NORTH WEST 200 SUPERSPORT DOUBLE FOR SEELEY & TYCO by TAS RACING
Alastair Seeley completed a double in the Vauxhall International North West 200 Supersport races with a thrilling victory over circuit debutant Glenn Irwin, with Lee Johnston making it another Northern Ireland 1-2-3.
Delighted at his 14th career win at the Triangle, the Tyco Security Products backed rider said: “That was exciting to say the least. We even had rain halfway through and I had to tip-toe through it and use all my experience but the wee bike never missed a beat.”
The Carrick man swapped positions with his fellow Ulsterman throughout the six-lap encounter, but used all his experience and race craft to take the lead at the all-important Juniper Hill chicane on final last lap.
Irwin had taken the lead at Metropole on the final circuit, and looked odds on to take the win with just the coast road to negotiate, but as the trio came through Black Hill, Seeley used all his experience to draw Irwin and Johnston in making a mistake at Juniper Hill – and the double Supersport win was his for the taking on the Tyco backed Suzuki.
Results:
Winner: Alastair Seeley [Tyco by TAS Racing] 27mins 53.011sec; 2nd – Glenn Irwin [Gearlink Kawasaki] 27mins 55.578sec; 3rd – Lee Johnston [ECR/Burdens Triumph] 28mins 03.660sec; 4th – William Dunlop [CD/IC Yamaha] 28mins 07.038sec; 5th – Keith Amor [RigDeluge Honda] 28mins 27.955sec; 6th – Dean Harrison [Mar-Train Yamaha] 28mins 28.334sec
Fastest Lap – Alastair Seeley 116.917mph
More, from a press release issued by Sixteen26 PR:
NW200 SUPERSTOCK VICTORY FOR JOHNSTON HIGHLIGHT OF SUPERB PERFORMANCE
Fermanagh’s Lee Johnston firmly proved his ‘big bike’ credentials by taking a thrilling five-lap CP Hire Superstock race victory at yesterday’s Vauxhall International North West 200, for the ECC/Burdens BMW team.
Johnston and fellow BMW pilot Alastair Seeley kept race fans on the edge of their seats right until the final duel – at the now famous ‘last chance saloon’ Juniper Hill chicane – but this time around it was the Maguiresbridge man who got the upper hand.
Jubilant in victory Johnston said: “I led the damn thing three times after red flags so if I hadn’t won it, I would have been disappointed. Alastair is riding well; I mean you don’t win 15 races around here if you are not a top rider. My East Coast Construction / Burden’s BMW worked absolutely superb and that one’s for my sister who couldn’t be here today.”
A double winner last year in the Supertwin class, the East Coast Construction backed rider added: “We said this year we would set the Supertwin class aside to try and win some big races, so with the support of BMW it has paid off and I’m delighted for everyone involved.”
Lee also took third place in a thrilling Supersport race on the ECC/ Burdens 675 Triumph after a race-long battle with fellow Ulstermen Alastair Seeley and Glenn Irwin. He did lead across the line taking the trio onto the final lap, but overshot the final Juniper Hill chicane as all three did their utmost to take victory.
Despite a ten second penalty, such was the pace Lee was still able to join Seeley and Irwin on the podium and said afterwards: “Those two lads wanted it as bad as I did and that’s a bad recipe. I stormed off like a child after hearing of the penalty but it just shows the pace at the front to still make the podium.”
Lee was also involved in a classic encounter in the Superbike race and despite overshooting the Mather’s Cross chicane on lap two the ECC/Burden’s BMW rider was able to get back into the leading group, narrowly losing out on a podium position on the final shake up, but did post a best lap speed of 121.008mph.
