O’Grady targets 320km/h top speed at North West 200
Photos by Baylon McCaughey
Tralee motorcycle racer Emmet O’Grady has set his sights on a 200 mph (320km/h) top speed at this week’s North West 200 in Derry.
The North West 200 is Ireland’s biggest motorcycle racing event.
It attracts the finest line-up of road racers of any race on the planet, drawing thousands of visitors to the 8.9 mile circuit that links the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine.
Riders like Michael Dunlop, Glenn Irwin and Lee Johnston thrill 85,000 + fans who come to enjoy the weeklong festival of speed on closed public roads.
O’Grady has entered the race for the third time. He will race in two different classes at the event which got underway on Wednesday of this week.
O’Grady will ride a Yamaha R6 for the AK Thomas Bourne in the Supersport class and a Honda Fireblade in the Superbike class.
He made his debut at the race three years ago in the Super Twin class and this year marks his second onboard 600cc and 1000cc machinery.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I ‘Am not far off the right place in training wise, looking forward to the 600cc race, a grand comfortable bike that will be allow me stretch on the roads.
The Fireblade will be scary as ever. Last year it was the one thing that opened my eyes with the speed you can do there. I might get to 200 mph this year, let us see. I was only four mph off it last year. I would like to thank the people sporting me and my sponsors – it would not be possible without them.”
Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday while racing begings with a short evening programme on Thursday. Friday is a rest ahead of a full race day on Saturday.
Kerry Motorsport News 