By Year in year out, a strong array of riders elect-to-add, racing-the Northwest 200 to their racing resumes and this year it’s no different.
Most notably, BSB race winner, Bathams AJN Racing’s Storm Stacey, will make his international road racing debut aboard V4 Panigale Ducati, R6 Yamaha, still to be disclosed Superstock equipment.
Super Twins TT podium finisher, SMT Racing’s Rob Hodson, joins Stacey as a Triangle course newcomer.
Same applies to 2025 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner, Scott Racing’s Caomhan Canny (RSV4 Aprilia/660 Aprilia vaulted), Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments Franco Bourne and Illiam Quayle.
Plus, Port St Mary’s Grant Thomson, FAO Racing’s Lee Hara, Kieran Brockie, Chris Cook, Trison McMullan Racing’s Lee Osprey.
Eddy Wormald, Sean Brolly, ESR (European Series Road Racing) competitors Anssi Koski, Team Hoffmann by MRP’s Fredrik Matthys and Florian Astner.
News Reaction:
Storm Stacey:
“I came over to watch the Northwest two years ago and again last year and I loved it. The Irish fans are really cool, they get right behind you, and the atmosphere was amazing.
The course is fast and I want to get out there and see what it feels like to go down a ‘B’ road, five abreast, at 200mph on a superbike!”
International road racing legend, Michael Rutter (planning to race Ducati exotica):
“Storm (Stacey) is a real talent. He can go fast on anything and is good at everything, not just the racing but dealing with the media side too. The fans love him.
He came over last year and watched me race at the Northwest and asked if he could race here himself. I said yes but I told him he just has to come and enjoy it first.
He’s got the right attitude and his style, the way he rides and particularly how he gets the bike to stop- suits the Northwest 200.
I love riding Superbikes and I really want to race at the Northwest again. I love the place! And hopefully I can help Storm a bit as well.”
Caomhan Canny:
“The Northwest is my local race, and it is one of the biggest road races in the world, part of the premier league of the sport if you like, so I want to be there.
I want to get to know the circuit, to feel comfortable with it before I think about pushing on.”
Southern 100 Super Twins lap-record holder, Rob Hodson:
“I’ve always wanted to race at the Northwest, and I get asked a lot why I haven’t.
This is my fourth year with SMT, and we are sorted early with bikes and engines. We will have Hondas in the Superbike and Superstock classes, a Ducati for Supersport and a Paton in the Twins races plus spare engines for all the bikes.
So, we are in the position now to come over and give the Northwest a good go, and I can concentrate on the racing.
I am in a good position with the team and the bikes this year. I couldn’t ask for much more.
The absolute dream now would be a podium finish on the Paton, but I know that is a tall order especially when I have to learn a new circuit.
I’ve never experienced the slipstreaming there is at the Northwest either so if I was going home with a top five in the Twins race and finishing in the top ten of the other races, I would be happy because I am up against the best riders in the world.”
Quotes courtesy of Stephen Davison.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Davison.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
