May 11, 2024

Treble NW200 Victory For History Maker Irwin

Glenn Irwin made history at the International North West 200 when he became the most successful Superbike rider in the history of the event as the Hager PBM Ducati rider won all three races around the high-speed 8.97-mile circuit linking the Northern Ireland towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush.

Irwin’s victories made it eleven Superbike wins in total and saw him surpass the previous record of nine, held jointly by the late Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter.
 
Both qualifying sessions on Wednesday and Thursday signalled Glenn’s intentions and with a fastest lap of 125.928mph, which was some 2.3 seconds inside the outright lap record, he duly lined up in pole position for the first Superbike race held over four laps on Thursday evening.
 
As expected, the race saw Glenn go head-to-head with Davey Todd and although his BMW rival led for the first two laps, the Carrickfergus rider moved into the lead at the Juniper chicane next time around. It remained close but Glenn kept Todd at bay and duly took the chequered flag for his ninth NW200 victory, 2.545s clear of Todd. He also claimed the lap record, this time officially with a lap of 125.779mph.

The second race, held over the longer distance of six laps, took place early on Saturday afternoon with the Causeway Coast blessed with sunshine and it followed a similar pattern to Thursday’s race. On this occasion, Glenn took the lead on the third lap and although it remained close, he again kept Todd behind him, his winning margin on this occasion 0.382 seconds.
 
That just left the feature Superbike race, again held over six laps, and Glenn went hard at it with Todd once more with Honda’s Dean Harrison also in contention. Todd led for the first two laps before Glenn went into the lead on lap three and although there were a few more changes in the lead, Glenn made a move at University on the sixth and final lap stick and took the victory, his eleventh Superbike win in a row, from Todd by just under half a second.
 
Glenn Irwin: “To take a hat-trick and become the most successful Superbike rider in the history of the North West 200 feels really, really special. The team and I have worked hard this season and to respond to the challenges of two great riders like Davey and Dean isn’t easy and all three races were hard. I had to go to their level to win. It's an amazing achievement to win eleven races in a row and although some people ride harder than me here, I can find a way to win. When I first came here, I probably won some races on talent alone but since 2020, I've worked hard in other areas and that's why I keep winning. It means so much to me to win here as it’s my favourite event in the world and although it feels wrong to take a record from Joey Dunlop, I'm incredibly proud to do it. I feel on top of my game and love the team, every single one of them so with the hat-trick here and at Oulton Park last weekend, it’s my best week in racing.”
 
Jordan Bird, Joint Team Owner: “Six wins in six days at both Oulton Park in BSB and then here at the NW200 has been a dream. We’re just having a great time and Glenn is on fire at the minute. It’s pretty special for my brother Frank and I and our wonderful team so it’s a massive thank you to them and of course Glenn and our sponsors for making it happen. It’s now back to the day job of BSB so we will regroup and then head for Donington Park to try to keep this winning streak going.” 
Briggs Equipment Superbike race (4 laps)
1 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
2 Davey Todd (BMW) +2.545s
3 Michael Dunlop (Honda) +16.786s
4 Peter Hickman (BMW) +17.230s
5 Dean Harrison (Honda) +18.286s
6 Conor Cummins (Honda) +34.509s
 
Anchor Bar Superbike race (6 laps)
1 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
2 Davey Todd (BMW) + 0.382s
3 Michael Dunlop (Honda) +19.255s
4 James Hillier (Honda) +1m01.866s
5 Michael Rutter (BMW) +1m03.292s
6 Erno Kostamo (BMW) +1m03.551s
 
Merrow Hotel & Spa Superbike race (6 laps)
1 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
2 Davey Todd (BMW) +0.464s
3 Dean Harrison (Honda) +3.342s
4 Michael Dunlop (Honda) +23.903s
5 Paul Jordan (Honda) +59.740s
6 Michael Rutter (BMW) +1m02.104s
 
