Superbike Stars Roll in as Coleraine Unveils New NW Brand Profile

Superbike Stars Roll in as Coleraine Unveils New NW Brand Profile - Printable Version

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Superbike Stars Roll in as Coleraine Unveils New NW Brand Profile - Malcolm - 09-04-2011

Relentless International North West 200 Superbike star Ian Hutchinson and newcomer Steve Mercer travelled to the North Coast region to help unveil Coleraine Borough Council’s new North West brand profile “Coleraine Borough, Home of the North West 200” as well as launching this year’s superbike races. The duo alongside Aussie star Cameron Donald and local rider William Davison from Kilrea were also put through their Strictly Come Dancing paces at iconic former dance hall and beach café, Portrush’s Arcadia.

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Norman Hillis outlined details of Coleraine Borough Council’s support for the Relentless International North West 200, “Coleraine Borough Council is tremendously proud of its longstanding association with the Relentless North West 200. Each May we welcome tourists from all parts of Ireland, Britain and further afield. This noticeable increase in visitors helps promote the North Coast as a top class holiday destination whilst providing a significant economic boost, not only to the local area but to Northern Ireland as a whole.

“The fun will kick off on the North Coast on Saturday 14th May with the launch of this year’s Relentless International North West 200 Race Week Festival, an inspired programme of family-friendly events running throughout the week in the lead up to Race Day. This year’s line-up promises to be bigger and better than ever with highlights set to include; an outdoor performance by ‘Dead Ringer’ Meatloaf tribute act, a Family Motor Fest featuring superbike stunts, a mini funfair and the Dingle Fingle Clown show. The paddock area will also feature face painters, clowns and stilt walkers and a fireworks extravaganza will be set against the backdrop of Portstewart.

“As Mayor of Coleraine, I’m greatly looking forward to welcoming both competitors and spectators back to the North Coast next month.”

Relentless International North West 200 technical director Mervyn Whyte MBE, has confirmed that the hotly contested Superbike races will open and close this year’s racing programme on Saturday 21st May. “Entries closed on Tuesday 5th April and I’m pleased to reveal a top quality line-up of familiar faces as well as some new kids on the block which I believe will create two extremely exciting Superbike races.”

“Long time event supporter The McAvoy Group will back our NW200 Superbike race and this class alongside the first Superbike race which will be sponsored by UK and Ireland event services company, Eventserv, has attracted an excellent range of competitors.”

Whyte confirmed entries from Hawick rider Stuart Easton and his MSS Kawasaki team mate Gary Mason. Gary made his NW200 debut last May and clocked up a Best Newcomer award whilst Stuart first hit the grid on 2004 and last year achieved a superbike podium position taking second as well as fifth in the superbike races. Easton hit the headlines in May 2010 beating Michael Rutter’s Speed Trap record with 204 mph. Also poised for the grid are Relentless by TAS Suzuki riders Carrick star Alastair Seeley and ‘The Boat that Guy Built’ television presenter Guy Martin. Alastair made history last May as the first local rider to a North West Superbike Race since Phillip McCallen in 1997. Lincolnshire competitor Guy Martin first raced at the North West in 2004 and has picked up four NW podium places including taking the runner-up trophies in superbike races in 2007 and 2008.

Mervyn Whyte, Cameron Donald, William Davison,
Steve Mercer and Ian Hutchinson with dance teachers
Sonya McCandless and Katherine Allen at the Portrush Arcadia

Popular NW200 winner Michael Rutter will be riding for Phil Jessop alongside team mate Martin Jessop. Michael and Martin are part of the Rapid Solicitors- Bathams Ducati team at this year’s MCE Insurance BSB. Michael from the West Midlands has achieved 21 podium finishes including 12 wins since his debut in 1992.

Recent Wilson Craig Racing signings Ballymoney’s William Dunlop and Melbourne rider Cameron Donald will be strong contenders for Superbike podium finishes. Australian star Donald has been a NW200 regular since 2005 and in 2008 achieved second and third place finishes. Twenty-six year old William Dunlop achieved a North West double in 2009 winning the 125cc and 250cc races.

Bruce Anstey from Wellington in New Zealand will this year wear the Padgetts colours and with 19 podium finishes under his belt including 8 wins is set to be a rostrum contender. Younger Dunlop brother Michael as revealed recently will ride on Paul Bird Motorsport machinery. The 22 year old Ballymoney man first entered the North West in 2006 and won the 250cc race in 2008 and picked up third position in Supersport races in 2009 and 2010.

Ryan Farquhar and Adrian Archibald have teamed up and both will ride for KMR Kawasaki. Dungannon rider Ryan has scored 12 podium finishes at the North West including 3 wins over a 12 year period and last year was crowned Ireland’s most successful road racer with 150 Irish road race wins and topping the Duke Road Race Rankings 5 times.

