printBritish Supersport Championship – Round 2, Donington Park – Race
Overview
Tom Sykes produced what can only be described as a masterful performance at
a rain soaked Donington Park yesterday, during Round 2 of the British Supersport
Championship. The 20–year–old Yorkshireman had been on the money
all weekend in qualifying, not only setting the pole position time, but also
capturing an unofficial Supersport lap–record during Friday’s
free practice.
Unfortunately for Tom and the TAS Suzuki team, Sunday’s race day was
almost a total wash–out with the Supersport riders being taken off the
grid due to torrential rain, with the race starting almost two hours behind
schedule. In a day of major drama the Supersport race was then re–started
after a red flag incident involving Cal Crutchlow, the eventual race winner,
with Sykes forced to start ‘dead last’ on the grid for the remaining
6 laps.
Coming through from the back row Tom eventually finished in 5th place right
on the heels of Dennis Hobbs and Eugene Laverty at the chequered flag and
although slightly disappointed, the TAS Suzuki rider scored 11 valuable points.
Team–mate Ian Lowry started the weekend positively qualifying in 14th
place but a high–side before the re–start rendered him as a spectator
in the 6-lap shootout.
Tom Sykes
“I’m really disappointed after posting the pole position time.
The boys in the team had the new GSX–R600 absolutely flying and for
me it is now a championship–winning bike. There was a bit of gamesmanship
on the part of other riders to get the race delayed – I wanted to get
on with it as Donington is easier ridden when it is soaking wet than in damp
conditions. 5th wasn’t so bad after being forced to the back of the
grid in a 6–lap race, but from pole without a delayed start we would
have had a podium at the very least.”
Ian Lowry
“This weekend was a whole new ball game as far as dealing with the changeable
conditions. I started well on Friday but got baulked a few times during qualifying
by more experienced riders which was really frustrating. I high–sided out
of the race and didn’t make the re–start so Thruxton will hopefully
get us all back on track with the results we are looking for.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager
“After everything that has happened this weekend Tom must be commended
for the result he pulled out of the fire at the very end. He was that far down
the grid I don’t know how he saw the lights for the re–start but
to finish 5th was miraculous.
Ian is frustrated but hopefully he has learned a valuable lesson from this weekend.
He posted a great lap on Friday but needs to find space for himself on–track
during the official qualifying sessions, and a bit of over exuberance in difficult
conditions ended his race on Sunday. In qualifying Tom proved how good
the GSX–R600 Suzuki and Pirelli package really is, so we will be looking
for a Happy Easter at Thruxton from both riders!”
10th April 2006