WSS » Buckmaster reflects on 'worst race since 2008'

19 March 2013
'This was our worst race since Philip Island in 2008 but we will be stronger for this experience' - Simon Buckmaster
Buckmaster reflects on 'worst race since 2008'
PTR Honda World Supersport team manager Simon Buckmaster has described last month's opening round of the championship at Phillip Island as 'our worst race' since 2008 at the spectacular Australian circuit.

Buckmaster, though, has vowed that the team will benefit from the experience and hit back at critics he said were too quick 'to put the knife in' after a below-par start to the series.

“Well now the dust has settled after the Philip Island race we have had time to sort our troubles and look forward,' said Buckmaster.

“Without going into the part that was incorrect (supplier problem) on the new engine in Sheridan's [Morais] bike, at least in the end we found out the problem.

“Once again our team spirit shone through; if it happened again there are things we would do in a different way but that is just learning as a team how to improve.

“There is no point in pointing fingers and trying to find someone to blame, we just look at every situation and put things in place to make sure we avoid repeats of things that go wrong,” he added.

“This was our worst race since Philip Island in 2008 but we will be stronger for this experience.


“As soon as we had a bad event there were people looking to put the knife in straight away but that is just the price we pay for such a long period of success.”

Luca Marconi claimed the team's best result in Australia in 12th position with Nacho Perez 19th ahead of team-mate and 17-year-old series rookie Matt Davies, while David Linortner crashed out.

Morais was classified in 24th and last position after experiencing a rear wheel speed sensor failure on lap one of the race.

Buckmaster said: “I am not one to bemoan bad luck and in the case of the engine problems in practice, we as I said before, have put thing in place to avoid any repeat of this.

“That said all our bikes are the same and for Sheridan to have the rear wheel sensor problem really was so unlucky.

“He was very impressive in the Portimao pre-season test and you will all see what he can do at Aragon.

“Pirelli once again came in for some stick and the race was shortened again as it was in 2012.

“In their defence I do think teams need to look at themselves,” added Buckmaster.

“I admit we got it wrong in 2012 after looking for more rear grip at the expense of tyre wear and falling away at the end of the race.

“This year had it not been for Sheridan's problems we were in great shape tyre wear wise.


“Luca's tyres could easily have done race distance.”

Tagged as: Honda , Portimao , Phillip Island , Aragon , ptr , Luca Marconi , David Linortner , Matt Davies
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Related Pictures

Pata Honda`s Michael van der Mark celebrates podium finish at Phillip Island
Pata Honda`s Michael van der Mark during testing at Phillip Island

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