Season best shows FIXI Crescent Suzuki the way forward
Fourth place for Leon Camier in the second race of the day at the recent Donington round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship was the single best result of the year for the highly respected team making a step up from BSB racing.
Setting laps as fast as the leaders at times this past weekend, even faster on occasion, Camier was hampered by a small problem during race one. His fourth place finish in race two was an altogether impressive feat, despite playing no part in the dramatic race finale up front. "I had the pace this weekend to be with the top guys and it felt good fighting and catching them today," said Camier. "In race one, there was a problem with the brakes and I couldn't get into the turns the way I wanted and that prevented me from catching the guys at the front. We changed to a softer rear tyre for race two. My start was OK and if, I hadn't been held up for so long by Laverty and Guintoli, I'm sure I would've been challenging for the podium at the end. It was a really enjoyable race and great fun catching people and passing them."
The GSX-R1000 has been progressing in its capabilities all season, thanks in part to improvements in the Yoshimura engine package. Despite the team losing their other team regular John Hopkins for the Donington weekend, as a result of injuries suffered at the preceding Monza race, substitute rider Peter Hickman managed a top ten in race two, finishing ninth.
Jack Valentine, the FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team Manager, was satisfied by the pace and progress of the effort at the first of two home rounds in the UK this year. "We've had a much better weekend at Donington than we have had recently and it's been good to see some smiles returning to the garage. Leon rode fantastically in the second race and could easily have been challenging for the podium if he'd have gotten away with the front group and not been held up. Peter did an excellent job for us this weekend. He came in as last-minute replacement after we lost John and he has done everything - and more - of what was asked of him. His ninth place is a good reward for him for his hard work."
