Lack of NW200 wins 'bothers me a bit' - Brookes

Australian Josh Brookes says he would like to add a North West 200 win to his personal racing CV as he returns to the event this year with the DAO Racing team he will also ride for in the British Superbike Championship. A former lap record holder at the meeting, Brookes will ride Hondas for the team in the Superbike and Superstock races, plus a Suzuki in the livery of Uggly and Co in the Supersport category. "I still haven't won a race at the North West and that bothers me a bit," Brookes explained on a recent visit to the Triangle circuit.

"Some riders like Alastair Seeley have lots of wins around here and although I don't see that as a target, there's still that thing inside you that thinks I could have, should have, would have won at least once by now. And I've still got that desire that makes me want to come back and try," added the double British Superbike champion. After sitting out the event in 2024, Brookes returned to action on the north coast in 2025 with the Jackson Racing team, achieving four top-10 finishes across the classes.

"I will be 43 next month but I don't think the incentive to succeed dulls with age," said the former World Supersport and World Superbike competitor. "The experience and knowledge you get from competing across a lot of different race series gives you something that you can bring to the party. But experience doesn't make you brake later or open the throttle earlier, it only helps provide a safer passage through tricky terrain.

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