Ian Lowry was the hero of the day, taking the main Sunflower Trophy and opening Superbike race wins at Northern Ireland’s end of season showpiece on Sunday at Bishopscourt Race Circuit in County Down.
The Relentless Suzuki team finished the meeting with five wins: three in the Superbike class [a clean sweep], one in Supersport with Lee Johnston and a token sidecar victory with British Champions John Holden and Andy Winkle.
Lowry, the 23-year-old BSB Rookie of the Year, again demonstrated his prowess on the 2009 GSX–R1000 Superbike, capping a terrific season in Relentless Suzuki colours. His opening Superbike race win was an unchallenged lights to flag success in damp and difficult conditions, alsosetting the fastest lap of the race. Alastair Seeley, in only his third Superbike outing, followed Lowry home for a Relentless Suzuki one–two.
In the feature Superbike race – the Sunflower Trophy – Lowry overcame the early challenge of Marshall Neill to take a convincing win by almost four seconds. Michael Laverty, making a welcome return to the team, struggled with his tyre choice in the tricky conditions eventually finishing fourth; Alastair Seeley slid off while disputing a podium position.
In the final Superbike encounter, offering the best action of the weekend, Laverty and Seeley were left to fight it out for the top step after Lowry had been taken out of the lead and the race on lap two.
Laverty was very strong in the early laps, but Seeley fought through from fifth place to take the win, demonstrating his incredible pedigree on a Superbike. Laverty was a close second with Marshall Neill third.
In the Supersport class, Lee Johnston was making a one-off appearance in Relentless Suzuki colours and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. The diminutive rider took an opening race podium before winning race two on his 2008 GSX–R600.
A token win also came to Relentless Suzuki on three wheels, when British Sidecar champions, John Holden and Andy Winkle won the Friends of Marty Murphy race, closing out a successful weekend.
Ian Lowry
“I’ve wanted that main Sunflower win for three years, so it’s nice to finally get my name on the famous trophy. It’s been a great year with Relentless Suzuki and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the team. Everything worked great in the race and I just watched my boards and had no major mishaps.”
Alastair Seeley
“In the final race I just put my head down and reeled Michael in, and it was nice to finish the year the way we started it: with a win. It’s been some year and I’d just like to thank the Relentless Suzuki team and all the boys at TAS Racing for their support. I’ve really enjoyed myself.”
Philip Neill – Team Principal
“What a fantastic way to finish the year. It was especially nice to see Ian lift his first Sunflower Trophy. He really has come of age during 2009 and proved to everyone at Bishopscourt just why he’s now one of the top riders in the British Superbike class. It was especially pleasing to see him ride with so much confidence and self-belief and he again proved how strong the GSX–R1000 Superbike package really is.
Alastair has had a tough baptism in the Superbike class but it is also pleasing to see him finishing the year on a high. He has really been thrown in at the deep end recently, moving from the Superstock machine, onto the Evo bike and now the Superbike. He handled all the pressure and proved he also has what it takes to be a top Superbike rider.
It’s always nice to see Michael Laverty in Relentless Suzuki colours, but it was a big challenge asking him to step back into the team for a one-off meeting. He wasn’t far away, posting the pole time in the Superbike class, and had it been dry on Sunday, the races could have fallen his way.
Lee Johnston is one of the nicest lads in the racing paddock, so to see him continue our run of Supersport victories at the Sunflower meeting was very pleasing. I was not sure how the K8 GSX–R600 would perform, as we have not been running it in the British Championship this season, but with a talented 58kg rider in the saddle it was pleasing to see it hold its own. I must admit, Lee’s win gave me huge satisfaction.
The icing on the cake was the Relentless Suzuki and TAS supported sidecar crew of John Holden and Andy Winkle securing a sidecar victory, ensuring Relentless Suzuki colours were the dominant force in all classes all weekend.
Before we begin preparation for the 2010 season, the whole team will now take a well-earned rest.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors for their support during 2009: Suzuki, Relentless, Beacon, Pirelli, Motul and everyone else who has supported us this season.
