NORTH WEST 200, SATURDAY 15TH MAY

Arai riders clean up in Ireland!

SUPERBIKE

First: Alastair Seeley

Fifth: Ian Hutchinson

Sixth: Keith Amor

SUPERSPORT RACE ONE

First: Alastair Seeley

Second: Ian Hutchinson

Third: Michael Dunlop

Fourth: Keith Amor

ALASTAIR SEELEY, RELENTLESS BY TAS SUZUKI

“IT HASN’T REALLY SUNK IN YET…”

With HM Plant Honda’s Steve Plater sidelined by a practice crash Alastair Seeley made history at the North West 200, by winning the 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.

“I suppose it hasn’t really sunk in yet that I’ve broken Phillip McCallen’s 13-year-old record, but I came here for wins this week and the NW200 Superbike race is the one every rider wants to take home; now it’s mine! I really enjoyed the celebrations with the team and it was great to see what it meant to the fans at the end; they were cheering like a football crowd in the grandstands. This is the place where I started to make a name for myself in racing even though I’m known as a circuit racer, so I’m delighted to be back

winning, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone in the team. My BSB team-mate Michael Laverty was even here today; now I have to get my head back into gear the next BSB round at Cadwell Park, but this is a nice wee boost for everyone involved.”

SUPERSTOCK

First: Keith Amor

Second: Ian Hutchinson

Fourth: Alastair Seeley

Sixth: Michael Dunlop

KEITH AMOR, W.A. CORLESS/JACKSON RACING

“I’M ABSOLUTELY OVER THE MOON!”

Keith Amor put in a stunning display at the North West 200 and capped it off with his first ever International road race win. The Scots rider was at the forefront of the action in all five of his races but he saved the best for the 5-lap Superstock race, which he clinched on the final lap to give the WA Corless/Jackson Racing team a dream win, also giving the BMW S1000R its first ever win on the roads. He also finished second in the second Supersport race and finished in the top six in all five of his races on the KBMG Racing machines.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to have taken my first International road race win and for saying I had no bikes or team 4 weeks ago, I haven’t done too badly today! I had to work really hard in the Superstock race and I knew they were right behind me all race long but the bike’s a missile and a fantastic package. This was my first race of the year and I’ve had no testing so to come away with the results I’ve got is testament to everyone connected to the team and all their hard work has paid off. I'm chuffed to bits and it sets me up brilliantly for the TT so let’s hope for more of the same there!

SUPERSPORT RACE TWO

First: Ian Hutchinson

Second: Keith Amor

Third: Bruce Anstey

Fourth: Alastair Seeley

Fifth: Michael Dunlop

IAN HUTCHINSON, PADGETTS HONDA

“I PUSHED HARD”

Hutchinson made no mistakes in the Ballymoney Borough Council Supersport 600cc race, snatching the lead on his Padgetts Honda on the opening super-fast run to University leaving the rest of the field trailing in his wake. He went on to record his second win at the North West, his last win also in the Supersport class in 2006. Equally secure in second was Keith Amor who broke Alastair Seeley’s earlier Supersport lap record with a 116.239mph lap on his third lap. Interest in the race centred on a superb scrap for the final podium position between Michael Dunlop, Bruce Anstey and Alastair Seeley.

“After the first race I just wanted to get away at the front and not have any issues at the last chicane. I pushed hard to establish a lead and do my own thing controlling the race from the front and that’s how it worked out.”

Paul Robinson won the 125GP race, giving Arai a total of five wins out of six races.

After a busy time in Ireland the Arai Race Service Support Vehicle makes the journey across the Irish Sea, to set up ready for an even busier TT fortnight. Practice starts Saturday 29^th May, with racing starting Saturday 5^th June; kicking off with the six lap Superbike TT.

For more information and news about Arai Helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk