From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI GB PHASE ONE TAKE PODIUM FINISH

Sunday August 24th 2003

Suzuki GB Phase One took full advantage of the double points available at the Oschersleben 24 Hour round of the World Endurance Championship to secure a 23 point championship lead over rivals Zongshen.

After once again surviving a second lap incident which saw four of the major teams limping back to the pits for repairs, riders Jason Pridmore, James Ellison and Josh Hayes ran a smooth and consistent race to finish in a comfortable second place. They battled with eventual winners GMT94 for the lead through the night until a minor spill by Hayes forced a strategy rethink. With Zongshen 1 retired from the race, a second position finish was be enough to leave Phase One in a very strong position for the final round of the championship which takes place on the fifth of October at Vallelunga in Italy.

Suzuki GB Phase One team manager Russell Benney: “We came into this race second in the championship and we’re leaving it in the lead after a good second place. We’ve pulled a 23 point margin over Zongshen and we go to the final round as favourites, only needing 3 points. I think it should be an easy task to achieve. It’s great to be 24 hour racing – like coming back home. This team is all about 24 hour races; all our skills and techniques apply to long distance racing.”

Both the team’s Suzuki GSX-R1000s ran well over the full race distance; the Phase One Junior team finishing in eleventh place overall.

Championship Standings after 6 of 7 Races:


1. Suzuki GB – Phase One – Suzuki GSX-R1000 – 139 points.

2. Zongshen 1 – Suzuki GSX-R1000 – 116 points.

3. Yamaha GMT94 – Yamaha YZF-R1 – 109 points

4. Zongshen 2 – Suzuki GSX-R1000 – 91 points

5. 22 Police Nationale – Suzuki GSX-R1000 – 79 points.