Wrap up of many an interesting statistic, from Thursday evening’s races at this years Vauxhall International North West 200.
Alastair Seeley’s 18th North West 200 victory, in the opening Superstock race, marked TAS Racing’s 25th success at the Portstewart based meeting.
It also marked their third win, in three years at the Triangle, since first running BMW Motorrad machinery.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
With wins in the opening Supersport and Super Twins races, Martin Jessopp becomes the 14th different rider to have enjoyed success at Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting event, in the 2010’s thus far.
Leading newcomer honours across each class, where as follows, Joe Thompson 21st (Supersport), Barry Furber 26th (Superstock) and Matt Sadowski 14th (Super Twins).
Four of the top ten finishers, in the opening Supersport race, where ZX-6R Kawasaki, plus another notable fact, is that none of the 35 finishers, piloted Suzuki machinery.
Only seven riders during the race lapped under 4 minutes 40 seconds, with Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Racing), setting a quickest lap time of 4 minutes 37.368 seconds.
William Dunlop lead the way through the speed trap on the run to University Corner, powering to exactly 180 mph aboard the IC Racing/Caffrey International YZF R6 Yamaha.
Top Gun Racing’s Dan Hegarty, was the sole Honda representative within the first 20 in Thursday night’s Superstock race, finishing a very creditable 16th.
Dean Harrison’s third place finish, makes him now amongst a very select group of riders to have recorded podium finishes at the North West 200, TT Races, Ulster Grand Prix and the prestigious Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup at Oliver’s Mount.
Although as anticipated Kawasaki’s dominated the first Super Twins encounter of the 2017 North West 200, Suzuki did have a presence in the final 20 finishers, with Barry Furber in 15th place and Bruce Birnie 17th.
Michael Rutter close to sealing his 14th victory around the Triangle, second place finish, propels his total of North West podium finishes to 28, equalling Philip McCallen and Alastair Seeley’s podium finishing record.
Words by Stevie Rial