KEVIN KEYES TOPS IMPRESSIVE LIST OF NEWCOMERS AT 2024 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200

The 2024 Briggs Equipment North West 200 has attracted a strong line-up of newcomers for the May 6-11 event that includes proven race winners in British championship competition and on the roads.

Ireland’s Kevin Keyes has stood on the top step of the podium of British Junior Superstock races, finishing fourth overall in the 2018 championship. Opting out of British National series last season, Keyes beat riders like Josh Owens on his way to topping the standings in the Wirrall 100 series.

The 25 year old, who has already sampled the Irish National road racing scene with two Senior Support victories at Walderstown in 2022, is the highest profile recruit to the major road events in 2024. Come May, Keyes will line-up at Portrush aboard Daracore Racing R6 and R1 Yamahas for the Supersport and 1000cc races.

“I’ve been to watch the North West 200 a few times and racing there has always been on my bucket list.” Keyes smiles.

“I felt this was the right year to have that adventure. I have matured as a rider and there is no pressure from my team or sponsors to get a particular result. I am coming with an open mind to enjoy the experience and I see myself as a sort of a sponge, soaking up as much as information on the roads as I can.”

The Co. Offaly rider is good friends with former British Junior Superstock rival, Davey Todd and he is acutely aware of the way road racing has played in rejuvenating Todd’s career after he hit financial trouble.

“I lost my ride in the British championship because of the same problems as Davey had.” Keyes explained.

“Now I am looking for an opportunity to open up my racing career again. If I can raise my profile on the roads I see a pathway towards making that happen.”

Although he says he doesn’t have any major expectations on the R1 at Portrush against the leading Superbike competitors like Glenn Irwin and Michael Dunlop, Keyes is aiming for a strong result in the ultra-competitive Supersport class.

“I’ve a good background on the 600 and we have an ex-Jamie Coward R6 which has all the right parts on it and should be competitive.” he says.

“I hope I can run with the first wave and try to learn without doing anything silly. I won’t force things but I would like to achieve a top ten finish in the class.”

Keyes will join an impressive crop of 15 North West newcomers in 2024 with many of the novices set to take part in the Newcomer induction day and Meet the Stars launch event on March 5-6.

Limavady pair, Michael Gahan and Graham McAleese plus Aaron Spence and Dean McMaster are set to make their debuts on the Triangle course in May alongside 2024 Manx Grand Prix podium finisher, Marcus Simpson. Dublin’s O’Siochru will be another newcomer as he joins Brian McCormack in the Roadhouse Macau squad.

Maurizio Bottalico from San Marino is a former European hill climb champion and another MGP podium finisher who leads a crop of international NW200 novices for 2024 that includes French rider, Morgan Baplu and Erik Kjuss from Norway who both compete in the International Road Racing championship. South Africa’s Allan Venter, who has raced at the TT and Macau GP, is also set to make his North West debut alongside Craig Kennelly, Sean McTaggart and Leon Donaghy.