Thursday evening at the Briggs Equipment North West 200 witnessed extraordinary performances and thrilling racing as Glenn Irwin, Richard Cooper, and Davey Todd emerged victorious in the Briggs Equipment Superbike, Fraser Homes Supersport, and Amici Ristorante Superstock races respectively.
Following a day of qualifying under sunny skies, the atmosphere shifted as clouds rolled in for the opening Superbike showdown. The race delivered a breathtaking battle from start to finish, with Glenn Irwin on the PBM Hager Ducati and Davey Todd’s Milwaukee BMW engaging in a neck-and-neck duel. Despite Todd’s formidable challenge, Irwin surged ahead, setting a new outright lap record at 125.799mph on the second lap.
In a dramatic final lap, Irwin seized the lead at Juniper chicane, clinching victory by a margin of 2.545 seconds and equalling the record of nine NW200 Superbike race wins, a feat previously achieved by Michael Rutter and the late Joey Dunlop.
Reflecting on the intense contest, Irwin expressed admiration for Todd’s performance while acknowledging the necessity of pushing himself to the limit to secure the win.
Todd, gracious in defeat, admitted to a tactical misjudgment but praised his bike’s performance, vowing to strive harder in the future.
Irwin was jubilant about his achievement, emphasizing his ability to find a winning strategy despite facing formidable opponents.
Local hero Michael Dunlop, securing the final podium spot, reflected on his performance amidst challenges with his bike and recent crash injuries.
Overall, the evening showcased thrilling racing action and marked Irwin’s remarkable accomplishment in NW200 history.
THURSDAY SUPERSPORT RACE ONE
Richard Cooper had set his sights on winning four races at this year’s NW200, and the Nottingham rider wasted no time in making good on his promise by securing victory in the Fraser Homes Supersport race aboard the BPE Russell Racing Yamaha. Cooper crossed the finish line ahead of Peter Hickman on the Trooper Beer Triumph and Michael Dunlop on the MD Racing Triumph. However, the race was marred by a crash at York corner on the opening lap, involving Adam McLean and Davey Todd.
Thankfully avoiding the chaos, Cooper emerged in the lead by 1.2 seconds at the end of the first lap, with Dunlop trailing behind and Hickman close behind him. Cooper’s lead extended to 1.9 seconds on lap two, with Hickman still in hot pursuit of Dunlop. Over the final two circuits, Cooper managed to widen the gap between himself and his competitors, ultimately crossing the finish line 6.537 seconds ahead. However, it was Hickman who claimed the runner-up position after overtaking Dunlop at Metropole on the final lap.
Reflecting on his victory, Cooper admitted to benefiting from a less-than-ideal start, allowing him to navigate through the chaos at York Corner unscathed. Despite not having pitboards to gauge his lead, Cooper expressed confidence in his performance and hinted at further potential.
Hickman, recovering from recent crashes at the Oulton Park BSB meeting, was pleased with his performance and strategic pass on Dunlop in the closing stages of the race.
Dunlop, while disappointed with his third-place finish, acknowledged the challenges faced with his bike and conceded to Hickman’s well-executed maneuver.
THURSDAYS SUPERSTOCK RACE
Davey Todd, undeterred by his recent mishaps, bravely took his place at the front of the grid for the Amici Ristorante Superstock race. Battling through discomfort, Todd displayed sheer determination as he led the four-lap race from start to finish, securing victory ahead of Dean Harrison from Honda Racing and Michael Dunlop, who once again claimed a spot on the podium.
Reflecting on his performance, Todd revealed his initial uncertainty about racing after his Supersport crash but commended his team for their support and expressed gratitude for his current position. Despite feeling sore, Todd’s triumph held special significance, particularly after the crash, which had momentarily cast doubts on his ability to compete.
Harrison, trailing in second place, recounted his race experience, noting his confidence in challenging Todd before encountering a slight setback on the last lap. Despite the setback, Harrison praised his team’s efforts and expressed satisfaction with achieving a podium finish.
Dunlop, finishing 1.9 seconds behind Harrison, acknowledged the steady progress made throughout the day despite carrying an injury that hindered his performance. Determined to avoid further complications, Dunlop emphasized the importance of staying out of trouble on the track.
Race enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet their North West 200 road racing idols at the Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s Meet the Riders event in Coleraine town center on Friday at 2 pm. The excitement will continue on Saturday morning with a packed schedule of six races, starting at 10 am with the Milltown Service Station Supertwins race, followed by the Anchor Bar Superbike race, Tides Restaurant Supersport race, CP Hire Superstock race, John M Paterson Supertwins Race, and concluding with the Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike race.
NW200 Press Release
