Wins and Podiums aplenty at the Northwest 200 for Kawasaki
The annual pilgrimage to the Northwest of Northern Ireland took place this weekend as riders took part in the International Northwest 200. In a particularly rare set of circumstances, the sun shone for the entirety of the event, making for some safe and close racing action, none more so than for Kawasaki mounted riders who claimed a multitude of podiums and race wins.
With only two practise sessions throughout the week for the riders to get themselves acclimatised to both the circuit and also riding at nearly 200mph, it's often a bit of a lottery as to what to expect in the first of the weeks races on Thursday evening. James Hillier often uses this event as a practise for the upcoming Isle of Man TT, but after a new engine was fitted in his JG Speedfit Kawasaki ZX-6R, Hillier rocketed to a fantastic 2nd place finish in the opening Supersport race, after only qualifying in 18th!
The Supertwins race was as ever filled with Kawasaki Ninja 650 modified machines, with most of the top ten mounted on our 650cc parallel twin engined machines. It was to be Martin Jessop who stormed to victory, his third in a row in this class, closely followed by Jeremy McWilliams on the KMR Kawasaki, prepared by Ryan Farquhar. Even the Paton machine that took the final podium spot sported a Kawasaki engine!
The main race day on Saturday was once again blessed with sunshine and great racing, with Hillier proving his Thursday night success was no fluke as he ripped through the pack once again in the Supersport class to replicate his result from Thursday's race and take a well earned 2nd position.
Race 2 of the day was the Superbike class, and as expected, Silicone Engineering Kawasaki rider, Dean Harrison was fighting at the front from the off. Eventually crossing the line in 2nd position, Harrison didn't quite have enough to match the pace of Glenn Irwin, but was over the moon to take the runner up spot with a near stock engine. Excitement now buods for Dean as he moves to the IOM TT with a brand new fully tuned Superbike engine to do battle with.
The second of the weeks Supertwin races was another magnificent battle, with the top 6 riders vying for position throughout the entire race; it was however to be James Cowton who crossed the line first, taking his first Northwest 200 race win, and rewarding McAdoo Racing Kawasaki with a win on their 35th Anniversary of competing at this event.
The final podium finish of the day for Kawasaki came in the shape of Dean Harrison once again on his ZX-10RR in the Superstock race. Fighting amongst a brace of BMW machines, Harrison knuckled down and managed to cross the line in 3rd position, just ahead of fierce competitor Michael Dunlop.
It was a great event for Kawasaki and Team Green, but all eyes are now focussed on the Isle of Man TT, which begins with Practise Week on 26th May.
