THE Crank Racing team and rider Josh Day are to make their North West 200 debut next weekend, with the Swindon rider piloting the team’s Kawasaki ZX-10R in one of Ireland’s most famous road races.

Day, who rides the Crank Racing Kawasaki in the GP 1 Elite class at Thundersport GB, as well as running his R6 in Crank colours at NG Road Racing, had planned to race only the 600cc machine but after visiting the course recently, felt he would also like to compete on the larger 1000cc machinery.

Team principal Mark Grimes has long been a fan of the Irish road racing scene and for the last two seasons has been a backer of road racing favourite Derek Sheils, sponsoring him as he tackles selected Irish events, as well as the world famous Isle of Man TT.

Kent-based Crank continues to back Sheils this season, but is also stepping up its involvement as the whole team heads to the North West 200 in May, and Grimes revealed that everyone is excited and raring to go.

“It’s a bit of a dream come true to be honest. I’ve been a fan of the North West for as long as I can remember, so to actually be going out there as a team is just brilliant,” said Grimes.

“As soon Josh said he wanted to do it with his own bike, I started wondering if there was any chance we could do it as a squad.

“Josh spent some time out there working with Alastair Seeley and a few others on learning the course and we were in touch the whole time. He was so excited once he’d learnt the track that we chatted about taking the 1000cc out there, and he was as keen as I was.

“Josh has already proved he is a top-class rider, having won races in both Thundersport and NG already this year, so we are really happy to be able to support him further and take our Kawasaki and run as a team.”

Day added: “I have always wanted to do the North West but I had to run it by Mark first because I’d signed for his Thundersport team and I wanted to make sure he was happy for me to do it on my Yamaha.

“He was supportive, as he always is, and when I went out there earlier this year for the newcomer sessions, we were in constant contact. Once he saw how excited I was, he said he fancied bringing the 1000cc over too if I was up for it. A few phone calls later, it was all arranged and the entry accepted.

“I can’t thank Mark enough for everything he has done already for me, and now knowing I’m going to be working with the full team at the North West is just the icing on the cake. I can’t begin to explain how excited I am and I want to go out there and do everyone proud.”