Prodigy frontman and road racing team owner Keith Flint's Traction Control racing outfit will compete at the Vauxhall Int♓ernational 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 West 200, has identified top ten finishes in each class 🎃as his pr🔯imary target.

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

"I've got really good bikesඣ this year and a really experienced team behind me. I am training every night of the week to get fit for the🎃 new season.

"I still haven't done 200mph through the speed trap so I really 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 t๊o be trying my hardest."

The 31-year-old will also compete at the Isle of Man TT in June for music star Flint, whose Prodigy hits incܫlude the huge dance track 'Firestarter'.

Mercer added: "I wenౠt to see a Prodigy gig at the Brixton Academy and I got chatting to Keith afterwards.

"Wh꧒en he is on stage it is surreal, he is a crazy rock star, but in the paddock Keith is a completely different person.

"He has raced himself and he knows racing. 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 fa💙ns will have plenty of opportunities 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 Mar🎶ch and is also set to compete in the opening rounds of the National Supers💃tock 1000 class Brands Hatch and Oulton Park before the North West on May 17.

Event Director, Mervyn 🌱Whyte, MBE, 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.

"St♓eve's team boss, Keith Flint, is passionate about his racing and we re🐷ally appreciate his commitment in bringing a new team with top class machinery to our race."