Alastair Seeley: NW200 record holder would contemplate retirement if ride doesn't materialise

Alastair Seeley has been a regular on the top step of the podium at the North West 200

North West 200 record wins holder Alastair Seeley says it is "frustrating, mad and baffling" that he is currently without a ride for this year's event and British Superbikes.

Seeley won two races at the 2023 North West 200 to extend his record to 29.

He also finished third in the British Superstock Championship with TAS Racing, who did not offer the 44-year-old a contract for 2024.

"I'm not demoralised, I'm just frustrated," Seeley said.

With the Carrickfergus rider being the most successful rider in the history of the North West 200 international road race with an unprecedented number of victories around the Triangle Circuit, his predicament is all the more surprising.

Seeley admits he thought he would continue with the Northern Ireland-based TAS team after a successful campaign, but the team elected to sign Davey Todd to spearhead their road racing campaign.

'You need a big cheque behind you'

"You need a big cheque behind you. It doesn't seem to be talent or your CV that does it anymore," the Northern Ireland rider added.

"They might look at age and stuff, but Joey [Dunlop] was winning at 48, John McGuinness and Michael Rutter are still going. Experience counts for a lot."

When asked how he would feel if was not able to ride at the North West, Seeley said: "I'd be pretty peeved off with where we were at.

"I could understand if we had a bad season in 2023, then I could say it's not for me or I'm over the hill. It's frustrating and mad, baffling to be honest."

Seeley added that if he does not get a ride, he would be unlikely to attend the event and would take himself off on holiday to avoid it.

For the first time, he said that he would consider retirement if he did not get a ride, but said a strong 2023 season would make that a more difficult decision to contemplate.

"I haven't said I'm going to retire, but I suppose you would be looking at age and stuff and if I had a bad season it would be on my mind a lot more," he said.

"But to have such a good year and be in this situation of being on the edge of having to think about it, that's what makes it so mind-boggling.

"I feel if I don't get the right machinery, team, package and infrastructure then that probably will be the next scenario.

"To not compete and say that's us over, being so successful, and cut ties with the place...I don't know, it's mad."

'I feel I could still do a good job at the North West'

Seeley said he has contacted teams he would like to ride for at the event, adding he would like pre-season testing and a season in BSB to assist his North West charge.

"It's strange, I feel like I could still do a good job at the North West. The speed is still there and the want is still there.

"It's just I need to put something in concrete so I can train hard, now we are only four months away from the North West.

"I've contacted the teams I would like to ride for. For being there and riding for the Premier League teams, or factory teams, and also lesser machinery, you need to be on the good stuff up there.

"For me, I feel that it's easier to jump into a lesser team but you are going to have to ride the wheels off it.

"I wouldn't want to put myself in jeopardy to make up time if the machinery wasn't giving it to me.

"I'm holding out and hoping we can go with some of the bigger teams but most of them have their riders signed, so I don't know. I want a good package and a good team behind me."