The International North West 200 is a motorcycle road race first held in 1929 on a 8.970 mi (14.436 km) street circuit known as the Triangle between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush in Causeway Coast and Glens, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. It is the largest annual sporting event in Northern Ireland, with the race weekend attracting over 150,000 visitors from all over the world.[1] The course is one of the fastest in the world, with average speeds of 120 mph (190 km/h) and top speeds in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h).[2]

International North West 200
VenueThe Triangle
LocationNorthern Ireland
First race1929
Most wins (rider)Alastair Seeley (29)
Most wins (manufacturer)Honda (96)

Originally intended to be held somewhere in the north west of Ireland[3] and organised by the City of Derry & District Motor Club, the initial event was moved to the north coast but the name was never changed. Since 1964 the event has been organised by the Coleraine and District Motor Club. In 2010, the meeting featured daytime practice on the Thursday for the first time.[4]

The 2011 event took place on Saturday 21 May. There were significant delays due to a hoax bomb alert and then an extensive oil spill on the track caused racing to be cancelled after the completion of only one race.[5]

In 2022 the event returned as the fonaCab & Nicholl Oils North West 200. It was the first time the event has been held since 2019 after being cancelled for two consecutive years due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

On 9 February 2023, an announcement was made by the Motorcycle Union of Ireland with regard to the running of the 2023 event. This followed a significant increase in the insurance premium required to cover the event and consequently placed the 2023 race schedule under threat of being cancelled.[6]

However on 15 March 2023, the event's organisers, the Coleraine & District Motor Club issued a statement via their Facebook page stating that in the wake of a sizeable donation by a prominent businessman and a revision of the quotation in connection with the insurance premium, that the 2023 International North West 200 would be taking place.[7][8]

Race format edit

 
Riders approaching York from Juniper Hill during the 2009 event.

The North West 200 was originally run over two hundred miles as a handicap race, before changing to its current format of several separate races, each running 4–6 laps during Saturday afternoon. Practice is held on the Tuesday and Thursday evenings before the race. Both the practice and races are held on closed roads, but unlike the Isle of Man TT races which are run in a time-trial format, all riders compete together as with normal circuit racing.

Over the years the number and the classes of races has varied according to the latest regulations. From 1990 until 2010, there was always a 125 cc race and since 1992 the North West 200 race has been for Superbikes.

From 2012, all practice sessions will take place during the day, and the racing programme has been extended to include two races on the Thursday evening. All races will be held over six laps, except for the newly introduced Supertwin event.[9]

The course edit

The street circuit is made up almost entirely of public roads (A2, B185 & A29) but does include three speed-reducing chicanes. The route, running anti-clockwise enters the outskirts of the towns passing many private houses. To help improve track safety street signs are removed at parts of the track and bales of hay are used to wrap the base of lampposts and telegraph poles.

The circuit is 8.970 mi (14.436 km) long, with a distance of 8.834 mi (14.217 km) being covered on the first lap of every race. The original start/finish line was located near Magherabouy but moved to the Portmore Road in Portstewart in 1930. The elevation ranges from 6 to 75 metres (20 to 245 ft) above sea level.

 
Mick Grant passes the Railway Bank at Metropole Corner, Portrush, 1975

1973 saw the first major changes to the course, which include the exclusion of the Promenade at Portstewart from the route and the moving of the start/finish line to its current location between Juniper Hill and Millbank Avenue. These changes meant the route used Station Road (B185) for the first time and saw the introduction of York Corner. Shell Hill Bridge, an iconic part of the original course was used for the last time in 1979. In 1980, a new link road, from University Corner to Ballysally Roundabout, was introduced. A chicane was introduced just before the approach to the Juniper Hill corner in 1983 and in 1988 improvements were made to Mather's Cross and the start/finish chicane was introduced to reduce the speeds around Primrose Hill as well as allowing safer access to the pitlane.