Results:
Superstock Race
Winner: Lee Johnston [BMW] 22min 17.138sec; 2nd – Alastair Seeley [BMW] 22min 17.330sec; 3rd – Ian Hutchinson [Kawasaki] 22min 17.557sec; 4th – Michael Dunlop [Yamaha] 22min 18.299sec; 5th – William Dunlop [BMW] 22min 31.884sec; 6th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] 22min 32.157sec
Supersport Race
Winner: Alastair Seeley [Tyco Suzuki] 27mins 53.011sec; 2nd – Glenn Irwin [Gearlink Kawasaki] 27mins 55.578sec; 3rd – Lee Johnston [ECR/Burdens Triumph] 28mins 03.660sec; 4th – William Dunlop [CD/IC Yamaha] 28mins 07.038sec; 5th – Keith Amor [RigDeluge Honda] 28mins 27.955sec; 6th – Dean Harrison [Mar-Train Yamaha] 28mins 28.334sec
Superbike Race:
Winner: Alastair Seeley [Tyco BMW] 22mins 15.677sec; 2nd – Ian Hutchinson [PBM Kawasaki] 22mins 15.982sec; 3rd – Bruce Anstey [Padgett’s Honda] 22mins 16.220sec; 4th – Lee Johnston [ECR/Burdens BMW] 22mins 22.17.598sec; 5th – Michael Rutter [Penz13.com BMW] 22mins 19.200sec; 6th – John McGuinness [Honda Racing] 22mins 20.644sec
More, from a press release issued by Keith Amor’s publicist:
Strong Saturday for Amor at North West 200
Keith Amor battled the elements at Saturday’s International North West 200 road races but the Rig Deluge® Road Racing rider was duly rewarded for his efforts with three top ten finishes from his three races, including a best of fifth in the Supersport race.
With the 8.9-mile course seriously affected all day by strong, gusting winds and rain showers, as well as some red flag incidents, it was a long day for all concerned and after the first Superstock race had to be cancelled, Keith’s first outing came in the 600cc Supersport race.
With relatively good conditions for the race, some of the best all day, a good start to the six lap race saw Keith slot into eighth at the end of the opening lap and here he remained until half race distance, just behind John McGuinness, James Hillier and Gary Johnson. However, on the fourth lap there was a small rain shower on the University and Ballysally Roundabout section of the circuit and Keith was the most comfortable of the four riders in the damp and jumped up to fifth immediately, a position he held all the way to the chequered flag.
A disappointing opening lap in the Superbike encounter left Keith mired in the pack down in 19th place and with only five laps he didn’t have much time to make progress. However, that’s exactly what he did and with the BMW working well he climbed all the way up to tenth at the conclusion of the race.
After a short break he was back out on track, this time on the BMW Superstock machine with the race again being held over five laps. The Falkirk ace completed the first lap in tenth place and this had become eighth as he started his penultimate lap running just behind James Hillier once more. The duo enjoyed a good battle over the remaining two laps and although Keith had to give best to Hillier, there was only 0.1s between them at the end of the race with both riders lapping comfortably in excess of 117mph.
Unfortunately, the weather then deteriorated as wind speeds increased to more than 40mph and with the time having already reached 7.15pm, organisers decided to cancel the race on safety grounds.
Keith Amor: “It’s been a difficult day for everyone and I lost count of how many times we changed tyres on the bikes. The weather was changing literally from minute to minute but the team did an absolutely magnificent job and they worked non-stop so to reward them with three International top ten finishes is very pleasing. We’ve made so much progress with all three bikes this week it’s unreal and from the position we were in when we arrived, we’ve now advanced forward so much.”
“I was happy with all three of my rides and, despite the 30-40mph winds we had to contend with, the bikes felt really stable and we’ve definitely found some decent settings for them which should stand us in good stead for the TT. The competition and racing was, as expected, intense, and I had to work hard for all three results. I’ve got to say a massive thanks to the entire Rig Deluge® Road Racing team and also to BMW, Ohlins and Dunlop so we can head to the TT in confident mood.”
The Isle of Man TT Races take place from Saturday May 30th to Friday June 12th.
More, from a press release issued by Team Bathams Penz13.com by BMW Motorrad:
The Vauxhall International 2015 North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, attracting crowds in excess of 100,000 as well as the biggest names in the sport. Team Penz13.com Bathams by BMW Motorrad participated with 13-times winner Michael Rutter, Ulster-Man Stephen ”Hong Kong” Thompson and Canadian Dan Kruger. And it all started promising after a decent qualifying session on Tuesday and further improvements on Thursday. The scheduled Superstock race on Thursday had to be cancelled due to difficult weather conditions and therefore the team concentrated on further adjustments on the electronics mainly on Rutters’ bikes.
