Fastest newcomer Todd excited by North West return to lead Penz NW glory bid

Hungry: Davey Todd is relishing North West 200 return

By Roy Harris

Returning to the 2019 fonaCAB International North West 200 in association with Nicholl Oils, after a three-year absence, is the Penz13 BMW Motorrad squad, who will field a three-man team led by last year's fastest newcomer Davey Todd.

Lining up alongside Todd is Daley Mathison and Finnish newcomer Erno Kostamo, all three set to ride S1000RR BMWs in the Superstock and Superbike races.

The trio competed for the Penz team, managed by former North West 200 competitor Rico Penzkofer, at the 2018 Macau Grand Prix alongside other Penz regular rider and 2018 International Road Race champion Danny Webb, who unfortunately will miss the North West 200 this year due to a clash with the Endurance World Championship round at Slovakia Ring.

Todd said: "I'm really excited to return after being fastest newcomer last year - I aim to continue to close the gap to the regular front runners."

Last year, Todd rode for the Cookstown Burrows Engineering Suzuki team and claimed a brace of 12th and 13th finishes in the NW200 Superbike and Superstock races before becoming the second fastest newcomer ever at the Isle of Man TT and then fastest newcomer at the Southern 100.

The 23-year-old hopes the change from Suzuki to BMW will provide an extra boost around the 8.9mile Triangle Circuit. "The BMW might give me the little edge on those long straights and I cannot wait to get back out there," he said.

Mathison said: "I am excited to get back to the North West. I hope having track time on the fast, narrow Hengelo Circuit in Holland the weekend before Portrush will help me target top 10 results."

Kostamo commented: "I usually like fast, open tracks and the North West seems like my home track in Imatra. I have always wanted to race the North West and I am delighted that the Penz13 team have given me the opportunity."

The Meet the Stars launch of the North West 200 will take place in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine on February 28.

This is a golden opportunity for fans to meet the riders who will be in action from May 12-18.

The stunning line-up will include Glenn Irwin, Alastair Seeley, Dean Harrison, Ian Hutchinson, Jeremy McWilliams, Maria Costello, Adam McLean, Lee Johnston and Richard Cooper.

Claire McCollum and Stephen Watson will host the event with pundit Liam Beckett adding insight and tall tales to the mix.

Entry is free, but strictly by ticket only. For details on how to apply for tickets visit http://www.northwest200.org/meet-the-stars/

The star riders will also be at the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show at the RDS, Dublin the following day, Friday, March 1, the event hosting a special NW200 day (2pm-8pm).