Irwin targets six wins at North West 200 in Kawasaki deal

Glenn Irwin is hunting a record six-win haul at this year’s North West 200 after confirming a deal with Quattro Plant Wicked Coatings Kawasaki for 2019.

Irwin stormed to victory in both of last year’s Superbike races at the NW200 with PBM Be Wiser Ducati and returns for 2019 having switched to Kawasaki machinery.

While returning to defend his titles in the Superbike races, Irwin will also contest the Superstock races with a stock version of his team’s ZX-10RR plus an entry into the Supertwin races riding an ER6 Kawasaki for the CMS/KW Electrical team.

With three wins from his last three starts at the NW200, Irwin is targeting a sweep of all six races he’s confirmed for to make further history at the iconic road racing event.

“I am giving myself every chance to win six races at this year’s North West,” Irwin said. “It has never been done before and I will be trying my hardest to win every race I start in.

“The ZX10RR is a lovely bike to ride and I think it will allow me to bring some aggression back into my riding style and really show what I can do.

“There is a vibe in the team that will bring out the best in me and after riding in a test in Spain in November I feel at home with the boys and part of everything already.”

Irwin also confirmed he won’t line-up for the Supersport races having preferred the Supertwin after winning the Sunflower meeting race last October.

“I haven’t raced a 600 on the roads since 2016 and you have to ride very hard to win a Supersport race, really committing to the corners,” he said. “I always try to err on the side of safety on the roads and having really enjoyed racing and winning on a Supertwin at the Sunflower meeting in October I want to race one at the North West.

“When I raced at last year’s North West I had a lot in hand. Even when I made a mistake in the first race I had such a big lead that I wasn’t under any real pressure but it might be different this year. All road races are very competitive now and although I will be stronger in 2019, so will the others.”

In 1992 Phillip McCallen secured five victories in a day at the NW200, sliding off in the 250cc race while leading to miss out on six wins.

The 2019 NW200 takes place on May 12-18, six days after round two of the Bennetts British Superbike championship concludes at Oulton Park (May 4-6), before returning to BSB action at Donington Park for round three on May 24-26.