Close calls for Anstey in Ireland

From Team Suzuki

Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing recorded a triple podium at the 80th anniversary International North West 200 and the team's success was capped with yet another victory for the 2009 GSX-R1000 in the Superstock class with Alastair Seeley.

In the opening Superbike race Kiwi Bruce Anstey was justifiably frustrated when the race was red flagged due to an on track incident as he had been stalking eventual winner Steve Plater and was planning an attack on the final lap. Anstey was credited with second place and the team's first podium of the day with Cameron Donald fourth.

In the Supersport race Anstey swapped positions at the head of the field, again with Plater, and although Anstey briefly held the lead on the final lap, the road racing specialist had to settle for second behind Plater at the chequered flag with Michael Dunlop third.

The Superstock race was another red flag affair, but this time due to the inclement weather conditions with Relentless Suzuki's Seeley taking the victory and another top step on the 2009 GSX-R1000. Donald narrowly missed out on a podium in fourth place.

The event was abandoned late in the day on safety grounds prior to the second Superbike race, but all in all it was a successful event for Relentless Suzuki.

"I'm a little disappointed that the final Superbike race didn't run as I really fancied my chances, but it's been a good weekend for Relentless Suzuki," Anstey said. "Three podiums is good exposure for the team but I would have liked that top step. I was a bit unlucky in both the first Superbike and Supersport races but that's road racing, although I'm in a good frame of mind now for the Isle of Man TT."

Team principal Philip Neill was invited to inspect the circuit with a number of other team managers prior to the abandonment of the meeting, and although he believes his riders and machinery were up to the task, he also feels Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte's decision to abandon the meeting was the correct decision.

International North West 200 Results
Superbike Race 1
1. Steve Plater - 8min 45.964; 2. Bruce Anstey (Relentless Suzuki) - 8:46.603; 3. John McGuinness - 8:47.983; 4. Cameron Donald (Relentless Suzuki) 8:48.452
Superstock Race
1. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki) - 8min 50.296; 2. Ryan Farquhar - 8:51.195; 3. Keith Amor - 8:54.098; 4. Cameron Donald (Relentless Suzuki) 8:54.538
Supersport Race 1
1. Steve Plater - 18min 16.091; 2. Bruce Anstey (Relentless Suzuki) - 18:16.606; 3. Michael Dunlop - 18:18.723