Nw200 abandoned after heavy rain

Ballymoney’s Michael Dunlop won the only race of the day at yesterday’s North West 200.
©Press Eye Ltd Northern Ireland 18th March 2013 - Mandatory Credit - Picture by Matt Mackey/presseye.com

The Vauxhall International 2013 North West 200 road races.
McKendry fabrications Supersport race.
Race winner Michael Dunlop.©Press Eye Ltd Northern Ireland 18th March 2013 - Mandatory Credit - Picture by Matt Mackey/presseye.com

The Vauxhall International 2013 North West 200 road races.
McKendry fabrications Supersport race.
Race winner Michael Dunlop.
©Press Eye Ltd Northern Ireland 18th March 2013 - Mandatory Credit - Picture by Matt Mackey/presseye.com The Vauxhall International 2013 North West 200 road races. McKendry fabrications Supersport race. Race winner Michael Dunlop.

Racing was abandoned because of peristant heavy rain.

Race director Mervyn Whyte made the difficult decision to call off the event following persistent rainfall.

Dunlop won the Supersport race, which was stopped after two laps following minor accidents on the circuit.

New Zealander Bruce Anstey was second with Lee Johnston in third.

A disappointed Whyte is now calling for a change in road closing orders to allow organisers the flexibility to run races to coincide with favourable weather forecasts.

He said: “The weather has beaten us and I am absolutely gutted - we have done a massive amount of work and had three road sweepers out, but is it is impossible to keep it clear.

“If we had got a break in the weather for an hour we could have done something.

“I feel for all those who have come here today and the thousands who have supported us.

“It’s just a pity we haven’t a roads closing order to allow things to change - it needs to be flexible and there has to be movement from the government.

“It’s a disgrace the amount of money this event receives compared with other events.

“The government needs to start putting effective financial backing into this event. We receive little or nothing.”

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