The Relentless International North West 200 is Ireland’s
largest outdoor sporting event, attracting crowds in excess of 100,000 as well
as the biggest names in the sport including Michael Rutter, Guy Martin, Ryan
Farquhar and Michael and William Dunlop. Taking place annually in May, the
Relentless International North West 200 circuit runs between the towns of
Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine – an area of outstanding natural beauty and
home to the world famous Giant’s Causeway.
The triangle circuit is one
of the fastest in the world, and 2010's event saw Stuart Easton from Scotland
smash the fastest speed record by reaching 204mph!
Many people ask why the North
West 200 is called the North West 200.
The answer lies in the spawning of the event. History reveals that although the Club’s
original choice of name for the race remained, their original choice of venue
did not. The name has continued to generate some confusion amongst those who
are unaware of the event’s origins. The inclusion of “200” simply indicates that the event was originally run
over a distance of 200 miles. “North West”, reflects the original
intended, location of the race, i.e. on a public roads course in the North West of Ireland.
The North West 200’s
first organisers could not have imagined how the event would grow over the
years. In 1964, the
North West 200 event was handed over to the Coleraine & District Motor Club which continues to run the
event today. In 2007, around two million people logged on from nearly
every part of the world to watch what has become Ireland’s largest sporting event and one of the world’s fastest road races.
International North West 200
organisers, Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd have confirmed that next
year’s Race Day will take place on Saturday 19th May 2012 following
ratification by governing body, the Motor Cycling Union of Ireland (MCUI)
during November.
Technical director Mervyn
Whyte MBE recently completed a series of discussions with BSB and DORNA
organisers and World Endurance teams to ensure the NW200 didn’t clash with key
international racing schedules following last year’s unavoidable absence of HM
Plant Honda stars John McGuinness and Keith Amor who were set to compete in
World Endurance in Albacete, Spain.
Following Coleraine &
District Motor Club’s presentation and proposal to Coleraine Borough Council,
consultation will get underway next week in terms of proposed daytime practice
on Tuesday 15th May and additional evening racing on Thursday May 17th.
Detailed letters will be delivered to all residents located in and around the
course and local people will be invited to respond to NW200 organisers by Tuesday
15th November.
Outlining proposed plans
Mervyn Whyte said, “We aim to close the 8.9 mile circuit roads on Tuesday and
Thursday from 9.30am until 2.30pm providing substantial time for practice
including valuable newcomer sessions.
To expand our race programme
and broaden the appeal to fans, we hope to introduce two exciting races on the
Thursday evening – a Superstock event followed by a Supertwins Race – with
roads set to close 5.30pm to 9pm. We believe the new revitalised programme will
attract additional spectators and add a little more live action to our Race
Week schedule. The addition of the Supertwins race is a first for the North
West 200 and we will be following the same regulations as the Isle of Man TT
who are also set to introduce a Supertwins class for the first time in 2012.”
Whyte also confirmed that
Saturday’s 2012 Race Day programme will follow last year’s schedule and feature
five races - two superbike and two Supersport races as well as the Superstock
class. A new aggregate points system will also apply to both the
Thursday and Saturday Superstock races.
Visit www.northwest200.org for up
to date race details and information on proposed Race Week expansion plans.
