Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website “Bluewash” as METZELER dominates North West 200 road races with clean sweep
may 14, 2017 - Metzeler

“Bluewash” as METZELER dominates North West 200 road races with clean sweep

All eight victories taken using a mix of METZELER RACETEC™ RR, RACETEC™ RR Slick and RACETEC™ Rain tyres

14th May 2017 – METZELER has dominated the prestigious International North West 200 road racing event in Northern Ireland in difficult, mixed conditions. Victories were hard won by Metzeler riders Martin Jessopp, Alastair Seeley, Michael Rutter and a stunning first win for Glenn Irwin. Seeley has now racked up an incredible 21 wins and took four wins in the week for the first time in his career.
 
Local hero Seeley, from Carrickfergus, was in imperious form throughout qualifying, setting pole position in the Supersport and Superstock classes whilst Michael Rutter lined up first in the Superbike division.
 
Under clear blue skies, Thursday night saw the traditional start to proceedings with the first Supersport, Superstock and Supertwins events. Martin Jessopp took his first ever International road race victory in the 600cc class which he later followed up in the lightweight Supertwins outing. Seeley, or The ‘Wee Wizard’, as he is affectionately known, took the Superstock victory on his Tyco BMW S1000RR with a dominant 12 second win and logged up a new lap record in the process.
 
Saturday was very different with overnight rain seeing a delay to proceedings. It was the second Supersport race which kicked the action off, and picking up where he left off on Thursday it was Seeley who cruised to victory by over 4 seconds.
 
With rain arriving as the Superbikes took to the grid, a lengthy delay ensued with the race eventually getting underway over a shortened race distance of four laps and on a wet track. The ‘Wee Wizard’ was in imperious form throughout the race to claim the win by over 21 seconds ahead of fellow Metzeler rider Rutter. Rutter would be able to go one better in the following Supertwin race however, returning to the top step of the podium to become the third most successful rider in North West 200 history. Thursday night race winner Jessopp finished third. The second Superstock race was red flagged with rain arriving mid-way through the race, giving Tyco BMW and Alastair Seeley another victory with Rutter third.
 
As the circuit dried, the scene was set for an epic finale; the seven lap North West 200 Superbike race. It did not disappoint as Seeley, Ian Hutchinson and Glenn Irwin battled throughout in a series of audacious overtakes. British Superbike young star Irwin took his maiden victory with some style in front of his local fans.
 
The massive event was streamed to a worldwide audience, showcasing the talents of these Roads heroes and the performance and durability of the METZELER RACETEC™ RR tyre range. Wins in the Supersport, Superstock and Supertwins classes were chalked up on METZELER RACETEC™ RR road legal tyres and both RACETEC™ Slick and Rain Superbike tyres in the blue riband Superbike events.
 
North West 200 results (in bold METZELER’s riders)
 
Thursday Races:
 
Race 1: Supersport
1. Martin Jessop
2. Ian Hutchison
3. James Hillier
 
Race 2: Superstock
1. Alastair Seeley
2. Lee Johnston
3. Dean Harrison
 
Race 3: Supertwin
1. Martin Jessop
2. Michael Rutter
3. Ivan Lintin
 
Saturday Races:
 
Race 1: Bet McLean Supersport
1. Alastair Seeley
2. William Dunlop
3. Michael Dunlop
 
Race 2: The Anchor Complex Superbike
1. Alastair Seeley
2. Michael Rutter
3. Lee Johnston
 
Race 3: J M Paterson Supertwin
1. Michael Rutter
2. Daniel Cooper
3. Martin Jessop
 
Race 4: Vauxhall NW200 Superbike
1. Glenn Irwin
2. Alastair Seeley
3. Ian Hutchison
 
Race 5: CP Hire Superstock
1. Alastair Seeley
2. Ian Hutchison
3. Michael Rutter