But again, the weather was quite a mix of everything. Strong winds, short but heavy showers and sunshine – we had it all. With starting grid position of 6 & 9th for Rutter, 15th & 17th for Thomson as well as 30th & 34th for Kruger – they all had been very optimistic that they can overcome their struggle in changing weather conditions and finding the confidence to go much faster in the races.
But Saturday didn’t bring any luck. The weather was the main enemy and so most of the races were either red flagged or shortened due to some incidents in the first couple of laps. Therefore the 1st Superstock race got canceled and after it was confirmed that three riders and a spectators had been involved in an accident between York Corner and Mill Road Roundabout. Besides Dean Harrison, Horst Saiger – team rider Stephen Thompson and a female spectator had been airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries. But the conditions of both are stable. Thompson went through a 6h surgery that night and he will have a long way of recovery ahead of him. We wish him all the best and a full recovery. Unfortunately he has to give the upcoming TT a miss.
Michael Rutter “I can’t say I have enjoyed the North West 200 very much, especially after I learned that Stephen won’t be back on a bike soon. I really hope for him to recover quickly. I am going to miss him and his jokes at the TT. The difficult weather conditions didn’t give us much time to adapt myself to the bike and vice versa. The new electronics give me a bit of a headache as I have to change my riding style here and there. But at the end it all looks promising and I am sure we will overcome these difficulties for the TT. I am really looking forward to it.”
Dan Kruger “Weather and red flags aside, I had an epic NW200 this year. The team gave me competitive race bikes and I learned how to ride through pretty much every weather condition that has ever existed! Getting 13th in the main Superbike race is great and I like seeing my name up on the timing sheets with the guys that I am learning from and respect. If we hadn’t had a clutch issue, we would have been fighting for a Top 10 but then again that’s racing. Get well soon Stephen.”
Rico Penzkofer ” All in all it was a difficult but very important race week for us as we hadn’t any chance to test the brand new bikes with Rutter before this event. So we both learned a lot on where we have to improve the bikes. At the end a 5th place in the Superbike race is quite promising as we made some great progress on adjusting both the rider and the bike. I am very pleased and looking forward to the TT with Michael. I wish Stephen a speedy recovery and the entire teams thoughts are with him and his family.
With Dan finishing in 13th is more than we could have asked for. He still suffers from his injuries but proved that he is a real road racer. Unfortunately he won’t join us for the TT due to personal commitments but we will see him shortly in some more races in Europe.
More, from a press release issued by Tyco BMW:
SEELEY EQUALS ALL TIME NW200 RECORD WITH TYCO BMW VICTORY
Alastair Seeley continued BMW Motorrad’s winning streak at the International North West 200 by taking a fabulous Superbike victory for Tyco BMW on Saturday [May 16]. The win helped the Ulsterman go level of victories with the legendary Robert Dunlop – both men now sharing 15 wins apiece at the top of the all-time winners’ list.
The Tyco BMW rider is usually never short on words, but was well aware of his feat as he crossed the line in front of Ian Hutchinson and Bruce Anstey, and duly paid tribute to the late great Dunlop brothers, Joey and Robert.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed if I’m honest. To have equaled Robert’s record in such a short space of time… I’m stuck for words,” said Seeley. “I used to watch Joey and Robert race here as a boy, and to join Joey on thirteen wins on Thursday was an honour, but to join Robert now on fifteen is just amazing for me and the Tyco BMW team. Big credit to all the boys for a big effort this North West and of course BMW Motorrad for providing top class machinery.”
The double British champion also finished in second place after a thrilling duel in the Superstock class to fellow BMW rider Lee Johnston. Seeley led on numerous occasions throughout, and despite Johnston putting an embargo on him taking his 16th career win at the Triangle after an epic struggle, Seeley heaped praise on his local rival.
