Vauxhall International North West 200
The Triangle Circuit
Northern Ireland
May 15, 2014
Provisional Supersport Race Results:
1. Alastair Seeley (Yam YZF-R6), 6 laps, 27:55.540
2. Guy Martin (Suz GSX-R600), -1.152 second
3. Josh Brookes (Yam YZF-R6), -1.909
4. William Dunlop (Suz GSX-R600), -2.327
5. Keith Amor (Hon CBR600RR), -16.517
6. Michael Rutter (Tri Daytona 675), -16.675
7. Gary Johnson (Tri Daytona 675), -17.492
8. Bruce Anstey (Hon CBR600RR), -18.232
9. Daniel Cooper (Kaw ZX-6R), -25.678
10. James Hillier (Kaw ZX-6R), -30.322
39. Conor Cummins (Hon CBR600RR), -5 laps, DNF
40. Michael Dunlop (Hon CBR600RR), -5 laps, DNF
Provisional Superstock Race Results:
1. Alastair Seeley (Kaw ZX-10R), 6 laps, 26:48.185
2. Michael Rutter (BMW S1000RR), -0.571 second
3. Michael Dunlop (BMW S1000RR), -0.805
4. Martin Jessopp (BMW S1000RR), -3.108 seconds
5. Horst Saiger (Kaw ZX-10R), -3.474
6. Simon Andrews (BMW S1000RR), -15.651
7. Conor Cummins (Hon CBR1000RR), -29.357
8. Guy Martin (Suz GSX-R1000), -36.147
9. Peter Hickman (BMW S1000RR), -36.444
10. William Dunlop (Suz GSX-R1000), -39.290
More, from a press release issued by Mar-Train Racing:
MAR-TRAIN TAKE DEBUT NORTH WEST 200 WINS AFTER SUBLIMINAL SEELEY DOUBLE
Northern Ireland based Mar-Train Racing opened its International Road Racing account after two fairytale victories at the International North West 200 tonight [Thursday] with local man Alastair Seeley.
Seeley’s first win came in the six-lap Supersport encounter, but after being pushed wide on the opening lap at York corner by fellow countryman Lee Johnston, who crashed out – the wee wizard had to fight back from fifteenth place to take the win.
The Supersport race was Seeley’s eleventh career win at the famous north coast 8.9-mile road circuit, but it was soon to become twelve after a hard-fought Superstock encounter, battling with Michael Rutter and Michael Dunlop in the closing stages.
A delighted Seeley said afterwards: “Lee Johnston made that hard work for me in the Supersport race. I ran on at York trying to avoid him and had to do a u-turn to get back into the action. I could see the group in front of me and I just picked them off one-by-one.”
Seeley added: “I eventually saw my board which was reading P8 and once I caught that leading bunch I really enjoyed the race. The win is testament to Tim Martin and his team for giving me a good bike in the Mar-Train Yamaha R6.”
Speaking of his Superstock race win he said: “I got a decent gap early on but had to end up working with Rutter and Dunlop on the last lap for the win. I knew where I was going to make the move and once I got past Michael on the coast road I defended my lines and got the victory. I’m delighted for Tim and Sonya who have given me everything I’ve asked for this year. Hopefully we can add to it on Saturday.”
Dean Harrison was impressively battling in the Supersport front group for Mar-Train Racing until he was forced to retire on the penultimate lap but is confident of a top finish on Saturday on his Mar-Train Yamaha R6.
Dean said: “I really enjoyed the race, but I had the bike geared incorrectly as when Guy and William slipstreamed me, I was already maxed out and had nothing left. It was an enjoyable race and although I’m disappointed we didn’t finish, I do believe I can fight for a podium place on Saturday.”
Team owner Tim Martin concluded: “I’m obviously over the moon to get out first North West 200 wins and even more so to do it in such dramatic fashion. The Supersport race was unbelievable: to come back from well down the pack after almost being knocked off at York on lap one and take the win was something special.
