Motourage

Swan Honda’s Stuart Easton is celebrating after securing his best-ever finish at the International North West 200, finishing second in the feature Superbike class race of the day after a race-long duel with fellow BSB rival Alastair Seeley and John McGuinness.

On his return to the event, Easton got off to a flying start, setting the fastest time through the speed traps between Station Corner and University in practice (Tuesday) with a top speed of 204mph.  On race day (Saturday) he started the day with a consistent fifth place in the opening Superbike race and was eleventh in the Superstock class, despite only completing one flying lap in practice earlier in the week and having to fight through from the second wave of riders.

Easton started from fourth on the Superbike grid and got off to one of his customary lightning starts to lead the four-lap feature race, before he dropped to third. Easton was determined to fight back, and on the next lap the Swan Honda rider was back in the lead. Seeley later took the advantage at the front, and despite Easton attacking back he finished the race second to score his best ever finish at the event.

Easton said: “It has been a good event for the Swan Honda team; I hadn’t really set myself any expectations before we arrived so to finish second was a good result. It is the best finish I have ever had at the event it is great to give the team their first podium with Swan.
The Superstock race was always going to be tough with the lack of time in practice as I only really had one flying lap due to the conditions but despite being in the second group I came through to eleventh. In the first Superbike race fifth wasn’t what I wanted so to finish second in race two was a much better result for me. Alastair Seeley was really strong along certain parts of the track and rode a great race so I was happy to be second. I now only have one place to improve when I come back again and that is to win.”

North West 200, Yoko Superbike race one result:

1. John McGuinness (Honda) 17:58.937
2. Connor Cummins (Kawasaki) +0.217s
3. Alastair Seeley (Suzuki) +0.553s
4. Keith Amor (Honda) +7.520s
5. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +16.668s

North West 200, Greenline Superbike race two result:

1. Alastair Seeley (Suzuki) 17:41.186
2. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.143s
3. John McGuinness (Honda) +1.294s
4. Guy Martin (Honda) +7.214s
5. Ian Hutchinson (Honda) +9.809s

Seeley's NW200 Superbike win breaks a 13-year streak for Irish riders

Relentless by TAS Suzuki and its in-form British Superbike rider Alastair Seeley made history at the Relentless-sponsored International North West 200, winning the feature Superbike event – a first for an Irish rider in 13 years.

The 30-year-old reigning British Superstock champion also took the opening Supersport race victory, a Superbike race one podium and two other fourth-placed finishes – on a day when Relentless by TAS Suzuki posted four podiums from five races, including two tops steps.

The team started their day with third place in the opening Superbike event, again heralded by that man Seeley, who fought his way from the third row of the grid to stand on the podium. On the opening lap it was Bruce Anstey who led the Relentless Suzuki effort, coming from his row five grid slot up to fourth place, but he was soon overhauled by his diminutive team-mate, who closed down a five second gap to the leaders for his opening podium of the day.

Such was Seeley’s pace; he set a new lap record for the 8.9-mile circuit at 120.985mph [4mins 26.909sec]. Anstey eventually finished fifth with Cameron Donald eighth, just ahead of Adrian Archibald, also on a GSX-R1000 Superbike.

In the opening Supersport race, Anstey led the Relentless Suzuki charge on the opening lap in sixth, with Seeley two places further behind in eighth on his GSX-R600. But Seeley was hungry for a debut middleweight division victory at the NW200, forcing his way into the leading group of four on lap three, with some aggressive but safe passing maneuvers.

On the final lap into the penultimate chicane at Juniper Hill, Seeley produced one of the best moves ever witnessed at the North West 200 Triangle, sliding in between Ian Hutchinson and Keith Amor – and after leaving his braking later than his rivals, Seeley dropped his GSX-R600 into the chicane ahead of both Hondas, and from there he was never headed to the flag, giving TAS Racing their fifth victory in the Supersport class at the North West 200.

Cameron Donald was the next Relentless Suzuki home in seventh with Anstey 14th. Seeley again set a new class lap record at 115.582mph [4mins 39.386sec]

Bruce Anstey and Alastair Seeley had shared the last four Superstock wins at the NW200, but Anstey opted out of yesterday’s race due to a difficult grid position after qualifying, preferring to keep his powder dry for the final Supersport race.