At the end of 2009 Mather's Cross was widened in order improve safety at the corner.[10] For 2010 additional modifications were made to the circuit to improve safety. A new purpose-built chicane at Mather's Cross was introduced to reduce speeds at the corner and safety improvements made to the area at Station corner.[11]

Jack Brett recorded the first 100 mph (160 km/h) lap of the course on a Manx Norton 500 cc in 1957. The fastest recorded lap at 127.63 mph (205.40 km/h) was set by Tom Herron during the 1978 North West 200 race.

Peter Hickman holds the outright lap record for the circuit configuration with four chicanes, set during the 2022 Superbike event, at 124.799 mph (200.845 km/h).[12]

In 2004, Michael Rutter became the first rider to record a top speed in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h) on the course. During Tuesday's practice at the 2012 event Martin Jessopp set a new fastest speed trap time, reaching 208 mph (335 km/h) on the approach to University Corner.[13]

Controversies edit

In 2022, Richard Cooper won two Supertwin races but was disqualified after scrutineers found a fairing bracket to be non-standard and deemed it to be a breach of regulations. The team's appeal was successful and in November 2023 Cooper was re-instated as winner of both legs, with prize monies awarded retrospectively. Prior to the announcement, Cooper had won both legs at the same event in May, tallying his wins to four.[14]

In 2023, Faye Ho's FHO team riders Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes were disqualified immediately before the start of the Superstock class for using standard wheels on the road-bike based M1000 RRs. Regulations stated the standard carbon fibre road wheels were not allowed, even though the team had raced with them in previous years and successfully completed 2023 scrutineering and practice. As non-standard wheels are not allowed, the team could not use race-specification metal wheels as fitted to the Superbike class machines, so Ho withdrew the team as a protest, with no more classes entered.[15][16]

Deaths at the event edit

 
A group of riders entering York Corner during the 2009 event

The first recorded death at the event was Norman Wainwright who was killed in 1939.

1979 edit

Black Saturday as it is known, is regarded as the darkest day in the event's history after crashes claimed the lives of three riders, Tom Herron, Brian Hamilton and Frank Kennedy who died months later from his injuries.

Robert Dunlop edit

Robert Dunlop died on 15 May 2008 while practising in the 250cc class. The incident occurred as he was approaching Mather's Cross during the 125/250/400cc practice session. It is understood his bike seized and Robert was thrown over his handlebars at approximately 160 mph (260 km/h). 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.[17]

Mark Young edit

Twenty-two-year-old Mark Young died during the 2009 event on 17 May 2009. It was Young's first race at the North West 200 although he had road racing experience.[18]

Mark Buckley edit

Thirty-five-year-old Mark Buckley suffered a fatal crash on Millbank Avenue outside Portstewart during the Superstock race on 19 May 2012. He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries. No other competitors were involved with this incident.[19]

Simon Andrews edit

Andrews was airlifted to a hospital in Northern Ireland in critical condition after suffering a serious crash while competing in the North West 200 on Saturday, 17 May 2014. Andrews came off his bike and slid down the asphalt until he collided head-first with a section of raised concrete pavement while curbing at high speed in Portrush, County Antrim. After receiving immediate medical intervention from the race doctors and medics, Andrews was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in a critical condition after suffering the high-speed accident on the approach to Metropole corner. Andrews was competing in the second Superstock race of the event aboard his BMW. He died in hospital on 19 May 2014 as a result of his injuries, aged 31.[20]

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas edit

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas died as a result of a crash on the third lap of the Supertwins race at the Vauxhall International North West 200 on 14 May 2016. The 20-year-old from Chorley in Lancashire crashed his Burrows Engineering Kawasaki on the approach to Black Hill. The race was immediately red flagged and Malachi was treated by medical staff from the MCUI Medical team but succumbed to his injuries at the scene. No other riders were involved in the incident. Racing was subsequently abandoned.[21]

