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 on occasion, 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 an estimated 150,000 people from Ireland, Britain, Europe and beyond descending on the "Triangle" for the week.
Bruce Anstey (bike 3) and Richard Britton (bike 8) in 2005
Practice nights are held on Tuesday and Thursday before the race. The race meeting on Saturday requires public roads to be closed during the afternoon. The meeting takes its name from the main race of the afternoon - the 'North West 200,' originally ran over 200 miles, before changing to its current format of six separate races each running 4-6 laps of the 8.966 mile circuit, 8.83 miles on the first lap of every race. This forms part of the larger tradition of Irish road-racing and the Isle of Man TT races race weekend attracts thousands of fans, many of whom camp on fields beside the circuit. It is the largest annual sporting event in Ireland, with over 100,000 visitors from all over the world every year.
Many world-class riders have taken part. Northern Irishman Joey Dunlop won 13 races, but the event has been dominated in recent years by EnglishmanMichael Rutter, who has won 11 races from 1997 to 2006. Joey Dunlop's younger brother Robert, who was killed in an accident in practice for the 2008 event,[1] holds the record number of wins; totalling 15 victories throughout his career.
The North West 200 will also feature in Jester Interactive's new Playstation 2 title "TT Superbikes: Real Road Racing Championship" due for release at the end of May 2008. It is the sequel to their top 10 game "TT Superbikes" released in 2005. [3]
Robert Dunlop was killed on 15 May2008 while practicing in the 250cc class. The incident occurred as he was approaching Mathers Cross during the 125/250/400cc practice session. It is understood his bike seized and Robert was thrown over his handlebars at approximately 160mph. Fellow rider Darren Burns was following immediately behind and collided with Robert, suffering a broken leg and suspected concussion. Robert suffered severe chest injuries and died in hospital shortly afterwards.[1]
Robert Dunlop
Bruce Anstey
Eddie Laycock