“I’m not a bit disappointed at all. It’s just good to be on the podium here at the North West in this type of company. Lee and I used each other to draft ourselves away from Dunlop on our BMW’s, which were certainly stronger than the Yamaha. Hutchy came strong at the end but it’s a 1-2 for BMW Motorrad and you can’t ask for better than that.”
Results
Superbike Race – Winner: Alastair Seeley [Tyco BMW] 22mins 15.677sec; 2nd – Ian Hutchinson [PBM Kawasaki] 22mins 15.982sec; 3rd – Bruce Anstey [Padgett’s Honda] 22mins 16.220sec; 4th – Lee Johnston [ECR/Burdens BMW] 22mins 22.17.598sec; 5th – Michael Rutter [Penz13.com BMW] 22mins 19.200sec; 6th – John McGuinness [Honda Racing] 22mins 20.644sec
Fastest Lap – Alastair Seeley 121.967mph
Superstock Race – Winner: Lee Johnston [BMW] 22min 17.138sec; 2nd – Alastair Seeley [BMW] 22min 17.330sec; 3rd – Ian Hutchinson [Kawasaki] 22min 17.557sec; 4th – Michael Dunlop [Yamaha] 22min 18.299sec; 5th – William Dunlop [BMW] 22min 31.884sec; 6th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] 22min 32.157sec
More, from a press release issued by Metzeler:
Metzeler rider Alastair Seeley dominates North West 200
Local Northern Ireland rider equals event win record with fifteen victories
Coleraine (Northern Ireland), 17th May 2015 – METZELER enjoyed a successful visit to the prestigious North West 200 road racing event in Northern Ireland yesterday, as Alastair Seeley chalked up wins in the Supersport and Superbike categories. These wins moved Seeley to the top of the event’s all time win rankings, with an incredible fifteen victories equaling Robert Dunlop’s record.
The German tire brand began its 2015 road racing season in fine form with blue caps seen on the podium in all the major races. The Supersport and Superstock classes were raced using the road legal, treaded METZELER RACETEC™ RR tires whilst the blue riband Superbike class saw riders utilizing RACETEC™ Slicks to tame these 210bhp, 200mph+ machines.
Seeley from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland showed his intentions early in the week as he made easy work of the tricky conditions throughout practice on his Tyco BMW ‘big bikes’ in the Superbike and Superstock classes, alongside a Tyco TAS Suzuki in Supersport 600. Seeley duly logged his first win of the week in Thursday evening’s Supersport opener and was looking set for a very strong position in the first Superstock race, before it was postponed.
Saturday’s schedule was severely affected by showers and accidents with the postponed Superstock race again moved back to later in the day. The Supersport race was a thrilling affair as Northern Irish riders Seeley, Lee Johnston and NW200 debutant Glen Irwin swapped the lead in a high speed slipstreaming spectacle. Seeley and Irwin made it a METZELER 1-2 at the finish.
The first Superbike race of the program saw Seeley take the holeshot before a confidently riding Ian Hutchinson moved into the lead. The race was red flagged but the re-start saw an identical scenario develop as METZELER rider Hutchinson then went on to lead much of the race on his PBM Kawasaki. Seeley showed his local knowledge by outbraking the TT star into the Magheraboy chicane on the final lap to take the win, equaling Robert Dunlop’s long standing 15 win record.
After yet more showers, the Superstock race saw another titanic battle between the lightweight local racers Seeley and Johnston, joined at times in the slipstream by other riders. This time round Johnston turned the tables on Seeley, and they were joined on the podium again by Hutchinson, who logged a new lap record for the class.
The final event of the program, the Vauxhall NW200 Superbike race was postponed after strong winds hit the area, a decision made by organizers after rider consultation.
METZELER UK Marketing Manager Simon Carter commented; “This has been a fantastic event for METZELER as our many riders have put in a series of impressive performances. Alastair was of course fantastic throughout and I’m sure he will be wondering ‘what might have been’ with two key races cancelled.
