The recent split between Cameron Donald and the TAS Relentless Suzuki team just two weeks after a contract was inked has spun the road racing rumour mill into overdrive.
Citing 'unforseen circumstances' as the reason behind the contract annulment, both rider and team are saying no more on the matter. Donald is now headed for Australia to take part in next weekend's 6-Hour race at Phillip Island.
The rumours suggest that Donald's lack-lustre performance at the recent Macau Grand Prix highlighted concerns that the team have had all year about his post TT crash performances. The Aussie star broke his shoulder badly at the 2009 TT shortly after posting a record breaking lap. His form since that accident has not mirrored previous levels.
Rumours also suggest that Donald has allegedly signed for Wilson Craig Racing. WCR were not best pleased at the way their 2010 rider Guy Martin handled his defection to TAS Suzuki. They issued the following statement:
'As recently reported Guy Martin decided to leave Wilson Craig Racing to further his racing career. This has come as somewhat of a surprise to the team as only a couple of weeks previously Guy had intimated to Wilson that he would like to continue with the team. Wilson had travelled over to Lincolnshire to meet with both Guy & Honda to discuss the way forward for next season. The discussions went well with both Wilson & Guy knowing there were a few points to be addressed. Wilson left Guy following these meetings on Friday 29th October. On Monday 1st November 2010 Wilson heard that Guy had signed to ride Suzuki's with TAS. This was truly surprising as when Wilson had sat down with Guy last year to discuss what he needed to do the job, Guy was the one who did not want all the razzmatazz that is associated with a big team, who wanted to work out the back of the van, and wanted all his mates to work within the team.
Wilson Craig Racing delivered Guy's requested package to the last nut & bolt, to get the job done, including as requested employing Guy's mates. One thing that can be said, is that Wilson Craig gave Guy a 110% commitment to get the job done.
Whilst Wilson was disappointed to loose Guy the most disappointing aspect of it was why Guy did not tell Wilson face to face as a matter of professional courtesy. Guy's recent comments in the media and various motorcycle publications came as a complete surprise and were disappointing to both the team and it's partners. Guy's criticisms were felt to be without without foundation and indeed went on to be proved so with recent results for the team.
At the Oulton Park BSB Round Marshall Neil rode the Wilson Craig Racing Honda Supersport machine to a respectable 7th place finish, which was a good result for a rider who had last ridden a 600cc machine a full year previously. Later in the season at the Sunflower Races Marshall rode the Wilson Craig Racing Honda Superbike & Supersport machinery. Marshall won both Supersport races and took the Wilson Craig Fireblade to a very creditable 3rd place in the main Sunflower race, this against works supported teams & machinery. William Dunlop rode the Wilson Craig Superstock bike at the Sunflower Races finishing a highly creditable 7th overall in the main Sunflower Race against full blown Superbike machinery. William later stated the Wilson Craig Superstock bike was the best bike he had ever raced. William is a first class young rider with a highly professional attitude and perfect manners. The Wilson Craig Racing Team would like to thank William for his performance, attitude, professionalism and gratitude he showed for being given the opportunity to ride for the team.
The Team feels that this proves there was nothing wrong with the bikes or indeed bike preparation. It was a hard day trying to find someone or something to take some blame.
The WCR bikes are prepared & presented by PTR (Performance Technical Racing ) in Louth who are effectively Parkalgar Honda. Simon Buckmaster (Team Principal) and his team compete in World Supersport. A world class team as results have shown on the world stage. All the Wilson Craig machinery are prepared in their workshops by PTR technicians, and our engines are prepared by none other than Chris Mayhew of CM Performance Engineering.
However riders do what they need to do and rightly so. Wilson Craig Racing would like to wish Guy well with his new team and hope that he has a safe season.'
To complete the off-season rider merry-go-round picture, rumours are also now linking Ian Hutchinson with Donald's vacated TAS Suzuki seat.
Watch this space...
