News

When it comes to not mixing words, look no further than Simon Buckmaster. The former racer and 500cc Grand Prix podium finisher runs the PTR team in the FIM Supersport World Championship, racing under the banner of CIA Landlord Insurance Honda. With the summer break in full swing, he digests the year so far.

Simon, at Assen this year we saw the team clinch victory for the first time in more than three years. How did it feel to enjoy that winning feeling once again?
It’s great to win again. The last race we won was the last race of 2012, with Jules Cluzel first and Sam Lowes second. We’ve got the pace. In the dry, we need to make it over full distance because (Kyle Smith) has been a little slow to get going at times.

How much of a headache is it to run a four-bike team?
We’ve done it for a number of years now. We’ve even run five, including in 2012 and the year before. It’s a challenge, but I have a really good team around me, everyone does a great job and we work together as a team unit.

Kyle Smith is the man who took you back to winning ways, having previously won with Ten Kate last year. What has it been like to have him in the team?
He’s a great guy to work with. He’s got such an immense amount of natural talent. We now just need to work together as a team to be a bit better and win more races.

What about Japanese rookie and karaoke king, Hikari Okubo?
For me, he’s a very impressive rider. He’s only 22 years old. He came out of Asia, where he rode in the Asia Pacific Championship. He’s come to Europe this year and it’s a different culture. I think he’s doing a really good job and I’m really confident that next year he will be challenging inside the top ten and will impress everybody.

You also have English debutant Stefan Hill. How’s he progressing?
I have known Stefan’s dad, Dave, for many years. Before the season, I spoke with him and Stefan about understanding that it’s a big step up. He’s not been in the points yet, but he could have been at Assen. It’s a learning curve for Stefan; he’s only 18 years old and we can keep working with him to see where he can get to next year.

Christoffer Bergman was drafted into the team with plenty of experience, as the Ohlins test rider in Sweden. How is it going with him?
He made a big step at Donington, just missing out on the points when Hikari overtook him on the last corner of the last lap! He’s come into the team and, with him, brings his own experience and close relationship with Ohlins. I have known the Ohlins guys for years anyway, but it can only help all the riders and that’s been a fantastic thing. I think we can see an impressive final half of the season from Christoffer.

Bergman started riding for you when you parted ways with 2015 British Supersport Champion Luke Stapleford…
Obviously the thing with Luke leaving wasn’t the best thing. As I’ve said before, we and Luke could and should have handled that better but, moving on, that is now all behind us and behind them.

Honesty seems to be the best policy for you, not least in your Simon Says blog which often generates some interesting opinion on social media!
The sponsors of the team like me to do it. I try not to offend anyone. I think maybe sometimes I do…I don’t know! It’s a thing I’ve always done and it seems to go down quite well, so why not [laughs].

What is the objective for the rest of the season?
To win races and for every one of our riders to do as well as possible. This break now is, in affect, longer than the winter break. We are a Honda team; we won’t have a new bike next year, so we’re going to use this time well to develop and improve as much as we can to come back at the Lausitzring when the season restarts. We will do our very best. Let’s see if we can win some races.