Is it the end of the road for Buckley and team?
The future of the OTSS Racing team and road racer Mark Buckley hang in the balance as funding for the team's efforts runs out.
Buckley has admitted his racing year could be over after he poured all his efforts into the 2010 TT and came away without the haul of top 10 finishes he wanted - and needed.
He said:
"We are all trying to be positive, but the truth is I don't know if I can race again this year as funding has ended and we also have no Supersport machine for the near future."
"I really hope I showed throughout (TT) practice week that I have the speed and I just need the right break!"
His aim heading into the two-week festival was to have everything in place for good finishes in every class he contested. However, he was dealt an early blow in March when his main sponsor pulled out.
Buckley was determined to carry on and funded his TT efforts himself, with support from family and friends as well as the continued backing of some loyal sponsors.
Despite already dealing with the turmoil of a major funding issue, Buckley also took the momentous decision to switch manufacturer to Kawasaki for 2010. His preparations, and support from Nick Morgan, MSS and Paul Bird Motorsport, put him in great shape for the TT.
However, the lack of funds saw him miss pre-season testing, getting his first proper ride on the machinery during races. Despite the lack of testing, Buckley secured some top five finishes at Oulton Park, Scarborough and Knockhill and by the time the OTSS Racing outfit arrived in the Isle of Man, the team and all of the Kawasaki machinery were prepped for the task ahead.
The TT got off to a perfect start when Buckley was consistently inside the top 10 on the OTSS Racing Kawasaki Supersport machine, and only just outside the top 10 runners on the ZX10 Superbike. With a fastest average lap of just under 125mph, the Scotsman was happy with progress and confident he could do this lap after lap in both the Superbike and Senior races.
The MSS-tuned Supersport machine was also producing great times and had seen numerous 120mph+ laps. By the end of practice week both team and rider were happy and set for the race week.
However, when racing got underway, Buckley's fortunes changed. He retired in the pits on lap three of the six-lap Superbike race which opened the TT race week and then, just two days later, pulled out of the first Supersport race after just five miles.
The team worked around the clock to rectify the problems that plagued both bikes, but couldn't replicate the package they had in practice week. With hopes of top 10 finishes dashed, the team continued with the focus now on achieving some strong finishes.
Buckley added:
"However disappointed I sound or explain is an understatement. I have worked so, so hard in preparation for the 2010 TT as I class it as my main race of the year. Whatever was thrown at me I got through it, as I knew I had the right team and machinery to go and do the job."
"The bikes just got better and better in practice week and I definitely believed I could run inside the top 10 in all my classes, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Through no fault of our own it all went from bad to worse. By midweek I was just happy to get a finish."
"I have to say a huge thank you to my team who worked faultlessly throughout the two weeks and demonstrated to me and the other competitors that we can run a very professional team on and off the circuit whatever the circumstances."
"Unfortunately if luck is not on your side then it can all go wrong."
