ALASTAIR SEELEY EQUALS ROBERT DUNLOP’S RECORD OF 15 WINS AT THE 2015 VAUXHALL INTERNATIONAL NORTH WEST 200
Alastair Seeley emerged as the hero of a difficult day at the 2015 Vauxhall International North West 200. The 35 year old Carrickfergus rider battled against tough weather conditions to equal Robert Dunlop’s record tally of 15 wins on the 8.9 mile Triangle course as he took two victories in the Bet McLean Supersport race and the Monster Energy Superbike event.
“I have been coming here since I was child and Robert and Joey Dunlop were heroes of mine,” Seeley said.
“To be with those guys is totally awesome and to equal Robert’s record is very special to me.” Seeley said after winning the big bike race on the Tyco BMW S1000RR.
Seeley held off a strong challenge from Ian Hutchinson on the PBM Kawasaki ZX-10R and Valvoline Padgett’s Honda star, Bruce Anstey to take the chequered flag in the only superbike race to be run on the day.
The Superbike race may have given Seeley the record but it was the 600cc scrap against Lee Johnston and newcomer, Glenn Irwin. The race was a real dogfight throughout its five laps with Seeley making a do or die move at Juniper Hill chicane to take his first win of the day. Johnston lost out on second place on his ECC Burdens Triumph to Irwin after he overshot the chicane and was docked ten seconds, leaving the young Gear Link Kawasaki racer to take the runner up spot.
“That was a great race,” Seeley smiled after taking the win. “We were chopping and changing the lead at almost every corner and I had to peg Glenn back to get the win.”
Veteran KMR/SGS Kawasaki teammates Jeremy McWilliams and Ryan Farquhar fought a thrilling battle with Jamie Hamilton on the BE Racing Kawasaki in the Supertwins event. It was ex-Grand Prix star McWilliams, who celebrated his fiftieth birthday last month, who muscled his way into the lead for the Coast road section, holding off Farquhar and Hamilton for the win.
“It’s a great feeling to come back and stand on the podium again,” the 2013 Supertwins race winner smiled.
The CP Hire Superstock race was another thriller, with Seeley losing out on taking a hat trick to Lee Johnston who turned the tables on the Tyco BMW racer by snatching the lead in a last lap move at Juniper. The ECC/Burdens BMW racer made it a clean sweep for the local racers as he took the chequered flag ahead of Seeley and Ian Hutchinson (PBM Kawasaki).
“Alastair got me down into Metropole but I got a good run out of Black Hill and I just made it on the brakes into Juniper!” the Fermanagh man said afterwards.
The final race of the day, the feature Superbike event, was abandoned after high winds made racing unsafe. The opening race of the day, the Spidi Superstock event, had also been abandoned after a serious accident involving racers Stephen Thompson, Horst Saiger and a female spectator.
More, from a press release issued by John McGuinness’ publicist:
Strong week of riding for McGuinness at North West 200
John McGuinness put in some strong performances at this week’s International North West 200 road races with the Morecambe ace showing he was back to his best form after an injury hit 2014 and with fine results in both the Superbike and Supersport races, he’s in confident mood heading into next month’s Isle of Man TT Races.
With the two qualifying sessions on Tuesday and Thursday at the Causeway Coast seeing wet and dry conditions, John fared best on the Honda Racing Superbike when he qualified in an excellent third place in the dry although an alternative grid pattern saw him put back to the second row. He was also flying on the Jackson Racing 600cc Honda, qualifying fifth in the dry and it was only the super close Superstock class where he was outside of the top ten although he was still more than happy with the performance of the EMC2 Superstock Honda.
Thursday evening’s schedule saw John out first in the Supersport race but an overshoot at the Mather’s Cross chicane on the opening lap cost him the chance of a top five position as he was docked ten seconds. However, although he was back down in 15th on time, he was circulating in close company with team-mate Conor Cummins, Dan Kneen and Keith Amor and their pace meant that John crossed the line seventh on the road and tenth overall.
Saturday’s main race day saw the Causeway Coast afflicted by weather conditions with dry, sunny weather interspersed with heavy showers, which made it difficult for everyone concerned and, after the first Superstock race was cancelled due to two incidents, John’s first full race was the second Supersport 600cc encounter.
Two strong laps enabled John to move up to an excellent fifth as he edged away from the group behind him but a rain shower at University on the fourth lap saw him ease off slightly, which allowed Keith Amor and Dean Harrison to overhaul him. Next time around, the track was dry but the damage had been done and he had to settle for seventh at the chequered flag.
The opening Superbike race was up next with John out on the Honda Racing machine and although sixth place wasn’t the result he wanted, it was an extremely competitive ride as he was only four seconds off the race win and part of a thrilling race that saw six riders running in close formation throughout.
