After a successful start to the British Superbike Championship, the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad team now turns its attention to the roads, as the squad gets geared up for the fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200, which roars into action tomorrow (Tuesday 9 May).
With two race wins and two podiums so far this season in BSB, Faye Ho’s BMW team is in fine form with Josh Brookes and Peter Hickman at the reins of the all-new BMW M 1000 RR machines.
Hickman, who was already the fastest man around the Isle of Man TT and the Ulster Grand Prix set the outright lap record of 124.7999mph at last year’s North West 200 in the Anchor Bar Superbike race, aboard his FHO Racing BMW to complete a full set of record speeds at all three international road races.
Teammate Brookes, also a former outright lap record holder at the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit finished on the podium last year in the feature Merrow Hotel Superbike race, something he’s looking to repeat at this year’s event aboard his FHO BMW machine.
Practice for the 2023 fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 takes place on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May, with the first Superstock race on Thursday at 18:30. The second Superstock and two Superbike races are scheduled to take place on Saturday 13 May.
For the full practice and race week schedule click here.
Josh Brookes:
“Last year was desperately disappointing on my usual standings of results, but the only podium I had in the year came at the North West 200, so on that basis I’ve got quite an interest in getting back to the event and seeing what this year brings. I’ve had a second there before in the Superbike class, I’m aiming to try and secure a win just to satisfy my own personal desire. After last year’s good result and starting this BSB season strong, it suggests that maybe I could be in with a good result at this year’s North West 200.”
Peter Hickman:
“Last year at the NW200 I broke the lap record and we were super fast, circumstances just stopped me from finishing any of the races, in fact the only race I finished was the Super Twin on the Thursday. I’m really looking forward to riding the new FHO BMW Superbike, I think it’s going to be awesome at the circuit, it’s fast and we’ve already seen what it can do in BSB already, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do with it on the Roads. Fingers crossed the weather is good for us all and we have a safe and fun week racing.”
Faye Ho – Team Principal:
“I can’t believe it’s already time for the North West 200, after the initial uncertainty of the event if it was going to run or not, it’s great to be set-up and ready for practice to start tomorrow. We’ve had a fantastic start to the BSB season and I’m really looking forward to seeing how Josh and Pete get on this week on the roads.
Pete of course needs no introduction to the roads, he’s now secured the outright lap record across the three international road races after last year’s North West 200, and I know he’s hungry to succeed this year.
Josh has already claimed two wins in BSB this season, and of course is a skilled road racer, who is a former outright lap record holder at the TT. With both riders I think we have a very strong team coming into the event and I can’t wait to see how FHO Racing gets on.”
