Richard Britton Racing
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16th May 2004
Press Release NW 200
Pic - Willis MarshallRichard Britton described Saturdays North West 200 as bitterly disappointing as mechanical problems hampered the Enniskillen rider at a sun soaked Junction One International North West 200.
Richard takes up the days events.
" I am very down hearted at the moment. So many people had done so much for me at this year’s event and it all went pear shaped”.
Dewalt Superbike Race: "I struggled in this race with the Rizla Suzuki not handling the best. At high speed the bike was moving all over the road and I had to keep shutting her off to straighten up. I just could do nothing with it and we tried to do what we could to solve it. In the production race I got a fairly good start and was happy enough to finish in 5th place. It’s so important to get away with the guys on the front row, but I was to far down the grid that I could not keep up.
Both the 600 races were there for the taking. I was confident that I could win both races. In the first race I was leading going through Mathers Cross when the red flags came out and just before the Magherbouy chicane the bike just died. It was later found out to be a simple fault. A blocked fuel breather. In race two I was lying in second place going through Ballysally roundabout and the bike was really flying. The on the run down to Portrush the clutch starting to slip and that was it. I had to retire at the end of lap one.
In the race of the day for the North West 200, I had decided that I was going to give it all that I had, but I just could not hold onto the bike on the fast straights. I finished in seventh place in both races but it was just not good enough for me. We later found out after there the race what the problem was with the Rizla Suzuki. A linkage in the rear suspension was broken. Something as simple as that.
I just want to thank Rizla and Crescent Suzuki for their faith in me, unfortunately it just did not happen on the day. The bike and the team were second to none and it was a wonderful experience for me all my team to working with the factory boys. Hopefully they will keep their faith in me next year and I would dearly love to have another crack at it.
Finally, sorry Des. The DMR 600 Honda is a missile and I have now doubts that I could have won one, if not both the 600 races on that bike. Again, lady luck deserted me. I hope that Maynard Massy enjoyed his lap behind me at the North West 200 before racing started, and I am sorry that I could not have giving all my supporters something to cheer about. So, roll on the TT."
Richard #8
Pic - Willis Marshall