Pictures (courtesy of Double Red): Glenn Irwin took three victories at the North West 200 & pictured with Frank & Jordan Bird.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI WRAP-UP SUCCESSFUL TESTING PROGRAMME

April 24, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team and rider Glenn Irwin have completed another successful R&G Official test at Oulton Park, with the opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship now just over a week away. Irwin and the team have spent the last two days at the Cheshire track, grabbing as much track time as possible in the final days on track before the season begins. After ending last weekend’s Donington Park test on top, the team was keen to continue to push in the final two days, working through a busy schedule and trying a host of new components and ideas. Irwin ended the test second quickest overall after clocking the best lap of Thursday afternoon’s final session, banking a 1min 33.313s lap on his last run. He leaves feeling confident about next weekend’s opening round and can’t wait to get back out. Glenn Irwin: “That’s us finished pre-season testing and I’m feeling good. We’ve been working, working, working and the bike felt better today but we still have a bit of work to do. “It’s been really, really enjoyable, we’ve tried a number of different things and I think now we’re finding a bit of a balance. Today we unlocked something in that middle session, I did a good few 33s in that run so I think we’re strong. “It’s definitely been very productive. We haven’t gone for lap times, we’ve been focussed on getting the bike right and when that happens, the lap times come. That’s what we’re starting to see and I think we’re in a good place to come back next week and start the season.” Frank Bird Jnr, Team Co-owner: “It’s a mega way to finish, this puts us in really good stead for the season and we’ve got a lot of boxes ticked off with the bike. All the boys are working well, we’ve got everyone back into the swing of things and Glenn seems to be riding well, so we’re in a good window for the first round. “It’s been a long winter but all the hard work seems to be paying off and we’re right in the mix. It means we can come here for Round One and we’re in a great place to start from.” The opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars into action at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend, May 3-5.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI END SUCCESSFUL SECOND TEST ON TOP

April 19, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team continued its strong testing form at Donington Park as rider Glenn Irwin once again ended the two days fastest overall. Although the team is still not concentrating on lap times, Irwin picked up where he left off at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month as he led the way on Friday before going even quicker on Day Two with an impressive fastest lap of 1min 27.015s in the final session. After a strong first test where he topped the timesheets at Navarra, the team headed to the second R&G Official test at Donington Park looking to work on a number of different things. Irwin was consistently quick across the opening day, ending Friday fastest overall with a 1:27.022sec lap in the final session to end the day at the top of the timesheets with what was the fastest ever BSB lap of the iconic track. Along with most of the pack, he opted to sit out of Saturday morning’s first session due to track conditions, heading out for the second to work through a few more things. He again shot to the top of the timesheets with a lap of 1:27.468, before later going one better in the final session to clock his new fastest ever lap. Glenn Irwin: “It’s been really good, like Navarra, we’ve continued with a plan. Yesterday we had a really, really strong bike here and conditions were a little better. Today conditions were tougher with the wind but everyone still finds a way to go fast. “We probably persevered with a bike which is suited to the final sector, perhaps Turn One as well. As the day went on I realised we were losing a bit in some places but we stuck with it. “It’s pleasing because I would say that isn’t the bike of choice for here, perhaps maybe yesterday's bike was better, but to top today feeling like that, to do a lot of laps in the 27s with improved pace on old tyres is good. The test has definitely been a success.” John Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “I think it’s been a positive test where we’ve confirmed a number of test items over the two days. We had slightly better conditions yesterday than today but I think we’ve ticked a lot of boxes, gone fairly quick so it’s all positive – roll on Oulton Park. “The plan there is more of the same, just keep trying to understand the new tyre, try and work with it. I think longevity is going to be the key now for Oulton Park, we’ll do a couple of race runs, see how the tyre lasts and then get ready for Round One.” The team will now prepare for the final test at Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24 which will be the last chance to get everything ready ahead of the first round of the 2025 season at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
More Posts