Vauxhall International North West 200

The Triangle Circuit

Northern Ireland

Superbike Provisional Qualifying Results:

1. Michael Rutter (BMW S1000RR), 4:26.643, 121.106 mph

2. Alastair Seeley (Kaw ZX-10R), 4:28.244, 120.383 mph

3. Guy Martin (Suz GSX-R1000), 4:28.747, 120.158 mph

4. William Dunlop (Suz GSX-R1000), 4:30.086, 119.562 mph

5. Martin Jessopp (BMW S1000RR), 4:32.268, 118.604 mph

6. Josh Brookes (Yam YZF-R1), 4:32.448, 118.525 mph

7. Bruce Anstey (Hon CBR1000RR), 4:32.781, 118.381 mph

8. Michael Dunlop (BMW S1000RR), 4:32.931, 118.316 mph

9. Simon Andrews (BMW S1000RR), 4:33.379, 118.122 mph

10. Lee Johnston (Hon CBR1000RR), 4:33.391, 118.117 mph

11. John McGuinness (Hon CBR1000RR), 4:33.855, 117.916 mph

12. James Hillier (Kaw ZX-10R), 4:34.391, 117.686 mph

13. Conor Cummins (Hon CBR1000RR), 4:34.977, 117.435 mph

14. Horst Saiger (Kaw ZX-10R), 4:35.114, 117.377 mph

15. Gary Johnson (Hon CBR1000RR), 4:35.146, 117.363 mph

16. Dean Harrison (Kaw ZX-10R), 4:35.166, 117.355 mph

17. Stuart Easton (Kaw ZX-10R), 4:36.620, 116.738 mph

18. Dan Kneen (Suz GSX-R1000), 4:37.588, 116.331 mph

19. Stephen Thompson (BMW S1000RR), 4:39.163, 115.674 mph

20. Jamie Hamilton (Hon CBR1000RR), 4:41.292, 114.799 mph

Supersport:

1. William Dunlop (Suz GSX-R600), 4:41.401, 114.754 mph

2. Michael Rutter (Tri Daytona 675), 4:42.785, 114.193 mph

3. Alastair Seeley (Yam YZF-R6), 4:42.824, 114.177 mph

4. Lee Johnston (Hon CBR600RR), 4:42.969, 114.119 mph

5. Gary Johnson (Tri Daytona 675), 4:43.689, 113.829 mph

6. Guy Martin (Suz GSX-R600), 4:44.517, 113.498 mph

7. John McGuinness (Hon CBR600RR), 4:46.034, 112.896 mph

8. Michael Dunlop (Hon CBR600RR), 4:47.136, 112.462 mph

9. Josh Brookes (Yam YZF-R6), 4:47.900, 112.164 mph

10. Bruce Anstey (Hon CBR600RR), 4:49.246, 111.642 mph

More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad/Hawk Racing:

Michael Dunlop starts BMW-powered road racing season with promising practice at the North West 200.

Michael Dunlop has completed the first practice and qualifying sessions at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland, kicking off his 2014 road racing season with BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing by setting the eighth-fastest time in Superbike practice and 11th-fastest in Superstock.

Today was Dunlop’s first time riding the full Superbike-spec S 1000 RR on the roads, with the Northern Irish rider hitting a lap time of 118.316mph and giving the team a promising start to their first major road racing event of the season.

Seven-time TT winner Michael Dunlop is entering the legendary event in both the Superbike and Superstock classes. Dunlop has previously won twice at the North West 200, taking a victory each in 250cc and Supersport races.

As part of his preparation for the 2014 road racing season, Dunlop took part in the first round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch with the Buildbase BMW Motorrad team. While he suffered a fall and landed on his arm during qualifying at the round, the Northern Irish rider is fit and ready to take on all competitors at the North West 200.

In addition to the factory-supported BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing team, there are 17 other racers in the Superbike class riding BMW S 1000 RR motorcycles, including multiple NW200 winner Michael Rutter (Bathams BMW), Simon Andrews (Penz13.com BMW Racing), Martin Jessop (Riders Motorcycles) and Peter Hickman (Ice Valley Motorsave BMW). This makes approximately one-third of the 55 motorcycles who qualified in today’s session BMWs.

