Storm Stacey to make road racing debut at the International Northwest 200

Bathams AJN Racing are delighted to confirm that in addition to British Superbikes, Storm Stacey will also compete at the Northwest 200 on his Ducati superbike.

The decision to race at the Northwest 200 came about following Storm's trip to the races in 2025 to support team owner Michael Rutter.

Having had his imagination captured and an up-close experience of road racing with the team last year as a spectator, Storm asked Rutter to include the Northwest 200 in its plans for him in 2026. 

As well as Storm's debut at the legendary “Triangle Course”, the 2026 Northwest 200 will also see the return of Michael Rutter to competition following his accident at the Isle of Man TT in 2025 - The phrase “Master and Apprentice” has never been more appropriate for a rider line up.

Rutter has exactly 100 NW200 starts and 14 wins, and made his own debut more than a decade before Storm was even born!!

A further announcement about the teams TT plans will follow in due course, but for the benefit of any speculation, Storm will not be competing at the Isle of Man. 

Storm Stacey
“I visited the team last year when they were at the Northwest 200 with Michael and Craig and immediately understood why Michael raves about it so much. The course is so unique and like nowhere else I’ve raced, and the speeds are so high, I just had to experience it for myself, plus all of all the fans are so passionate about the racing and and everyone of them that I met made me feel so welcome. I just knew I would have to go back with my race bike and have a go.

Obviously having Michael to follow round and give me hints and tips will be a massive help and will definitely be a highlight of the year for me. I mean how many riders get to do 200MPH on a public road alongside their team owner? Hopefully there will be loads of top hats in the crowds too!”

Michael Rutter
“Obviously for me 2025 was an interesting year to say the least. Our BSB season was incredible, while my accident at the TT was less so. I’ve made a good recovery, and with all these Ducatis in the workshop now, I just couldn’t resist the urge to put my name on one of them for the Northwest 200. 

When Storm said he also wanted to do the Northwest, I just thought it would be a great thing to do with him too. We already know how good he is on the short circuits, so I’m sure he’ll be OK at the Northwest. 

There’s absolutely zero pressure on either of us. He’s a complete rookie there, and it’ll be the first time I’ve ridden a superbike since my accident, so we’re both approaching it with no expectations at all”.