Alastair Seeley will be gunning for more North West 200 glory when racing gets under way on Thursday evening.
The Carrickfergus part-time postman has claimed a record-breaking 27 wins at the Triangle circuit, including 13 in the Supersport class, 10 in the Superstocks and four in the blue riband Superbikes.
He will have two opportunities to add to his tally on Thursday, with the opening Supersport and Superstock races preceding the Supertwins.
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Seeley topped the times in Tuesday's opening qualifying in both the Supersport and Superstock classes, while he was second behind Michael Dunlop in the Superbikes.
He was also clocked through the speed trap at a staggering 207.2mph on his Milwaukee BMW.
“I didn’t make the podium at the North West 200 in 2019 but winning three races with IFS Yamaha last year showed that was a blip," Seeley joked.
“Those results contributed to my getting top tier machinery this year, including a British Superstock ride. I have a great package over all the classes now, giving me a better chance to go for wins.
“It won't be easy as the North West 200 is a stacked field full of big hitters. The competition will be fierce in all the classes, as it is every year, against the likes of Lee Johnston, Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, James Hillier, Dean Harrison, Conor Cummins, Michael Rutter and John McGuinness.
“Glenn Irwin will be there and Peter Hickman will want to win his first North West Superbike race. But Josh Brookes could be a dark horse because he seems to have gelled with the FHO Racing BMW. Everyone will be up to speed.”
As for extending his NW200 record, Seeley added: “I might have won a lot of NW200 races but I try to keep it real.
“I rock up in the motorhome and chill out with the family each year. We eat well and go for ice cream but when I walk through that tunnel and onto the grid, that is the start of business time for me, the moment when the switch is flicked.”
Meanwhile, six-time Superbike winner Glenn Irwin has some work to do after a disappointing opening qualifying on Tuesday.
The British Superbike Championship rider was eighth fastest after finishing the session 8.14 seconds slower than Ballymoney favourite Dunlop.
“Always enjoyable on the north coast but not so much when you can’t go in a straight line," the Monster/PBM Ducati star said on social media.
“Roll on Thursday for FP2. The boys will digest the data and we go again.”
Roads will close on Thursday morning at 9.15am for final practice and re-open at 3.15pm before closing again between 5pm and 9pm for opening racing.
Thursday's schedule
- Practice: Roads closed 9.15am to 3.15pm
- Race One: Strain Engineering Supersport (6 laps) 5.45pm
- Race Two: Briggs Equipment Superstock (6 laps) 6.30pm
- Race Three: Milltown Service Station Supertwin (4 laps) 7.15pm
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