Vauxhall International North West 200

Triangle Circuit, Northern Ireland

May 11, 2017

Superstock (1000cc) Race Results:

1. Alastair Seeley (BMW S1000RR), 6 laps, Total Race Time 26:22.328, Average Race Speed 122.129 mph

2. Lee Johnston (BMW S1000RR), -12.623 seconds, 121.162 mph

3. Dean Harrison (Kaw ZX-10R), -14.801, 120.997 mph

4. Ian Hutchinson (BMW S1000RR), -32.001, 119.708 mph

5. Martin Jessopp (BMW S1000RR), -32.209, 119.693 mph

6. James Hillier (Kaw ZX-10R), -49.101, 118.453 mph

7. Derek Sheils (Suz GSX-R1000), -49.486, 118.425 mph

8. William Dunlop (Yam YZF-R1), -71.200, 116.870 mph

9. Daniel Cooper (BMW S1000RR), -72.802, 116.757 mph

10. Sam West (BMW S1000RR), -73.375, 116.717 mph

DNF. Michael Rutter (BMW S1000RR)

DNF. Michael Dunlop (Suz GSX-R1000)

DNF. Peter Hickman (BMW S1000RR)

Supersport (600cc) Race Results:

1. Martin Jessopp (Tri Daytona 675R), 6 laps, Total Race Time 28:00.796, Average Race Speed 114.974 mph

2. Ian Hutchinson (Yam YZF-R6), -0.772 second, 114.921 mph

3. James Hillier (Kaw ZX-6R), -1.229 seconds, 114.890 mph

4. Dean Harrison (Kaw ZX-6R), -1.461, 114.874 mph

5. Lee Johnston (Hon CBR600RR), -1.835, 114.849 mph

6. William Dunlop (Yam YZF-R6), -3.302, 114.749 mph

7. Michael Dunlop (Yam YZF-R6), -3.732, 114.719 mph

8. James Cowton (Kaw ZX-6R), -11.571, 114.188 mph

9. James Coward (Hon CBR600RR), -11.736, 114.177 mph

10. Horst Saiger (Kaw ZX-6R), -29.465, 112.993 mph

DNF. Alastair Seeley (Kaw ZX-6R)

DNS. John McGuinness (Hon CBR600RR)

Supertwin Race Practice:

1. Martin Jessopp (Kaw 650), 4 laps, Total Race Time 19:33.052, Average Race Speed 109.683 mph

2. Michael Rutter (Kaw 650), -0.848 second, 109.604 mph

3. Ivan Lintin (Kaw 650), -15.573 seconds, 108.246 mph

4. Daniel Cooper (Kaw 650), -18.060, 108.020 mph

5. Derek Sheils (Kaw 650), -32.809, 106.699 mph

6. Adam McLean (Kaw 650), -36.386, 106.383 mph

7. James Cowton (Kaw 650), -43.849, 105.731 mph

8. Christian Elkin (Kaw 650), -60.080, 104.339 mph

9. Paul Jordan (Kaw 650), -60.973, 104.264 mph

10. Marty Lennon (Kaw 650), -72.526, 103.297 mph

13. Darren James (Kaw 650), -89.253, 101.928 mph

14. Matt Sadowski (Kaw 650), -99.060, 101.142 mph

DNS. Lee Johnston (Kaw 650)

More, from a press release issued by North West 200 Press Office:

Honda Racing’s John McGuinness has crashed at Primrose corner during the Superbike practice session at the Vauxhall International North West 200 today.

The 45 year old Morecambe rider, who is a six times winner at the event, has been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by ambulance with a suspected broken leg.

More, from another press release issued by North West 200 Press Office:

ALASTAIR SEELEY TAKES 18TH WIN AT 2017 VAUXHALL INETRNATIONAL NORTH WEST 200 AS MARTIN JESSOPP DOUBLES UP IN SUPERSPORT AND SUPERTWINS

Alastair Seeley continued his record breaking ways at the 2017 Vauxhall International North West 200 as he smashed the Superstock lap record to claim his 18th victory on the famous Triangle circuit on his Tyco BMW.

The ‘Wee Wizard’ set a new mark of 122.898mph to win from Lee Johnston (East Coast Construction) and Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Kawasaki). Seeley has now won a race at the North West every year since his first victory in 2008. His Superstock race victory was the 25th win for TAS Racing team bosses Hector and Philip Neill but it wasn’t without its drama.

“I hit a false neutral on lap two at the roundabout after I got into the lead and had to run up over the grass and on to a footpath.” the 35 year old said.

“I had to work my way back to the front and I thought I’d better not do anything silly on the last lap. Hopefully we can continue this form on Saturday for the massive crowds who are around the circuit.”

Tyco BMW boss Philip Neill was delighted with Seeley’s success.

“It is fantastic to get our 25th NW200 win.,” he said.

“This is what racing is all about and it is fitting that Alastair is the man who is bringing it to us.”

It was also a major consolation for the Carrickfergus rider after his retirement on lap two of the Supersport race with an engine problem earlier in the evening. Seeley had been fastest in practice but Martin Jessopp took advantage of the local man’s absence to win his first North West race on the Riders Motorcycles Triumph.

“I am lost for words.” the Yeovil man said.