As revealed last week Sondel Racing Kawasaki UK are fielding two NW rookie riders Californian ace and Macau star Jeremy Toye and British Superbike rider Steve Mercer from Kent. Toye’s inaugural trip to the North Coast comes courtesy of Tourism Ireland. Isle of Man competitor Conor Cummins will return to the North West grid following serious injuries at the 2010 TT. Shaun Muir Racing and Swan Yamaha’s Ian Hutchinson, currently recovering from major injuries sustained at Silverstone in September also plans to be on the Superbike grids whilst Gary Johnston will compete for East Coast Racing.

Other competitors lined up to take part in the Superbike races include James Hillier, Davy Morgan, Welshman Ian Lougher, William Davison, Denver Robb and Crumlin’s Stephen Thompson.

The final race on the programme, the NW200 Superbike Race will be backed by Dungannon based company The McAvoy Group which specialises in a range of building solutions including offsite build, portable space, pods and hire. The McAvoy Group services the education, healthcare, tourism, commercial and sport/leisure sectors and its portfolio of companies includes portable accommodation specialists, Greenline whose team works closely with Mervyn Whyte and the Coleraine Club.

Steve Harper, Group Sales and Marketing Manager for McAvoy Group said, “As a race sponsor we’re now in our fourth year and we’re pleased to continue our support of this superb event. McAvoy Group company Greenline has supplied a full range of temporary offices as well as toilet facilities to the NW200 for more than a decade and it’s been fantastic to see the event grow in stature year on year. We wish Mervyn and all the organising team the very best of luck for a successful Race Day.”

Mervyn Whyte welcomed Paul Griffin of brand new Superbike Race 1 sponsor, Eventserv. The UK and Ireland event services company, which is part of Siteserv plc Group, is partnering the Relentless International North West 200. The company is providing organisers with a range of Olympic style grandstands and has agreed a three year contract and will support the event until 2014.

Eventserv Director Paul Griffin said, “It’s an integral part of our company ethos to contribute to groups in the sectors we operate in through sponsorship, advertising or charitable donations. We’re delighted to have secured a three year contract with North West organisers and our sponsorship marks the official launch of the Eventserv brand in Northern Ireland which coincides with the opening of our Belfast office in early May.”

The Relentless International North West 200 programme is currently being finalised by local publishing company Careva Publishing and will be available for purchase either as part of grandstand/paddock/hospitality packages or individually. “Our NW programme is part of the heritage of the event as well as being our key source of income and the Coleraine Club would urge all fans and visitors to purchase a programme (£15) or buy from our range of packages which start from £17 with the most expensive deals costing £28 and offering spectators respectively a weekly paddock pass and programme or for £49 - a grandstand seat/weekly paddock pass/programme.” explained Mervyn Whyte.

Visit http://www.northwest200.org for details and online purchase.

Also available from the event website is newly launched F1 style hospitality packages. This year’s revamped VIP venue features a traditional marquee coupled with a Giant Expo area with soft seating and bar areas and tickets costing £160 includes all day refreshments with waitress service, music and entertainment, large screens to see the Race Day action close-up, al fresco viewing area and complimentary programme and paddock pass.

Relentless International North West 200 merchandise partner, Clinton Merchandise will once again produce a full range of high quality race clothing including on trend jackets, teeshirts, polo shirts as well as matching beanies and caps. The range will be available at special stands located within the paddock and throughout the 8.9 mile course. Merchandise will also be available online at http://www.clintonenterprises.com from Friday 8th April.

Corner sponsors this year include Coleraine furniture retailer Right Price and Ballymoney based Supercar Club Ecurie 25 (NI). As well as sponsoring Metropole corner, Philip McCauley also confirmed that Ecurie 25 will also supply this year’s official Safety Car - a brand new Mercedes SLS as used at F1 grand prix events and the company will also be showcasing some of the Club’s VIP cars in a special exhibition area close to the start/finish area.

Local sponsors Lindsay Ford are once again involved with the NW200. Dermot Rafferty, Director of Lindsay Ford said, “Lindsay Cars is once again delighted to be involved with the 2011 Relentless North West 200. We have supported the North West for over 20 years supplying an extensive range of Ford and Mazda, car and commercial vehicles for us by course officials and medical personnel in the lead up to and on Race Day itself. The NW200 is testament to the hard work and efforts of many involved and I would like to wish everyone a successful and safe event for this year.”

Bob Mullan Motors which has long been associated with the event will again lend their name to the lights at the start grid.

Mervyn Whyte also commended Darren Gilpin and Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) who are supplying the M.C.U.I. Medical Team with two Mercedes-Benz Vito’s which will be used at the Relentless International North West 200 and all other motorcycling events throughout the season.

The venue for this year’s Miss North West 200, which forms part of the Appletiser Miss Northern Ireland competition will be held in the Relentless North West 200 VIP Hospitality Marquee on Tuesday 17th May after the first practise session and not at Kellys in Portrush as originally advertised. “The Miss NW200 contest has become a regular feature of our NW200 Hospitality Marquee entertainments programme and we look forward to welcoming all the contestants to our revamped and expanded 2011 venue.” said technical director Mervyn Whyte MBE.