Ben Wilson with NW 200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte, Edward Allingham of EHA Racing and Ian Newton, Wilson's crew chief

British championship frontrunner Ben Wilson will make his debut in the premier class at the Vauxhall International North West 200 next week.

The Lincolnshire rider made his bow at the Triangle course last year and has stepped up his involvement in 2016, when he will compete in both Superbike and Superstock races on an EHA-backed Aprilia RSV4, which Wilson rides in the National Superstock 1000 Championship.

The 34-year- old, eighth in the class at Oulton Park on Monday, has teamed up with former NW200 250cc race winner Ian Newton, who was victorious on the north coast in 1994 and 1995.

“I’m looking forward to riding the Aprilia that I ride week in, week out in the BSB Superstock class,” said Wilson, who also joins 15-time winner Alastair Seeley in the Gearlink Kawasaki colours for the Supersport races in Portrush.

The EHA Racing outfit is run by English-based Eglinton couple Edward and Gail Allingham, in partnership with Newton. The team also backs David Allingham and Ross Twyman in the British Supersport series and Sam Wilford on a satellite bike.

Portadown’s Marshall Neill finished as the runner-up in the British Supersport Evo championship last year on an EHA bike and the team owners are delighted to be returning to their home road race with Wilson.

“We are really excited to coming over to compete at the North West with Ben,” Gail said.

“As we compete in the British championship we don’t do many races in Ireland so it is really nice to get this opportunity to bring our team home.”

Practice for the North West 200 gets under way next Tuesday, with roads closed from 9.15am-3pm and again at the same time on the Thursday.

Roads will also be closed for the first three races next Thursday evening from 5pm-9pm and on Saturday from 9.30am-7pm.

Meanwhile, Carrick’s Glenn Irwin says he is more than satisfied with the progress he made as the MCE British Superbike Championship rookie claimed his best result of seventh in race two at Oulton Park.

“It’s been a challenging weekend as I’ve never raced the bike in these kind of conditions but I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made and I’ve definitely moved forward again,” Irwin said.

“I thought I could have a real good go in the second race but possibly respected the people around me a bit too much after I’d moved up to sixth place.”

Kyle White