The team picked up victories for Cameron Donald
in the Dainese Superbike and Scottish Life International Superstock TTs, as well as wins in both Relentless Supersport races for Bruce Anstey.
Anstey was later disqualified from the first Supersport race for a technical infringement, but in the second race two days later he proved he had what it took to win – recording a dominant victory and setting a new Supersport lap record around the Mountain circuit.
On Friday, the TAS team looked strong for the six-lap Senior TT, and Kiwi Anstey dominated the early going on his GSX-R1000 K8, leading the opening two laps. However, his race ended at the first pit stop when the chain broke. Donald picked up the Suzuki challenge and piled pressure on John McGuinness, the pair repeatedly swapping the lead in what proved one of the most thrilling Senior TT races of recent years.
With five laps down, the race was Donald’s for the taking, but the 30-year-old Australian’s Suzuki started leaking oil from a crankcase damaged by the repeated pounding at the bottom of Barregarrow.
Donald was not prepared to pull out of the race and nursed the sick Suzuki home in second place.
Speaking afterwards, Donald said:
‘I was just watching my board on those opening laps – I was just winding it up and winding it up, then when Bruce went out I knew it was time to boogie!
Unfortunately when I got to the Nook on lap five I looked down and saw oil on my boot. I thought it was just a breather pipe problem and kept pushing as the GSX-R1000 motor was pulling like a freight train.’
‘I’d had no real moments in the race, but when I got to Sulby on the last lap I knew I had big problems and just short shifted over the Mountain – I was lucky to get it home.’
‘It’s a great result for Relentless Suzuki, but a real pity as I had the race in the bag. That’s the TT.’
‘Thanks to the lads who’ve worked really hard for over two weeks and also to Suzuki, Relentless and all our sponsors for making this TT so successful.’
Anstey added:
‘I wasn’t even pushing hard on those first two laps, that bike was so, so good. I had a lot more to give and I was well in control of the race. There were no moments, I was enjoying my race then I heard this clicking and the bike was rattling like mad when I accelerated hard out of Creg-ny-Baa on lap two. I pulled into the pits and that was my race over.’
‘I’m pretty disappointed because the GSX-R1000 that I was riding is the best superbike I’ve ever ridden... ever. That race was mine, but, regardless, I think I made my presence felt and also proved that I can win a big race at the TT.’
‘Thanks to the whole team and all our sponsors. I think it is fair to say Relentless Suzuki dominated this year’s TT.’
Team principal Philip Neill said:
‘What more can I say? That was some Senior TT and both our riders were more than good enough to win it, but you definitely need a bit of luck around this place. It’s been a long hard fortnight for everyone in the team, but to lead the race for most of the laps and not take the win is more frustrating than disappointing.’
‘For Cameron to have taken the race to John McGuinness like he did has left us all feeling very proud.’
‘Bruce was equally as good and for a chain link to break, well, you just can’t legislate for that. I think he would have been as prolific a winner, had that not happened, as he was on Wednesday.’
‘To be honest, I would like to have seen Bruce getting the big bike win he has wanted so badly for many years, although he certainly silenced the critics who have said for years that he isn’t good enough to win a superbike TT.’
‘We must remain positive as this puts us in a very strong position for 2009.’
‘The 2008 TT has been massively successful for Suzuki. I’d just like to close the week by thanking Suzuki, Relentless, Pirelli, Leo Vince, Putoline, Beacon Security and all our associated sponsors.’