Today sees the NW200 motorcycle road races taking place on the Antrim coast. You can watch it live via the dedicated BBC NW200 website as well as via the `red button` on your digital remote control on ordinary TV and highlight programs on Sunday and Monday evenings which should be available via the BBC iPlayer during the week.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/nw200/ For a preview of what you are missing here is the 2006 Northwest 200 races
And here is a 3 minute lap of the 19mile course
The official North West website is at:-
http://www.northwest200.org/ Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse - 15th May 2010 The International North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, attracting crowds in excess of 150,000 as well as the biggest names in the sport including Michael Rutter, Steve Plater and John McGuinness. Taking place annually in May, the International North West 200 circuit runs between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine – an area of outstanding natural beauty and home to the world famous Giant’s Causeway. The triangle circuit is one of the fastest in the world. In 2005, Michael broke the record for the fastest speed in the history of the event with 201.1mph..... Roads Close: Tuesday 5pm and re-open 9.30pm, Thursday 9.30am and re-open 3pm Race day 15th May roads close at 10am and re-open 6.45pm.
Poots encourages motorcyclists to bike safely at the NW 200
http://www.dup.org.uk/articles.asp?ArticleNewsID=2130 Environment Minister Edwin Poots has challenged motorcyclists and drivers to do more to reduce the number of motorcyclist casualties on our roads. The Minister was visiting the North West 200 today and met with some of the top riders who will take part in tomorrow’s big races. The professional riders were echoing Mr Poots’ sentiments urging motorcyclists to bike safely. Mr Poots said: “Like myself, thousands of motorcycle racing enthusiasts will be visiting the North West 200 to see one of the most spectacular events in our sporting calendar. However, everyday we see motorcyclists and drivers engaging in some very risky behaviour, often travelling too fast for the conditions or overtaking where it is obviously not safe to do so. I also see car drivers and other road users putting the lives of motorcyclists at risk by pulling out at junctions or overtaking without warning. Half of all motorcyclist casualties are caused by other drivers and, with that in mind, I urge car drivers to think about motorcyclists and how their actions might put them in danger. A bike is three times harder to see than a car - so extra effort and a greater level of awareness are essential where bikes are concerned." Too many motorcyclists are being killed and seriously injured on the roads. So far this year, two motorcyclists and one pillion passenger have been killed on Northern Ireland’s roads. Last year 16 motorcyclists were killed and 398 were injured – 138 of them seriously. Although motorcycles represent 3% of all licensed vehicles in Northern Ireland, motorcyclists account for 13% of all road deaths. Motorcyclists are over-represented in the road fatalities and are highly at risk. The Minister said: “I would appeal to all bikers and drivers, whether or not they plan to attend the North West 200, to leave the racing to the experts and consider the consequences should you become involved in a collision. Remember – it’s not just you who crashes.” The Department has heightened road safety messages in place to specifically target the NW200 audience. The DOE advertisement ‘Thinking Ahead’ focuses on motorcyclist error, making them aware of the dangers on the road and urging them to take care. This message is featuring in a heavily targeted outdoor campaign over the NW200 period. Mr Poots continued: “Be under no illusion, speed kills and wrecks lives. Bikers have a responsibility to ride their bikes in a proper and safe manner. So please bike safely.”
Notes to readers: 1. The International North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, attracting crowds in excess of 150,000. Taking place annually in May, the International North West 200 circuit runs between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine. The North West 200 race takes place on Saturday 15 May with practice races happening earlier in the week. 2. The DOE advertising campaign “Thinking Ahead” seeks to encourage motorcyclists’ safety and supports the Police “Bikesafe” initiative. The campaign uses the strapline “It’s not just you who crashes”. 3. The outdoor campaign will intervene with the target audience as they travel to and from the NW200 period, ensuring inclusion of all main routes and heavy penetration of routes around the North West Triangle. As with all our outdoor interventions, the campaign will use ‘safe’ advertising sites, such as bus shelters and garage forecourts.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/nw200/ For a preview of what you are missing here is the 2006 Northwest 200 races
And here is a 3 minute lap of the 19mile course
The official North West website is at:-
http://www.northwest200.org/ Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse - 15th May 2010 The International North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, attracting crowds in excess of 150,000 as well as the biggest names in the sport including Michael Rutter, Steve Plater and John McGuinness. Taking place annually in May, the International North West 200 circuit runs between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine – an area of outstanding natural beauty and home to the world famous Giant’s Causeway. The triangle circuit is one of the fastest in the world. In 2005, Michael broke the record for the fastest speed in the history of the event with 201.1mph..... Roads Close: Tuesday 5pm and re-open 9.30pm, Thursday 9.30am and re-open 3pm Race day 15th May roads close at 10am and re-open 6.45pm.
Poots encourages motorcyclists to bike safely at the NW 200
http://www.dup.org.uk/articles.asp?ArticleNewsID=2130 Environment Minister Edwin Poots has challenged motorcyclists and drivers to do more to reduce the number of motorcyclist casualties on our roads. The Minister was visiting the North West 200 today and met with some of the top riders who will take part in tomorrow’s big races. The professional riders were echoing Mr Poots’ sentiments urging motorcyclists to bike safely. Mr Poots said: “Like myself, thousands of motorcycle racing enthusiasts will be visiting the North West 200 to see one of the most spectacular events in our sporting calendar. However, everyday we see motorcyclists and drivers engaging in some very risky behaviour, often travelling too fast for the conditions or overtaking where it is obviously not safe to do so. I also see car drivers and other road users putting the lives of motorcyclists at risk by pulling out at junctions or overtaking without warning. Half of all motorcyclist casualties are caused by other drivers and, with that in mind, I urge car drivers to think about motorcyclists and how their actions might put them in danger. A bike is three times harder to see than a car - so extra effort and a greater level of awareness are essential where bikes are concerned." Too many motorcyclists are being killed and seriously injured on the roads. So far this year, two motorcyclists and one pillion passenger have been killed on Northern Ireland’s roads. Last year 16 motorcyclists were killed and 398 were injured – 138 of them seriously. Although motorcycles represent 3% of all licensed vehicles in Northern Ireland, motorcyclists account for 13% of all road deaths. Motorcyclists are over-represented in the road fatalities and are highly at risk. The Minister said: “I would appeal to all bikers and drivers, whether or not they plan to attend the North West 200, to leave the racing to the experts and consider the consequences should you become involved in a collision. Remember – it’s not just you who crashes.” The Department has heightened road safety messages in place to specifically target the NW200 audience. The DOE advertisement ‘Thinking Ahead’ focuses on motorcyclist error, making them aware of the dangers on the road and urging them to take care. This message is featuring in a heavily targeted outdoor campaign over the NW200 period. Mr Poots continued: “Be under no illusion, speed kills and wrecks lives. Bikers have a responsibility to ride their bikes in a proper and safe manner. So please bike safely.”
Notes to readers: 1. The International North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event, attracting crowds in excess of 150,000. Taking place annually in May, the International North West 200 circuit runs between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine. The North West 200 race takes place on Saturday 15 May with practice races happening earlier in the week. 2. The DOE advertising campaign “Thinking Ahead” seeks to encourage motorcyclists’ safety and supports the Police “Bikesafe” initiative. The campaign uses the strapline “It’s not just you who crashes”. 3. The outdoor campaign will intervene with the target audience as they travel to and from the NW200 period, ensuring inclusion of all main routes and heavy penetration of routes around the North West Triangle. As with all our outdoor interventions, the campaign will use ‘safe’ advertising sites, such as bus shelters and garage forecourts.
