Alastair Seeley: We've added a bit of extra spice to the British Supersport class

Alastair Seeley acknowledges that he has added '˜extra spice' to the Dickies British Supersport Championship after returning to the sharp end with the EHA Racing Yamaha team.
Alastair Seeley on the EHA Racing Yamaha.Alastair Seeley on the EHA Racing Yamaha.
Alastair Seeley on the EHA Racing Yamaha.

The Carrick man, who won both Supersport races at the North West 200 for Edward and Gail Allingham’s outfit, was thrown a lifeline to ride the CF Motorsport-prepared YZF-R6 after the Tsingtao MV Agusta team withdrew from the series.

The 38-year-old made a winning debut at Silverstone and followed up with another Sprint race success at Oulton Park to make it two wins from four starts.

As a result, Seeley was granted the chance to finish off the season with the team at Assen in the Netherlands and Brands Hatch, with the 24-time North West 200 winner now surely in line to ride for EHA Racing full-time in 2019.

Carrick man Alastair Seeley has won two races from four starts with the EHA Racing Team.Carrick man Alastair Seeley has won two races from four starts with the EHA Racing Team.
Carrick man Alastair Seeley has won two races from four starts with the EHA Racing Team.

The former British Supersport champion has ruffled a few feathers upon his return to the thick of the action in the class, with championship leader Jack Kennedy from Dublin accusing the ‘Wee Wizard’ of some harsh moves as they battled for honours in the Sprint race at Oulton.

However, while Seeley is not in title contention, the Ulster rider makes no apology, pointing out that his job is to win races for his new team.

“I think we’ve added a bit of much-needed spice to the Supersport class, and while I respect the front guys like Jack and Ben (Currie) – and we know they are fighting for a championship – my job is to win races for EHA Racing and that’s the goal at Assen again this weekend,” Seeley said.

“Assen is a great circuit and somewhere I’m delighted to be going back to race at, as it’s one of the world’s most iconic venues. “I’ve really enjoyed my time on the EHA Racing Yamaha this season, which was initially a North West 200 only deal. So to have been able to jump back on it at Silverstone and Oulton and now to have secured a deal to finish the season at Assen and Brands – that’s just perfect for me.”

Seeley won on his previous visit to the legendary Dutch circuit in the Supersport class in 2014.The team’s regular Supersport rider, David Allingham from Eglinton, also has fond memories of Assen after finishing second in 2016.

By his own admission, this season has not panned out quite how he had hoped, but Allingham hopes to show his best form this weekend.“I was second at Assen in 2016, which was a great feeling,” said Allingham.

“This season hasn’t quite gone to plan, but we showed at Brands what we are capable of with the win. The plan at Assen is to start the weekend strong in the opening free practice sessions and build on that.

“I’m confident we can turn it around and leave the Netherlands in a good place.”