Powerslide Motorcycles set for North West 200 return and Southern 100 debut

Popular Suzuki dealership and race team Powerslide Motorcycles will be returning to the North West 200 this year, while rider and dealer principal Brad Clarke will also debut at the Southern 100.

 

Entry into May’s North West 200 will be the team’s third appearance at the international road racing event. However, it will be a solo entry for Clarke, with teammate Lean Jeacock withdrawing from this year’s event for personal reasons.

 

Clarke will race GSX-R1000R machinery in the superstock and superbike classes around the nine-mile Triangle circuit, with the event taking place from 6-11 May on Northern Ireland’s north coast.

The team will also make its first appearance at the Southern 100 road races on the Isle of Man on 8-11 July, with Clarke again GSX-R-mounted.

 

Ambitions to also campaign the new GSX-8R were curtailed, with the new bike not currently homologated for the events.

 

Clarke said, “I’m excited to get back to the North West 200 and continue learning and improving at such a high profile, international event. It’s unfortunate for the team that Leon [Jeacock] has had to withdraw but there are things more important than motorcycle racing. We tried to get James Ellison on the grid but, unfortunately, it was too late to get an entry in.

 

“Instead I’ll be flying the Suzuki flag solo, and I’m going with the aim of building on what I’ve learned from previous years. This experience will hopefully then stand me in good stead when I make my debut at the Southern 100, which I’m really looking forward to.”