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Judging by opening National Superstock 1000 Championship rounds, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it will be Honda domination in the Superstock races of this year’s North West 200.
Pure road racing is night and day different though, new challenges, whether tricky, unexpected, unfolding, obscure arise.
This been said, no one involved in pure road racing’s inner circle, would be surprised if a Honda mounted racer triumphs next week.
Racers astride the popular CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP model include reigning National Superstock 1000 Champion, Davey Todd.
Although it’s been a while since the King of The Roads, Duke Road Race Rankings Champion last raced stock 1000 machinery, his class pedigree is impeccable and for various NW200 fans he starts one of the top pre-race favourites.
Superstock TT runner-up last year, Todd’s Milenco by Padgetts team-mate Conor Cummins, Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston, John McGuinness MBE, Nathan Harrison, Craig Neve (Bathams Racing) intensify Honda’s class presence as does 21 times TT winner Michael Dunlop.
Always capable of making the impossible possible, the Ballymoney roads hero like many of his contemporary’s has been chalking up the racing miles in preparation for the NW200.
BMW Motorrad’s challenge is headed by a host of international road racing, British Championship front runners, including:
World’s fastest road racer Peter Hickman, FHO Racing team-mate Josh Brookes, NW200 wins record holder Alastair Seeley (Synetiq BMW), Macau Grand Prix wins record holder Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing).
Others set to be aboard BMW’s include David Datzer (MTP Racing), Sam West (PRL-Moto Hub), Michael Sweeney (Martin Jones Racing), Michael Browne (BE/RK Racing).
Chris Sarbora (PRL-Moto Hub), Dominic Herbertson and Waterford’s Brian McCormack.
In terms of ‘Team Green’ entrants, anticipated lead Kawasaki runner is DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison.
Widely considered amongst the best racers to as yet, not claimed race victory spoils on the Triangle course, could next week finally see him join the NW200 winners circle?
Additional notable participants in the six-lap Superstock races include Lami OMG Racing Yamaha’s James Hillier, PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan, Erno Kostamo, Adam McLean (JMcC Roofing Racing).
F900R BMW Cup series leader Richard Cooper, Phil Crowe, 2018 Junior Manx Grand Prix victor James Chawke, Nadieh Schoots, Patricia Fernandez West, Italy’s top roads craftsman Stefano Bonetti.
Plus, Triangle course newcomers such as IRRC, World Endurance great Matthieu Lagrive (Optimark), Leon Jeacock (Powerslide Suzuki), Stephen ‘Trevor’ Parsons (Giraffe Racing), Liam Chawke and Obsession Engineering backed Martin Morris.
As in the Superbike and Supersport classes, the Superstock NW200 entry of 2023 has a strong vibrant mix of works, semi works, International-winning, ambitious next gen road racers.
Pulsating action, dramatic over takes, bold moves, intoxicating competition, are just some of the phrases that spectators and the wider roads fraternity more than likely will be echoing next week.
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard, Rod Neill, Allister Dickson – Startline Photography
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Superstock TT runner-up last year, Todd’s Milenco by Padgetts team-mate Conor Cummins, Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston, John McGuinness MBE, Nathan Harrison, Craig Neve (Bathams Racing) intensify Honda’s class presence as does 21 times TT winner Michael Dunlop.
Always capable of making the impossible possible, the Ballymoney roads hero like many of his contemporary’s has been chalking up the racing miles in preparation for the NW200.
BMW Motorrad’s challenge is headed by a host of international road racing, British Championship front runners, including:
World’s fastest road racer Peter Hickman, FHO Racing team-mate Josh Brookes, NW200 wins record holder Alastair Seeley (Synetiq BMW), Macau Grand Prix wins record holder Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing).
Others set to be aboard BMW’s include David Datzer (MTP Racing), Sam West (PRL-Moto Hub), Michael Sweeney (Martin Jones Racing), Michael Browne (BE/RK Racing).
Chris Sarbora (PRL-Moto Hub), Dominic Herbertson and Waterford’s Brian McCormack.
In terms of ‘Team Green’ entrants, anticipated lead Kawasaki runner is DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison.
Widely considered amongst the best racers to as yet, not claimed race victory spoils on the Triangle course, could next week finally see him join the NW200 winners circle?
Additional notable participants in the six-lap Superstock races include Lami OMG Racing Yamaha’s James Hillier, PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan, Erno Kostamo, Adam McLean (JMcC Roofing Racing).
F900R BMW Cup series leader Richard Cooper, Phil Crowe, 2018 Junior Manx Grand Prix victor James Chawke, Nadieh Schoots, Patricia Fernandez West, Italy’s top roads craftsman Stefano Bonetti.
Plus, Triangle course newcomers such as IRRC, World Endurance great Matthieu Lagrive (Optimark), Leon Jeacock (Powerslide Suzuki), Stephen ‘Trevor’ Parsons (Giraffe Racing), Liam Chawke and Obsession Engineering backed Martin Morris.
As in the Superbike and Supersport classes, the Superstock NW200 entry of 2023 has a strong vibrant mix of works, semi works, International-winning, ambitious next gen road racers.
Pulsating action, dramatic over takes, bold moves, intoxicating competition, are just some of the phrases that spectators and the wider roads fraternity more than likely will be echoing next week.
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard, Rod Neill, Allister Dickson – Startline Photography
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou 