The conditions have been very difficult throughout, with high winds and tricky mixed wet and dry patches of tarmac. Against this backdrop it’s been very pleasing to see the performance of our RACETEC ™ RR and Slick tires; both in terms of outright speed and durability. This event has certainly given us important extra data to go forward strongly to the Isle of Man TT, in only two weeks time.”
North West 200 Races:
Supersport Race 1 (Thursday)
1. Alastair Seeley (METZELER)
2. Michael Dunlop
3. Lee Johnston
Supersport Race 2 (Saturday)
1. Alastair Seeley (METZELER)
2. Glenn Irwin (METZELER)
3. Lee Johnston
Superbike Race 1
1. Alastair Seeley (METZELER)
2. Ian Hutchinson (METZELER)
3. Bruce Anstey
Superstock Race
1. Lee Johnston
2. Alastair Seeley (METZELER)
3. Ian Hutchison (METZELER)
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
Double win for the BMW S 1000 RR at the iconic International North West 200.
Victories in the Superbike and Superstock races for Alastair Seeley and Peter Johnston and strong results for the other BMW Motorrad riders: The international road racing season kicked off in style for BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Munich, 18th May, 2015. The winning streak of BMW Motorrad in road racing continues: Last week, the prestigious North West 200 (NW200) in Northern Ireland kicked off the international road racing season – with the BMW S 1000 RR being the 1000 cc bike to beat. Privateer BMW Motorrad riders claimed a double win for BMW Motorrad: Alastair Seeley (GB / Tyco BMW) was victorious in the Superbike race on the 8.970 miles Triangle Circuit, while local hero Peter Johnston (GB / ECR/Burdens) won the Superstock race with Seeley finishing second. The engineers from BMW Motorrad Motorsport were on site to support the BMW teams in the technical preparations.
The International North West 200 near Coleraine (GB) marked the first major event of the season, which will continue with the legendary Isle of Man TT (IOMTT), the Ulster GP and the Macau Grand Prix. These four events are also combined in the new “BMW Combined Road Race Challenge” (BMW RRC), which counts towards the BMW Motorrad Race Trophy. After several wins in national road race events in preparation for the season, the BMW Motorrad teams tackled the North West 200 with a lot of confidence – and their expectations were not disappointed.
Man of the day was Tyco BMW rider Seeley. He took a fabulous Superbike victory with his BMW S 1000 RR, and in doing so equalled Robert Dunlop’s (GB) all-time record of 15 wins at the North West 200. “I’m a bit overwhelmed if I’m honest. To have equalled Robert’s record in such a short space of time… I’m stuck for words,” said Seeley, who also did the fastest race lap. “It is just amazing for me and the Tyco BMW team. Big credit to all the boys for a big effort this North West and, of course, BMW Motorrad for providing top class machinery.” Philip Neill, Tyco BMW team manager, added: “This is an extremely important event for us and to take our first victory for Tyco BMW in our first year together is amazing and testament to the new BMW S 1000 RR.”
Local hero Johnston finished the Superbike race in fourth with his ECR/Burdens BMW S 1000 RR, directly followed by Michael Rutter (GB/ Penz13.com Bathams by BMW) in fifth. Seeley’s Tyco BMW team-mates, William Dunlop (GB) and Guy Martin (GB), came home in seventh and eighth, while BMW Motorrad riders David Johnson (GB / Ice Valley by Motorsave Trade) and Keith Amor (GB / Rig Deluge Road Racing) completed the top ten. In total, ten BMW Motorrad riders finished in the top-13.
In the following race for the Superstock class, the BMW S 1000 RR was victorious again. Seeley was on the hunt for his next win, but this time life was not easy for him. He and fellow BMW rider Johnston fought a thrilling duel at the front, with Johnston being the winner on his ECR/Burdens RR. Seeley completed the one-two for BMW Motorrad with second on the podium. In total, six RRs crossed the line in the top ten: Dunlop was fifth with his Tyco BMW RR, Martin Jessopp (GB / Riders Motorcycles) was sixth, Amor eighth and Johnson tenth.