The next practice session will be Thursday morning, with racing held that evening and again on Saturday. BBC Northern Ireland is broadcasting live practice and race coverage online, which can be found here.

Vauxhall International North West 200 Superbike – First Qualifying:

1) Michael Rutter (Bathams BMW) 4:26.643

2) Alastair Seeley (Mar-Train Kawasaki) +1.601s

3) Guy Martin (Tyco Suzuki) +2.104s

4) William Dunlop (Tyco Suzuki) +3.443s

5) Martin Jessop (Riders BMW) +5.625s

6) Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +5.805s

7) Bruce Anstey (Padgetts Honda) +6.138s

8) Michael Dunlop (BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing) +6.228s

9) Simon Andrews (Penz13.com BMW) +6.736s

10 Lee Johnston (ECC Pirtek Honda) +6.748s

About the North West 200.

The North West 200 is held on closed roads between Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart, creating an 8.9-mile lap known as ‘the Triangle’. It is by far the biggest attended sporting event in Northern Ireland, attracting over 150,000 visitors a year.

Unlike the Isle of Man which runs as a time trial, the NW200 is a massed start race, which sees riders launch from the grid on the seafront and hit speeds of over 205mph on the straights.

Practice sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday, with racing held on Thursday evening and Saturday during the day.

For more information on the North West 200 visit: www.northwest200.org

“I’m feeling good so far. I’m getting on well with the BMW and we’ve got a good setup to start with. With some more time on it on Thursday it’ll all come together and I’m pretty confident we’ll be challenging for a race win.” – Michael Dunlop

“We’re very happy with our first time out on the roads. We had a good first session and achieved everything we needed to. Michael gelled with the road racing bike and we got some good baseline data and setup info. Michael should really have been further up the timesheets in the Superstock class, but the session was red-flagged on his fastest lap, which is a shame. All in all, it’s been a good start and it leaves us looking forward to Thursday and the next outing on track.” – Stuart Hicken, Team Manager

More, from a press release issued by Mar-Train Racing:

PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR SEELEY ON DAY ONE AT NORTH WEST 200

Mar-Train Racing made a solid start to their 2014 International North West 200, with Alastair Seeley posting provisional front row times in both the Supersport and Superbike sessions.

The Carrick man suffered some small set-up issues in the Superstock session, which was red flag prematurely, but is confident of qualifying the ’stock Kawasaki in a similar position during Thursday morning’s session.

Seeley posted the third fastest time in the Supersport session today aboard his Mar-Train Racing R6 Yamaha and followed that with the second fastest time in the Superbike session on his ZX10R Kawasaki. His team-mate Dean Harrison was 14th in the Supersport session on his international debut with Mar-Train Racing.

Alastair Seeley:

“Today went okay for the opening sessions at the North West but it’s just a pity I didn’t get the ’stocker qualified. With another couple of laps on the Supersport bike we could have gone faster and the Superbike wasn’t far away. We ironed out a few problems and I’m pleased with the speed of the ZX10R. It always takes a while to get dialed in around here. The circuit is in good condition apart from the entry to turn two, which is a bit bumpy. Tomorrow I will relax then it’s back to business on Thursday.”

Dean Harrison:

“I was struggling with my lines a bit today as this place is quite technical. People think it’s just big long straights but there’s a lot more to it than that. I was able to follow and learn a bit at the end of the session, but overall I’m happy enough with day one on the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha.”

Tim Martin – Team Principal:

“Overall we have to be happy with that. We have Alastair on two provisional front rows in Supersport and Superbike. We had some small issues, which you expect on the first day at any race meeting and we ran out of time with the red flag incident in the Superstock class. But as I say we are satisfied with our performance. Dean is still bedding himself in but is making steady progress which is all we can ask.”

