DEBUT SUPERSPORT PODIUM FOR EMOTIONAL MACKENZIE AT SILVERSTONE

Taylor Mackenzie took his debut British Supersport podium during today’s sprint race at Silverstone on the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600, finishing in second place after a nail-biting last lap battle with American James Rispoli.

Taylor Mackenzie took his debut British Supersport podium during today’s sprint race at Silverstone on the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600, finishing in second place after a nail-biting last lap battle with American James Rispoli.

The 21-year-old Scottish rider made the most of his second row grid position, immediately slotting into fourth place in the opening exchanges, but his battle with Rispoli was a race long affair during the nine-lap encounter.

The American did lead on the final lap and the easy option for Mackenzie would have been to settle for third place, but a strong pass just a few corners from home offered up a deserved second place.

Taylor Mackenzie:

“I don’t know what to say really but thanks to everyone at Tyco Suzuki for such a big effort. I’m delighted to get my first British Supersport podium and I had no ‘nose bleeds’ being in a podium position for most of the race.

“I just kept banging in consistent lap times and even on that last lap I could have settled for third, but I wanted second for both myself and the team and I’m just delighted for everyone involved. The Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600 was brilliant throughout and it was great to finally get a bottle of champagne and a podium at such a top class venue.”

In the Superbike class Josh Waters will start from row four and John Hopkins row six for tomorrow’s opening 14-lap race at 1.30pm during the penultimate round of the BSB Championship.


Philip Neill – Team Manager:

“Taylor did a great job in today’s Supersport race and proved that there’s plenty of life yet in Suzuki’s GSX-R600. He started strongly, held station throughout and showed great determination to take second place when the easy option would have been to bring the bike home in a solid third place.

“We are obviously disappointed with today’s qualifying in the Superbike class. John started strongly going P1 in the opening qualifying session but got caught out in Q2 and paid the penalty. Row four and six is not ideal for the opening race but they boys will no doubt dig in and give us a big effort.”


British Supersport Championship, Silverstone, Sprint race:

1: Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 19m 53.944s

2: Taylor Mackenzie (Tyco Suzuki) +9.286s

3: James Rispoli (Yamaha) +9.683s

4: Luke Mossey (Triumph) +16.980s

5: Sam Hornsey (Triumph) +18.127s