Funding in excess of 60,000 has helped to safeguard the 2021 North West 200.
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The legendary road race had fallen into financial difficulties as a result of being cancelled this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to North Antrim MP Ian Paisley.

However, with the council’s backing of £61,800 confirmed next year following a meeting on Tuesday evening, the immediate future of the event appears to be secured.

Mr Paisley said:

“This crucial money will cement the running of the international NW200 in 2021. The North West was in the treacherous position that it was possibly not going to survive.”

The funding package will come as a welcome development for long-serving race chief Mervyn Whyte as he begins to plan for Ireland’s biggest road race meeting in 2021.

Councillor Chris McCaw underscored the importance of the sporting event, which is estimated to generate around £12 million for the local economy on the North Coast.

“The NW200 is the most important event in the Borough and it is vital that it continues,” he said.

“I am happy that Council has voted this evening to provide the event with the full grant we had allocated to them, although sadly the event is not happening this year. I hope we will see it back in 2021.”

The North West 200 had been scheduled to take place this year between May 12-16 until the organisers were forced to axe the event as a result of the impact of Covid-19. Provisionally, the race is set to take place from May 11-15 next year.

Northern Ireland's other major road race, the Ulster Grand Prix, was cancelled this year as a result of the £290,000 debt crisis facing the organising Dundrod Club.