Alastair Seeley won the only race that beat the weather last year - Photo Credit: Suzuki Racing
Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd have announced that race day for next year's International North West 200 will take place on Saturday 19th May 2012. The schedule has been ratified by governing body, the Motor Cycling Union of Ireland (MCUI) and the latest running of the historic event will see a number of changes to the programme.
The intention is to stage races on a weeknight for the first time in an effort to avoid the problems face this year, where an oil spillage and torrential rain saw the event cancelled with just one race completed.
Coleraine & District Motor Club have proposed to Coleraine Borough Council that daytime practice is staged on Tuesday 15th May with the first two races taking place on Thursday 17th May but before this is officially confirmed, detailed letters will be delivered to all residents located in and around the course and local people will be invited to respond to NW200 organisers by Tuesday 15th November.
NW200 Technical director Mervyn Whyte MBE outlined the plans for next year's event with the intention to showcase the new Supertwins class on the opening day of racing.
“We aim to close the 8.9 mile circuit roads on Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am until 2.30pm providing substantial time for practice including valuable newcomer sessions.”
“To expand our race programme and broaden the appeal to fans, we hope to introduce two exciting races on the Thursday evening – a Superstock event followed by a Supertwins Race – with roads set to close 5.30pm to 9pm. We believe the new revitalised programme will attract additional spectators and add a little more live action to our Race Week schedule. The addition of the Supertwins race is a first for the North West 200 and we will be following the same regulations as the Isle of Man TT who are also set to introduce a Supertwins class for the first time in 2012.”
White confirmed that the Saturday schedule will remain unchanged with two Superbike races, two Supersport races and the second Superstock race taking place. However, the Superstock class will see a slight change with an aggregate points system now applying across the two races.
