By 2018 Junior Manx Grand Prix winner James Chawke unlocked earlier this month at the Northwest 200, 200 Mph Club membership, for topping 200 mph through the run down towards university speed-trap.
“204.6, really happy with the BMW, had a good off season testing, twelve months putting it together, so it feels as if it is coming together.”
The Rathkeale speedster’s NW200 accolade was the latest prominent achievement in what is building to be a first-rate year on the roads.
A Super Twin Cookstown 100 podium finisher in April, ‘Chawkie’ is confident he has a good package for Carole Nash Sportbike TT encounters.
Discussing Richard Latimer’s RL Racing RS660 Aprilia, he said:
“We had a good run on it at Cookstown, the Northwest wasn’t great with the weather and everything, few bits went against us but hopefully we get time here and see how it goes at the TT.”
Summing up Monday morning/afternoon’s free practice outings, Chawke who is hoping to build on a current personal best lap speed of 125.039 mph, stated:
“It was good, glad to get back out, get a-few laps under my belt again.
The weather was obviously perfect so got a lap on each bike, one on the twin, one on the 600 and two on the big bike.”
After TT 2026, he hopes to take in the-majority of Irish national meetings, including the returning events in the Republic of Ireland.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
