North West 200 Programmed for Success

27/04/2009

As race organisers move into top gear for this year’s Kennedy International North West 200 in association with Coca Cola Zero on May 16th road racing fans and visitors can have a taste of the action by purchasing this year’s special 80th anniversary souvenir programme which is now on sale.

The 100 page glossy magazine produced by local company Careva Publishing looks back at the event’s origins with features on the first ever race on April 20th 1929 as well as on old hands Ray McCullough, Len Ireland and the oldest surviving winner at the North West – Ernie Lyons (now 95) from Kill in County Kildare.  Bringing the programme bang up to date are articles on current riders Steve Plater and Ryan Farquhar and also interviews with team managers Neil Tuxworth from Honda and Rob McElnea who will manage the NW200 Yamaha team with Michael Rutter on board, making a welcome return to the North West for the first time since 1985. Local star Alistair Seeley, a Superstock winner from last year’s event provides a rider’s eye view of how a race winning lap is completed.

Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte, MBE said he was absolutely delighted with the 2009 programme saying, “The quality and content of this year’s souvenir programme makes for an exciting read and perfectly complements this year’s anniversary celebrations.”

The North West 200 programme is the event’s main source of income and fans, supporters and visitors are urged to support the free spectacle by purchasing a programme. Priced at £18 the 80th anniversary edition of the North West 200 programme offers race fans an inexpensive guide to all the race action and the only place to view the rider listings for all seven races. To buy a copy which can be posted directly to your own home visit www.northwest200.org where you can also purchase official North West Event packages.