CP Hire will celebrate a landmark 50th year as a sponsor of the Briggs Equipment North West 200 during the 2026 Race Week from May 4-9.

A family-owned plant hire company, CP Hire (originally Coleraine Plant Hire) was founded in 1971 by Castlerock man, Norman Hutchinson.

This year, CP Hire will sponsor the Superstock race on the main race bill on Saturday, May 9.

Paying tribute to the Hutchinson family for their ongoing support, NW200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte said: “The North West 200 and Irish motorcycle racing in general owes a great debt of gratitude to the Hutchinson family.

Norman Hutchinson with Carl Fogarty at the 1993 NW200.

placeholder image — Norman Hutchinson with Carl Fogarty at the 1993 NW200.

“Their support over the last five decades has been vital in building and sustaining the NW200’s international reputation. The Coleraine and District Motor Club are very grateful to Andrew and David as we look towards a future of continuing shared success.”

Today, Norman Hutchinson’s sons Andrew and David are at the helm, and the company has seven depots across Northern Ireland and two in Great Britain.

Sport played an important role in Norman’s life and he believed strongly in the value of physical activity, teamwork and community spirit, and took great pride in seeing local clubs thrive whether through direct involvement, sponsorship or simply by attending events.

In 1976, he was approached by the then NW200 Clerk of the Course, Billy Nutt to become a sponsor of the north coast motorcycle races and that involvement continues half a century on.

Briggs Equipment North West 200 Race Director, Mervyn Whyte presents a cake to CP Hire’s David and Andrew Hutchinson to celebrate the Coleraine company’s 50th anniversary as a race sponsor of event. (Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker)

In 1989, with the NW200 facing challenging financial difficulties, Norman and his brother, Allan – the proprietor of Hutchinson Tiles – became title sponsors of the event from 1989 until 1992.

The Hutchinson family’s financial backing came at a vital time for Northern Ireland’s biggest motorcycle race and helped ensure the event remained one of the world’s premier road races.

A sparkling line-up of the best road racers in the world will battle it out around the 8.9-mile ‘Triangle’ course from May 6-9, including Michael Dunlop, Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison, Alastair Seeley, Richard Cooper and Glenn Irwin, while British Superbike prospect Storm Stacey is among the newcomers for 2026.