In 2008 we went behind the scenes of the factory backed TAS Suzuki team and watched how they prepared for the NW200. This year for the 80th anniversary of the event we plan to follow Ballymoney rider James McCann during race week to see how his modest set-up copes with the demands of the triangle circuit.

The 39 year old has only been in the sport for 4 years and didn't even ride a road bike before taking to the track.
James' team comprises of his dad Zeke, Bill, and long time paddock assistant and training partner Mervyn Tosh.

photo by Baylon McCaughey irishracephotography.com

James reflects on 2008 and looks ahead to this year's events:

" I had good runs, at both the Tandragee, and Cookstown events on the 'Highway Barrier Solutions 750 Suzuki', but was finding the 600 difficult to get used to, however at the NW200, things were starting to come together. I regret to say that my 600 sponsor at the time, Noel Twaddle, and myself, had a disagreement, resulting in me, no longer riding the bike for him, however, I would like to take this opportunity, to thank Noel and Annie, for all their support at the start of my racing career, and wish them all the best"

"I had a good run at the Bush Road races too, finishing in the top 12, on the HBS 750, and was looking forward to the second race, when the meeting was abandoned"

"I really enjoyed my run out at the Southern 100, and was surprised to see, just how much my lap times had improved, in one year….as last season, I never qualified for any 'A' races, and this year, I qualified for both Superbikes, and Solo Championship races. Partly, I attribute my improvement to competing alongside the top group riders, Ryan Farqhuar, Adrian Archibald etc…. I really believe they helped me move my riding up a notch or two…"

"Unfortunately, I didn't make Kells, due to my business premises being broken into on the Friday night…. I was looking forward to being there too!"

"I've lost a lot of track time this season, due to preparing the new 2008 'POZER' Pet Bits Direct, Yamaha R6, which I tested for the first time, last Sunday, at Kirkistown… it seems a lot faster than my last 600, I notice a big difference in the performance, and it looks trick too…!"

"I'm also in the middle of making preparations for the Manx, where I'm entered for the Junior and Senior events… I'm hoping for a top six finish this year, as I'm really geared up, and feel confident that I can do well… after that I hope to be at both Killalane, and Sunflower meetings…"

At the NW200 this year, James will be competing in both 600 races on the HBS (Highway Barrier Solutions) 600 YAMAHA R6, and, thanks to a recent development, in both Superbike races on the HBS / Energy Homes (Kieran Brennan)  Suzuki GSXR 1000 K6.

These quotes are taken from an interview with James on the irishracephotography.com message board.

Main picture above courtesy of Aidan Lynam, Down Syndrome Ireland

MEET THE RIDER - JAMES McCANN AND HIS SET UP

We caught up with James McCann at the Tandragee 100.

Stephen Watson spoke with James to find out more about our featured rider and his set up for the NW200.

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MONDAY - WAITING FOR SUPERBIKE

James McCann landed into the NW200 paddock on Monday afternoon.

Gavin Andrews dropped in on our featured rider James McCann's paddock set-up to see how preparations were going, including the big question - would his superbike be ready in time?

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TUESDAY - PREPARATION FOR PRACTICE

Day two in the North West 200 paddock with James and his dad, Zeke.

We caught up with our featured rider James McCann before Tuesday practice to find out if his Superbike would be ready to ride and see how he felt with the first practice session of the week just around the corner.

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WEDNESDAY - MUGS AND EMERGENCY FUEL

Looking back on Tuesday night practice with our featured rider.

James told Gavin Andrews about the mugs he has for sale, how the superbike fared in Tuesday night's practice session, and running out of juice on the 600cc before a kindly boat owner gave him coffee and petrol.

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THURSDAY - PRACTICE FRUSTRATION

Gavin Andrews catches up with James pre-practice on Thursday

As James prepares to take his Superbike out we ask about the chances of setting a fast time on a circuit which is patchy with rain and he reveals the nerves his Mother feels when James races.

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SATURDAY - RACE DAY

We grabbed a quick word with James McCann and his dad on the grid.

Gavin Andrews spoke to our featured rider James McCann just before he set off in his first race, then caught up with him at the end of the day to get his take on how the whole week had panned out.

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