Tuesday Practice Times

Supersport

1st – William Dunlop [Suzuki] 4min 41.401sec/114.754mph; 2nd – Michael Rutter [Triumph] +1.384sec; 3rd – Alastair Seeley [Mar-Train Yamaha] +1.423sec; 4th – Lee Johnston [Honda] +1.568sec; 5th – Gary Johnson [Triumph] +2.288sec; 6th – Guy Martin [Suzuki] +3.116sec; 7th – John McGuinness [Honda] +4.633sec; 8th – Michael Dunlop [Honda] +5.735sec; 9th – Josh Brookes [Yamaha] +6.499sec; 10th – Bruce Anstey [Honda] +7.845sec; 14th – Dean Harrison [Mar-Train Yamaha] +8.595sec

Supersport Lap Record: Keith Amor [Honda] 4min 37.591sec/116.329mph – [Supersport Race 2 – 2010]

Superbike

1st – Michael Rutter [BMW] 4min 26.643sec/121.106mph; 2nd – Alastair Seeley [Mar-Train Kawasaki] +1.601sec; 3rd – Guy Martin [Suzuki] +2.104sec; 4th – William Dunlop [Suzuki] +3.443; 5th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] +5.625sec; 6th – Josh Brookes [Yamaha] +5.805sec; 7th – Bruce Anstey [Honda] +6.138sec; 8th – Michael Dunlop [BMW] +6.288sec; 9th – Simon Andrews [BMW] +6.736sec; 10th – Lee Johnston [Honda] +6.748sec

Superbike Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Suzuki] 4min 24.960sec/121.875mph – [Superbike Race 2 – 2010]

Thursday May 15 Practice Schedule

Practice – Roads Close 09.15hrs to 14.45hrs

(Times are approximate)

1st Session Supertwin 10.00 to 10.50hrs

2nd Session Superstock 11.05 to 11.55hrs

3rd Session Supersport 12.10 to 13.00hrs

4th Session Superbike 13.15 to 14.15hrs

Thursday May 15 Race Schedule

Racing – Roads Close 17.15 to 21.00 hrs

(Times are approx)

Race 1 Supersport (6 laps) 18.00hrs

Race 2 Supertwin (4 laps) 19.00hrs

Race 3 Superstock (6 laps) 20.00hrs

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 on behalf of Milwaukee Yamaha:

BROOKES MAKES SOLD START AS HUTCHY SLIPS OFF ON DAY ONE AT NORTH WEST 200

Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes opened his account at the International North West 200 earlier today with top ten times in both the Supersport and Superbike classes.

His team-mate Ian Hutchinson took 16th place in the Supersport session but slid off during the session at Mill Road roundabout. Thankfully Hutchy only suffered superficial injuries and later completed a couple of laps on his Milwaukee Yamaha R1 Superbike.

Brookes took ninth place in the Supersport practice after 7 laps of the 8.9-mile coast road circuit. The Aussie then replicated that placing in the opening Superbike practice session aboard his Milwaukee Yamaha R1.

Josh Brookes:

“It wasn’t too bad I suppose for a first session; we had a good run out, but not perfect. We have some improvements to make with both the Supersport bike and Superbike for Thursday. We had a little brake issue with the 600 but after that it’s just down to me to go quicker. On the Superbike we had a bit of movement from the rear, so a suspension adjustment should sort that. But all in all a pretty positive first session at the North West.”

Ian Hutchinson:

“I’ve lost a finger nail and a bit of skin in the crash off the Supersport bike, so it’s a bit frustrating. It was a niggly little problem and the bike jumped from first to second and bucked me over the front. I just wanted to get back and get a few laps on the Superbike and get myself settled before Thursday.”

Team co-ordinator and chief engineer Mick Shanley said of the opening day: “Hutchy had a couple of issues and got caught out on his first flying lap on the 600. He’s damaged a finger but overall he’s okay. He got a few laps on the Superbike at the back of the Superstock session at the end of the day – so he should be good to go on Thursday.

“Brookesy had a pretty good day overall. Last year he was learning the circuit as a newcomer, so at least he hasn’t as much to do on that front this year. This time it’s all about set-up and his pace today in both sessions was not a million miles away. He’s looking for a bit more stability on the Superbike and to be fair the 600 is a bit of a novelty for him, not having ridden one for so long. But for a first day at the North West we are happy enough.”

