Veteran British Superbike star Michael Rutter has this afternoon been confirmed as taking part in the 2012 Northwest 200 on an MSS Kawasaki and will have British ex-pat Steve Martin as a team-mate.
It was thought that Rutter wouldn't take to the grid this season due to protracted sponsorship talks but Bathams Brewery have swung in with some cash and Rutter will now line-up on the nine-mile triangle in May on a ZX-10R.
“I’ve huge affection for the International North West 200 and have been crossing the channel to bring competitors to Ireland’s top road race since the early 1990’s and I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve been able to put together a sponsorship package with Bathams giving Michael the opportunity to compete in both the NW200 and the TT,” said team boss Nick Morgan.
“After the challenges of 2011 we’re really looking forward to a great competition both on Thursday evening and Saturday Race Day and I believe this is fantastic news both for Kawasaki and Michael and of course for the North West and Irish road racing. Michael is certainly up for it and I know he has a big following in Ireland.”
