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Since been incorporated into the race schedule in 2012, the Super Twins class at the North West 200 has largely been dominated by top level independent teams, running 650cc Kawasaki’s.
This all changed though in 2019, when Stefano Bonetti claimed a momentous triumph aboard Paton machinery.
Allied to the illustrious Italian marques formidable TT record, it’s no surprise to see major names piloting Paton’s next week.
This includes triple NW200 winner, Daytona 200 winner, former Moto GP pilot Jeremy McWilliams.
Set to race the IFS/Bayview Hotel supported S1-R Paton, he stated last month about his latest NW200 voyage:
“I did consider riding Ryan’s (Farquhar) bike again and I would do so in the future but it is just the way things have worked out.
During lockdown not much was happening and Ryan wasn’t sure what he was doing. The rules for the Super Twin class have been changed recently and that has definitely shaken up all of those teams that are using 650cc engines.
Graeme Hanna from IFS bought a Paton and told me if I wanted to use it, I could work away.”
He continued:
“The Paton’s were strong in 2018/19 but the rules have changed since then and we will just have to suck it and see.
There is nothing as special as riding into that winner’s enclosure with your whole team waiting to meet you.
My age has given me an extra motivation because I am almost always battling against somebody half my age or less who is also trying to get in there.”
Joining McWilliams is electing to race Paton steeds include 19 times TT winner Michael Dunlop and nine times Macau Grand Prix winner Michael Rutter.
Both have the undoubted talent, skills set to emerge victorious next week as does Hebden Bridge’s Jamie Coward.
Heading again the KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan challenge, Coward is widely fancied to bank at least one Twins class victory.
Additional high-profile entrants include the aforementioned Bonetti (Speed Motor Aprilia), world’s fastest road racer Peter Hickman and his Norton machine, which is ineligible for the TT Races.
Others with aims of podium finishes include McAdoo Kawasaki’s Adam McLean, Christian Elkin, Lee Johnston (Ashcourt Racing Aprila).
PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan, twice TT winner Gary Johnson and Richard Cooper (JMcC Roofing Kawasaki), who races Ryan Farquhar prepared machinery.
The Twins field also features Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Michael Sweeney, Dominic Herbertson (Cowton Racing), Craig Neve, James Chawke, Joe Loughlin.
2019 Newcomers A Manx GP victor Pierre Yves Bian, Brian McCormack, Matt Rees and newcomers Gary McCoy, the Isle of Wight’s Ryan Whitehall, Andrea Majola and WH Racing’s Julian Trummer.
Whilst the class entry, maybe smaller in comparison to the four stroke classes, it doesn’t make it any less likely that this years’ NW200 Super Twin races will be thrilling, pulsating, drama filled and most of all ultra competitive.
Photo’s by Tommy Vennard, Rod Neill, David Maginnis (Pacemaker Press)
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Heading again the KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan challenge, Coward is widely fancied to bank at least one Twins class victory.
Additional high-profile entrants include the aforementioned Bonetti (Speed Motor Aprilia), world’s fastest road racer Peter Hickman and his Norton machine, which is ineligible for the TT Races.
Others with aims of podium finishes include McAdoo Kawasaki’s Adam McLean, Christian Elkin, Lee Johnston (Ashcourt Racing Aprila).
PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan, twice TT winner Gary Johnson and Richard Cooper (JMcC Roofing Kawasaki), who races Ryan Farquhar prepared machinery.
The Twins field also features Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Michael Sweeney, Dominic Herbertson (Cowton Racing), Craig Neve, James Chawke, Joe Loughlin.
2019 Newcomers A Manx GP victor Pierre Yves Bian, Brian McCormack, Matt Rees and newcomers Gary McCoy, the Isle of Wight’s Ryan Whitehall, Andrea Majola and WH Racing’s Julian Trummer.
Whilst the class entry, maybe smaller in comparison to the four stroke classes, it doesn’t make it any less likely that this years’ NW200 Super Twin races will be thrilling, pulsating, drama filled and most of all ultra competitive.
Photo’s by Tommy Vennard, Rod Neill, David Maginnis (Pacemaker Press)
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou 
