North West 200 Podium Joy For Brookes
MCE Ducati rider Josh Brookes defied the eight-year gap since he was last there to record a superb podium finish in the feature Superbike race at this year’s Fona Cab and Nicholl Oils International North West 200.
Aboard the factory-supported MCE Insurance-backed Ducati Panigale V4R, the Australian double BSB champion topped the opening practice session before qualifying in seventh place for Paul Bird’s Lake District based team.
With the mixed weather from during the week clearing to give way to glorious sunshine today around the 8.9-mile Portrush-Portstewart-Coleraine closed roads triangle in Northern Ireland, Brookes dialled himself back into racing at over 200mph with a battling fourth place in the opening six-lap Anchor Bar Superbike race.
But better was to follow in the final event of the day, the seven-lap Merrow Hotel NW200 Superbike race, where Brookes was circulating with the leaders in the early stages and battling for a win.
However, pushing too hard, he overshot University Corner as the race progressed but battled back to claim a fine third place to add to the double podiums he scored when he last competed at the event in 2014 and also setting a personal fastest lap time of 123.141mph.
Josh Brookes: “After a few years away from the roads, the first few laps were quite breathtaking and intense, but I was soon at ease again. It was just a case of getting on with the job and whilst I was quickly up to speed in Tuesday’s qualifying session, I knew the pace would quicken on Thursday. We only made small improvements compared to other riders and with a relative lack of track time, especially with not riding in any other classes, we weren’t able to fully try all the changes we made. That meant we went into race day still working on set-up but the changes we made for the two races definitely worked and I ended up setting a new personal best lap. It was certainly pleasing to end the week with a podium finish and after eight years away from the event I think, realistically, that’s the best we could have hoped for. The pace at the front was red hot but we got quicker and quicker and we can be pleased with our efforts this week.”
Brookes now concentrates on carrying this good form into the third round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park next weekend. Details of the event and full results are at www.northwest200.org. Sponsor’s details are at: www.mceinsurance.com
Pictures courtesy of Double Red
