Outside of the exploits of race winners Glenn Irwin, Alastair Seeley, Peter Hickman, Martin Jessopp and James Cowton, one rider who perhaps surprised some with his pace last week at the Vauxhall International North West 200 was event debutant, IRRC Supersport star Laurent Hoffmann.
Returning to the Triangle for the first time since 2014, the affable Belgian racer classified as a newcomer having not completed any race miles back in 2014, steadily increased his pace during last Tuesday and Thursday’s qualifying sessions, ultimately qualifying respectively 22nd quickest for the Supersport and Superstock races.
Looking back on NW200 race action, the two time IRRC series champion produced a series of accomplished, top class performances in the six lap Supersport races.
Photo by Rod Neill
15th within the opening middleweight class encounter, the second 600 race saw him finish an excellent 13th, finishing in front of notable racers such as international roads returnee Ian Hutchinson, Paul Jordan, Dan Cooper, Jackson Racing’s Craig Neve and Christian Elkin.
Although there was non finishes in the Superstock races, it was overall a very positive maiden North West 200 campaign for Delaur Road Racing Belgium’s Hoffmann.
Reflecting via Facebook about his productive NW200 voyage, he stated:
“So That’s the NW200 done. I finished 13th! After a cracking second Supersport race with riders in big teams I became the fastest newcomer in the Supersport class. Also first privateer team and 3rd fastest through the speed trap.
That’s So Crazy to believe!. Thanks to Swen Jenik performance Who build this rocket engine. I came here to try to see If I would be fast enough to end in top 20, but this result is much better then I would have ever dreamed of.
In the second Superstock race I first ran out of brakes during the 2nd lap, but managed to get back up to 21st place. During the last lap at 500 meters from the finish she ran out of fuel!. It was full but not full enough.
Anyway I was dead happy as I hadn’t rode a Superbike for 3 years and only did 5 qualifying laps in the practice on it. And the bike is just new out of the showroom with race fairings mounted. So after this perfect race week I can only be happy.
Again a big thanks to all who have helped out, supporters, sponsors and everyone who cheered me on. You make me very proud to race.”
Words by Stevie Rial