Seton Interceptor Racing

Warren Scoops Debut Supersport Podium At Thruxton

Sam Warren powered the Bike Interceptor Yamaha by Seton R6 to his debut podium finish in an incident-packed round four of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire (30 May).

The 2.35 mile circuit is the fastest on the calendar, and the perfect venue to show the true potential of the Bike Interceptor Yamaha by Seton YZF-R6. Sam set about free practice and qualifying with sheer professionalism, posting blisteringly quick times to elevate himself towards the sharp end of the grid, qualifying in fifth position for Sunday's 12-lap Sprint.

Powering from the lights, Sam was able to make the break with leading pack for the first time this season, hunting down race leader Ben Wilson. With five riders jostling positions at the head of the field for the majority of the race, Sam left his move for victory to the final lap. Moving out of Wilson's slipstream on the run up to the Club Chicane for the final time, Sam briefly took the lead but was drafted by McConnell and Seeley, forcing the Yamaha rider back to fourth, and his season's best finish to date.

Sam posted the third quickest lap time in the Sprint (1:17.362), elevating the Bike Interceptor Yamaha by Seton machine onto the front row for the main Supersport event first time this season.

Bank Holiday Monday's main event would see Sam improve on the Sunday result after a phenomenal ride and monumental battle at the front of the pack. Conditions for the riders were horrendous, with visibility almost down to zero in the torrential rain and flying spray from Pirelli wets.

Seeley had made an early break to be leading by almost seven seconds before an electrical problem forced him to retire at the end of lap seven. Sam grabbed the opportunity presented with both hands, taking the lead on the track from fellow Yamaha rider, Jack Kennedy.

As the weather began to deteriorate further still, the Derbyshire-based rider maintained his position despite constant pressure from Kennedy. However, the grippy and super fast Thruxton tarmac appeared to favour the Triumphs, and veteran Paul Young soon made it a six-wheel battle for the win.

Sam had visibly been the strongest, and latest on the brakes into the Club Chicane, but, learning from Sunday's race allowed both Kennedy and Young inside and Young to take the lead on lap 11. Sam's game plan was evident; sit on the tail of the leading pair and make the draft pass on the final lap.

Kennedy spectacularly highsided out of contention at Goodwood on the following lap, and with both Plater and Iddon crashing out together, race direction issued the red flag bringing an abrupt end to proceedings.

With Kennedy removed from the results, Sam deservedly scooped his first podium of the season with a hard-fought second place behind Young. Sam now moves up to seventh in the championship standings.

Aussie teammate, Ben Burke once again faced a circuit for the first time in his career. Improving his lap times dramatically throughout the weekend, Ben qualified the Bike Interceptor Yamaha by Seton in 16^th on the outside of the fourth row for the 12-lap Metzeler National Superstock 600 showdown.

The difficult conditions did not dampen Ben's spirits, and despite still battling with severe bruising from injuries sustained at Croft two weeks ago, improved steadily throughout the 12 laps to take the chequered flag in 24^th. In spite of not adding to his season's tally of points, Ben is still in contention for honours and lies fourth going in to round 5 at Knockhill, where he will be joined by new teammate and fellow Australian Andy Lawson Jnr.

Sam Warren: "What a mega race the Sprint was, I enjoyed it so much. It was so good to be dicing with the leaders! The Bike Interceptor by Seton Yamaha felt really good. I thought we'd done everything right to get a podium going onto the last lap. Running second to Wilson, I got a good drive on him through Church and passed him up the final straight. But we must have punched a big hole in the air as Seeley and McConnell came rushing through! P4 is by far my best result to date so hopefully we can go one or two better tomorrow and grab a podium."

"Monday proved to be another fantastic day for me and the team. Finally we got a wet race and we were running at the front again. Seeley had it sown up at the front but then retired, so when I inherited the lead I put my head down and tried to pull a gap but Kennedy was right with me. As I looked around out of Church to see who was around me so I could formulate a plan for the last lap, both Kennedy and Young came past. Then the next lap round Kennedy high-sided bringing out the red flags. I'm over the moon to finish 2nd and get that podium. The Seton Tuning Yamaha was very strong this weekend, this is a massive result for me and the team, so all credit to Phil and the guys at Bike Interceptor Yamaha by Seton and our sponors for making this happen. I'd like to dedicate this race to my wife as it's her birthday today!"

Ben Burke: "The weekend went well with me learning the track quickly and improving with every session. I qualified in 16^th, not very far off the pace of the leaders. In the race I extended my experience riding in the rain, steadily improving throughout the whole race. I am happy with this result and know that next time I ride in the rain I can improve again. Huge congratulations to Sam on his fantastic riding throughout the weekend, giving the team the result they have been chasing for such a long time."

Phil Seton, Team Manager: "My stomach is still churned up from Sam's phenomenal performances this weekend! He really did the business and showed that he can run with front guys in both the wet and the dry. Thruxton is one of those circuits, like Monza, where the guy in sixth can come through to win with one amazing draft pass. Sam was unlucky to miss the podium in the Sprint but certainly made up for it in the main event. "

"Ben gained some more valuable experience of wet-weather racing and got progressively quicker all weekend, so that was really encouraging. Ben will be testing at Knockhill this coming Friday, so should be in a much stronger position for the next round.

The whole team has consistently worked hard all season and Sam's results are a great testament to everyones hard work. We've kept our faith in Sam and he has made it all worthwhile."

The fifth round of the 2011 MCE British Superbike Championship moves north of the border to Knockhill Circuit over the weekend of 17-19 June.

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