Latest news with #BMWM1000RR
Belfast Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Lack of North West 200 win is a thorn in my side and I'm back to put it right, says Josh Brookes
A former outright lap record holder at Northern Ireland's premier motorcycle race, Brookes has an impressive pedigree as a former double British Superbike champion. The 42-year-old is competing for DAO Racing Honda in BSB this year after previously riding BMW M1000RR machinery for FHO Racing. Brookes, though, will ride for the Jackson Racing Honda team at the North West and Isle of Man TT, teaming up with Northern Ireland's Paul Jordan. His key target is challenging for victory in the blue riband Superbike races and Brookes will have three chances, starting with Thursday evening's opening race before a double-header on the main race programme on Saturday. Practice is scheduled to get under way on Wednesday around the 8.9-mile course with roads closed from 9.00am until 3.00pm, and Brookes is eager to make a strong start. 'I like the course, it's pretty easy to figure out and where the important bits are, but what I like the most is the mass start,' he said. 'That, for me, is what makes the NW200 both exciting and rewarding. 'I've been on the podium a few times and I've set lap records, but I want to win one and get that particular box ticked. It's a thorn in my side that I haven't won one. 'I like racing bikes and I like racing at the NW200, but I want to win as well so that's my focus for coming back in 2025.' With Glenn Irwin absent from the line-up after winning the last 11 Superbike races in a row, the door is open for a new winner in the class. Irwin announced his decision to retire from road racing last year and is competing solely in the British Superbike Championship in 2025 on the Hager PBM Ducati. Along with Brookes, a stellar line-up includes Davey Todd, who has finished as the runner-up five times. Todd is riding for new team 8TEN Racing BMW, which he co-owns with fellow top roads exponent Peter Hickman. Neither rider has managed to get their hands on the Superbike trophy, although Todd clinched a treble in 2024 with two Superstock wins and a Supersport success, while Hickman sealed a double in the Supertwin races on his Swan Yamaha, twice beating Richard Cooper (KMR/Jack Reid Cars Kawasaki). But it's Superbike glory they most desire. 'That's the one I want,' said Saltburn-by-the-Sea rider Todd. 'I've won Superbike races everywhere else on the roads. 'I'm gutted that Glenn's not going to be there and we're not going to have the chance to have those battles again, but it's never going to be easy. 'Michael Dunlop, Dean (Harrison), Hicky (Peter Hickman) — there could be 10 guys capable of winning. 'The North West is a special place and I love mass-start racing, so I can't wait to be back out there again in front of all the fantastic fans.' Alastair Seeley, the most successful NW200 rider ever with 29 victories, returns after missing last year's event when he was unable to obtain suitable machinery. The former British Supersport and Superstock champion will ride an SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW and an MSS Kawasaki Supersport machine for Chris Dowd's CD Racing outfit. Seeley is on the brink of a 30th victory and few would bet against the Carrick man delivering once again. 'Sometimes a year's wait can be worth it because it makes you even hungrier to put on a good show,' Seeley said. 'I will be leaving nothing on the table now that we have bikes that are good enough to do the job.' Fellow Ulsterman Michael Dunlop hasn't won a race at the North West since 2016 and is fired up to set the record straight. A five-time winner at the event, he is set to debut his new BMW Superbike on Wednesday and is also entered in the Supersport races on a Ducati Panigale V2.
Belfast Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Davey Todd full of confidence for North West 200 as he gets up to speed with new Superbike machine
Todd and fellow top road racer Peter Hickman set up the team, which they co-own together, after leaving FHO Racing. The English rider tested his new BMW M1000RR for the first time at the final British Superbike test at Oulton Park, but Todd believes he will be able to hit the ground running in first practice on Wednesday, May 7 at the Causeway Coast road race. 'It was more of a shakedown than a test because we had a few teething issues with the new bike, but the initial feeling was really good,' said Todd during a visit to the course this week. 'The new bike runs Motec electronics which are new to me, and it feels very different from the 2024 bike. 'Everything on the bike is different – the brakes, the suspension, the chassis, everything.' Todd may be on the back foot with his 2025-spec Superbike, but the Saltburn-by-the-Sea man has full faith in the team around him. He added: 'If there is one part unknown, there is another part that is very familiar. 'The team may be new, but the personnel are the same with Darren Jones as team manager, my crew chief Stuart Johnston and Mike Barrett as mechanic. 'It is a case now of just getting the parts together and we are already 99 per cent of the way there.' Todd won three races at the North West in 2024, including a double in the Superstock class and a Supersport win. However, he missed out on the Superbike victory he so badly craves after finishing as the runner-up three times behind 11-in-a-row record-breaker Glenn Irwin. Northern Ireland's Irwin has since retired from road racing, denying Todd the chance to avenge those defeats, but he remains determined to add his name to the illustrious list of past winners in the class. 'I really wanted to beat Glenn Irwin in the Superbike races,' said Todd. 'That was the big attraction for me. I've been watching all the footage from last year and there was so much talk about how riders like Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison were at a disadvantage because they were on 'Stockers against Glenn, but nobody commented on the fact that I was on a 'Stocker as well! 'I am really excited to be full Superbike this year, which will make me even stronger than I was last year.' Todd will also compete in the Supersport races on a Honda after rekindling his old association with Clive Padgett. He won his first race at the event with the Yorkshire team in 2019 in the Supersport class. Meanwhile, Jonathan Rea will return to World Superbike action at the Fourth Round of the Championship at Cremona in Italy. Rea missed the first three rounds through injury following a crash in testing at Phillip Island in Australia in February. The Pata Maxus Yamaha rider made the decision to race in Italy after consulting his medical team in Belfast, pending a review with the FIM Medical Director on Thursday. Rea said: 'I'm super excited to be coming back at Cremona after the injury sustained at Phillip Island. 'It feels like a really long couple of months but, in the last three to four weeks, I've maximised regaining strength and function of my left foot. 'The injury was a lot more serious than first expected and I just want to thank everybody that was behind me to get back on track, especially the fans and all the messages of encouragement. 'I feel confident and ready – Cremona is a track that I haven't raced at before, but I was able to spin a few laps in testing last season. I'm just so happy to be back with my team and riding my Yamaha R1.'
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Dunlop to compete in World Endurance Championship
Michael Dunlop is to compete in the World Endurance Championship in 2025 on board a BMW M1000RR for Team LRP Poland, one of the series' leading independent 35-year-old will join ex-Grand Prix rider Danny Webb and Enzo Boulom in the Superbike class and will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours event from 17-20 will miss the second round at Spa from 6-7 June because of a date clash with the Isle of Man TT and will be replaced by Marek year Dunlop raced at Le Mans in the Superstock category on a Honda, finishing in 16th 28-time TT winner from Ballymoney has yet to confirm his road racing plans for 2025.
