North West Superbike Race backed by the Far East!

Melbourne rider Cameron Donald and Steve Plater and Gary Johnston both from Lincolnshire and local riders Ryan Farquhar, Paul Robinson, Sam Dunlop, James McCann and Mark Johnston were in Coleraine and Portrush to help launch the final three races – the CP Hire Superstock, McKendry Fabrications Ltd 125cc and Yoko Noodle Bar Superbike races.

The riders checked out the 8.9 mile NW200 circuit, were guests at a special Coleraine Borough Council reception hosted by the Mayor, Cllr Sandy Gilkinson and attended the NW200’s penultimate media conference held at the Ramada Hotel, Portrush.

Yoko Superbike Race

Said Mervyn Whyte: “We’re delighted to welcome on board family run restaurant Yoko Noodle Bar as our new Superbike race sponsor. Yoko will take over from Dewalt and we look forward to working alongside Walter Tsang and his staff in the run up to Race Day.” Whyte went on to outline entries for this year’s Yoko Superbike Race which to date has attracted 55 entries including last year’s winner Steve Plater who chalked up a lap speed of 121.779. Also competing will be Steve’s HM Plant Honda team mate John McGuinness who achieved 3rd place in 2010, Relentless by TAS Suzuki riders Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald, last year’s 2nd and 4th place competitors fellow TAS rider Alastair Seeley and Macau stars Stuart Easton and Simon Andrews. Easton from Hawick in the Scottish borders will ride with Swan Honda whilst Andrews will compete for MSS Colchester Kawasaki alongside fellow team members Ryan Farquhar and Stephen Thompson. Andrews who recently confirmed his NW200 entry was due to be in Portrush for the press conference but was called away at the last minute to take part in a World Superbike practice session in Valencia. Other competitors signed up for the Superbike race include McAdoo Kawasaki rider Conor Cummins who chalked up a fifth place last year, NW200 stalwart Michael Rutter, Martin Jessop, Ian Lougher on board the Black Horse Kawasaki ZX10R, Ballymena man Denver Robb and Davy Morgan. Yoko Noodle Bar proprietor Walter Tsang said, “We are very pleased to have our flagship restaurant, Yoko Noodle Bar as the official sponsor of the Superbike Race at this year’s North West 200. It’s a great privilege to support such a wonderful event within our local area and we look forward to welcoming lots of visitors to our restaurants, Yoko Noodle Bar and Charco Wine Bar during Race Week.”

CP Hire Superstock Race

Race Director Mervyn Whyte MBE also indicated that over 50 competitors have signed up for the Superstock Race sponsored by local company and long standing supporter of the NW200, CP Hire. Star names include 8 times winner Steve Plater alongside his Honda HM Plant team mate John McGuinness. In the Superstock John will race under the Padgetts banner whilst Steve will be on board HM Plant Honda machinery. Last year’s winner Carrickfergus man Alastair Seeley will ride for Relentless by TAS Suzuki and is set to be on the grid with fellow TAS competitors Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey. Local star Ryan Farquhar and runner-up in last year’s race will enter on the KMR Kawasaki, whilst Isle of Man rider Conor Cummins who chalked up 7th place in 2009 is racing for McAdoo Kawasaki.

Welsh man Ian Lougher will be on board the Kawasaki ZX 10R with Ian Hutchinson, 6th last year, riding Padgetts machinery. Twelve times North West 200 rider Michael Rutter will compete on a BMW and after a two year absence, Loughborough’s James Edmeades will be back on board a KTM machine. Local stars set to compete in the Superstock include AMA rider Adrian Archibald, Dungannon’s John Burrows on the Mar-Train Suzuki, Denver Robb and Coleraine’s Mark Johnston.

Andrew Hutchinson, Managing Director of CP Hire said: "CP Hire has backed the International North West 200 for many years and as a locally based company we’re thrilled to be involved and support the event in 2010. We believe it’s important to back such high calibre local events which really do help attract more visitors to the region and raise the profile of Northern Ireland globally. Each year the build up to Race Day and the atmosphere at the Start/Finish area just gets better and better and we’re certainly looking forward to watching all the action at on 15th May.”

McKendry Fabrications 125cc Race

Coleraine based company McKendry Fabrications Ltd are once again lending their name to the 125cc race which has so far attracted over 20 entries including last year’s runner up Chris Palmer, Ballymoney rider Paul Robinson, BSB rider Pete Wakefield, Sam Dunlop, Ian Morrell, Darren Gilpin and Jon Vincent from Bickerstaffe.

Managing director Colin McKendry said, “We’re delighted to sponsor the 125cc race at the NW200 once again. As a local company it’s a pleasure to be involved with this prestigious event which year on year grows hugely in stature. McKendry Fabrications was set up almost 10 years ago and over the years we’ve worked closely with NW200 officials helping them with a range of in kind sponsorship activities as well as supporting a race since 2008. We are looking forward to another successful day's racing and would like to wish Mervyn and his team all the best for another action packed and safe days racing on the 15th May."

Coleraine Borough Council and Race Week Festival

Mervyn Whyte also paid tribute to regional partner Coleraine Borough Council who in addition to managing the Race Week Festival events have provided additional support to the NW200 by seconding events co- ordinator Paul Gallagher to help with activities in the run up to Race Day. Outlining their contribution to the NW200 Mayor of Coleraine Cllr Sandy Gilkinson said, “The North West 200 has grown from being a purely motorbike enthusiast attraction to a family orientated festival. Since 2001 Coleraine Borough Council has funded and organized family entertainment in Portstewart and Portrush during Race Week in recognition of the importance of the event and in a bid to attract even more visitors to the Borough.

“This year Race Week Festival starts on Saturday 8th May and runs through to Sunday 16th May and includes exciting free of charge events such as the Freestyle Motocross Stunt show, top UK superbike stunt performers, comedy clown acts, children’s entertainers and the ever popular Fireworks Show featuring U2 tribute band Elevation.”

‘Cookstown Paddock’

NW200 Business Development and Operations Manager Laura McManus confirmed top Northern Ireland brand Cookstown will be this year’s official sponsor of the paddock area. Colin Glennon, marketing manager, VION Food Group said, “This year we have significantly increased our investment to enhance the experience Cookstown can give to competitors and visitors alike and are delighted that the paddock area will be known as the ‘Cookstown Paddock.’ We are looking forward to playing host to all the competing teams, the Gourmet Trade Village and all visitors to this year’s event.”

Relentless and Black Horse

John Coffey of Relentless said, “On behalf of Relentless energy drink we are proud to be this year’s title sponsor of Ireland’s most prestigious motor racing event. As a local company, we have been supporting sports in the community for the past 70 years and there is none more prestigious and well renowned than the North West 200. It attracts the highest calibre of sporting personalities and also increases tourism and boosts the local economy, giving Northern Ireland international exposure.”

Dave Macey, Market and Franchise Development Manager of Black Horse, said, “Black Horse has been an avid supporter and race sponsor of the North West 200 since 2002 and this year we’re delighted to move up a gear to become associate sponsor of this very special road racing event.”

New Developments

Other new developments at the Relentless North West 200 this year include a new Business & Communications facility dedicated to competitors and teams as well as a new out of state marketing campaign entitled ‘5 Steps to the NW2O0.’ Managed by Laura McManus both initiatives will be funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s Major Events Fund.