“The Superstock race win was impressive in a different way. Alastair really controlled the race and then had to fight in the closing stages against the super fast BMW bikes of Rutter and Dunlop.
“We are all absolutely gutted for Dean as he was riding better than I could have imagined on his debut race for Mar-Train Racing. So it was unjust that he didn’t get a finish but we will put that right for him on Saturday. In saying that he really impressed tonight.”
Supersport Result:
Winner: Alastair Seeley [Mar-Train Racing] 27min 55.540sec; 2nd – Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +1.152sec; 3rd – Josh Brookes [Milwaukee Yamaha] +1.909sec; 4th – William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +2.327sec; 5th – Keith Amor [Rig Deluge Honda] +16.517sec; 6th – Michael Rutter [Smith’s Triumph] +16.675sec
Fastest Lap/New Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Mar-Train Racing] 4min 36.932sec/116.606mph
Superstock Result:
Winner: Alastair Seeley [Mar-Train Racing] 26min 48.185min; 2nd – Michael Rutter [BMW] +0.571sec; 3rd – Michael Dunlop [BMW] +0.805sec; 4th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] +3.108sec; 5th – Horst Saiger [Kawasaki] +3.474sec; 6th – Simon Andrews [BMW] +15.651sec
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More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad/Hawk Racing:
Michael Dunlop kicks off BMW Motorrad’s road racing debut with two pole positions, a lap record and a podium finish.
Michael Dunlop has stormed back into the international road racing scene with BMW Motorrad, securing two stunning pole positions – in both Superbike and Superstock – as well as smashing the North West 200 lap record on his BMW S 1000 RR and taking a podium finish in the Superstock race.
Today began with Dunlop setting the fastest Superstock lap time and earning pole position for today’s first of two Superstock races. The Ballymoney man followed this up in rapid succession by breaking the Superbike lap record and securing pole position for Saturday’s main race.
Adding to this unprecedented debut tally, Dunlop rode a thrilling six-lap Superstock race at the North West 200, battling with riders Alastair Seeley and Michael Rutter before finishing third in a dogfight that went right down to the wire with just 0.8 seconds separating the podium finishers. Four of the top six finishing motorcycles were BMWs.
The race was the first for the BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing team, marking Northern Irish racer Michael Dunlop’s debut on the BMW S 1000 RR race bike at an international road racing event.
Dunlop led the race for the final lap after forcing his way to the front spot with a devastatingly effective double slipstream overtake coming down towards University, showing the viewing public just how capable the BMW race bike is at its first major race debut.
Despite riding defensively and almost flawlessly for laps five and six, Michael was slipstreamed by Rutter and Seeley coming over Black Hill and was unable to regain the front position before reaching the chequered flag.
Alastair Seeley took his 12th NW200 victory in the race, with 13-time winner and Bathams BMW rider Rutter finishing second just feet ahead of Dunlop in third place. Dunlop has previously won twice at the Northern Ireland road racing circuit.
The racing returns on Saturday with Dunlop taking part in the second Superstock 1000 fixture and the main event Superbike race.
Vauxhall International North West 200 Superbike – First Qualifying:
1) Alastair Seeley (Mar-Train Kawasaki) 26:48.185
2) Michael Rutter (Bathams BMW) +0.571s
3) Michael Dunlop (BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing) +0.851s
4) Martin Jessop (Riders BMW) +3.108s
5) Horst Saiger (Saiger Kawasaki) +15.651s
6) Simon Andrews (Penz13.com BMW) +29.357s
To see the day’s timesheets and stats, download the PDF here.
