Josh Bookes to race North West 200

Josh Brookes will make his pure road racing debut this at the International North West 200 in May alongside Tyco Suzuki team-mate Guy Martin.

The British Superbike number two has been an avid road racing fan since joining the team in 2011, and despite already making his intentions clear to compete at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races in June, he is equally delighted to be racing at the team’s home international in Coleraine in Northern Ireland.

“The North West 200 is another box I wanted to tick in my career and being my local race while I’m based in Northern Ireland, it’s going to be an exciting place to make my road racing debut. I’ve been asked many times this past few days what my expectations are, but until I get out there and sample the public roads and negotiate strange obstacles like road traffic roundabouts, I’ll not know what to expect,” said Brookes.

“Obviously my main focus this season will be to win the British Superbike Championship, but as a competitor I’ll want to give a good account of myself at the North West on my debut, and in the Tyco Suzuki guys, I believe I have the best machinery and back-up to do that.”

Team Manager Philip Neill firmly supports Brookes’ claims regarding their responsibility in British Superbike, but with nearly 20 career wins at the ‘Triangle’ circuit, and it also being his favourite race of the year – the Moneymore man and his father Hector are excited at the prospect.

“Obviously it has taken a while to sort out all the details, but this now completes Josh’s racing campaign for 2013, which will be quite a busy programme. Winning the British Superbike title remains our number one goal as a team, but the North West 200 is also a very important event for Tyco Suzuki and all our associated sponsors, as we have had a lot of success there over the years,” said Neill.

“Like any newcomer to the North West, there is no pressure on Josh, other than to enjoy the experience. Once he has completed his road racing campaign at the North West and TT, only then can we evaluate his future on the roads. But granted it is an exciting prospect for the organisers and the fans, to have one of the leading BSB riders on the grid, and with both he and Guy camped under our awning – I expect it to be a very busy event for all at Tyco Suzuki.”