Seeley targets success at North West 200

North West 200 star Alastair Seeley collects a new Hyundai Santa Fe from Cannon Cars in Carrickfergus last week. The 10-times NW winner is being sponsored with the car for Race week. Photo: Stephen Davison

When the lights change to green, race favourite and 10-times winner Seeley will blast the Mar-Train machines towards Millbank Avenue, the first left-hander, and on to York Corner before heading on a high-speed journey which he hopes will add to his tally of NW 200 victories by Saturday evening.

This season 34-year-old Seeley joined the Mar-Train team and has been a front-runner in the British Supersport Championship, currently lying third in the series mainly thanks to a spectacular crash at the latest round at Oulton Park. Thankfully, he was okay and went on to finish on the rostrum.

Last year he won two North West races on the Thursday evening - the Superstock and Supersport. He will certainly be pre-race favourite when the competitive action kicks off, so does he feel any pressure?

“No, not really,” he said. “I have great bikes and all I can do is wait and see how everything goes in practice on Tuesday. My 600 is as good as it gets and the Superstock and Superbike were both good in testing. The Superstock bike is real good and we are keeping the Superbike fairly standard, chassis-wise, with a special engine and good brakes. I will have had one final test at Kirkistown before the NW just to iron out any small problems that arise, then we are ready to go.”

Who does the Carrick rider reckon will be his main rivals?

“The usual suspects,” he replied. “Bruce Anstey, Ian Hutchinson, Keith Amor, Stuart Easton, the Dunlops (Michael and William), John McGuiness and Josh Brookes. Josh will be on a high on the Milwaukee Yamaha after his win at Oulton. He could be the biggest threat.

“As far as Michael Dunlop and John McGuiness are concerned, it will all depend on how bad their injuries are, but something tells me Michael’s won’t hold him back too much.”

Seeley also revealed his secret of winning at the NW 200.

“Get in the right position on the last lap and be in front at the Juniper chicane,” he said.

And can the man they call the ‘Wee Wizard’ get close in on Robert Dunlop’s 15 wins?

“I try not to think about it,” he said. “It would certainly be nice to get the name of the most successful NW 200 rider, but I reckon it will take a few years yet.