For more information on the North West 200 visit: www.northwest200.org
“It is the way it is. That was pretty hard work at the end when Rutter came past me. But we’re out racing twice more on Saturday and that’s where it’ll come good. The bike is working well now. I made up a lot of ground in lap five, but these boys were slowing down in the corners where I like to carry my speed so it was tough to pass. The plan for the next race is just to get out front and into some clear space. Come Saturday I’ll be doing some wrecking!” – Michael Dunlop
“Overall, that was very promising. Our bike had a good top speed compared to the other bikes and Michael rode the wheels off it. We’re very happy with the whole package considering it’s his first go on it at an international road race. With a few small tweaks ready for Superstock race two, he’ll be right at the front again.” – Stuart Hicken, Team Manager
More, from a press release issued by Tyco Suzuki:
PODIUM FOR MARTIN & TYCO SUZUKI TO OPEN 2014 NORTH WEST 200
15th May 2014
International North West 200 – Thursday Racing
Team manager Philip Neill heaped high praise on Guy Martin after Thursday night’s International North West 200 podium [second place] in the Supersport class, and said there’s more to come from Ulsterman William Dunlop, who finished fourth and has been growing in confidence aboard GSX-R machinery all week on the north coast.
Pure road racer Martin narrowly lost out on the victory to double British champion Alastair Seeley on the final lap of six at the 8.9-mile public road circuit, but headed home former World Supersport race winner Josh Brookes to take second place.
Martin said afterwards: “For me the NW200 is just a warm up to the TT. The wee 600 never turned a wheel until Tuesday night, so we did a good job with it and it was mint. You absolutely have to thrash the life out of these wee bikes to win around here and I think I’m just too mechanically sympathetic to ride a 600 around the North West. You really have to ring its neck. But it is what it is and it sets us up well for the TT.”
William Dunlop said: “I’m disappointed to miss out on the podium, but we have another chance on Saturday on more than just the Supersport bike. The pace was hot and I was in the mix but that’s Supersport racing.”
Team Manager Philip Neill concluded: “I have to say I’m really pleased with that podium tonight. It’s especially nice for Guy to be stood on the podium between a double British champion and a former World Supersport race winner, as the first dedicated road racer. We are a wee bit disappointed, as we thought Guy was on his way to his first North West win, but fair play to Alastair [Seeley] he deserved it.
“I’m especially pleased with the performance of our GSX-R600 machinery at the North West. There’s been a bit of talk about the speed of our wee bikes, but Stewart Johnstone has done a great job with the development of them and with the support of Yoshimura we are very competitive.”
Supersport Result:
Winner: Alastair Seeley [Yamaha] 27min 55.540sec; 2nd – Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +1.152sec; 3rd – Josh Brookes [Yamaha] +1.909sec; 4th – William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +2.327sec; 5th – Keith Amor [Honda] +16.517sec; 6th – Michael Rutter [Triumph] +16.675sec
Fastest Lap/New Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Yamaha] 4min 36.932sec/116.606mph
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More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:
MILWAUKEE YAMAHA TAKE AUSSIE JOSH BROOKES TO DEBUT NORTH WEST PODIUM
In only his second year of competition on the International Road Racing scene, Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes recorded his debut ‘between the hedges’ podium [second place] during last night’s Supersport race at the Vauxhall International North West 200.
The 31-year-old Aussie stormed through from the second row of the grid and impressively disputed the lead with the Triumph duo of 13-time North West winner Michael Rutter and Supersport TT winner Gary Johnson during the opening laps of six. The Bringelly man also set the fastest lap of the race on lap three at 115.948mph, which was only bettered by eventual winner Alastair Seeley.
Brookes was just 1.9 seconds behind Seeley at the chequered flag in third place, after 54 miles of nose to tail racing on the high-speed 8.9-mile road circuit in Northern Ireland. Suzuki’s Guy Martin joined Seeley and Brookes on the podium in second place.
Still pumping with adrenalin afterwards, Brookes recounted:“It’s so difficult to get your braking points exact when you are drafting around here. I’m not proud of some of those moves out there, but I’m proud of the podium for Milwaukee Yamaha.
“I was thinking I could win at one point and thought, ‘maybe this will work out’ but that’s the way it goes. Thanks to the Milwaukee Yamaha guys for preparing a great wee bike. I haven’t raced a 600 competitively for six years but that race gives me a better idea of what to expect on Saturday.”
