Veteran road racer Bruce Anstey, who this year marks a decade since his debut win at the North West circuit alongside new kid on the block Dan Cooper, were special guests at the BBC Sport NI hosted Relentless International North West 200 race launch held tonight at BBC’s Blackstaff Studios which revealed details of the EventServ Superbike Race 1, the McKendry Fabrications Supersport Race 1, the Ballymoney Borough Council Supersport Race 2 and the Livewire Superstock Race.

High profile kiwi competitor Anstey qualified in pole position for the Production race on his first visit to the North West 200 in 2002 and went on to win the race by 12 seconds as well as clocking up the fastest course lap. Since then the quiet man of racing has secured 20 podium finishes including 9 wins and no doubt is keen to emulate past success at this year’s Relentless backed race extravaganza. Bruce will compete alongside NW200 stalwart John McGuinness for the Padgetts Honda team managed by Clive Padgett which also includes Lincolnshire man Gary Johnston.

Also confirmed and making his NW200 debut is British Supersport rider Dan Cooper from Stroud, Gloucestershire. Nicknamed ‘The Ferret’ twenty four year old Cooper has two TT’s under his belt and is keen to develop his road racing skills. “I came over to watch the North West 200 a few years ago and was blown away by the buzz and excitement and can’t wait to join my top heroes John McGuinness and Michael Rutter around the coastal circuit. I’d also like to thank Mervyn Whyte and the NW team for making it all happen and giving me such a great opportunity. ” Cooper, whose first win was at Pembrey’s North Glos event in 2002, will compete in both Supersport races at the North West for Hampshire Motorcycle Team.

Eventserv Superbike Race 1

The UK and Ireland event services company, Eventserv, part of Siteserv plc Group, is once again partnering the Relentless International North West 200 and will lend its name to the first Superbike Race. The company will provide organisers with four grandstands featuring Olympic standard seating which will accommodate over 4000 spectators.

Eventserv Project Manager, Ian Scully said, “The company was pleased to support the NW200 last year and found the partnership an excellent vehicle by which to raise the profile of Eventserv both in Northern Ireland and further afield. 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 look forward to a successful Race Week and of course a sell out for all grandstand seats!”

McKendry Fabrications Supersport Race 1

Leading Coleraine manufacturer McKendry Fabrications Ltd which makes a range of products in stainless steel and other metals are supporting the Relentless North West 200 for a fifth year and are lending their name to the first Supersport Race.

Colin McKendry, Managing Director of McKendry Fabrications said, “We have a long association with the North West 200 and are very pleased to be involved for another year. It is a pleasure to lend our support to an event which generates so much positive coverage and business for the local community. We wish organisers, riders and spectators a safe and enjoyable Race Week.”

Ballymoney Borough Council Supersport Race 2

Ballymoney Borough Council is once again set to back this year’s penultimate race, Supersport Race 2. Mayor of Ballymoney, Cllr Ian Stevenson said, “On behalf of Ballymoney Borough Council, I would like to say how pleased we are to be associated, once again, with this world famous event. This will be the ninth time that Ballymoney Borough Council has sponsored a race and it highlights the long standing bond which the people of the Borough feel with this magnificent sporting occasion. No other place in the world has produced more NW200 winners than Ballymoney and I am pleased that my Council is able to contribute to an event that is so much a part of our local identity.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to come and enjoy the hospitality and friendly welcome to be found in Ballymoney. During Race Week, and increasingly throughout the year, thousands of bike fans and tourists come to our Borough to celebrate the rich road racing heritage of North Antrim and share their love of this amazing sport. In recent years, the Joey & Robert Dunlop Memorial Gardens and Ballymoney Museum have become busier and busier as more and more people arrive from across the world.

“I am very pleased to see William and Michael Dunlop achieving such great success. They have inherited a wonderful talent from their father and their uncle and I hope to see them on the podium again during the forthcoming season – God speed to them both.Finally, I would like to wish all the riders a safe and successful day. To Mervyn Whyte and his dedicated team, I also hope that everything goes to plan and that we all have a brilliant day of world class road racing.”

LiveWire Superstock Race

New sponsor and Portglenone based company LiveWire AV are set to back the North West’s highly popular Superstock race. Founded in 2003, LiveWire AV offers a range of AV solutions including sales, installation and hire facilities to pubs, clubs, hotels and houses of worship throughout Ireland. Directors of LiveWire AV, Robert Andrews and Adam Reid said, “We are proud to be sponsoring this year’s Superstock Race 1 on Thursday evening. As a local company this gives us a great opportunity to raise our profile, we have been supporting the North West for several years but as our company grows sponsorship of a race seemed like the next logical step. We look forward to both working with and taking part at Northern Ireland’s premier sporting event and trust all participants will have a safe and enjoyable Race Week.”

Riders to Date

Entries are still open until Tuesday 3rd April but a number of teams and riders have already put their names on the grid. In addition to Bruce Anstey and Dan Cooper, Ryan Farquhar and Michael Dunlop will compete in all 7 races on Thursday Race Night and Saturday Race Day. Wilson Craig team mates William Dunlop and Cameron Donald have entered the Superbike and Supertock races whilst Crumlin based Stephen Thompson will ride for BMW in the Superbike class, and for Honda in the Supersport and will be on board a Kawasaki in the new Supertwins Race.