All competitor deaths edit

No Rider Date Place Race Event Machine
1 Norman Wainwright May 1939 Drumslade 1939 North West 200 Races 500cc Norton
2 P.L.Phillips 15 May 1949 Portstewart 1949 North West 200 Races
3 William Bennison May 1951 BallySally 1951 North West 200 Races Lightweight 350cc 350cc
4 L.G.Aislabie 27 May 1956 1956 North West 200 Races
5 Andrew Manship 23 May 1970 1970 North West 200 Races Practice 350cc Yamaha
6 Graham Fish 27 May 1973 Station Corner 1973 North West 200 Races Practice Yamaha
7 Brian Hamilton 26 May 1979 Black Hill 1979 North West 200 Races 350cc Race 350cc Yamaha
8 Tom Herron 26 May 1979 Juniper Hill 1979 North West 200 Races Superbike Race 750cc Suzuki
9 Frank Kennedy 26 May 1979[22] University Corner 1979 North West 200 Races Superbike Race
10 Mervyn Robinson May 1980[23] Mather's Cross 1980 North West 200 Races
11 John Newbold 15 May 1982 Juniper Hill 1982 North West 200 Races Superbike Race Suzuki
12 Pat McLaughlin May 1986 Mather's Cross 1986 North West 200 Races
13 Steve Bull 9 May 1987 [24] 1987 North West 200 Races 750cc Yamaha
14 Donny Robinson May 1999 Station Road 1999 North West 200 Races Practice
15 Robert Dunlop 15 May 2008[25] Mather's Cross 2008 North West 200 Races Practice 250cc Yamaha
16 Mark Young 16 May 2009[26] Mather's Cross 2009 North West 200 Races 250cc Race 250cc Honda
17 Mark Buckley 19 May 2012[27] Millbank Avenue 2012 North West 200 Races Superstock Race 1000cc Aprilia
18 Simon Andrews 19 May 2014[20] Coleraine Road 2014 North West 200 Races Superstock Race 1000cc BMW
19 Malachi Mitchell-Thomas 14 May 2016 [21] Dhu Varren 2016 North West 200 Races Supertwins Race Kawasaki

Winners edit

Alastair Seeley from Northern Ireland, holds the record number of 29 wins. Robert Dunlop was the previous record holder with 15 wins. Michael Rutter won fourteen races. Joey Dunlop (Robert's brother) won thirteen races. Michael Dunlop and William Dunlop (both sons of Robert) have also won races at the North West 200.

The early years of the event was dominated by British motorcycle manufacturers, in particular Norton. It was only in 1964 that Honda claimed their first victory. 2010 saw BMW score their first victory at the event and also the first non-Japanese manufacturer to claim a victory since 1997. Yamaha is the only manufacturer to have a clean sweep, winning all five races in 1979.

Multiple winners edit

# Wins Riders
29 Alastair Seeley
15 Robert Dunlop
14 Michael Rutter
13 Joey Dunlop
11 Phillip McCallen
10 Bruce Anstey
9 Tony Rutter
8 Ian Lougher Glenn Irwin Steve Plater
6 Steve Cull John McGuinness
5 Arthur Wheeler Tommy Robb John Williams Mick Grant Woolsey Coulter Ian Simpson Ryan Farquhar Michael Dunlop
Lee Johnston
4 Bob McIntyre David Jefferies Jimmie Guthrie Ernie Nott Eddie Laycock William Dunlop Richard Cooper
3 Alan Shepherd Artie Bell Callum Ramsey Geoff Duke Charlie Williams Jim Moodie Eric Fernihough Ralph Bryans
Ray McCullough Rod Gould Trevor Nation Tom Herron Sammy Miller Ian Hutchinson Martin Jessopp Jeremy McWilliams
Davey Todd
2 Alistair King Andy Watts Bob Anderson Carl Fogarty Charlie Manders John White Derek Chatterton Derek Ennett
Donny Robinson Fred Stevens Gary Cowan Graham Wood Ian Newton Jack Brett John Blanchard John Cooper
Kevin Mitchell Peter Williams Phelim Owens Dick Creith Robert Holden Roger Marshall Steve Hislop Tim Hunt
Walter Rusk Olie Linsdell Ivan Lintin Peter Hickman Richard Cooper

By year edit

2023 Supersport (I)

  Davey Todd

Superstock (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (I)

