BITTERSWEET PODIUM FOR METZELER IN DRAMATIC SUPERSPORT TT RACE 9th June 2009, Isle of Man, UK Metzeler took second place at the Supersport TT after lead rider Bruce Anstey (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) was denied what looked like a certain win for his team when he dropped out of the race only six miles from the finish line. Fellow Metzeler runner Guy Martin (Hydrex Honda) also encountered drama during the four lap race, when his head gasket blew whilst in the lead. Martin was encouraged by his team during his pit stop to keep going and hung on to take second place, meaning two podiums in as many races. Guy Martin, Hydrex Honda rider commented, “I’m here to win but I’m over the moon with this second place. The tyres were mint but we had a bit of trouble with the bike. I didn’t know if I’d even finish so it was a really emotional second place for me. I’m so glad the team orders at the pit stop were to keep going.” Anstey took the lead at the end of lap two producing a new outright Supersport lap record, despite slowing down for his pit stop, with an average speed of 126.549mph in a time of 17 53.32. On the final lap the Kiwi was leading on the road, having started from number five, and quickly extended his lead to ten seconds. Disaster then struck when a technical problem forced him to retire at Brandywell corner only six miles from the chequered flag. With the Metzeler shod leader out of the race, Ian Hutchinson took the win. Second place went to Guy Martin on his Hydrex Honda, with third place spot taken by Scotsman Keith Amor. The new Racetec with Interact™ technology tyre was launched earlier this year prior to the opening round of the ViSK British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch. The patented technology and engineering behind the tyre is the result of a sustained Metzeler research project aimed for maximum grip and stability. The tyre provides pure performance without compromising tyre life, the perfect traits needed to endure the longest and most demanding of road races in the world, the Isle of Man TT races. Gianmarco Spigolon, Metzeler’s UK General Manager, commented, “We are here to win and that should have been a win for both Relentless Suzuki by TAS team and Metzeler. To have the win taken from us by a technical problem is very disappointing- but that is racing. It proves again how much of a challenge the Isle of Man TT course is. The great news is that the Metzeler tyre produced a new lap record and we are very proud of that fact. We expect that Bruce will be even more determined to do well in the Superstock race this evening. We look forward with great anticipation!” For more information on Metzeler’s new RACETEC which features Interact™ structure and compound technology, please visit our website at: www.metzelermoto.com Relentless Supersport TT result 1 Ian Hutchinson (Pagetts Racing Honda) 2 Guy Martin (Hydrex Honda Racing) 3 Keith Amor (Wilson Craig Racing) New outright Supersport TT lap record Bruce Anstey (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 17 mins 53.32 seconds, 126.549mph More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office: Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing had a disappointing start to their TT race week when Kiwi Bruce Anstey retired after only seven miles on lap one of the Dainese TT Superbike event. The seven-time TT winner looked to be the man to beat after his 130mph lap during practice week, but he suffered problems with a lambda sensor, which measures the proportion of oxygen in the fuel, effectively putting him out of the race. Bruce Anstey: “I’m obviously disappointed as I was feeling quite confident today. What happened is no one’s fault and something that cannot be legislated for. I did a couple of practice laps in the afternoon on my ‘stock GSX-R1000, so fingers crossed we can have a good day tomorrow.” Philip Neill – Team Principal: “The TT so far has been a roller-coaster for us: we are either on top on nowhere at the minute, and this place is all about overcoming the gremlins. We have put in a big effort, so now we deserve a bit of good fortune. I’m a bit disappointed after today as I felt we had a very good chance of success on the GSX-R1000 Superbike. Bruce was forced to retire, but we have Tuesday’s races to look forward too now and Bruce should be right up there challenging in both.” More, from a press release issued by Ryan Farquhar’s publicist: Superbike disappointment for Farquhar Dungannon’s Ryan Farquhar had a disappointing start to race week at the 2009 Isle of Man TT races when he was forced to retire with an oil leak on the opening lap of Monday’s 6-lap Superbike race. Riding the Alf’s Motorcycles Kawasaki, Ryan had been forced to use a Superstock engine for the race when a problem with the main Superbike motor occured during the final practice session. A number of handling issues had also affected him during practice but a number of changes prior to the race were definitely a step in the right direction and Ryan’s race got off to a strong start. However, not long after the start of the race, he felt his foot slip off the footpeg and when he looked down he could see oil on his boot and he knew there and then his race was over. He managed to complete the lap in 12th place with a lap of 124.798mph but he immediately pulled in the pits to retire. Later in the day, Ryan said: “The changes we’d made to the bike had definitely worked and it was a lot more rideable at the start of the lap. I knew the Superstock engine wouldn’t be quick enough but I was hopeful of a solid result but I think the engine pressurised the crankcases and oil started to leak out, eventually finding it’s way into the airbox. I knew my race was over but I just wanted to bring the bike round and get back to the pits.” “It’s been a tough TT for me so far but there are 4 more races to go and I managed a near 125mph lap in this afternoon’s Superstock practice so let’s hope Tuesday sees a turnaround in my fortunes.” Ryan has two 4-lap races on Tuesday with the Supersport first off at 12.15pm and the Superstock going at 6.30pm. More, from a press release issued by Keith Amor’s publicist: TT podium joy for Amor Keith Amor enjoyed a fantastic day of racing at the Isle of Man TT Races on Tuesday when he finished third in both the Supersport 600cc and Superstock races on his Wilson Craig Honda’s, also lapping comfortably inside the old class lap records. The 4-lap Supersport race kicked off Tuesday’s proceedings and with a start number of 3 on this occasion, Keith put in a strong opening lap to lie in sixth place, just over ten seconds adrift of the race lead. However, on the second lap he upped his pace significantly and he moved up to fourth after a lap of 125.608mph. Looking secure in fourth, Keith was embroiled in a terrific on-the-roads dice with Ian Hutchinson and Bruce Anstey and was making inroads into third placed Guy Martin. With a superb final lap of 125.812mph, the second fastest of the race, he was only 1.19 seconds behind Martin at the chequered flag but with Anstey retiring on the final lap, he took third for his second TT podium. The Superstock race, held later in the day at 6.30pm, saw cooler conditions perfect for racing and what a race it was. A brilliant start by Keith saw him take the lead at Glen Helen but there was little to choose between any of the front four riders. Indeed, a lap of 128.302mph saw him only 1.95seconds off the lead! He maintained his third place all the way through the race and again enjoyed an on-the-roads battle with double race winner Hutchinson. Keith’s final lap of 128.958mph saw him come home strongly for his second podium of the day and his third TT rostrum in total. Speaking on Tuesday evening, Keith said: “The Supersport race was pretty hectic to say the least. Bruce and I touched at the Gooseneck on one lap but it was it was a good race to be part of and I really enjoyed it. I just needed a bit more speed and to miss out on second by just one second is a wee bit frustrating! I never saw a board all race but as I was dicing with Bruce and Ian I knew I must have been going fairly well and it’s great to finally get to stand on the podium after missing the opportunity last year.” “The Superstock was equally as hectic but it was again very enjoyable. Conditions were pretty much perfect, the track temperature was good and the tyres were working well so I could push really hard although I was really surprised how fast the lap times were – unbelievable. I had a couple of wee moments but I gave it all I possibly could and to end the day with two podiums is fantastic. We’re only a small team by comparison to others but Wilson and all my sponsors have put together a fantastic team and it’s great that we’ve achieved these results today.” Keith’s next outing will be on Wednesday with the second 4-lap Supersport race due to get underway at 10.45am.