Prodigy frontman and road racing team owner Keith Flint's Traction Contr🍨ol racing outfit will compete at the Vauxhall International North West 200 in May with Steve Mercer.

Maidstone💫 racer Mercer will ride a stable of Suzuki machines built by Northern Ireland's TAS Racing, including the ex-Guy Martin Superstock GSX-R1000 plus Superbike and Supersport machines.

Mercer, who is gearing up for his third appearance at the North W🐻est 200, has identified top ten finishes inꦗ each class as his primary target.

"It feels like I have൩ been building up to here and now this is a massive chance for me," he said.

"I've got really good bikes t🧜his year and a really experienced team behind me. I am training every niꦯght of the week to get fit for the new season.

"I still haven't done 200mph through the speed trap so I reᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚally want to do that and I think I can be in the top ten, maybe top six, in every race but they are all really quick lads so I will have to be trying my hardest."

The 3🅷1-year-old will also compete at the Isle of Man TT in June for music star Flint, whose Prodigy hits include the huge dance track 'Firestarter'.

Mercer added: "I went to see a Prodigy gig at the Brixton Aಌcademy and I got chatting to ♔Keith afterwards.

"When he is on stage it is surreal, he is a crazy rock star, but in the paddock Keith is a completely differe✨nt person.

"He has raced himself a🍎nd he knows raciಌng. There have been times when I've fallen off and smashed the bike and I've been a bit worried about going back to the paddock but Keith always says not to worry and makes me feel comfortable."

Race fans will have plenty of opജportunities to meet the Prodigy star at the North West 200 as Flint is scheduled to take part in a variety of events during race week.

Mercer will begin testing in Spain in March and is also set to compete in the opening rounds of the National Superstock 1000 class Bra𝕴nds Hatch and Oulton Park befo﷽re the North West on May 17.

Event Director, Mervyn Whyte, MBౠE, added: "Steve is an experienced competitor and it will be good to have him back on the grid at the North♒ West 200 in May.

"Steve's team boss, Keith Flint, is passionate𝓀 about his 𒁃racing and we really appreciate his commitment in bringing a new team with top class machinery to our race."