Alastair Seeley, the most successful competitor in the history of the Briggs Equipment North West 200 with an impressive 29 race victories, is set to make his debut in the Supertwin class this year.
Riding a Binch Pro Racing by 3B Construction Aprilia, Seeley will take to the track during race week from May 4-9. Recently, the Carrickfergus rider announced that he would also compete on a Ducati for the same team in the Fraser Homes and Tides Restaurant Supersport races. His participation in the Aprilia for the Maxwell Freight Services and John M Paterson Supertwin races will provide Seeley with four opportunities to secure that historic 30th NW200 victory.
“I’ve never ridden a Supertwin machine before, so it will be something new,” the 46-year-old commented. He expressed a desire to focus on winning in the smaller cc classes rather than competing against the bigger names in the Superstock and Superbike categories. However, he remains realistic about the challenges ahead, acknowledging the fierce competition in the Supertwin class. “The Supertwin class is a fiercely competitive class,” he noted, highlighting competitors like Richard Cooper, Paul Jordan, Peter Hickman, Adam McLean, and Jeremy McWilliams.
Now working as a postman outside of racing, Seeley believes that the smaller class may offer certain advantages. “I am not a full-time racer now, and I am not training as much as before,” he explained. He feels that the smaller bike will be less physically demanding than the larger machines, which require significant effort to handle. “The more races I have, the more mileage I get that I wouldn’t otherwise have,” he added.
Seeley expressed gratitude for the support from Dave Binch’s British championship squad, as well as the assistance of the Barr brothers behind 3B Construction. “The team have come to the rescue this year and given me a good chance to go for that 30th win. It would be nice to reward them with a victory,” he stated. Additionally, he serves as a mentor to the squad’s young hopefuls in the British championship.
This sentiment is shared by the team’s boss, Dave Binch, who emphasized their commitment to Seeley’s goal. “As a team, we are really focused on that 30th win, and we know it is a big deal for Alastair. We want to help him get there. We are not going to the North West to make up the numbers. It is an exciting opportunity for Alastair and for us, and we will give it our best shot.”
Race boss Mervyn Whyte echoed this enthusiasm, stating, “Alastair and the team have a real chance of making history at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200. It won’t be easy, but Alastair will have plenty of home support behind him. If he can achieve that 30th win, it will be an incredible achievement.”