By McAdoo Kawasaki and James Cowton have had a solid start, to their 2017 Vauxhall International North West 200 campaign, with series of highly creditable results, wrapped up last evening by the former Duke Road Race Rankings champion.
The opening Supersport race, taking place in pretty much ideal conditions, would see James embroiled throughout in a battle for eighth with fellow rising roads exponent Jamie Coward.
At one point, setting the fastest lap of the race, he ultimately held off his fellow Yorkshireman to secure eighth, in one of the best Supersport races in recent years, to grace the Triangle.
Following his 600 heroics, the opening Super Twins encounter, would see the Kilham based rider, finish a very respectable seventh.
Reflecting on Thursday evening’s action, McAdoo Kawasaki stated via, their Facebook page:
“Excellent start to the The International North West 200 for James Cowton!
A great ride in the Supersport 600 race to 8th place but James was right with the leading pack throughout, with at one stage, the fastest lap of the race on the MSS Performance Ltd, prepared McAdoo Gortreagh Printing ZX-6R.
James decided to use the Superstock race as a couple of extra laps practice for Saturday and pulled out after 2 laps. Then the Super Twins race saw #52 make a terrific start and lay third heading into Coleraine on lap one but a huge slide saw him drop down to 7th and lose a lot of time.
He lost the tow and rode a steady, lonely race to 7th place. Overall, very promising and showing James’ huge potential. Roll on Saturday!”
Photo by Rod Neill
Confident of more elite results this weekend on the coast roads, James cannot be discounted from challenging for a podium finish on Saturday, in particular in my opinion in the second Supersport race.
Words by Stevie Rial
