HUTCHY TO CAMPAIGN MILWAUKEE BMW MOTORRAD M1000RR AT 2022 fonaCAB AND NICHOLL OILS NORTH WEST 200 ON MAY 8-14.

Three-time North West 200 winner, Ian Hutchinson, will return to this year’s fonaCab and Nicholl Oils North West 200 on May 8-14 on a TAS Racing prepared Milwaukee BMW.

The Yorkshireman, who is rejoining the Moneymore-based squad he last raced with in 2017, rode the M1000RR BMW to a 9^th place finish during the opening round of the British Superstock championship at Silverstone last weekend.

‘It’s going to be an amazing feeling to be lining up on the north coast again in just a few weeks time for the North West 200.’ Hutchinson said.

‘It’s been so long I’m expecting it to be bigger than ever crowd-wise and to be back with the TAS team for an event on their doorstep is also special. I think the new Milwaukee BMW Motorrad colours are going to be popular with the fans as it really is a cool and standout colour scheme. The excitement is building nicely and a few outings in BSB will have me ready to go.’

The 42 year old has enjoyed North West success with Philip and Hector Neill’s TAS team, winning the 2016 Superstock race on a Tyco liveried BMW. He cemented the partnership with a Superbike and Superstock double at the following year’s TT on the team’s BMWs.

‘After two years without the North West 200 we really can’t wait to get back to the north coast.’ team boss, Philip Neill said.

‘The Milwaukee BMW Motorrad colours are new for this year but the TAS Racing team remains the same. Hutchy will have enjoyed some bike time in BSB before we arrive at the event, which is key for him. As I have said many times before, the NW200 has always been one of my favourite events and we are extremely proud of our success over the years. So fingers crossed we can add to that success in just a few weeks time.’

Hutchinson also enjoys a successful track record with the Milwaukee company after winning the Macau Grand Prix on a Milwaukee liveried Yamaha in 2013, a victory that marked the Bingley Bullet’s return from the serious leg injury he sustained in 2010 that had threatened to end his racing career.

‘We have a longstanding collaboration with top level motorsport including in 2022 with both the British Superbike championship and at the Isle of Man TT so to add the North West 200 with the TAS guys to that portfolio is an exciting proposition.’ General manager, Dale McIlveen, said.

‘Like Philip, the NW200 is also a local event for me personally but its global reach adds tangible commercial value for Milwaukee.’

Hutchinson, who won his first race at the North West 200 in the Supersport class during 2006 with another Northern Ireland based team, McAdoo Kawasaki, will also race a YZF R6 Yamaha in the livery of the Portadown-based Boyce Precision Engineering by Russell Racing at this year’s event.

‘Hutchy enjoys a long and successful track record at the North West and we are delighted he is returning to the event this year.’ the North West 200’s Mervyn Whyte said.

“The TAS team have a record second to none at the North West and with Milwaukee’s support they are certain to be leading contenders for the rostrum.”