Mega start for Lowes with Parkalgar Honda SAM LOWES is fired up for his winter training and testing programme after scoring a podium on his first outing for the Parkalgar Honda Supersport team at the end-of-season Sunflower races in Northern Ireland. Sam led much of the opening race at the unfamiliar Bishopscourt track near Downpatrick but a last lap mistake allowed circuit specialist Marshall Neill on a near identical PTR tuned Wilson Craig Honda to just take the honours. After taking the hole shot in the second race of the day Lowes was forced to retire. Up against Superbikes in the Sunflower race he finished an excellent eighth and first 600 home. Guest Parkalgar Honda racer James Ellison finished fourth in the first race and then led most of the second before Marshall Neill forced him on to the grass at the end and stole the victory. He finished a superb 9th just behind his team mate in the Sunflower race against the Superbikes. The team now goes into the off-season with data from Sam to help with the development of the World Supersport Championship Parkalgar Honda race bikes and is looking forward to the official tests early in 2011. Sam: “What a mega start with the team. It is different in a lots of areas to what I am used to and in a very good way. I have got to know Phil Marron my crew chief and the Parkalgar Honda there is so much potential here and I can’t wait to get back out. The first race was great and went down to the last lap but I broke hard and on to one wheel into a corner allowing Marshall through for the win. In the second race I got a great start but had to pull in a little later which was a shame. The race against the Superbikes was good fun as I could push them in the corners but on the straights they were difficult to live with. This is a mega start and I am really happy with everything.” James: “Thanks to Parkalgar Honda for giving me the ride on their bike, it has been a mega day. Riding a 600 after a Superbike felt a little weird at first but I was starting to gel with it towards the end of the day and took a second off my qualifying time in the race. I led most of the second race but Marshall made some forceful passes and I had to roll off the throttle to avoid going on the grass. Third time around I went on to the grass and lost four seconds but nearly caught him up in the last lap. It’s been fun and the Parkalgar Honda team is very switched on; the bike is mint, presentation great and everyone is professional and friendly.” Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “I am very happy with our work, it was a fantastic test for Sam and James and allowed us to tailor the bikes to them and learn a lot for the winter development programme. In the second race Marshall really wanted the win and put James on the grass, I’d like to congratulate him and Wilson Craig on their victories today he was on a near identical PTR tuned Honda that we supplied. Now it is down to the winter development and testing programme, more news on that soon.” Supersport 600 race one: 1. M Neill; 2. S Lowes PARKALGAR HONDA; 3. B Wilson; 4. J Ellison; 5. K Jamison; 6. J Westmoreland Supersport 600 race two: 1. M Neill; 2. J Ellison PARKALGAR HONDA; 3. J Westmoreland; 4. B McConnell; 5. M Dunlop; 6. K Jamison