  Richard Cooper

Supersport (II)

  Davey Todd

Superbike (I)
  Glenn Irwin
Supertwins (II)

  Richard Cooper

Superstock (II)
  Alastair Seeley
NW 200
  Glenn Irwin
2022 Supersport (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Superstock (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (I)
  Richard Cooper[28]
Supersport (II)
  Lee Johnston
Superbike (I)
  Glenn Irwin
Supertwins (II)
  Richard Cooper[28]
Superstock (II)
  Alastair Seeley
NW 200
  Glenn Irwin
2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[29]
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[30]
2019 Supersport (I)
  Lee Johnston
Superstock (I)
  Peter Hickman
Supertwins (I)
  Stefano Bonetti
Supersport (II)
  Davey Todd
Superbike (I)
  Glenn Irwin
Supertwins (II)
  Jeremy McWilliams
Superstock (II)
  James Hillier
NW 200
Cancelled
2018 Supersport (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (I)
  Martin Jessopp
Supersport (II)
  Alastair Seeley
Superstock (I)
  Peter Hickman
Superbike (I)
  Glenn Irwin
Supertwins (II)
  James Cowton
Superstock (II)
  Alastair Seeley
NW 200
  Glenn Irwin
2017 Supersport (I)
  Martin Jessopp
Supertwins (I)
  Martin Jessopp
Supersport (II)
  Alastair Seeley
Superstock (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Superbike (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (II)
  Michael Rutter
Superstock (II)
  Alastair Seeley
NW 200
  Glenn Irwin
2016 Supersport (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (I)
  Ivan Lintin
Supersport (II)
  Alastair Seeley
Superstock (I)
  Ian Hutchinson
Superbike (I)
  Michael Dunlop
Supertwins (II)
  Ivan Lintin
2015 Supersport (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (I)
  Ryan Farquhar
Supersport (II)
  Alastair Seeley
Superbike (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (II)
  Jeremy McWilliams
Superstock (II)
  Lee Johnston
2014 Supersport (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (I)
  Lee Johnston
Superstock (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supersport (II)
  Bruce Anstey
Superbike (I)
  William Dunlop
Supertwins (II)
  Lee Johnston
Superstock (II)
  Michael Dunlop
NW 200
  Michael Dunlop
2013 Supersport (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins (I)
  Jeremy McWilliams
Superstock (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supersport (II)
  Michael Dunlop
2012 Superstock (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supertwins
  Ryan Farquhar
Supersport (I)
  William Dunlop
Superbike (I)
  John McGuinness
Superstock (II)
  Michael Rutter
Supersport (II)
  Alastair Seeley
NW 200
  Alastair Seeley
2011 Supersport
  Alastair Seeley
2010 125cc
  Paul Robinson
Supersport (I)
  Alastair Seeley