With the day continuing to be hit by mixed weather and delays, John then suffered some bad luck when a holed radiator on the warm up lap meant he was unable to start the Superstock race on the EMC2 Honda. That just left the feature Superbike race but with winds of 40mph hitting the course and with the time already 7.15pm, organisers took the decision to cancel the race on safety grounds.
John McGuinness: “It’s been a tough day for everyone, the organisers, the marshals, the riders, the teams and the spectators and it’s definitely some of the worst conditions I’ve raced in, especially the wind, I’ve never known it to be so strong. There’s nothing we can do about it and it is what it is so it’s a real shame for everyone concerned whilst I was also detuned a bit by seeing a crash in Saturday morning’s Superstock race.”
“When we got a clean run, I was able to be competitive though in all classes and I was well pleased with my Superbike ride. I was aggressive on the first lap and was only a couple of seconds off the lead so I’ve got to be happy. The BMW’s were so fast down the straight and it would have been easy to settle for a position but I fought all the way to the end and had no problems with my wrist.”
“I enjoyed both 600cc races and the bike’s mint – the engine’s good, it handles well and the team have given me a great little bike so it’s looking good for the TT. Only bad luck prevented me from getting out on the Stocker but we’ve been strong and competitive all week so I’m feeling good. Massive thanks to all the teams and sponsors for all their support this year – they’ve all come together to give me some great bikes and I’m determined to repay them all this season.”
John will now head to the Isle of Man TT Races where he’ll be looking to add to his tally of 21 wins and 42 podiums. Practice gets underway on Saturday 30th May with the first race, the Superbike, on the following Saturday.
More, from a press release issued by Quattro Plant Kawasaki:
Strong results for Hillier at North West 200
Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki rider James Hillier enjoyed a strong day’s racing at the International North West 200 road races on Saturday overcoming difficult weather conditions to post two top eight finishes.
The 8.9-mile circuit was hit by strong winds and with heavy showers mixed in with sunny weather, it caused numerous delays to the race schedule and the day didn’t get off to the greatest of starts when the first Superstock race was cancelled after two attempts to run it were aborted due to red flag incidents.
The Supersport race did take place over its full six lap distance though and James was running strongly inside the top six for the first half of the race, just behind TT legend John McGuinness. On lap four though, a rain shower hit a small section of the course and with caution exercised over valour, James eased his pace, which allowed Keith Amor and Dean Harrison to overhaul him and McGuinness although eighth place was still a fine result.
After such a strong opening race, a small problem with the Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike on the warm up lap saw James pushed off the grid and with race organisers wanting him to start from the very back of the grid, rather than at the back of the first group, the team decided to opt out of the race on safety grounds.
The second Superstock race was again delayed by a rain shower but when it got underway, James was immediately running inside the top ten and enjoying a good battle with Scots ace Amor and Conor Cummins. The trio soon found themselves battling for seventh place and it was James who prevailed for yet another excellent road race result.
With the strong winds increasing to some 40mph and with the time already way past 7pm, race organisers opted to cancel the feature Superbike race and bring what had been a difficult day for all concerned to an end.
James Hillier: “It’s been a bit of an up and down day with the weather and not easy for anyone but we’re in a lot better place than where we were when we arrived and have achieved exactly what we wanted to achieve. We’ve made good progress with all of the bikes, especially the Superbike which feels really good through the fast corners. It was a shame we didn’t get to race it today but starting right from the back of 50 plus riders wouldn’t have been safe.”
“The little 600, like Thursday, gave me another really good ride and is working well so we’re well placed there too. The wind was pretty hairy all day long but all of my bikes felt very stable and although we were playing catch up a bit when we got here, we’ve chipped away all week. Looking at the bigger picture, I’m happy with my riding and happy with all the bikes so we can look forward now to the TT in a good frame of mind.”
Practice for the Isle of Man TT Races gets underway on Saturday 30th May with the opening race, the Superbike, taking place on the following Saturday.
More, from a press release issued by Dan Kneen’s publicist:
Up and down North West 200 meeting for Kneen
Dan Kneen had an up and down meeting at the International North West 200 road races this week with the Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Honda rider performing extremely well but suffering from bad luck which prevented him from getting the results he deserved.
With qualifying on Tuesday and Thursday seeing vastly different conditions, the Manxman posted strong times in both the wet and dry and hopes were high going into Thursday evening’s six lap Supersport race which saw dry and sunny weather throughout. Starting from the sixth row of the grid, Dan had already moved up to 13th by the end of the first lap and a lap later this had become ninth. At half race distance, he’d moved up to eighth, battling with John McGuinness, Conor Cummins and Keith Amor for sixth.
