North West 200

© Alan Armstrong 2007. All Rights Reserved Running under the number one plate as last year’s double winner in the Superbike class Steve, riding the AIM Yamaha R1 qualified in a consistent fourth place on each of the two practise nights to claim a second row start to the two six-lap races.

Steve will also contest the two Supersport races on the AIM Yamaha R6 and recorded a second fastest time in the Tuesday night session but was beaten back to end Thursday’s qualifying in seventh place. On combined times he still makes it onto the front row of the grid as third fastest rider overall.

Conditions were not ideal for final qualifying on Thursday with rain falling in some parts of the track. Steve came in for a pit stop when the rain hampered his progress and said:

“The track conditions are good all the way down to the link road at University but as soon as you get to the breaking area and approach the speed trap you start to get fine rain on the visor and have to brake early. It is wet all the way to the Magic Roundabout and then its all dry again.

“We are getting reports that the rain has cleared so I will give it a few minutes to dry up and go back out again. You need a clear visor in these conditions and I really only came into the pits to change mine as it’s misted up.”

The world famous North West 200 races are held on the triangular course linking the towns of Port Rush, Port Stewart and Coleraine, a distance of 8.966 miles of racing on public roads and watched by a huge army of spectators.

Steve is optimistic of his chances on Saturday as the weather will play an important part in the results.

“The forecast is for showers on Saturday so it’s all hit and miss really,” said Steve. “Both bikes are running well and I am hopeful of repeating last year’s double win in the Superbike class and would be overjoyed to do the same in the Supersport. But it’s not quite as simple as that as if it rains conditions will be tricky and it’s anyone’s race!”