His team-mate Ian Hutchinson, who suffered nasty hand injuries during Tuesday’s Supersport practice session, battled bravely to sixteenth place, and will be looking to better his effort during tomorrow’s full race programme at the North West.
“It’s not so much as painful but awkward,” said Hutchy. “It hasn’t been the ideal start to the roads racing season for me and when I crashed on Tuesday I thought my North West and TT were over for this year. We’ll see how we get on tomorrow.”
Team Principal Shaun Muir had his own high dramas yesterday trying to get to the circuit after his flight from England was delayed, but was happy enough with a podium to kick-start proceedings.
He said: “I’m happy with Josh and pleased with how he ended up in what was effectively his first dry race at the North West. He’s still learning the place and he just needs to take that experience now into the Superbike races tomorrow. We just need to help him get in a position where’s he’s comfortable going for the wins. Leading from the front has given him valuable experience and I’m sure he will use it to his advantage.
“Hutchy has been suffering tiny little problems that are setting him and back and he’s not really recovered fully from that crash on Tuesday which is understandable. We’re going to look at the package on the Milwaukee Yamaha R6 for Hutchy this morning [Friday]. It’s a strong bike, but he’s not just getting what he wants from it yet. Maybe a softer engine will be the answer for him. We will have to wait and see.”
Supersport Result:
Winner: Alastair Seeley [Mar-Train Racing] 27min 55.540sec; 2nd – Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +1.152sec; 3rd – Josh Brookes [Milwaukee Yamaha] +1.909sec; 4th – William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +2.327sec; 5th – Keith Amor [Rig Deluge Honda] +16.517sec; 6th – Michael Rutter [Smith’s Triumph] +16.675sec
Fastest Lap/New Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Mar-Train Racing] 4min 36.932sec/116.606mph
Saturday May 17 Race Schedule
Roads close 09.30hrs
RACE 1 Supersport Race (6 laps) 10.30 am
RACE 2 Superbike Race (7 laps)
RACE 3 Supertwin Race (4 laps)
RACE 4 Superstock Race (6 laps)
RACE 5 NW200 Superbike Race (7 laps)
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:
Tyco Suzuki’s Guy Martin narrowly lost-out on victory in Thursday night’s opening Supersport race at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland after an exciting battle with double British Champion Alastair Seeley on the final lap of six at the 8.9-mile public road circuit.
Team Manager Philip Neill heaped high praise on Martin – who fended off former World Supersport race winner Josh Brookes – and said there’s more to come from Ulsterman William Dunlop, who finished fourth and has been growing in confidence aboard his GSX-R machinery all week.
Said Neill: “I have to say I’m really pleased with that podium tonight. It’s especially nice for Guy to be stood on the podium between a double British Champion and a former World Supersport race winner, as the first dedicated road racer. We are a wee bit disappointed as we thought Guy was on his way to his first North West win, but fair play to Alastair Seeley; he deserved it.
“I’m especially pleased with the performance of our GSX-R600 machinery at the North West. There’s been a bit of talk about the speed of our wee bikes, but Stewart Johnstone has done a great job with the development of them; and with the support of Yoshimura we are very competitive.”
Martin said afterwards: “For me the NW200 is just a warm up to the TT. The 600 never turned a wheel until Tuesday night, so we did a good job with it and it was mint. You have to absolutely thrash the life out of these bikes to win around here and I think I’m just too mechanically sympathetic to ride a 600 around the North West. You really have to ring its neck. But it is what it is and it sets us up well for the TT.”
Dunlop said: “I’m disappointed to miss-out on the podium, but we have another chance on Saturday on more than just the Supersport bike. The pace was hot and I was in the mix but that’s Supersport racing.”
Supersport Result: 1 Alastair Seeley [Yamaha] 27min 55.540sec; 2 Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +1.152sec; 3 Josh Brookes [Yamaha] +1.909sec; 4 William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +2.327sec; 5 Keith Amor [Honda] +16.517sec; 6 Michael Rutter [Triumph] +16.675sec.
Fastest Lap/ New Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Yamaha] 4min 36.932sec/ 116.606mph.