Speed demon Mark in at top level

Oct 17 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald

ALEXANDRIA speed demon Mark Buckley jetted out to Vienna last week to test with a top superbike team – and showcase his skill at a top venue.

The road racer was invited to test with Bratislava’s Maco Racing – one of the FIM World Endurance biggest teams – at the world renowned Brno racing circuit.

Buckley arrived at the circuit in the early hours of Friday and, after a few hours’ shut-eye, returned to the circuit later that morning to try out the new 2008 Yamaha superbike.

Not only that, but the superbike sensation had to overcome a non-English-speaking team, an unfamiliar bike and a track he’d never even seen before he could impress the Maco officials.

With backing from the likes of Samsung, Yamaha Japan and Dunlop, it’s no wonder the team are equipped with a world-class line up of riders in the shape of double World Champion Warwick Nowland and World Superbike regular Jason Pridmore – and Buckley was looking to impress.

Without even a second to familiarise himself with the circuit, Buckley was out on the track – and seemed to take to it like a duck to water, with four 20-minute sessions progressing in set-up and lap time.

Buckley said: “As well as having this mind-blowing opportunity to ride for such a high class team at Brno, I was also testing both the bikes and myself to see if it’s viable for a future partnership which could see myself and the team at major road racing events next year – so watch this space as they say.”

For the race on Saturday, he was joined by friend Henrik, head technician for Maco – which proved fortuitous for Buckley who gained a more advanced understanding of the bike ahead of taking to the track.

Buckley rode well in qualifying for the race, a round of the Alpe Adria Cup, pushing the Yamaha on to the third row – an outstanding achievement considering the obstacles he’d overcome in just one day.

He got off to his usual lightning quick start and was sitting in the top ten after lap one and posted his best time, a full second faster than his qualifying time, as he set his sights for a top five position.

But serious handling problems from the rear of the Yamaha forced Buckley out after just three laps.

That didn’t mean bad news for the speed king though, with the backing of longtime sponsor Kinpac, his newly formed partnership with OTSS (onetimesecurityservices.co.uk) and Free Brothers Racing, it looks likely Buckley will make his mark on the coming season – and will take on the big teams once again.