However, just as he’d claimed sixth from fellow Manxman Conor Cummins on the penultimate lap, an electrical problem forced him to retire. With the closing Superstock race stopped and subsequently postponed, it meant a busy day lay in store on Saturday with no less than five races.
It didn’t get off to the best of starts for anyone when the Superstock race was cancelled due to two incidents and Dan was then forced to retire at the Metropole on the second lap of the Supersport race. A clutch problem looked like it would keep him out of the opening Superbike race but a stoppage allowed the team to fix the issue although another electrical problem spelt a third lap retirement.
The second Superstock race followed and although he overshot one of the corners, and dropped back from 11th to 14th, he fought his way back up to 11th at the chequered flag, closing in on the riders ahead of him all the time. Unfortunately, that was his last race of the day as winds in excess of 40mph caused the feature Superbike race to be cancelled on safety grounds.
Dan Kneen: “The results haven’t showed it this week but I’m happy as all three bikes are excellent and the more I ride them, the happier I am. The 600 was flying and it was a real shame I had the electrical problem on Thursday as I’d gone from 18th to sixth and a good result looked on the cards. The other two bikes were flying too and the Superbike is rapid, to say the least! I just need time on it to get fully up to speed and that’s something I’ll get at the TT with all the practice time.”
“A few small problems have hit us this week, problems that no one could have foreseen nor done anything about so it’s just been one of those things. The weather has also made it difficult to get going properly but, overall, I’m feeling good. We’re just tweaking little things here and there so I can get used to the Hondas and each time I go out, I go quicker so I’m very happy with how I’m riding and with the team and am confident of some good results at the TT.”
Dan’s home meeting, the Isle of Man TT, gets underway on Saturday 30th May with the first race, the Superbike, a week later.
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:
Honda Racing takes positives from the North West 200
It’s been a positive outing for Honda Racing in challenging conditions at the North West 200 this week. Practice, qualifying and racing at the 8.9-mile Northern Ireland circuit has been plagued with tricky weather conditions, delays and cancellations to the schedule throughout.
John McGuinness and Conor Cummins had good runs on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP in all Superbike sessions, qualifying third and ninth respectively on the grid. Due to the different weather conditions in both practice and qualifying the original starting positions were amended and decided on an alternate grid pattern, which saw McGuinness move back to fifth and Cummins 11th.
The first Superbike race of the day was red flagged on the first lap and the restart took place just after 4pm, which saw the race shortened from seven to five laps. On the restart McGuinness got a good start off the line and was running in sixth place after the first lap, which is the position he held for most of the race and crossed the line in.
Meanwhile team-mate Cummins was running in eighth place when on the third lap he had a moment and wasn’t sure if it was to do with the high winds or a mechanical issue so returned to the pits, where the mechanics had a look over the bike. With no problems found the Manxman returned to the track and completed the final lap of the race, after being in the pits for one lap.
The second Superbike race of the day was called off by the organisers due to high winds around the circuit and the concern for all riders’ safety.
The Honda Racing squad will now turn its full focus to the Isle of Man TT races, which begin on Monday 1 June where both McGuinness and Cummins will compete in the two Superbike races for Honda Racing.
John McGuinness
We qualified in a good place in P3 before the positions were changed, but at the end of the day we were third and I was happy with that. I felt strong throughout the race and got a good start, I was running in sixth for most of the race and was riding strong and probably the best I have since I broke my wrist last year. It was tricky out there with the wind but I enjoyed myself, the bike’s feeling great and although it’s not been the easiest of weeks with the conditions, we have a race under our belt. The second race was a shame as we were all ready on the grid, but safety is the main thing and someone has to make the decision – I’m just glad it’s not me! I’m looking forward now to the TT, we’re in good shape and I can’t wait to get going.
Conor Cummins
We were flying in the race and I was really happy with the bike and how I was going, although the wind was causing some problems but that was the same for everyone. I had a slide going into one of the fast corners and wasn’t too sure what it was so came into the pits for the mechanics to have a look over the bike, but all was fine and I headed back out for the final lap. It was a shame as I was in the leading pack but it just wasn’t meant to be today. It’s onwards and upwards now to the TT where I can hopefully make amends.
Neil Tuxworth
We’re very pleased with both riders and the Superbike results today, until Conor had his slight problem in the race they were both running within two-seconds of the leaders for the duration. John finished sixth and was only 4.5 seconds behind the winner. Both John and Conor are happy with their bikes and we feel that all the tests we completed over the winter have worked out for us and we’re in a really strong position now for the upcoming Isle of Man TT races.
More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport:
Double Podium For Hutchy At North West 200
The Penrith-based Paul Bird Motorsport team enjoyed an excellent day of racing at the Vauxhall International North West 200 today with Ian Hutchinson giving both himself and the squad yet more International podium finishes with a hard fought second place in the Monster Energy Superbike race followed up with third and a new lap record in the CP Hire Superstock encounter.
