A quartet of driven, determined, accomplished, enthusiastic Finnish, Swiss, German riders will grace the 2024 Briggs Equipment Northwest 200.
Firstly there’s 2022 Macau Grand Prix winner, Finland’s top real road racer Erno Kostamo.
Kostamo the reigning ‘King of Imatranajo’, will race BMW tackle, compete under the Penz 13 team banner in May.
Current IRRC Superbike Champion Lukas Maurer, Yamaha powered for roads outings in 2024, is hoping for a smoother NW200 tenure.
Injuries, bad luck, bike difficulties plagued his Triangle course ventures in 2022 and 2023. Discussing this topic, he stated:
“In 2022 I had difficulties with the bike and had a small crash in qualifying which meant I had to start very far back on the grid.
Last year I was really motivated because I had just won the first two IRRC races the weekend before the Northwest 200. Unfortunately, a big stone hit my right hand and fractured two of my fingers bad during first practice.
I was able to participate in the rest of the week, but I had really bad pain and no feeling in my braking hand.”
Completing the European quartet, set to travel to Northern Ireland are Swiss racing veteran Olivier Lupberger and Macau GP podium finisher, 2022 IRRC Superbike Championship runner-up David Datzer.
Datzer formerly of MTP Racing, is eager to continue his promising NW200 progress on to be confirmed machinery.
Speaking recently, Germany’s fastest TT Races exponent said:
“I’m really looking forward to the Northwest 200 because the event was my highlight in 2023.”
Quotes courtesy of Stephen Davison
Photo courtesy of Stephen Davison
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou