The superstock races at this years Vauxhall international North West 200 has a highly competitive line up. Bruce Anstey and John McGuinness line up for Valvoline racing by Padgetts motorcycles on the teams new CBR 1000 SP Fireblade Honda’s, the riders combined who have 29 TT wins are both confident of the potential of the brand new superstock Honda bikes.
Guy Martin has still not won at the North West 200 but 2014 could be the year and the superstock races on the Tyco Suzuki by TAS stocker could represent a golden opportunity for the ever popular road racer. William Dunlop team mate to Guy at Tyco Suzuki by TAS is happy with the teams superstock bike after a good amount of testing during winter time. William has not won a international superstock race but 2014 could be the year this all changes starting with 2014 North West 200 superstock races.
Kawasaki’s in recent years have come to the fore in the superstock class in particular last year at North West 200 where Alastair Seeley was victorious for MSS Kawasaki. Alastair is again ZX10 Kawasaki mounted for this year competing for Mar Train racing and following a good days testing this week the Wee Wizard is happy with the Kawasaki in superstock trim.
James Hillier leads Quattro Plant Muc off Kawasaki’s entry into the superstock races at this years North West 200. James nicknamed Dynamite will be hoping to live up to his nickname when competing in the closely fought races which always produce top racing and produce always a surprise or two.
Gary Johnson secured his first North West 200 podium finish in last years opening superstock race, for this year Gary is competing on the same ZX10 Kawasaki for JRC racing which brought him his top three finish around the triangle. Dean Harrison competing for RC Express racing Kawasaki has at his disposal a brand new ZX10 Kawasaki stocker, following 4th place finish in superstock TT race in 2013 the Bradford rider will start both superstock races more than capable of challenging for race victories.
Photo courtesy of Rod Neill
Michael Dunlop’s a factory BMW rider this year and the two time North West 200 winner lines up on the manufactures S1000RR BMW in the superstock race competing for his own team. Michael has won in the superstock class at Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix, can he win at the North West 200 in the same class? we will all know soon.
Simon Andrews lines up for Penz 13.com BMW alongside North West 200 newcomer Dan Kruger who is a seasoned circuit racer from Canada. Paul Shoesmith, Ben Wylie, Peter Hickman, Laurent Hoffmann and Franck Petricola are all BMW mounted competing for Ice Valley racing by Motorsave ltd as is Marc Fissette competing for Heidger motorsport competing for the second time at North West 200.
Team mate to Marc is Didier Grams. Didier four time international road racing championship champion North West 200 debut will be watched closely by many, it will be interesting how one of Europe’s best pure road racers does on his debut at the opening international road race of the season.
Conor Cummins has proved his pace already on RAF Reserves Honda superstock bike during opening rounds of this years national superstock championship and the two metre man is confident he has the team and bike to provide with every opportunity of securing his first North West 200 win.
Jamie Hamilton secured third place finish during his opening outing on Wilson Craig racing’s superstock CBR 1000 Honda Fireblade in Tandragee 100 open race and the rider nicknamed the hammer is happy with the pace of the superstock Honda going into North West 200 which Jamie is greatly looking forward to.
East Coast racing are backed by Pirtek for this years North West 200 and Lee Johnston is aiming for podium finishes across all classes this year on the triangle. Lee is a rider to watch in the superstock races and having finished second in 2012 in opening superstock race, general Lee could well be mixing it at the front.
Steve Mercer, Michael Sweeney, Derek Mcgee, Seamus Elliott, Dan Cooper and Ivan Lintin all have the talent and ability to secure top results whilst Danny Webb making his North West 200 debut for KMR Kawasaki could cause a surprise or two as he makes his pure road racing debut.
James Cowton currently in top ten in the 2014 Duke road race rankings championship is competing on Michael Rutter’s Bathams Honda superstock bike from last year, third place finisher in 2013 Steve Henshaw international gold cup has backing from SJP Moto from Lincolnshire. James is looking forward to North West 200 and is aiming to record personal best lap times as he competes for first time at the iconic road race on a 1000cc bike.
Photo courtesy of Rod Neill
Dan Kneen has produced stunning performances so far this season at both Cookstown 100 and Tandragee 100, for the superstock races at North West 200 is competing on a GSX-R 1000 Suzuki backed by Marks Blooms who have backed Dan greatly from the start of his road racing career.
Add multiple time North West 200 winner Michael Rutter, Russ Mounford, Paul Owen, Davy Morgan, Stephen Thompson, Colin Stephenson and Philip Crowe and the line up for 2014 North West 200 superstock races is simply brilliant, fantastic and exciting.