COMMENT: Box office Storm Stacey is North West 200's new poster boy after dazzling 'Triangle' debut
Flamboyant North West 200 newcomer Storm Stacey became an instant smash hit on the north coast as the young pretender roughed up the old guard to clinch a sensational Superstock and Superbike double.
Stacey, who only recently turned 23, emphatically confirmed the hype was real as he showboated around the famous 8.9-mile ‘Triangle’ course, exuding an unshakeable confidence in his abundance of talent and winning over an army of seasoned road racing admirers.
Locked in a head-to-head Superstock dogfight with Ulster motorcycling legend Michael Dunlop, Stacey was clearly loving every second and put his youthful exuberance on unashamed show as he exchanged glances with Dunlop, side by side, at 190mph.
It was box office stuff, and the bragging rights went to Stacey.
He passed Dunlop on the brakes into Metropole in Portrush on the final lap and when his revered rival lost the rear of his BMW under power on the exit, it was game over. Stacey charged along the Coast Road for the final time and crossed the line to a huge roar from the packed galleries.
A one-handed burnout followed, and a new star emerged from the cloud of tyre smoke.
The charismatic Englishman became the first rider to win on their debut at the North West since Christian Elkin in 2007, and emulated Kiwi great Bruce Anstey, who famously won the Production 1000 race in his maiden appearance at the event in 2002.
“I promised I would go easy but I got a bit carried away,” Stacey said. “I really enjoyed that.
“I’ve never battled with Michael, but it was good. It was very fun.”
There was more to come. Emboldened by his first victory, Stacey attacked the blue riband Superbike race and led from the front.
The British Superbike race winner opted to ride an Alpha Racing by GRYD BMW Superstock machine, which offered more stability than the Ducati V4R he rode to seventh place in the first Superbike race for boss Michael Rutter’s Bathams AJN Racing team.
He faced off with record 12-time Superbike king Glenn Irwin and factory Honda heavyweight Dean Harrison in a breathless battle in the big finale.
His audacious late-braking overtakes had the crowds on their feet, and they were left begging for more when the race was halted due to an oil spill on the racing line on the exit of Juniper chicane.
With time running out before the roads were due to open, a result was declared, with Stacey victorious after three laps by 0.667s from Harrison.
Irwin – his long unbeaten Superbike winning streak over – was confirmed in the final rostrum place on the Nitrous Competitions Racing Ducati.
At the end of a week marred by the tragic death of Czech Republic rider Kamil Holan, Stacey’s headline-grabbing debut raised spirits on Saturday.
A minute’s silence was held before the opening race as the Czech Republic flag on the main grandstand was flown at half-mast.
Stacey is no stranger to tragedy himself after losing his father to suicide when he was 13, and proudly wears a trademark top hat in tribute to his dad and to raise awareness of mental health.
In a kind gesture, he signed his newcomers’ bib, which was later auctioned off for £3,500 in the hospitality marquee, with all proceeds going to the family of 48-year-old Holan.
The new kid on the block and the 2026 Man of the Meeting is destined for many more wins at the North West, which is heading towards its centenary year in 2029.
His stock has sky-rocketed, and Stacey knows it. Asked if he will be back for more next year, he turned to race chief Mervyn Whyte and said with a smile: “Well, I don’t know Mervyn, will I?”
There might be another zero attached to Stacey’s fee on the NW200 chequebook in 2027, but this year’s star of the show is only getting started.