As the reputation of Ireland’s top outdoor sporting event continues to rise the Kennedy Group backed road race attracts many more newcomers from Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand and Mervyn Whyte and his team aim to strike a fine balance between introducing rookie riders to the world famous course alongside the high profile and experienced riders who know the course extremely well.

With just over four weeks to go to Race Day, the North West’s April press conference was back on home turf and hosted by Portrush’s Ramada Hotel. Special guests for the evening included young Manx rider Conor Cummins alongside last year’s 400 race winner Oliver Linsdell, Team Black Horse manager and veteran rider Ian Lougher and North West 200 Ducati star Michael Rutter, whose newly branded Ducati bike was also on show. Also welcoming guests to the Coleraine Borough was Cllr Maurice Bradley, Mayor of Coleraine.

Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte explained that organisers had completed work on the event’s new GP style grid format and other improvements for 2008 included the introduction of a new one way system in the paddock area with the actual paddock road being widened to create more room for pedestrians.

Black Horse NW200 Superbike Race

Main race of the day, the Black Horse NW200 Superbike Race has attracted a very strong and high quality range of competitors.

The 6 lap race will feature NW200 Ducati team member Michael Rutter who last year chalked up 3rd place, alongside 2007 race winner Lincoln man and AIM Yamaha rider Steve Plater who won the 2007 race with a top speed of 123.24mph. Fellow AIM Yamaha rider Ian Hutchinson will also compete along with the 2007 runner-up Guy Martin.

Also lining up will be HM Plant team mates John McGuinness and Steve Brogan, Conor Cummins, Scots riders Keith Amor and Les Shand, Rob Frost and Belgian competitor Patrick Van Gils. Local Irish stars set for the starting grid of the Black Horse race include Adrian Archibald, William and Michael Dunlop, Martin Finnegan who last year chalked up 10th place and Saintfield man Davy Morgan. Welsh wizard Ian Lougher, 5th last year, will again be on board the Team Black Horse machines with team mate Oliver Linsdell.

Paddy Campbell, Head of Marketing and Communications for Black Horse Motor and Leisure said, “We’ve been involved with the North West 200 for several years and each year this top global event just gets better and better! Black Horse backs the very best in motorbike racing including Ian Lougher’s Team Black Horse and we’re delighted to be associated with one of the world’s top motor biking spectacles – the International North West 200.”

CP Hire Superstock Race

Fifth in this year’s programme, the CP Hire Superstock race has attracted the cream of top road racers. The 5 lap event will feature 2007 trophy holder Bruce Anstey alongside Cameron Donald on board the Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing machines, Ian Lougher (9th last year) riding for Team Black Horse and NW200 Ducati rider Michael Rutter set to compete using John Laverty’s BSB machine. Dungannon man Ryan Farquhar will be on board the Harker Racing Kawasaki whilst Guy Martin who took 3rd place at last year’s race will ride the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda. Other competitors set to line up in this race include Carrick man Alastair Seeley who came second in 2007, Adrian Archibald who finished 8th last year, Conor Cummins on the Vanfit Yamaha, Rob Frost, Lusk man Martin Finnegan, James McBride, John Burrows and Gary Johnston who will be on board the Robinson Concrete Honda. Adding global appeal to the CP Hire race will be Spaniard Antonio Maeso who competed in several Grand Prix races during 2004 and Swede Mats Nilsson who is set to ride the Padgetts Honda.

Longstanding supporter of the North West 200 CP Hire are again backing the Superstock Race. Said Andrew Hutchinson, managing director of the well known equipment hire company, “Whilst we service the whole of Ireland, as a company our roots are in the North Coast area and we’re pleased to have supported this fantastic event for countless years. We really are proud of how the North West 200 has helped raised the profile of this beautiful region of Ireland and it certainly has enabled CP Hire to raise our game as a successful hire company.”

McKendry Fabrications Ltd 400cc Race

At the conference Mervyn Whyte paid tribute to the vital support the organisers receive from event partner Coleraine Borough Council and seasoned sponsors CP Hire and Black Horse, then went on to welcome first time race sponsor Colin McKendry from Coleraine manufacturer McKendry Fabrications Ltd.

“The North West is extremely lucky to have such an excellent mix of sponsors without whom we couldn’t run such a world class event and we’re particularly pleased to welcome on board local company McKendry Fabrications Ltd. The local firm is backing the four lap 400 cc race, which this year for the first time will be regarded as a completely separate race with trophies presented to first, second and third placed winners, though it will run concurrently with the 125 event.”

Managing director Colin McKendry said, “I’ve been a long time supporter and admirer of the North West 200 and was delighted to have the opportunity to become a race sponsor. As a local company which was set up almost 8 years, we have helped the race with some in kind sponsorship but it’s wonderful to take our partnership further and establish ourselves as official race sponsors. We know how hard Mervyn and the team work to make the event so successful and we’ve watched the North West grow in stature due to their endeavours and round the clock dedication.”

