Team Suzuki Superbike rider Shawn Giles on his way to third overall in The 6 Hour.

Team Suzuki manager Phil Tainton enjoyed the team’s first official foray into endurance racing at last weekend’s Bel-Ray 6 Hour at Phillip Island despite failing to challenge for the outright victory come race day.

The team fielded Josh Waters and Shawn Giles in Superbike, plus Troy Herfoss and Brodie Waters in Supersport, both teams finishing third in their respective categories.

Both teams had proven quick throughout the weekend, however crashes with lapped traffic dashed their hopes of winning their classes.

“I guess you could say it’s been an up and down weekend for us,” Tainton explained. “Getting both bikes on the podium is not too bad. “To be honest it’s been a pretty stressful weekend as it’s the first time the team has done an endurance event.

“But it’s been really rewarding and challenging to try something different and I’m really proud of the way everyone worked together – especially as we were running two bikes out of our pit-garage. Our pit stops were as good as any in pit lane.

“I know the riders are disappointed with their crashes, but lapped riders are part of endurance racing and it’s the same for everyone. Congratulations to [race winners] Wayne [Maxwell] and Josh [Brookes] on the win – it was well deserved.”

The team will now focus on the Australian Superbike Championship, which commences in February at Phillip Island.

While Herfoss is expected to switch to Superbike and be replaced in Supersport by Brodie Waters, the future of Josh Waters and Giles is yet to be confirmed at this point.