As recently confirmed Simon Andrews has signed up for the new Supertwins class riding for Paul Shoesmith ‘s Ice Valley BMW team and then will join Honda TT Legends team members John McGuinness and Gary Johnston in both Superbike and the Superstock races.

BBC Sport NI Partnership

BBC Sport NI also outlined details of its 2012 coverage (detailed in a separate BBC press release).

Shane Glynn, Editor BBC Sport NI said: “The team at BBC Sport NI are all very much looking forward to what will be our sixth consecutive North West 200 as primary broadcasters. Last year Mervyn Whyte and his colleagues had no luck whatsoever with the weather and other factors they just couldn’t have legislated for – fingers crossed for a fuller day’s racing this year on Saturday May 19th.

“The additional two races on the Thursday night, and the two day time practice sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, will present us and our colleagues at Greenlight TV with new challenges. We’ll be showing highlights of the two races on our extended Friday night preview programme live from the paddock.

“The most important element of our coverage is team work, and we’re again looking forward to working closely with Mervyn and his team to provide race fans with the best possible coverage of this year’s North West 200.”

Thanking Shane and the full BBC NW200 team, Mervyn Whyte said, “The BBC team continues to deliver a fantastic range of global coverage and each year add new and creative dimensions to their output. The high calibre production provides an exciting mix of radio, TV and online coverage which reaches millions of people worldwide. Everyone at Coleraine & District Motor Club would like to wholeheartedly thank Shane Glynn and the team at BBC Sport NI for their hard work and professionalism and we look forward to another first class partnership.”

New Technical Developments

NW200 technical partner Arqiva have developed a range of up to date technical improvements bringing NW200 communication systems in line with BSB. The Arqiva team led by Zach Willis and Andy McClean are working closely with technical director Mervyn Whyte as well as Race Control and the time-keeping team to introduce new technical enhancements. These include new sector times and speed trap information as well as new Race Control messages and an increased number of red warning lights located throughout the 8.9 mile course. This information will then be displayed on monitors around Pit Lane and will help teams and managers analyse each race and build up an overall performance profile for each rider.

New improvements to emergency communications, which is based on TETRA technology, include key officials receiving emergency messages and updated information from Race Control as a text message displayed on their official radio.

New Trophy Sponsor – Belleek Living

In a first for the International North West 200, world renowned Belleek Pottery, under its Belleek Living brand, will provide a range of trophies for each race winner as well as unique ‘Man of the Meeting’, ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Overseas Competitor’ awards.

John Maguire, managing director of Belleek said, “Like Belleek, the North West 200 attracts a global fan base and is something that everyone in Northern Ireland can be justifiably proud of. We are thrilled to develop a new partnership with the NW200. In addition to race trophies we will be providing a special presentation gift to all guests in the official Hospitality Marquee during Saturday Race Day. We look forward to a safe and exciting event in May and send our very best wishes to the organising team led by Mervyn Whyte.”

Partnership with North Down Marquees

A member of Ireland wide Eventus Group, leading marquee hire company North Down Marquees has been a key supplier to the North West 200 for many years and in 2012 has taken the partnership a step forward and launched a new 3 year contract which includes substantial in kind sponsorship. Claire McBride, Sales and Marketing Manager said, “North Down Marquees has worked closely with NW200 organisers for over a decade and we’re delighted to seal the partnership with a three year deal which will see North Down manage a range of corporate hospitality needs for the high profile racing event. With a new comprehensive entertainment programme being promoted throughout Race Week we’re looking forward to fans, racers, sponsors and teams making full use of and enjoying the extensive marquee facilities.”

North Down Marquees will provide a large one storey top of the range hospitality structure which this year will feature extra glass at the gable end providing superb viewing at the race start/finish zone. In addition the company will provide an extensive Media Centre and will also be the sponsor of the busy Paddock Area adjacent to the Hospitality Marquee.

Coleraine Borough Council – Home of the North West 200

Mayor of Coleraine, Alderman Maurice Bradley, said: “Coleraine Borough is known throughout the world as the home of the North West 200 (NW200), an event of which we are all incredibly proud. “For eighty two years the event has been going from strength to strength and is a great attraction with supporters travelling from all over the world. I am really looking forward to attending the practice sessions and race days with my colleagues from Council.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank, Relentless Energy Drink and all the other associate sponsors that contribute so much to make the NW200 a truly world class event.”

Live at the Paddock!

A new concept for 2012 is a full programme of evening entertainment each night during Race Week and culminating on Saturday 19th May with the Relentless NW200 Wrap Up party featuring Belfast band Rio whose repertoire includes modern and classic hands in the air party hits. Managed and created by Portstewart based entertainments guru Brian Moore, the 6 day music festival is branded ‘Live at the Paddock’ and includes high profile local bands and singers including The Untouchables, Otis and the Elevators, Brown Sugar, Ronnie Greer Band and former Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh who will perform with The Illegals. A reformatted Miss North West 200 competition is also set for Tuesday 15th May alongside a brand new ‘just for fun’ Question of Sport both compered by sports presenter Adrian Logan.

New Security Partner

NW200 organisers have recruited a new security partner for 2012, Select Management who will look after security for all aspects of the event from hospitality and paddock security to campsite and Media Centre security.

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