Supersport (II)
  Ian Hutchinson
Superstock
  Keith Amor
Superbike (I)
  John McGuinness
NW 200
  Alastair Seeley
2009 125 cc
  William Dunlop
250 cc
  William Dunlop
Supersport (I)
  Steve Plater
Supersport (II)
Cancelled
Superstock
  Alastair Seeley
Superbikes
  Steve Plater
NW 200
Cancelled
2008 125 cc
  Michael Wilcox
250 cc
  Michael Dunlop
400 cc
  Olie Linsdell
600 cc (I)
  Steve Plater
600 cc (II)
  Steve Plater
Superstock
  Alastair Seeley
Superbikes
  Michael Rutter
NW 200
  Steve Plater
2007 125 cc/400 cc
  Olie Linsdell
250 cc
  Christian Elkin
Supersport (I)
  Bruce Anstey
Supersport (II)
  Bruce Anstey
Superstock
  Bruce Anstey
Superbikes
  John McGuinness
NW 200
  Steve Plater
2006 125 cc/400 cc
  Robert Dunlop
250 cc
  Nigel Beattie
600 cc (I)
  Ian Hutchinson
600 cc (II)
  Bruce Anstey
Superstock
  Bruce Anstey
Superbikes
  Steve Plater
NW 200
  Steve Plater
2005 125 cc/400 cc
  Darran Lindsay
250 cc
  Davy Morgan
600 cc (I)
  Raymond Porter
600 cc (II)
  Ryan Farquhar
Superstock
  Ian Lougher
Superbikes
  Michael Rutter
NW 200
  Bruce Anstey
2004 125 cc
  Ian Lougher
400 cc
  John McGuinness
600 cc (I)
  Bruce Anstey
600 cc (II)
  John McGuinness
Production
  Bruce Anstey
Superbikes
  Michael Rutter
NW 200
  Michael Rutter
2003 125 cc/SS400
  Ian Lougher
600 cc (I)
  Ryan Farquhar
600 cc (II)
  Ryan Farquhar
Production
  Adrian Archibald
Superbikes
  Michael Rutter
2002 125 cc
  Ian Lougher
600 cc (I)
  Jim Moodie
600 cc (II)
  Ian Lougher
Production
  Bruce Anstey
Superbikes
  David Jefferies
NW 200
  Iain Duffus
2001 Not held
2000 125 cc
  Ian Lougher
250/400 cc
  John McGuinness
600 cc
  Michael Rutter
Production
  Richard Britton
Superbikes
  Michael Rutter
NW 200
  Michael Rutter
1999 125 cc
  Ian Lougher
250/400 cc (I)
  Callum Ramsey
250/400 cc (II)
  Callum Ramsey
600 cc
  David Jefferies
Superbikes
  David Jefferies
NW 200
  David Jefferies
1998 125 cc
Abandoned
250/400 cc
  Woolsey Coulter
600 cc
  Ian Simpson
Production
  Michael Rutter
Superbikes
  Ian Simpson
NW 200
  Michael Rutter
1997 125 cc
  Phelim Owens
250/400 cc (I)
  Callum Ramsey
250/400 cc (II)
  Owen McNally
600 cc
  Michael Rutter
Production
  Ian Simpson
Superbikes
  Phillip McCallen
NW 200
  Michael Rutter
1996 125 cc
  Mick Lofthouse
250/400 cc (I)
  Woolsey Coulter
250/400 cc (II)
  Woolsey Coulter
600 cc
  Phillip McCallen
Superbikes
  Ian Simpson
NW 200
  Phillip McCallen
1995 125 cc
  Phelim Owens
250/400 cc (I)
  Phillip McCallen
250/400 cc (II)
  Ian Newton
600 cc
  Phillip McCallen
Supermono
  Robert Holden
Superbikes
  Ian Simpson
NW 200
  Robert Holden
1994 125 cc
  Robert Dunlop
250/400 cc (I)
  Woolsey Coulter
250/400 cc (II)
  Ian Newton
600 cc
  Mike Edwards