Tuesday Practice Times

Supersport

1st – William Dunlop [Suzuki] 4min 41.401sec/114.754mph; 2nd – Michael Rutter [Triumph] +1.384sec; 3rd – Alastair Seeley [Yamaha] +1.423sec; 4th – Lee Johnston [Honda] +1.568sec; 5th – Gary Johnson [Triumph] +2.288sec; 6th – Guy Martin [Suzuki] +3.116sec; 7th – John McGuinness [Honda] +4.633sec; 8th – Michael Dunlop [Honda] +5.735sec; 9th – Josh Brookes [Milwaukee Yamaha] +6.499sec; 10th – Bruce Anstey [Honda] +7.845sec; 16th – Ian Hutchinson [Milwaukee Yamaha] +8.913sec

Supersport Lap Record: Keith Amor [Honda] 4min 37.591sec/116.329mph – [Supersport Race 2 – 2010]

Superbike

1st – Michael Rutter [BMW] 4min 26.643sec/121.106mph; 2nd – Alastair Seeley [Kawasaki] +1.601sec; 3rd – Guy Martin [Suzuki] +2.104sec; 4th – William Dunlop [Suzuki] +3.443; 5th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] +5.625sec; 6th – Josh Brookes [Milwaukee Yamaha] +5.805sec; 7th – Bruce Anstey [Honda] +6.138sec; 8th – Michael Dunlop [BMW] +6.288sec; 9th – Simon Andrews [BMW] +6.736sec; 10th – Lee Johnston [Honda] +6.748sec

Superbike Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Suzuki] 4min 24.960sec/121.875mph – [Superbike Race 2 – 2010]

Thursday May 15 Practice Schedule

Practice – Roads Close 09.15hrs to 14.45hrs

(Times are approximate)

1st Session Supertwin 10.00 to 10.50hrs

2nd Session Superstock 11.05 to 11.55hrs

3rd Session Supersport 12.10 to 13.00hrs

4th Session Superbike 13.15 to 14.15hrs

Thursday May 15 Race Schedule

Racing – Roads Close 17.15 to 21.00 hrs

(Times are approx)

Race 1 Supersport (6 laps) 18.00hrs

Race 2 Supertwin (4 laps) 19.00hrs

Race 3 Superstock (6 laps) 20.00hrs

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 Honda Racing:

North West 200 practice sessions get underway

The 2014 North West 200 got underway in Northern Ireland today with the first of two practice sessions taking place in warm and sunny conditions. The 45-minute Superbike practice came to a close with Honda Racing’s John McGuinness and Conor Cummins placing 11th and 13th respectively on the timesheet.

Following their inaugural outing on the new 2014 Honda Racing CBR1000RR SP at Castle Combe last week, McGuinness and Cummins used today’s session to settle in on their respective machines on the 8.9-mile NW200 circuit. Both riders made progress in finding a good set-up ahead of Saturday’s Superbike races.

Michael Rutter secured provisional pole in the Superbike class, with the final grid positions being determined following the second practice session on Thursday. Race fans can watch live action from the North West 200 on the BBC Northern Ireland website.

Neil Tuxworth team manager

All things considered, it was not a bad session today. We had no major issues with the new bikes and we know what we need to work on before the second session on Thursday. John’s wrist injury is holding up well and Conor is getting to grips with the Fireblade so all in all, we can’t complain.

John McGuinness

My confidence is still is little low after my injury so I was just easing myself in a bit today and it probably looks worse on paper than it is. The bike is grand. We’ve changed a few little things to suit the circuit and it’s definitely in the ballpark. Overall it’s encouraging and after a rest day tomorrow we’ll be back on Thursday to see if we can improve.

Conor Cummins

It was pretty steady today. We just had a bit of a run out really and tried a few things on the bike as it’s very different around here than at Castle Combe. We made some changes and went a bit faster so there’s definitely more to come. I’m really looking forward to going out again on Thursday.

