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Few events boast such rich history, prestige, allure as one of pure road racing’s jewels in the crown, the Briggs Equipment Northwest 200.
The crème de la crème of international road racing is Coleraine bound next week including eight times successive, Superbike class commander, Glenn Irwin.
Irwin goes into NW200 competition with desires firmly fixated on the all-time SBK wins record, jointly currently held by Michael Rutter and Joey Dunlop.
Speaking recently about this topic, Hager PBM (Paul Bird Motorsport) Ducati’s Irwin stated:
“Not winning all three races this year would be a disappointment and equalling the record just won’t be good enough. I couldn’t retire from the Northwest without beating the record.”
Competitors keen to derail Irwin’s Superbike dominance include Milwaukee BMW’s Davey Todd.
Runner-up to Irwin in the opening SBK races of 2022 and 2023, Todd knows the components needed to succeed around the Triangle and a maiden big-bike triumph would not at all surprise anyone, involved in the road’s scene inner-circle.
Now part of the factory Honda Racing UK outfit, will Dean Harrison finally join the NW200 winners circle?
The Yorkshireman now resident on Manx shores, is step by step becoming more aligned with latest generation Fireblade (Honda) tackle as shown by solid performances at the BSB season opener at Circuito De Navarra.
Fellow persistent front-runner, outright lap record holder, thirteen times TT Champion Peter Hickman hasn’t yet cracked an NW200 Superbike win.
In contrast to previous event explorations, Hickman is riding next week under his own teams’ banner (PHR Performance – M1000RR BMW).
Others with designs on victories, podium finishers include 119 times Irish road race winner Michael Dunlop (Hawk Racing TBC), Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgetts), James Hillier (WTF Racing Honda).
David Johnson (Lee Hardy Racing) leads the Kawasaki UK challenge, Ian Hutchinson, Lee Johnston (fitness permitting) return whilst John McGuinness MBE celebrates thirty years since joining NW200 rider ranks.
The depth of the Superbike field is endless, the entry additionally features Michael Browne, Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing), Craig Neve (Bathams Racing), David Datzer.
Cookstown 100 Grand Final winner Dominic Herbertson (BE/RK Racing), Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau by FHO), 2022 Macau Grand Prix victor Erno Kostamo (Penz 13).
Reigning IRRC Superbike Champion Lukas Maurer, Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing), team-mate Julian Trummer, Michael Sweeney, Sam West.
Eddy Ferre, Michael Evans, newcomers including Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing), Aaron Spence and Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson.
Overall, another quite brilliant entry for the NW200 Superbike encounters of 2024.
Road racing fans new, experienced, super experienced are brimming with excitement for more joyous, pulsating SBK coast roads action.
Quotes courtesy of Stephen Davison
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard, Derek Wilson
Photo courtesy of Stephen Davison
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Irwin goes into NW200 competition with desires firmly fixated on the all-time SBK wins record, jointly currently held by Michael Rutter and Joey Dunlop.
Speaking recently about this topic, Hager PBM (Paul Bird Motorsport) Ducati’s Irwin stated:
“Not winning all three races this year would be a disappointment and equalling the record just won’t be good enough. I couldn’t retire from the Northwest without beating the record.”
Competitors keen to derail Irwin’s Superbike dominance include Milwaukee BMW’s Davey Todd.
Runner-up to Irwin in the opening SBK races of 2022 and 2023, Todd knows the components needed to succeed around the Triangle and a maiden big-bike triumph would not at all surprise anyone, involved in the road’s scene inner-circle.
Now part of the factory Honda Racing UK outfit, will Dean Harrison finally join the NW200 winners circle?
The Yorkshireman now resident on Manx shores, is step by step becoming more aligned with latest generation Fireblade (Honda) tackle as shown by solid performances at the BSB season opener at Circuito De Navarra.
Fellow persistent front-runner, outright lap record holder, thirteen times TT Champion Peter Hickman hasn’t yet cracked an NW200 Superbike win.
In contrast to previous event explorations, Hickman is riding next week under his own teams’ banner (PHR Performance – M1000RR BMW).
Others with designs on victories, podium finishers include 119 times Irish road race winner Michael Dunlop (Hawk Racing TBC), Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgetts), James Hillier (WTF Racing Honda).
David Johnson (Lee Hardy Racing) leads the Kawasaki UK challenge, Ian Hutchinson, Lee Johnston (fitness permitting) return whilst John McGuinness MBE celebrates thirty years since joining NW200 rider ranks.
The depth of the Superbike field is endless, the entry additionally features Michael Browne, Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing), Craig Neve (Bathams Racing), David Datzer.
Cookstown 100 Grand Final winner Dominic Herbertson (BE/RK Racing), Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau by FHO), 2022 Macau Grand Prix victor Erno Kostamo (Penz 13).
Reigning IRRC Superbike Champion Lukas Maurer, Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing), team-mate Julian Trummer, Michael Sweeney, Sam West.
Eddy Ferre, Michael Evans, newcomers including Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing), Aaron Spence and Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson.
Overall, another quite brilliant entry for the NW200 Superbike encounters of 2024.
Road racing fans new, experienced, super experienced are brimming with excitement for more joyous, pulsating SBK coast roads action.
Quotes courtesy of Stephen Davison
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard, Derek Wilson
Photo courtesy of Stephen Davison
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