Supermono
  Alan Carter
Superbikes
  Robert Dunlop
NW 200
  Robert Dunlop
1993 125 cc
  Robert Dunlop
250/350 cc (I)
  Robert Dunlop
250/350 cc (II)
  Robert Dunlop
400 cc
  Jim Moodie
600 cc
  Jim Moodie
Superbikes
  Carl Fogarty
NW 200
  Carl Fogarty
1992 125 cc
  Robert Orme
250/350 cc (I)
  Phillip McCallen
250/350 cc (II)
  Robert Dunlop
400 cc
  Phillip McCallen
600 cc
  Phillip McCallen
Superbikes
  Phillip McCallen
NW 200
  Phillip McCallen
1991 125 cc
  Robert Dunlop
250/350 cc (I)
  Robert Dunlop
250/350 cc (II)
  Ian Lougher
400 cc
  Dave Leach
600 cc
  Phillip McCallen
750 cc
  Robert Dunlop
NW 200
  Trevor Nation
1990 125 cc
  Robert Dunlop
250 cc (I)
  Eddie Laycock
250 cc (II)
  Eddie Laycock
Superbikes
  Robert Dunlop
NW 200
  Robert Dunlop
1989 250/350 cc (I)
  Kevin Mitchel
250/350 cc (II)
  Woolsey Coulter
600 cc
  Brian Reid
Production
  James Whitham
750 cc
  Steve Hislop
NW 200
  Steve Hislop
1988 250/350 cc (I)
  Steve Cull
250 cc (II)
  Gary Cowan
750 cc
  Joey Dunlop
1300 cc
  Kenny Irons
Superbikes
  Steve Cull
NW 200
  Steve Cull
1987 250/350 cc (I)
  Gary Cowan
250 cc (II)
  Eddie Laycock
Superstock
  Roger Hurst
750 cc
  Joey Dunlop
1300 cc
  Trevor Nation
Superbikes
  Joey Dunlop
NW 200
  Joey Dunlop
1986 250 cc (I)
  Eddie Laycock
250 cc (II)
  Andy Watts
350 cc
  Robert Dunlop
Superstock
  Trevor Nation
Superbikes
  Roger Marshall
NW 200
  Joey Dunlop
1985 250 cc (I)
  Joey Dunlop
250 cc (II)
  Steve Cull
350 cc
  Steve Cull
Superbikes
  Roger Marshall
NW 200
  Joey Dunlop
1984 250 cc
  Andy Watts
350 cc
  Kevin Mitchel
Superbikes
  Joey Dunlop
NW 200
  Graham Wood
1983 250 cc
Courtney Junk
350 cc
  Norman Brown
500 cc
  Joey Dunlop
Superbikes
  Graham Wood
NW 200
  Joey Dunlop
1982 250 cc
  Donny Robinson
350 cc
  Tony Rutter
500 cc
  Stu Avant
Superbikes
  Ron Haslam
1000 cc NW 200
  Mick Grant
1981 250 cc
  Steve Tonkin
350 cc
  Donny Robinson
500 cc
  Charlie Williams
1000 cc NW 200
  Joey Dunlop
1980 250 cc
  Steve Cull
350 cc
  Charlie Williams
500 cc
  Mick Grant
1000 cc NW 200
  Keith Huewen
1979 Match Race
  Joey Dunlop
250 cc
  Bob Jackson
350 cc
  Tony Rutter
500 cc
  Tony Rutter
1000 cc NW 200
  Joey Dunlop
1978 250 cc
  Tom Herron
350 cc
  Tony Rutter
500 cc
  John Newbold
750 cc #1
  Tom Herron
750 cc #2
  Tony Rutter
1977 250 cc
  Tony Rutter
350 cc
  Ray McCullough
500 cc
  John Williams
750 cc #1
  Mick Grant
750 cc#2
  John Williams
1976 250 cc
  Ian Richards
350 cc
  Ray McCullough
500 cc
  Martin Sharpe
750 cc
  Percy Tait
1975 250 cc
  Derek Chatterton
350 cc
  Charlie Williams
500 cc
  Mick Grant
750 cc
  Mick Grant
1974 250 cc
  Ray McCullough
350 cc
  John Williams
500 cc
  John Williams
750 cc
  John Williams
1973 200 cc
