Motorbikes

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North West 200 organisers have unveiled a five-year sustainability plan to further grow the event and help secure its future.

At a presentation to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Leisure and Development Committee, the tourism benefits and the 1.8 billion global media reach of the international road race meeting were emphasised by representatives of the NW200.

Councillors were informed that in excess of 100,000 were attracted to the event annually, 27% of those visitors from overseas, but were also told that there was a need for capital investment in the future to modernise infrastructure and sustain the event's profile.

It was said that the event generates an estimated £20m for the local economy and provided substantial international exposure for Northern Ireland.

Among the objectives for future investment were growing overseas markets across Great Britain, Europe, North America and the Republic of Ireland, plus developing international marketing and broadening event development and features for the Race Week Festival.

Restorative upgrades to the paddock, improved signage, an infrastructure that showcases the North West 200's and the borough's heritage and an upgrade to the North West 200 Tunnel with "Legends Murals" are stated aims and initiatives.

The presentation mentioned a succession plan and detailed a newly expanded management structure.

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Josh Brookes is to join Northern Ireland's Paul Jordan in making up the Jackson Racing team at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT international road races in 2025.

The team-mates will have Honda machinery at their disposal for the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport races.

Brookes, 41, is a double British Superbike champion who previously held the lap record for the Triangle circuit at the North West and last year finished second in the Senior TT after setting his fastest ever lap of the Mountain Course at 134.056mph.

The Australian, who will race for DAO Racing Honda in this year's BSB series, did not race at the North West in 2023 and 2024 so will be making his return to that event.

"With racing a Honda in BSB this season, I wanted to keep that continuity at the roads," said Brookes.

"The team [Jackson Racing] have got good bikes and equipment and are very eager to make the right steps to not only give me the best but also the whole team.

"I think that's quite important, and it gives me confidence that they're motivated to keep pushing forward, so it seemed like the right move."

Jordan finished four of his five races inside the top 12 at the TT in 2024, setting personal best times on his three Jackson Racing machines.

He also achieved a series of top-six finishes at the NW200 last May.

"After a good first season together, it feels great to be continuing with Jackson Racing for 2025; there's nothing I would change with the team set-up - the atmosphere is brilliant," said Jordan.

I know there's room for improvement and I want to keep moving forward and edge ever closer to the front runners.

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Davey Todd is to ride Supersport and Supertwin machinery for Milenco by Padgett's Racing at this year's North West 200 and Isle of Man TT international road races.

The Yorkshire rider will compete on a Honda in the middleweight class and a Paton in the Twins category.

The 29-year-old is riding BMW bikes for the FHO Racing team in the Superbike and Superstock classes.

Todd previously rode for the Padgett's outfit from 2019 to 2023, achieving his first TT podium in the team's colours in the Superstock race in 2022.

He secured a Supersport win double at the North West in 2023, having finished second in four races at the event 12 months previous.

Those victories came on the back of his maiden Supersport success with Padgetts in 2019.

In 2024 Todd won a Superstock race and two Supersport outings at the North West as part of the TAS Racing team and also finished runner-up behind Glenn Irwin in all three Superbike races.

He went on to win the blue riband Senior and Superstock races at the IOM TT.

"It is really cool to be back with the Padgett's team and to have a full quota of bikes for 2025 with just two teams was important to me," said Todd.

"There are so many good memories with the team such as my first international road race win at the NW200 in 2019.

"There have been some rule changes in the last couple of years which have opened things up to make improvements for the CBR 600RR which Clive [Padgett] has done.

"I've never ridden a Paton before so there will be a learning curve. But it is the bike to be on in the Supertwin class."

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The FHO Racing team is to return to the North West 200 international road race in 2025 with riders Peter Hickman and Davey Todd.

The English riders will be aboard BMW machinery in the Superbike and Superstock classes at the event, which will be held over the Triangle circuit from 7-10 May.

Faye Ho's team withdrew from the 2023 North West meeting after being told that the carbon wheels on their BMW Superstocks did not conform to Motor Cycle Union of Ireland regulations.

The British Superbike outfit also sat out the 2024 staging of the race.

"Having missed the last two years, I am happy to say FHO Racing will be participating in the 2025 North West 200 with my two-rider line-up," said Faye, who will field the same two riders in next year's British Superbike Championship.

"I am very much looking forward to coming back and putting on a good show for everyone," she added.

North West 200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte agreed the deal to secure the FHO team's return during November's Macau Grand Prix.

"Both Davey and Peter are leading contenders on the roads and tracks and the FHO Racing BMWs have a well established pedigree of success so this is very exciting news for North West 200 fans," said Whyte.

Todd clinched a hat-trick of victories at last year's North West, two in the Superstock class and one in the Supersports, while Hickman was a double victor in the Supertwins on a machine prepared by his own PHR Racing outfit.

Yorkshireman Todd was also runner-up in all three Superbike races in 2024.

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Davey Todd has lamented the fact that the 2024 Macau motorcycle grand prix had to be cancelled because of inclement weather at the weekend.

The English racer received the trophy for first place after posting the fastest time in qualifying for the scheduled 12-lap event over the 3.8-mile Guia circuit.

