Did anybody go?
Cracking day of racing, enjoyed it greatly
For those who don't know what it is:
A FESTIVAL OF ROAD RACING
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland, using public roads. The circuit between the towns Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine (the Triangle) is considered among the fastest in the world, with speeds topping 200mph, and enters the outskirts of those towns, passing many private houses. To facilitate this, street signs are removed at parts of the track and bales of hay used to wrap the base of lampposts and telegraph poles in case of an accident. It is one of around fifteen events run on public roads between April and October throughout the island of Ireland. In 2006 it was the highest attended sporting event in Island of Ireland, with up to 150,000 people from Ireland, Britain, Europe and beyond descending on the "Triangle" for the week.
The North West 200 started out as the perfect warm-up event for the TT and today it still fulfils that function but it is so much more. As an attraction many would claim that the North West has overtaken the TT as the premier road race event. The TT has become something of a festival of motorcycling with the quality of racing taking a secondary role.
The North West has also become a festival of motorcycling. Race week starts on Tuesday with the first practice sessions. Vintage car and motorcycle displays, and from time to time arena trials, supermotos and evening grass track races fill in the time between the on track action. In addition there are stunt shows, aeroplane fly passes and a full week of activities supported by Coleraine and Ballymoney Borough Councils.
2008 Results
Race 1 - 250cc
1st: Michael Dunlop / 2nd: Christian Elkin / 3rd: John McGuinness
Race 2 - Superbike
1st: Michael Rutter / 2nd: Guy Martin / 3rd: John McGuinness
Race 3 - 600cc Supersport
1st: Steve Plater / 2nd: Alastair Seeley / 3rd: Ian Lougher
Race 4a - 125cc
1st: Michael Wilcox / 2nd: Chris Palmer / 3rd: James Ford
Race 4b - 400cc
1st: Oliver Linsdell / 2nd: Paul Dobbs / 3rd: Les Shands
Race 5 - Superstock
1st: Alastair Seeley / 2nd: Bruce Anstey / 3rd: Cameron Donald
Race 6 - Superbike
1st: Steve Plater / 2nd: Cameron Donald / 3rd: Michael Rutter
Race 7 - 600cc Supersport
1st: Steve Plater / 2nd: Alastair Seeley / 3rd: Ian Lougher
Cracking day of racing, enjoyed it greatly
For those who don't know what it is:
A FESTIVAL OF ROAD RACING
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland, using public roads. The circuit between the towns Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine (the Triangle) is considered among the fastest in the world, with speeds topping 200mph, and enters the outskirts of those towns, passing many private houses. To facilitate this, street signs are removed at parts of the track and bales of hay used to wrap the base of lampposts and telegraph poles in case of an accident. It is one of around fifteen events run on public roads between April and October throughout the island of Ireland. In 2006 it was the highest attended sporting event in Island of Ireland, with up to 150,000 people from Ireland, Britain, Europe and beyond descending on the "Triangle" for the week.
The North West 200 started out as the perfect warm-up event for the TT and today it still fulfils that function but it is so much more. As an attraction many would claim that the North West has overtaken the TT as the premier road race event. The TT has become something of a festival of motorcycling with the quality of racing taking a secondary role.
The North West has also become a festival of motorcycling. Race week starts on Tuesday with the first practice sessions. Vintage car and motorcycle displays, and from time to time arena trials, supermotos and evening grass track races fill in the time between the on track action. In addition there are stunt shows, aeroplane fly passes and a full week of activities supported by Coleraine and Ballymoney Borough Councils.
2008 Results
Race 1 - 250cc
1st: Michael Dunlop / 2nd: Christian Elkin / 3rd: John McGuinness
Race 2 - Superbike
1st: Michael Rutter / 2nd: Guy Martin / 3rd: John McGuinness
Race 3 - 600cc Supersport
1st: Steve Plater / 2nd: Alastair Seeley / 3rd: Ian Lougher
Race 4a - 125cc
1st: Michael Wilcox / 2nd: Chris Palmer / 3rd: James Ford
Race 4b - 400cc
1st: Oliver Linsdell / 2nd: Paul Dobbs / 3rd: Les Shands
Race 5 - Superstock
1st: Alastair Seeley / 2nd: Bruce Anstey / 3rd: Cameron Donald
Race 6 - Superbike
1st: Steve Plater / 2nd: Cameron Donald / 3rd: Michael Rutter
Race 7 - 600cc Supersport
1st: Steve Plater / 2nd: Alastair Seeley / 3rd: Ian Lougher