In true Superstock style, it took three laps before the leading contenders could shake off the pretenders to the crown, with Seeley soon in the mix with the front four. Unfortunately on the final lap, he just could not find the grip required to drive hard out of the slower turns with his rivals and settled for fourth place, albeit only 0.9sec behind eventual winner Keith Amor.

When the feature NW200 Superbike event was cut from six laps to four, the odds were stacked against all three Relentless by TAS Suzuki riders, positioned on rows three, four and five.

Anstey again got the better start of the trio but Seeley, holding the expectations of an 100,000-strong local crowd, forced his way through, and onto the back of Honda duo Easton and McGuinness at mid distance, guaranteeing a grandstand finish.

Seeley led onto the final nine-mile lap but Easton took up the initiative on the brakes into Metropole with only the two-mile Coast Road section to conquer. Seeley, as we have come to expect, wasn’t prepared to settle for second place, putting the nose of his GSX-R1000 Suzuki under the Scotsman at the very next turn before demonstrating his pure road racing prowess to take a very famous victory.

In pursuit of the Honda pair, the Relentless by TAS Suzuki rider also upped the lap record to a staggering 121.875mmmph [4mins 24.960sec] on lap three.

In the final race of the day – the second Supersport 600 encounter – Seeley followed teammate Bruce Anstey across the line in fourth place; the Kiwi justifying his decision to sit-out the Superstock race with a fine third place on his Relentless by TAS Suzuki GSX-R600. Cameron Donald was eighth.

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Despite extremely limited practice time Gary Mason took the honors of top newcomer at the testing North West 200 road race course. Gary’s skilled roads specialist teammate, Ryan Farquhar, took a hard-fought Superstock podium, but was plagued with handling issues in Superbike.

Ryan Farquhar took third in the Superstock race but was unable to poduim in the Superbike class

Gary had to try and learn the course as he raced due to his restricted practice with chaperoned slow laps and other sessions depleted by bad weather. He improved his lap times by more than six seconds during the two races as he got into the groove at the legendary course. He commented afterwards, “I’ve loved the event and the atmosphere; I got so little practice though and was learning where to go as I was racing. I really want to come back, and it’s also been vital extra seat time for BSB as we’re off to Cadwell next.”

Ryan Farquhar took a third on his MSS-powered Superstock machine within a second of the winner, but was frustrated in the two Superbike races not to have had a chance to battle with the leaders.

The team’s other rider, Stephen Thompson, logged two fourteenth places in what has been reckoned to be the strongest line-up for this historic event.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team boss Nick Morgan summed up, “We’re pleased for Ryan after his Superstock podium, but a real strange, unforeseeable technical reared its head for Superstock. So frustrating. Nice first outing for Gary as best newcomer, and he’s already talking about next year. Stephen will have wanted a stronger position, but you have to look at the grid – massive quality on depth this year. Loads of lessons for the TT, and we know we will have a stronger package for the event.”

The MSS Colchester Kawasaki squad are now gearing up for Cadwell Park British Superbikes next weekend. Howie Mainwaring lays second in Superstock, and with championship leader Steve Plater injured, he knows he has a good opportunity in front of him. Mason will again be teamed up with Chris Walker as Simon Andrews continues his comeback from injury.

International North West 200 organizers Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd will – in 2010 – promote a six-race program following a decision to remove the 250cc race category. The revised program will comprise a 125cc and Superstock race, two 600cc Supersport and two Superbike races.

Speaking on behalf of the new management team, Race Director Mervyn Whyte MBE said, “Having considered this option for the past couple of years we now believe the time is right to discontinue the 250cc category. Two-stroke bikes no longer feature in Grand Prix or British Superbike race programs and, as a result, manufacturers have reduced the number of models and ranges produced each year.”

“We therefore don’t have the same number of teams nor individual competitors wanting to enter this particular class and having taken all these factors into consideration, felt it was appropriate to promote a strong six race event in 2010.”

The NW200 management team have also proposed significant changes to the Thursday practice session. “In response to competitor and team feedback, the Coleraine Club is examining opportunities to hold our traditional Thursday Practice Race during the day as opposed to later in the evening. We would anticipate roads closing on Thursday morning at 9.30am and re-opening at 3pm and believe it would cause less disruption to residents and the business community as well as providing important additional machine set up and practice time for riders and in particular event newcomers.”

Coleraine & District Motor Club is currently consulting with key organizations and business people as well as local residents. Tuesday evening practice and Saturday Race Day timings are set to remain the same.

The North West 200 course map