There were 5 races planned for the North West 200, but race organizers were only able to get one off without a hitch. The Supersport race ran as normal, but then a large oil spill, followed by a bomb scare, caused race organizers to cancel the remainder of the event.
Alastair Seeley was the only rider to take home a win during the NW 200. The Supersport race was ran under heavy rain, but Seeley was able to give the new GSXR-600 its first international Supersport podium of the year.
"That's an International Road Racing victory to add to the British Supersport win at Brands for the new GSX-R600,” Seeley said. “It was a great race to be involved in and even more pleasing to beat what is basically a World Supersport specification Honda. I knew I would be stronger into the chicanes despite Cameron using traction control on his bike, as the brakes on the new GSX-R600 are one of its best features and that gave me a lot of confidence in the wet.”
After the Supersport race, organizers were forced to evacuate the paddock after a suspicious package was found. When riders were let bike in, the rain had pooled up in various parts of the track, delaying the race even further.
Superbike favorites like Guy Martin and Michael Rutter decided not to chance it even when organizers gave the go ahead. It didn’t matter much though, since the race was red flagged when Ryan Farquhar’s engine blew up and dumped oil along a mile stretch of track.
"It was a tough day for everyone involved and a week's worth of effort for just one race,” Guy Martin said.
The NW 200 this year is one that fans, racers, and organizers will want to forget.
