Four-time Superbike winner Glenn Irwin says the North West 200 owes a huge debt of gratitude to outgoing Event Director Mervyn Whyte.

The Limavady man is stepping down from the role after 20 years in charge but will remain on hand to offer expertise and advice to the Coleraine Club if called upon.

Whyte progressed through the ranks to take over the top job at the international road race from Billy Nutt in 2000 after first becoming involved as a flag marshal in 1973.

Under his tutelage, the historic old race has become one of Northern Ireland’s most popular sporting exports and a vital money-spinner for the local economy, providing a boost of £12 million annually.

Carrickfergus man Irwin, who has won the past four Superbike races in a row around the 8.9-mile Triangle course, feels Whyte has often bore the brunt of unfair criticism over the years.

“I’m disappointed to hear the news because I had built up a good rapport with Mervyn since I made my debut at the North West in 2015,” he told the News Letter.

“I’ve been a fan of the event a lot longer since I’ve been a rider and I’ve been going there as a spectator probably since I was about four years old.

“I’ve stood on the spectators’ side of the fence and heard the criticism Mervyn has faced, whether it’s about how the race is managed or it it’s about delays.

“But since I’ve been going to the North West as a rider, I now have an insight into why things sometimes happen as they do and at times I’ve found myself thinking, ‘thank God I’m not charge of this’,” he added.

“I say that politely because one day I wouldn’t mind being involved with the North West because it’s an event very close to my heart, but it’s an extremely difficult job.

“I know he has his critics but Mervyn deserves everything that he has got from the North West because in my view, the event got a lot more from Mervyn than he did from the North West: that’s a good way to summarise it for me.”

Irwin only made his NW200 debut five years ago but already has some cherished memories from the event, including celebrating his successes with Whyte and his organisational team in the hospitality marquee once the race schedule was complete.

“When the last race was over and everyone was home safe, Mervyn would socialise with you in the hours after the event – it was little things like that which I’ll remember about Mervyn,” said Irwin.

“Some of the great memories of the North West I have already include going to the beer tent on the Saturday evening when thankfully we’ve always been celebrating as such, and Mervyn and his team were always in there as well.

“He was always very fair and understanding to us as riders, whether we were asking for an extension to a practice session or whatever, he was good at what he did and he was a pleasure to work with,” added the Honda Racing rider.

“Show me someone who could have done a better job during Mervyn’s tenure – I don’t think anyone could have – and to fill his boots will be a very hard job. I’m pleased that he won’t step away completely.”

Whyte will be involved in the process to name a successor and expects the next Event Director to be in place ‘by Christmas’.

His last race in charge was the 90th anniversary meeting last year after the event was cancelled in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One option being explored next year is running the race in August or September if it is not possible to hold the event in May.