2024 NW200 Preview - Part 3 - Supersport Races
Tight, gripping, to close to call are phrases to sum up the Supersport class at the Briggs Equipment Northwest 200.
Pretty much a who’s who of international road racing is set to battle it out, for 600 honours next week.
Winner of both Supersport races last year, 2022 National Superstock 1000 Champion Davey Todd switches from Milenco by Padgetts Honda tackle to the rasping Powertoolmate Ducati.
As showcased by NW200 wins record holder Alastair Seeley last year, the World Supersport Championship winning V2 Panigale Ducati, has prime top end speed and is a competent all-round package.
Italian exotica to finish No.1? Time will tell, nothing is a given when you look at the middleweight class entry-list.
Third, second last-year, Super Twins lap record holder Richard Cooper aligns again with Alister Russell’s Steve Henshaw Gold Cup winning, Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing team.
Already a four-time NW200 winner, Cooper has the undoubted calibre, temperament, accurate race craft to place best of the Supersport field.
New team-mate, also astride YZF-R6 Yamaha machinery, Michael Browne could prove a wildcard.
Bob Smith Spring Cup victor last month, Browne’s talent isn’t in question and should everything piece together nicely, front-running tenures could be looming.
Additional podium finishing, race winning prospects include the legendary Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Triumph), Peter Hickman (Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance), Adam McLean (JMcC Roofing Racing), Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgetts).
James Hillier (WTF Racing), Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing) and Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison.
Others aiming to be contending for first-rate finishes include fitness permitting Lee Johnston (Ashcourt Racing), Dominic Herbertson (BE/RK Racing), Michael Sweeney, Ian Hutchinson (Milenco by Padgetts).
Jeremy McWilliams (JMcC Roofing Racing), Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing), Pierre Yves Bian (Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance), Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau Racing), Michael Evans (Smith Racing).
Mad Bros Racing’s Gary McCoy, Christian Elkin, Julian Trummer (Jackson Racing), Jacque Foley (JF76 TPS Racing), Leon Jeacock and Cowton Racing’s Gareth Arnold.
Triangle course newbies to watch closely include South Africa’s top pure road racer AJ Venter (TH Racing), Craig Kennelly, Eoin O’Siochru, Marcus Simpson, Kevin Keyes and Chasin the Racin host, Parker Transport Racing’s Josh Corner.
To win a Supersport NW200 encounter you need relentless speed, spot on race tactics, determination personified, some luck and perhaps most of all, an uncompromising sheer will to win.
These attributes apply to various racers featuring within the truly world class field, which is certain to guarantee this month more breath-taking pure road racing.
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard, Derek Wilson