Shane 'Shakey' Byrne (no.67) - Photo Credit: Paul Bird Motorsport
Shane Byrne was relieved to salvage a podium from the second race of the day at Snetterton after a terrible beginning for Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki. Both Byrne and teammate Stuart Easton retired from race one with engine and electrical problems respectively but 'Shakey' bounced back to finish second in race two, a result he was more than happy with after the earlier difficulties.
“The first race was a bit disappointing but it happens in racing from time to time so we just had to focus on the second race. Michael Laverty went off like a scalded cat and I didn’t really have an answer for him. I eventually got to second and just tried to maintain my pace but then Josh Brookes came back at me and I honestly thought the penultimate lap was the last lap. I was weaving all over the track trying to keep Josh behind and stop him from getting a tow and then I came round and saw the last lap flag! But fortunately I fought him off and second here is great, we’ll take that after the disappointment of race one.”
Easton also recovered to score points in the second race but the Scotsman was disappointed with eighth and feels the hard work of the team wasn't fully rewarded.
“A tough day at the races, really. We started the weekend with a struggle and never really gelled with the circuit having missed it last year. We were on the back foot so to come from 20th after free practice and then qualify on the second row was good and our best of the year so far. Race one, the bike stopped on the first lap when I was running seventh and in the lead group so that put me 17th on the grid for race two and I came through for an eighth place finish. So we’ve worked hard for eight points and that’s not really what we came for. But we’re still in the top six and the next three circuits are all tracks that I enjoy so I’ll just go away, keep training and focus on scoring some stronger finishes.”
Both Byrne and Easton remain in the top six and look on target for a place in the Showdown and technical director Phil Borley is hopeful of strengthening their position once the reliability niggles are behind them.
“Obviously the first race was a disaster for us. We had an engine problem with Shakey’s bike and then an electrical problem with Stuart’s. So we were happy with Shakey’s podium in the second race, I think he rode well considering he had no knowledge from the first race and we had no data. Stuart starting from where he did on the grid got a good finish and I don’t think he was comfortable with the bike this weekend so to get some points is good but that’s all it is and we know we need to do better. We’re looking forward to Knockhill now, it’s a circuit both our riders enjoy and as a team we’ll be working hard to give them what they need to challenge for wins.”
