NW200... Pits and pieces

1 Absent friend Al

TAS Racing team boss Philip Neill admitted it is a ‘shame’ that record 29-time North West 200 winner Alastair Seeley is absent from this year’s meeting.

Seeley was unable to obtain machinery for the event, where he claimed a double in the Superstock class last year on the TAS Racing SYNETIQ BMW.

The Carrickfergus man has a long-standing association with the Moneymore-based team and Neill did not rule out the possibility of teaming up with Seeley for 2025.

“It is a shame; I genuinely didn’t think it would come to this and he wouldn’t be here,” said Neill.

“We tried to put something together for Alastair from the early stages and he understandably wanted something that included British Championship.

“Never say never, we could be back again with him next year.”

2 Jordan’s happy air

PAUL Jordan has hit the ground running at the North West 200 with new team Jackson Racing.

The Magherafelt man joined the outfit for 2024 after parting company from the Isle of Manbased Prez Racing outfit.

Jordan has impressed in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes on the Jackson Honda machinery and hopes there is more to come.

“It’s going really well,” he said. “We’re making huge steps in the big bike and that was the main aim going into this week and every time we’re going out, we’re chipping away. In that Superbike [qualifying] session I got stuck behind John Mcguinness and what you couldn’t learn off that man is not worth knowing.”

Jordan finished ninth in the Superbike race and fifth in the Supersport before retiring in the Superstock race.

3 The third man

MICHAEL Dunlop says he doesn’t want to use his hand injury as an ‘excuse’ following his crash at the Cookstown 100 last month.

Dunlop claimed three third place finishes in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock races in a strong start to the meeting.

“To be honest with you, I haven’t been in the best place to get the best out of the bikes,” he said.

“The boys have worked hard; it’s been a hectic week. We’re making steps with the bike and we just need to keep making more steps — keep chipping. Fair play to the boys, they’ve got the bikes singing. I just haven’t been able to get the best out of it yet.

“The injury I’m carrying isn’t practical but we’re not here to cry about it. It’s not an excuse, I have to batter on with it.”