Jackie Robinson
250 cc
  Tony Rutter
350 cc
  Tony Rutter
500 cc
  Billy Guthrie
750 cc
  Geoff Barry
1972 Not held
1971 250 cc
  Derek Chatterton
350 cc
  Paul Smart
500 cc
  John Cooper
1970 250 cc (Race)
  Ralph Bryans
350 cc (Race)
  Tom Herron
500 cc (Race)
  Peter Williams
250 cc (Production)
  Cliff Carr
500 cc (Production)
  Stuart Graham
750 cc (Production)
  Malcolm Uphill
1969 250 cc
  Rod Gould
350 cc
  Rod Gould
500 cc
  John Blanchard
1968 250 cc
  Rod Gould
350 cc
  Bill Smith
500 cc
  John Cooper
1967 250 cc
  Steve Murray
350 cc
  Fred Stevens
500 cc
  Fred Stevens
1966 250 cc
  John Blanchard
350 cc
  George Buchan
500 cc
  Peter Williams
1965 250 cc
  Tommy Robb
350 cc
  Ian McGregor
500 cc
  Dick Creith
1964 250 cc
  Ralph Bryans
350 cc
  Ralph Bryans
500 cc
  Dick Creith
1963 Not held
1962 250 cc
  Arthur Wheeler
350 cc
  Alan Shepherd
500 cc
  Alan Shepherd
1961 250 cc
  Tommy Robb
350 cc
  Bob McIntyre
500 cc
  Bob McIntyre
1960 250 cc
  Tommy Robb
350 cc
  Alan Shepherd
500 cc
  Derek Minter
1959 125 cc
  Tommy Robb
250 cc
  Tommy Robb
350 cc
  Alistair King
500 cc
  Bob McIntyre
1958 250 cc
  Sammy Miller
350 cc
  Alistair King
500 cc
  Jack Brett
1957 250 cc
  Sammy Miller
350 cc
  Bob Anderson
500 cc
  Jack Brett
1956 250 cc
  Sammy Miller
350 cc
  Derek Ennett
500 cc
  Bob Anderson
1955 250 cc
  Alan Lyons
350 cc
  Jackie Wood
500 cc
  Geoff Duke
1954 250 cc
  Arthur Wheeler
350 cc
  Derek Ennett
500 cc
  Reg Armstrong
1953 250 cc
  Arthur Wheeler
350 cc
  Bob McIntyre
500 cc
  Syd Lawton
1952 250 cc
  Arthur Wheeler
350 cc
  Harry Pearce
500 cc
  Ivor Arber
1951 250 cc
  Arthur Wheeler
350 cc
  Dickie Dale
500 cc
  Geoff Duke
1950 250 cc
  Ron Mead
350 cc
  Geoff Duke
500 cc
  Artie Bell
1949 250 cc
  Harold Kirby
350 cc
  Harold Daniell
500 cc
  Artie Bell
1948 Not held
1947 250 cc
  Peter Gill
350 cc
  Malcolm Templeton
500 cc
  Artie Bell
1940–
1946
Not held
1939 250 cc
  Dennis Parkinson
350 cc
  Jimmy Little
500 cc
  Ernie Lyons
1938 250 cc
  H. G. Tyrell Smith
350 cc
  Bob Foster
500 cc
  Jack Moore
1937 250 cc
  Samuel Smith
350 cc
  John White
500 cc
  Jimmie Guthrie
1936 250 cc
  Charlie Manders
350 cc
  John White
500 cc
  Jimmie Guthrie
1935 250 cc
  Charlie Manders
350 cc
  Walter Rusk
500 cc
  Jimmie Guthrie
1934 250 cc
  Michael McSorley
350 cc
  Walter Rusk
500 cc
  Jimmie Guthrie
1933 250 cc
  Joe Woodside
350 cc
  Tim Hunt
500 cc
  Stanley Woods
1932 250 cc
  Eric Fernihough
350 cc
  Wal Handley
500 cc
  Ernie Nott
1931 250 cc
  Eric Fernihough
350 cc
  Graham Walker
500 cc
  Ernie Nott
1930 250 cc
  Eric Fernihough
350 cc
  Tim Hunt
500 cc
  Ernie Nott
1929 250 cc
  Malcolm McQuigg
350 cc
  Harry Meagen
500 cc
  Ernie Nott