“I have been trying to win a race here for ten years and now I have done it.”

“I tried to ride my own race and open a gap on the rest of the field.” he explained.

Jessopp won by 0.772 seconds from Ian Hutchinson on the McAMS Yamaha with James Hillier third on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki a further 1,2 seconds back.

It was the Triumph’s first win at the North West since 1970.

Jessopp didn’t have to wait long for his second North West win, taking victory in the final race of the evening, the Supertwins event on his Riders Motorcycles ER6 Kawasaki.

“I had pushed hard all race and was taking it a little bit easier on the last lap when I saw I had a six second lead on my board.” Jessop explained.

“But I looked back at the roundabout and saw Rutter behind me so I had to get my head down again.”

Rutter’s Kawasaki was built by Ryan Farquhar, who had been seriously injured in the same race twelve months ago, and it took a new lap record from Jessopp on the final circuit of 110.423mph to win by 0.8 seconds from Rutter with Ivan Lintin (Dafabet Devitt Kawasaki) third.

More, from a press release issued by Tyco BMW:

RECORD BREAKING NIGHT FOR SEELEY & TYCO BMW

Alastair Seeley and Tyco BMW made it a record-breaking night at the International North West 200, with the diminutive Ulsterman taking a 12-second Superstock race one victory on the north coast aboard his BMW Motorrad S1000RR. His team-mate Ian Hutchinson took fourth place.

It stretched Seeley’s record at the NW200 to 18 wins and counting, and Tyco BMW’s parent company, TAS Racing’s, to 25 career wins at the Northern Ireland based event. Seeley also set a new lap record for the class with a staggering effort of 122.898mph, which was just 0.6-seconds outside the Superbike lap record, which gives an indication of his blistering pace on the Tyco BMW.

Speaking afterwards Seeley, who started from pole position said: “After qualifying, I knew if we could get some clear track, the lap record was on, as the Tyco BMW Superstock bike is perfect for the job. Obviously the win was the most important part of the job and after a little excursion at the Magic Roundabout early in the race, we picked up the pace to grab the win and that lap record. I just watched the gap on my pitboard climb and then made sure we didn’t make any mistakes on the last lap.”

Hutchy said: “We’ve put a lot of effort into dialling in delicate little set-up changes to suit my Tyco BMWs for the NW200, which are a little bit different for the roads. The overshoot ruined my chances of a podium tonight, but we are moving in the right direction and I’ll be looking to correct that on Saturday.”

Team Manager Philip Neill explained: “”It’s no secret how much I love the NW200 and to record the 25th victory for TAS Racing on the north coast in beautiful sunshine is just superb. I am really pleased to have reached this milestone together with Tyco and BMW, and it is fitting indeed that Alastair is the man to delivery this special victory on the BMW S1000RR.

Hutchy was also capable of delivering a podium position today but unfortunately didn’t have a chance after losing almost eight seconds when overshooting the chicane.

Thanks as always to our partners Tyco Security Products and BMW Motorrad and a very special thanks to each and every member of TAS Racing for all the hard work required to achieve what we did today.”

Results – Bayview Hotel Superstock Race [6 laps of the 8.9-mile NW200 circuit]

Alastair Seeley [Tyco BMW] 26min:22.328sec; 2nd – Lee Johnston [BMW] +12.6sec; 3rd – Dean Harrison [Kawasaki] +1.2sec; 4th – Ian Hutchinson [Tyco BMW] +17.2sec; 5th – Martin Jessopp [BMW] +0.2sec; 6th – James Hillier [Kawasaki] +16.9sec

New Lap Record – Alastair Seeley [Tyco BMW] 4min: 22.755sec [122.898mph] on lap 4

More, from a press release issued by Bennetts Suzuki:

Michael Dunlop fourth for Bennetts Suzuki in North West 200 Superbike qualifying

Michael Dunlop will start Saturday’s two Superbike races at the North West 200 from the second row of the grid, the Northern Irishman qualifying in fourth place onboard his Bennetts Suzuki GSX-R1000.

With the new Suzuki making its road racing debut the team was always going to be busy trying to find a good base setting. With limited track time, the focus was mostly on testing various suspension settings to allow the new GSX-R1000 to cope with the imperfections of the roads around the Triangle circuit. Despite having plenty to test, confidence is high ahead of Saturday’s races.

Michael Dunlop, “This is the first time we’ve had the new Suzuki flat out, so we’re still learning the bike. We’re the only ones here with a completely brand new motorcycle, so we’ve been working on our setup, our gearing, on improving the chassis. Steve and the boys have been working hard, I’m feeling good. We’ve set a good lap time in qualifying without pushing to the limit, so we’ll see how we go in the races.”

Steve Hicken, team manager, “We’ve done a lot of work and it’s going well. We’ve only had about 40 minutes of Superbike practice and we’ve been doing all we can in that time to keep improving the bike. It’s the first time its ever raced on the roads so we’re learning every lap. Michael’s riding well and we’re quite happy with our position. We’ve got a package Michael can do well with, we know we’ve got a good bike, we’re just trying to find the sweet spot. We’re making more changes for the first race, but with no more practice laps we’re going in blind. But we should be able to do a job, and I expect us to go even better in race two.”