A new Storm hits NW200 as Stacey passes debut test
On the back of Storm Stacey's helmet was a learner plate and a tongue-in-cheek message saying, 'How's my riding? Call me'. A talented rider with a big personality, Stacey arrived at the North West 200 as one of the most high-profile newcomers in recent years in Northern Ireland.
The 23-year-old is a rising star in the British Superbike Championship and he was making his road racing debut on the north coast. People had high expectations, but he exceeded even his own high standards. After impressing in qualifying, he won his second-ever race after out-duelling home hero Michael Dunlop on the final lap of the Superstock race that had those in attendance on the edge of their seats.
Better was to come in the feature Superbike race - the North West 200's blue riband event - when he led front the front and was the beneficiary when an oil spill stopped the race after three laps. After it was deemed it would take too long to clean up before roads would have to reopen to every day traffic, Stacey was declared the winner to make it a debut double. "You can never ask for more than that," Stacey summed up.
Stacey double on NW200 debut as Irwin & Dunlop also win Mentored by Michael Rutter, a 14-time winner at the North West 200 and veteran of the sport, Stacey's breakthrough win showed that he was a fast learner. In the initial start, he missed his braking point on the long run to University Corner and ended up taking a detour into the grass run off. A reg flag led to the race being restarted from their original grid positions, and Stacey made his second attempt count as he traded places with Dunlop - a nine-time NW200 winner - on several occasions on a thrilling final lap.
In doing so, he became the first winner in their debut year since Christian Elkin in 2007. Dunlop is the one of the sport's biggest names, and the adulation Stacey received after defeating a fan favourite showed how he had been adopted by the local support. There was a long queue outside his merchandise stall after his win and the top hats - which Stacey wears to promote talking about mental health and in tribute to his late father - were long sold out.