MANX GRAND PRIX WINNER JOE YEARDSLEY TOPS IMPRESSIVE LIST OF NEWCOMERS FOR 2025 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200

The Briggs Equipment North West 200 welcomed a coterie of prospective newcomers to the north coast this week ahead of the 2025 races which will take place on May 5-10.

A dozen road racers attended the two day induction course which included classroom sessions and guided laps of the 8.9 mile Triangle course with 11 times NW200 Superbike race winner Glenn Irwin and former North West star turned rider liaison officer, Steve Plater.

The impressive group of NW200 novices included 2023 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner, Joe Yeardsley plus BSB regular, Barry Burrell.

‘The reason I haven’t raced at the North West 200 before now was down to finance.’ Yeardsley explained.

‘But I got an invite this year from Mervyn Whyte and now that I am working with Trevor Scott it is possible this year.’

The 28 year old Manxman will contest the Superbike, Superstock and Supertwin races at Portrush come May aboard Aprilia RSV 1000cc and 660cc machinery provided by Coleraine’s Trevor Scott alongside Supersport outings on his own R6 Yamaha.

‘It is going to be a big learning curve but I am here for the rest of this week and will be doing laps of the North West course with Glenn Irwin.’ Yeardsley said.

‘And I hope to be doing the rest of the Irish Nationals this year as well.’

Former British Superbike competitor Barry Burrell (38) will also compete in his first North West this May.

‘I’ve finally made up my mind to take the plunge and make my road racing debut.’ the Englishman explained.

‘I am good friends with Richard Cooper who has done well here and I think now is the right time to do it.’

Burrell is not short of British Championship experience having claimed fourth place in the 2010 Superstock championship before graduating to the BSB series between 2011 and 2015.

‘I also did three years in the European Superstock championship and was runner-up in last year’s F900 BMW Cup series.’ the 28 year old who will ride M1000RR BMWs in the Superbike and Superstock classes at Portrush for the Halliwell Jones BMW squad explained.

William Burchell, Andrew Herd, Oliver Morgan-Edwards, Darragh Crean, David Brook, Austen Webster, Jamie Cringle and Johnny Steward were amongst the other prospective North West 200 newbies who enjoyed a boat trip during their visit to the north coast.

Kerryman Darragh Crean, a former Mondello Park Supertwin champion and BSB Sportbike regular during 2024 will also compete in this year’s Supersport and Supertwin classes at Portrush on Triumph and Aprilia machinery.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 19/2/2025: The line-up of newcomers for the 2025 Briggs Equipment North West 200 pictured at the race paddock with former competitors Steve Plater and Glenn Irwin, Clerk of the Course, Stanleigh Murray and Race Director, Mervyn Whyte.
PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON