Nothern Ireland’s British Superbike championship star, Glenn Irwin, is to race the PBM/Be Wiser Ducati in both Superbike races at the 2017 Vauxhall International North West 200 on May 6-13.

The 27 year old was a sensation when he made his debut at the seaside event in 2015, finishing on the podium in the second Supersport race. Irwin sat out the 2016 races to concentrate on his BSB challenge in his first season with Paul Bird’s Ducati squad alongside Shane Byrne. Irwin made no secret he wanted to return to the North West and he will now return on the BSB series winning Ducati Panigale R.

“I am a road racer and it is great to have the opportunity to race in front of my home crowd again.” he smiled.

“I really want to do the North West again because I loved the place when I first raced there. It will be great for people to see a great bike like the Ducati in action too. It really makes me smile to think about it all so I hope when people hear this news they will have a smile on their face too.”

Competing in his second year in the BSB series, Irwin is riding high in the championship after finishing third and sixth at Donington’s opening round. That was the 27 year old’s third rostrum finish in the championship as he has gelled with the exotic new Ducati over the past twelve months.

“I was brand new to superbike racing last year as well so I focused on finding my feet with that challenge.” Irwin explained.

“Donington was probably my best weekend in the championship to date and we will have some new components arriving before the next round at Brands Hatch which will give us more power and better grip. “

“That will be good for the short circuits and for the North West. We made no secret of the fact that the bike was a handful to ride last year but now we can come to the North West on a bike that is working brilliantly.”

Superb performances in his North West and Ulster Grand Prix debuts were backed up with an impressive ride in last year’s Macau Grand Prix to firmly establish Irwin’s road racing credentials. The Carrick rider was right in the middle of a battle with Macau regulars Peter Hickman, Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp before a machine problem forced his retirement on the penultimate lap of the Chinese race.

Irwin is now aiming for his first road race win on a superbike in front of his home crowd.

“When I first raced the North West I learnt what it was like to run at the front but not what it was like to win.” the 27 year old said.

“Maybe I am not the favourite to win a superbike race yet but that’s not how I see it and I go road racing to win. It is going to be some craic!”

NW200 Event Director, Mervyn Whyte is delighted to have secured the Irwin and PBM Ducati’s appearance at the North West.

“Glenn is a huge favourite with the North West fans and they will be delighted to see him racing on the Triangle circuit again on a bike with the calibre of the PBM/Be Wiser Ducati superbike.” he said.

“Paul Bird has always been a great supporter of the North West and Glenn put in brilliant performances on his debut in 2015 when he mixed it with Alastair Seeley and the rest of the North West regulars so we will all be looking forward to watching him do that again.”