NW200: Top-rated newcomer and BSB star Storm Stacey keeping 'expectations hidden' ahead of 'Triangle' debut
Highly-rated North West 200 newcomer Storm Stacey is keeping his expectations under wraps as he prepares for his first experience of the event this week.
Stacey will ride a Ducati V4R for Michael Rutter’s AJN Bathams Racing team and is entered in the Superstock class, when he has a BMW M1000RR provided by Alpha Racing by GRYD/MLav Racing.
The 23-year-old has been touted as a future “multiple Superbike champion” at the North West by 11-time winner Glenn Irwin, but Stacey isn’t making any bold predictions.
“I’m just a daft lad who wants to come to the North West and ride a motorbike and take in the atmosphere,” he said. “I think there is maybe a gap in the market at the North West for Storm Stacey.
“I like the Irish fanbase and I love how passionate they are for motorbike racing. You can see they really believe in it and I want to be part of that, in amongst it.”
“Everyone has hidden expectations in their head and if I’m feeling comfortable and I’m up for it, who knows but I also think it is perfectly OK to say that I am nervous as well.
“It is quite a big thing to take on, isn’t it? So, we will see how we get on.”
During a visit to the north coast last month, Stacey was taken on a guided tour by fellow British Superbike rider Josh Brookes, who will compete at the event for the DAO Racing Honda team.
“We had a good look around with Josh but the biggest struggle for me was seeing the roads as a race circuit, imagining riding a motorbike around it,” added Stacey.
“I kept thinking we were driving to the supermarket! It was nice of Josh to show us around and I trust what he says.
“He said we would all be on different bikes. It is up to us to understand what we feel and he showed us what to look out for – the bumps, the manholes, grip levels and stuff like that. It is just going to be about finding that feel myself. The road surface looks amazing and I can’t wait to get out there.
“I am really looking forward to coming into the chicanes: Big heavy braking, backing it in sideways and seeing how quickly I can get through them without messing up! Coming past the church and under the railway bridge looks amazing too.’
“There’s not really one part of the course that you can pin down and say ‘I can’t wait for that bit’. I can’t wait for all of it!
“Sitting at home you just think I’ll go there and just get on with it but I’ve a few different things to think about now with the bike that are different to BSB.”
Stacey will have the advantage of having 14-time NW200 winner Rutter in his corner and intends to soak up all the advice he can from his experienced team boss.
“Michael is a big influence and I sponge up his knowledge. He knows the place inside out and I knew that if I was going to do the North West, now is the time because I know he has my best interests at heart,” he said.
“I want to go home having achieved my first appearance at the North West with a nice safe ride, no crashes and not having given my Mum too much of a heart attack!”
Opening practice commences on the north coast on Wednesday. The full practice and race schedule, and road closing times can be found HERE