Manufacturers edit

# Wins Manufacturer
86 Honda
73 Yamaha
41 Norton
32 Suzuki
10 Excelsior
9 Ducati Kawasaki
8 Aprilia Rudge
6 AJS
4 Matchless Moto Guzzi NSU Velocette
3 Bultaco EMC GMS
2 Gilera Hannah-Paton Seeley Triumph
1 Armstrong BSA Cotton JAP Ossa Spartan Waddon Yamsel
Zenith BMW

Media coverage edit

 
Spectators enjoying the 2009 event.

The event is covered by BBC Northern Ireland having previously been covered by UTV. All races are live on the BBC iPlayer. There is also live radio coverage on BBC Radio Ulster and live text commentary on the BBC Sport NI website. BBC NI also show highlights programmes presented by Stephen Watson, usually on the Sunday and Monday nights after the event. BBC Commentators include BBC MotoGP commentator Steve Parrish and five-time winner on a single day Phillip McCallen. In 2022 it was announced that BBC Sport NI had extended its contract to provide coverage of the event until 2026. [31]

Video game edit

The North West 200 features in Jester Interactive's PlayStation 2 title TT Superbikes: Real Road Racing Championship released at the end of May 2008. It is the sequel to their top 10 game TT Superbikes released in 2005.[32] It is also featured in Milestone srl's Ride 2, Ride 3 and Ride 4 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.[33]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Other motorists have responsibility for bikers too, campaign warns Northern Ireland Executive Website 14 May 2009 Retrieved 28 January 2010
  2. ^ "Honda rider Steve Plater fastest at NW200 practice". BBC News. BBC. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  3. ^ "The History of the North West 200". North West 200 Website. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Local People Urged to Support new NW200 Daytime Practice Session". North West 200 Website. 16 February 2010. Archived from the original on 20 May 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  5. ^ "North West 200 racing abandoned". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  6. ^ "North West 200 organisers 'not giving up fight'". BBC Sport.
  7. ^ https://www.facebook.com/northwest200 [bare URL]
  8. ^ "Motorcycle racing to go ahead in Northern Ireland". BBC Sport.
  9. ^ "Relentless International North West 200 Revs up for 'Giant' 2012". North West 200 Website. 24 January 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  10. ^ Organisers Applaud Improvements at Mather's Cross Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine North West Official Website 9 November 2009 Retrieved 28 January 2010
  11. ^ New Safety Improvements at Mather’s Cross and Station Corner Archived 20 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine North West Official Website 27 April 2010 Retrieved 8 May 2010
  12. ^ North West 200 Records and Stats devittinsurance.com. Retrieved 27 December 2023
  13. ^ "Alastair Seeley fastest in first North West 200 session". BBC News. BBC. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  14. ^ Road Racing: Richard Cooper has 2022 wins reinstated motorsport.radio, 3 November 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023
  15. ^ Roads: FHO Racing BMW and North West 200 organisers release statements over Superstock disqualification Motorcycle News, 12 May 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023
  16. ^ North West 200: Peter Hickman stayed at event 'through gritted teeth' after FHO withdrawal BBC News, 13 May 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023
  17. ^ "Dunlop dies after motorbike crash". BBC Sport. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  18. ^ Promising rider who died at the North West 200 road race in Northern Ireland Lasting Tribute Website Archived 23 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "Scottish rider dies in North West 200 race". 20 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  20. ^ a b "Simon Andrews: English rider dies after North West 200 crash". BBC News. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Rider dies in fatal accident". BBC News. 14 May 2016.
  22. ^ Irish Bike pp19 dated September 2000
  23. ^ Irish Bike pp2 dated September 2000
  24. ^ "Gone but not Forgotten". Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  25. ^ Isle of Man Examiner pp2 dated 20 May 2008
  26. ^ Manx Independent p42 dated 22 May 2009
  27. ^ Motor-Cycle News 23 May 2012 Motorcycle News Publications (2012) Bauer Consumer Media Ltd page 35
  28. ^ a b "North West 200: Richard Cooper has wins reinstated after 18 months". BBC Sport. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  29. ^ "North West 200 cancelled for second year in a row because of Covid-19 pandemic". BBC Sport. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  30. ^ "North West 200 international road races cancelled for 2020". BBC Sport. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  31. ^ "BBC Sport NI Extends NW200 Deal By A Further Two Years". Road Racing Ireland. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  32. ^ TT Superbikes Archived 10 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine Jester interactive's website
  33. ^ Ride 2 Milestone srl website

External links edit

55°11′34.7″N 6°41′51.27″W / 55.192972°N 6.6975750°W / 55.192972; -6.6975750