Revving up for Race Week

The free festival which runs alongside the Vauxhall International North West 200 sees events for all ages in Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine and will provide residents and visitors a continuous mix of off course entertainment.

One of the main attractions is the Family Motor Fest at Lansdowne Crescent, Portrush on Wednesday 15 May from 6.30pm. It promises to be a noisy exciting evening with the return after six years of Big Pete and the Grim Reaper, two monster trucks who will crush any car in their path. One of the world’s best motorcycle stuntmen, Mattie Griffin, will perform two jaw dropping shows on his BMW and Co. Down lads, Trialstar, will demonstrate their popular trial bike show. The packed programme will also feature mini-motoracing, climbing walls and a mini fun fair.

Portstewart will be rocking on Friday night with one of Ireland’s best tribute acts, Con Jovi, in a free outdoor concert at The Crescent, along with the North Coast debut of Ramp Rage, a non-stop extreme show featuring BMX, in-line skate and skateboard tricks on the half pipe. The crew will have its own DJs on site. The event reaches a climax with a huge fireworks display visible from the length of the promenade.

For the third year Coleraine will host Meet the Riders where everybody can get to see eight of this year’s top riders interviewed by broadcaster Adrian Logan and have the chance to get an autograph. The free event will be in The Diamond on Friday 17 May from 1pm-3pm.

Mattie Griffin will also perform his show on Thursday 16 May at the Pits between the practice session and the first set of races, and again on Friday at the same location.

Organisers have arranged entertainment at the Hospitality Marquee for each evening including live bands, Miss North West 200 and Givin’ it Gas Chat Show with World Champion Carl Fogarty and Jamie Whitham.

Download the flyer from www.northcoastni.com for details on all this plus car and motorbike cavalcades, exhibitions, the golf day and charity circuit walk, or alternatively call Coleraine Tourist Information Centre on 028 7034 4723.