More, from a press release issued by Tyco Suzuki:

PROVISIONAL POLE FOR DUNLOP AT NORTH WEST 200

13th May 2014

2014 International North West 200 – Tuesday Practice

Tyco Suzuki’s William Dunlop holds the provisional pole position spot for the Supersport class, following day one of qualifying for the International North West 200 in Northern Ireland.

Dunlop also finished fourth in the Superbike class, just one place behind team-mate Guy Martin, who posted the sixth fastest time in the middleweight division. Dunlop and Martin were seventh and tenth respectively in the Superstock session, which was red flagged.

William Dunlop:

“I’m pretty pleased with that for an opening day at the North West. I had every confidence we could be up there on the GSX-R600 Supersport bike but was also looking for a top ride on the Superbike. I will take fourth place happily. We had no major problems and with more time on the Superstock bike in a full session we can get well up the grid.”

Guy Martin:

“Can’t complain too much about that. Top three on the Superbike and well within striking distance on the 600 shows we are already competitive. The weather was mint and the circuit is in pretty good nick apart from turn two – but it’s the same for everyone. The Superstock session was cut short but yeah, a decent first day.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:

“The first day here can be a bit fraught but we’ve done well considering and haven’t struggled, showing the pedigree of all our GSX-R machinery. All the bikes are well qualified; we just need some fine-tuning and to keep our mind on the job now for Thursday morning. Then we go racing, but we’re ready for it.”

Tuesday Practice Times

Supersport

1st – William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] 4min 41.401sec/114.754mph; 2nd – Michael Rutter [Triumph] +1.384sec; 3rd – Alastair Seeley [Yamaha] +1.423sec; 4th – Lee Johnston [Honda] +1.568sec; 5th – Gary Johnson [Triumph] +2.288sec; 6th – Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +3.116sec; 7th – John McGuinness [Honda] +4.633sec; 8th – Michael Dunlop [Honda] +5.735sec; 9th – Josh Brookes [Yamaha] +6.499sec; 10th – Bruce Anstey [Honda] +7.845sec; 16th – Ian Hutchinson [Yamaha] +8.913sec

Supersport Lap Record: Keith Amor [Honda] 4min 37.591sec/116.329mph – [Supersport Race 2 – 2010]

Superbike

1st – Michael Rutter [BMW] 4min 26.643sec/121.106mph; 2nd – Alastair Seeley [Kawasaki] +1.601sec; 3rd – Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +2.104sec; 4th – William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +3.443; 5th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] +5.625sec; 6th – Josh Brookes [Milwaukee Yamaha] +5.805sec; 7th – Bruce Anstey [Honda] +6.138sec; 8th – Michael Dunlop [BMW] +6.288sec; 9th – Simon Andrews [BMW] +6.736sec; 10th – Lee Johnston [Honda] +6.748sec

Superbike Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Suzuki] 4min 24.960sec/121.875mph – [Superbike Race 2 – 2010]

Superstock

1st – Horst Saiger [Kawasaki] 4min 32.427sec/118.535mph; 2nd – Michael Rutter [BMW] +0.099sec; 3rd – Stephen Thompson [BMW] +0.277sec; 4th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] +0.511sec; 5th – Simon Andrews [BMW] +0.805sec; 6th ¬– Lee Johnston [Honda] +1.727sec; 7th – William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +2.331; 10th – Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +3.540sec

Superstock Lap Record: Michael Rutter [Kawasaki] 4min 28.757sec/120.153mph [Superstock 2, 2012]

Thursday May 15 Practice Schedule

Practice – Roads Close 09.15hrs to 14.45hrs

(Times are approximate)

1st Session Supertwin 10.00 to 10.50hrs

2nd Session Superstock 11.05 to 11.55hrs

3rd Session Supersport 12.10 to 13.00hrs

4th Session Superbike 13.15 to 14.15hrs

Thursday May 15 Race Schedule

Racing – Roads Close 17.15 to 21.00 hrs

(Times are approx)

Race 1 Supersport (6 laps) 18.00hrs

Race 2 Supertwin (4 laps) 19.00hrs

Race 3 Superstock (6 laps) 20.00hrs

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)

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