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PHILIP NEILL BLOG - Malcolm - 23-04-2011

[Image: relentless2011hdr.jpg]

Well after a long, and if I'm completely honest, difficult winter break in terms of finalising support deals and our rider line-up, we are ready to kick the 2011 BSB season off this weekend at Brands Hatch.

The Brands Indy circuit is always a difficult race to predict, as only a minute difference in lap times will split the top 10 riders. On a personal note though I don't necessarily believe that the results from this weekend can be used to predict the season, as there are several riders who seem to perform particularly well around this track. However a rider will need to perform consistently throughout all 12 rounds to be in with a strong chance of winning the 2011 BSB Championship.

After enjoying significant success in 2010, including two BSB race victories and several podiums, I believe we are now ready to challenge for the Championship in 2011. After serving our time in the BSB series beginning in 2004 when Tom Sykes debuted the TAS Suzuki GSX-R600, our feeling is that we now have all the ability and experience to be major contenders.

Whatever the outcome, one thing that will not be in doubt is the commitment of this team. Each member will give their all in an effort to land Suzuki the British Superbike title to add to the Supersport and Superstock titles Relentless Suzuki by TAS have enjoyed in recent years.

Our rider line-up is perhaps our most exciting ever with Josh Brookes leading our challenge for BSB glory; Alastair Seeley attempting to put Suzuki back on top in British Supersport and Guy Martin - who will concentrate on the IOM TT Races - joining his two team-mates for selected BSB outings, beginning with this weekend.

Josh has been an absolute pleasure to work with since arriving in Northern Ireland just over one month ago, and having spent considerable time with Josh in pre-season, I can honestly say he is the hardest working rider I have ever known. His talent is unquestioned and his desire to win seems stronger than ever. We have identified the areas where Josh wanted to improve with bike set-up and his personal preparation, and we've worked on those areas.

Alastair really is made for the Supersport class and with the all-new GSX-R600 looking like the bike to be riding [MCN Supersport shoot-out winner] we really are looking forward to significant success during 2011. Obviously nothing can be taken for granted as the Supersport category is always tough with many great riders.

However Alastair is another hard working rider who has put a concentrated effort in this winter specifically aimed at racing the 600 machine. He is a gritty little character, who has already tasted championship success in the form of the National Superstock series for Suzuki in 2009, and he really wants to win this championship - and I for one would not want to be the person trying to stop him!

Guy will make his racing debut in Relentless Suzuki by TAS colours this weekend and although the main objective is to put some extra miles under his belt in preparation for the International Road Races, he will certainly not be out to make up the numbers. He will be looking for a steady rate of progression throughout the weekend. I must say I am looking forward to talking more about Guy as the road racing season approaches. He certainly is an interesting character!

That's about all for now. Let's hope the sun keeps shining and we get our season off to a positive start, perhaps even with some silverware. I will happily meet the extra baggage charges on our flight back to Northern Ireland on Monday evening if that's the case.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Brands; have a great weekend.