Finn Erno Kostamo, the 2022 race winner, and Todd's FHO Racing BMW team-mate Peter Hickman were second and third quickest in the qualifying session.

Heavy rain put pay to any chance of running the race this year.

"It's a real shame about the weather but at the end of the day what can we do. It's out of everybody's control," Todd told a media conference in Macau.

"The organisers have done the best job they possibly can - we've just been very unlucky, it's not normal for this time of year.

"To qualify on pole and in essence take the race win is pretty cool, and to have two FHO riders on the podium is good."

It was conformed in the run-up to the event that Todd would partner Hickman in the FHO Racing outfit for the 2025 British Superbike Championship and Isle of Man TT.

"I'm really pleased to start off my relationship with the team like this," added the Yorkshireman of his first outing for his new team.

Four-time Macau winner Hickman commented: "Everything's been against us but it's good for Faye and the team. We both got on the front row, which has turned out to be the race result.

"Personally, I'm not really a qualifying kind of person so I always look forward to a race, as we all do, but it just wasn't to be this year.

"We'll all have to come back next year and fingers crossed it can all run smoothly."

Record nine-time winner Michael Rutter was fourth on the qualifying leaderboard on another of the FHO Racing BMWs, with Rob Hodson fifth and Northern Ireland's Paul Jordan sixth.

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Northern Ireland's Scott Swann will make his debut in the British Superbike Championship in 2025.

Swann, who is the son of 12-time Irish champion Michael, will ride a Honda for Team IWR.

The 21-year-old won five races as he finished in third place in the British Superstock Championship and will now step into the premier class.

Simon Reid, who is the son of double world champion Brian, will race for the team in the British Superstock Championship on a new Honda Fireblade.

Swann said that competing in the British Superbike Championship was something he had worked towards his "whole life".

"Last year I put a huge amount of effort into my racing and this year it will definitely go up another notch, as that is what you have to do to be a Superbike rider, but I really believe I am ready to make the step up.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity with this team as they are so experienced and have been around for a long time, so I know for a fact that they can give me what I need and we will all have a great time while we are doing it."

Reid said he was "super pleased" to link up with IWR and said there was a "great atmosphere" in the team.

"The continuity of staying there, leading into next year, I feel will make us strong contenders and we are there to aim for podiums and challenge for the championship."

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Glenn Irwin has signed a two-year deal to remain with the PBM Ducati team to compete in the 2025 and 2026 British Superbike Championships.

The 34-year-old from Northern Ireland finished second in the BSB series with the team in 2023 and third in the standings the following season.

The Carrickfergus rider, who announced his retirement from road racing last week, is bidding to win the title for the first time.

His team has won a record nine British Superbike titles.

Irwin won eight individual races this season and took a total of 10 podium finishes.

"To re-sign with PBM and to continue onboard the Ducati was an absolute priority, to be honest it didn’t take much negotiation. Everyone is on the same wavelength," said Irwin.

"I think also after my recent announcement with my career, my sole goal is to win the British Superbike Championship. We know that is the goal of the team too.

“To have a two year contract is cool, as in one sense you have security, but what makes it so cool is that we have consistency, something that I will be working hard on myself too."

Irwin called time on his road racing career after winning a record 11 consecutive Superbike races over the Triangle circuit.

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Glenn Irwin says his future in the British Superbike Championship is bright as he chases a maiden title.

The 34-year-old from Carrickfergus will now focus on the series after announcing his retirement from road racing on Sunday.

Irwin was pipped to the title by Tommy Bridedwell in 2023 and finished third in the standings this year.

"The next two years in BSB are as healthy as what they have ever been," said Irwin.

"My goal is to be Northern Ireland's first Superbike champion. When I do I'll have completed everything I want to do in bike racing and then it will be about adding to that."

Irwin raced for the PBM Ducati team in 2024 but has yet to officially announce who he he riding for next year.

"I love PBM - we've had 18 Superbike wins in the last two years, five Superbike win at he North West 200 and all the other success.

"I want to continue - things look pretty good but there's a few things to get over the line. There's always interest from other teams and I'm sure everyone is after a ride with PBM."

Image source, Burrows Engineering RK Racing

Conor Cummins has signed a deal with the Burrows Engineering RK Racing that will see the Manx rider compete for the team at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 as well as the National Superstock Championship.

The Isle of Man rider replaces Dominic Herbertson in the Northern Ireland-based team.

Cummins, 38, will ride a BMW M 1000 RR in the superbike and superstock classes during the road racing events and will also compete for the team in the supersport class in machinery that has still be confirmed.

The Manxman has achieved 13 podium finishes in his home TT event although he is still waiting for his first career win around the mountain course.

"Having Conor on board is something we’re all massively excited about,” says team principal John Burrows.

"I never thought I’d be having a conversation with him about signing for the team, but I’m delighted it’s now official. It’s a mark of intent for us to sign someone of Conor’s calibre.”

Cummins is the sixth fastest rider around the 37.73-mile mountain course, courtesy of a personal best lap speed of 133.116mph in 2022, when he finished third in the Senior TT, which is his most recent rostrum at the event.

"John and I go back a long way from when I competed against him on the Irish roads and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, both as a rider and a team manager," said Cummins.