Riders set to participate in the 400cc race which has attracted over 40 high quality entries, include last year’s trophy taker Oliver Linsdell from Westoning who won on board a 400 machine, glamorous female competitor Maria Costello from Northampton and BSB regular Matt Layt from Norwich. Also on the grid will be David Madsen Mygdal who took 5th place in this race at the IoM TT last year, Mark Parrett, Paul Owen, Les Shand, Darren Gilpin, Lee Hill and Gareth Roberts.

BikeSafe

In addition to encouraging the North West 200 teams, riders and the media to highlight road safety issues, the police BikeSafe team have taken delivery of a ZX10 Kawasaki, which will wear full BikeSafe livery, to help highlight the road safety message. BikeSafe coordinator, Constable Bill Holden said, “We all want spectators and bikers to enjoy this word-class racing event and stay safe on our roads, so that’s why we’re encouraging bikers to leave the speed and racing to the professionals on closed circuits.

“Throughout race week, we’ll be offering BikeSafe assessed ride-outs to the public, and will be maintaining a highly visible Police presence in the run-up to, during and following the event, to ensure everyone’s safety!”

“There will be interactive BikeSafe display stands on ferries bound for Northern Ireland and the BikeSafe team will be based in the Paddock promoting road safety throughout Race Week. We will also be hosting a meeting of BikeSafe representatives from across the UK and Ireland – a first for the PSNI and North West 200!” Constable Holden said.

New Soft Drinks Partnership

Organisers also announced a new soft drinks partnership with Coca-Cola who plan to supply officials and volunteers with the company’s range of soft drinks such as Coke, Diet Coke and Fruice during Race Week and on Race Day. Riders and fans can also sample Coke Zero in the Pits and Paddock area during Practice Nights and Race Day. Trina Stewart for Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd said: “Coca-Cola has been a partner of the NW200 for over 15 years, including 10 years as title sponsor.  During this time we have seen the event go from strength to strength, becoming one of the world’s most popular road races.  We wanted to recognise and support the work of the volunteers and officials who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event the success it is.  Hopefully everyone involved in this year’s event, from the pits to the roadside marshals, will get to enjoy a little bit of the Coke side of road racing.”

Official Charity – NI Hospice Care

Official North West 200 charity for 2008, Northern Ireland Hospice Care is planning a varied range of activities during Race Week to raise much needed funds for both the adults’ and children’s hospices as well as their community teams, one of which operates from the North Coast area. Regional fundraiser Angela Davison said, “NW200 hero Michael Rutter has kindly signed a special Ducati children’s bike which we plan to raffle on Race Day along with a kid’s Ducati jacket amongst other prizes.” The charity events which kick off with a special corporate evening in the Lodge Hotel on Thursday 1st May will also include a sponsored run and walk on Sunday 11th May, a charity Golf Day organised by the Kennedy Group and an Abba tribute night on Wednesday 14th with band Super Troopers.

Coleraine Borough Council

Regional event partner Coleraine Borough Council is looking forward to welcoming thousands of guests to the Borough during Race Week and staff are making sure this area of outstanding natural beauty is looking absolutely pristine. Mayor of Coleraine Councillor Maurice Bradley said: “ I very much look forward to Race Week every year and this year I am especially proud as Mayor to welcome, on behalf of the Borough; riders, sponsors and spectators to our area.

“As an exclusive I’m delighted to let you know that Council will be branding two sections along the nine mile course; the area located by Magherabuoy Hotel will now be known as the ‘CBC Chicane’ and the other area situated at Juniper Hill Caravan park will be labelled ‘CBC Hill.’ The Mayor continued, “This prestigious event attracts over 150,000 spectators and followers of the sport from all countries of the globe, enabling them to experience either first hand, or now by website, how breathtaking the views and facilities available can be. I continually congratulate both Mervyn and the Coleraine & District Motor Club with the many volunteers for their dedication to this event and I thank Council staff who work in partnership with the volunteers behind the scenes to ensure visitors and their families enjoy Race Week. We anticipate another successful year for the event and wish all attending and participating, a safe and enjoyable week in the Borough.”

Hospitality 2008

NW200 Hospitality organisers Shackleton Crean are delighted to report that only a few tickets are still available for both Gold and Silver hospitality. MD John McNally explained, “We enhanced our 2008 hospitality packages and are thrilled tables have sold in record time! Both levels of the marquee will deliver top quality service and food throughout the day and we look forward to welcoming up to 1000 guests on Race Day as well as visitors to the events held during Race Week itself.” For details on remaining tickets contact Shackleton Crean on tel 028 3751 2050.

The Helicentre

Newtownards based operator The Helicentre will also be offering visitors and corporate guests the chance to arrive in style by helicopter which will be situated behind the Paddock area. Half hour pleasure flights around the North Antrim coast are also on offer and will be available when racing has finished. Check out www.thehelicentre.com or telephone 028 9182 0028 for more information.

Images by Stephen Davison, Pacemaker Press International.