
his eighth of the season, keeps TAS Suzuki well to the fore and we should
be proud to have achieved so much in a short space of time.
Ian Lowry has gained a lot of experience during 2006, and experience is something
you need to be successful at any level of racing. He got his podium at Knockhill
and proved his pedigree, and although his form slumped a little in the last four
outings, he is a young man with a lot of talent and a big future.
We have a lot of people to thank for a tremendous effort during the year. All
the boys in the team have done a superb job and I must also thank Suzuki, Beacon
Security, Putoline, and Pirelli - who have proved they are now
the top tyre in British Supersport racing.”
2 October 2006