The Bingley ace had been well to the fore during mixed conditions in qualifying and was hopeful of a good result in Thursday’s Spidi Superstock race but it was stopped early following an accident and rescheduled for today’s main race day.
However, despite a reasonable weather forecast, rain and high winds affected the rescheduled Superstock race and after two stoppages, it was abandoned. The weather continued to play havoc with the schedule on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast and although six races did take place, the final Superbike race was scrapped but not before ‘Hutchy’ had announced his comeback to competition in style.
The opening Superbike race saw him lead on the PBM Kawasaki for long spells but it was always close as less than two seconds separated the leading six with Lee Johnston, Bruce Anstey, Alastair Seeley, Michael Rutter and John McGuinness all nose to tail. The lead continually changed hands but on the final lap it was Seeley who had the better run along the coast road and two times NW200 winner Hutchinson had to settle for second place close behind.
The Superstock race was equally tough as the 35-year-old Yorkshireman had to start from the fourth row of the grid but by the end of the opening lap he was already up to fourth and part of a four-rider battle for the lead with Seeley, Johnston and Michael Dunlop. At half race distance, he fell back slightly from the front three but had two superb final laps and with the new class lap record of 121.680mph, he crossed the line in third to make it two podiums from two starts.
Hopes of making it three podiums from three starts were dashed when the feature Superbike race was cancelled. With the time already nearing 7.30pm, high and gusting winds of over 40mph were hitting the coastal towns of Portrush and Portstewart meaning organisers had little option but to cancel the race on safety grounds.
Ian Hutchinson: “I gave it all I had in that first Superbike race and after effectively four years out, to be able to challenge Alastair like that felt pretty good. He’s unbelievable round here and whilst I’m disappointed not to have won, after everything I’ve been through, I’ve got to be happy to be back on an International podium. I had a bit of a slide coming onto the coast road and wasn’t as strong along there on the final lap as I would have liked but I was in the mix again and it’s nice to repay everyone for their faith in me and support. Coming from the fourth row was hard work in the Superstock race but I did my best and I was happy with how I rode, especially along the coast road. I’m happy with the result, the podium and I certainly couldn’t be happier with how I’m riding. The bikes are working excellently in all areas and I’m feeling good for the TT so I’m peaking right now.”
Stuart Bland, Team Co-ordinator: “It’s a shame the last Superbike race was cancelled as we’d made a couple of changes to the Superbike and were confident Hutchy could have taken the win but we’re delighted with how the races have gone and with the results we’ve achieved. Ian’s riding really, really well and the whole team is 100% behind him so we’re in a really good place going into the TT.”
More, from a press release issued by KMR Kawasaki:
McWilliams and Farquhar give KMR Kawasaki another 1-2 at the North West 200
The SGS International/KMR Kawasaki team had another superb day at Saturday’s International North West 200 road races as Jeremy McWilliams won the 4-lap Supertwins race and with team boss Ryan Farquhar in second, it gave them their second 1-2 result in a row.
Farquhar led in the early stages but there was literally nothing in it with Ryan, Jeremy and Jamie Hamilton continually swapping the lead as they slipstreamed each other at speeds close to 150mph. Each rider took it in turns to lead and on the third lap, Jeremy and Ryan somehow managed to give each other the thumbs up on the high speed run from Station Corner to University.
Going into the final lap, Ryan was in the lead once more but it was still anyone’s race and all three riders had their turn in the lead approaching University. Hamilton made a mistake though and dropped back meaning it was a straight fight between the two team-mates for the second half of the lap.
Jeremy hit the front going into the Mather’s Cross chicane and immediately opened up a small cushion which he was ultimately able to maintain despite a moment on the entry and exit of the Metropole. Ryan gave it his all along the coast road but it wasn’t quite enough and he crossed the line in second for a reversal of the result on Thursday evening.
Ryan Farquhar: “It’s fantastic to see one of my bikes on the top step again and that’s waht matters most. After Thursday’s race, I knew Jeremy would be strong again so for us to have another 1-2 makes me equally happy. It’s great for the sponsors and everyone connected with KMR Kawasaki and fair play to Jeremy. He’s such a professional and such a great rider, it’s a pleasure and a privilege to have him in the team.”
“I had a wee problem on Thursday with the bike jumping out of gear and it meant I was using second gear in a few places today instead of first but there’s no excuses from me. I rode as hard as I could and the better man beat me on the day. It’s been a superb North West 200 for the team but we won’t be sitting on our laurels and will be working hard now to make sure we have the best possible chance at the TT.”
Practice for the Isle of Man TT Races gets underway on Saturday 30th May.