North West 200 confirm 2015 date

The North West 200 have confirmed their 2015 dates, with the week of racing and activities set to take place from 10th-16th May, culminating in the main event on the 16th.

“We wanted to let people know the dates as early as possible and after discussions with BSB co-ordinator Stuart Higgs we have been able to allocate May 10-16 for 2015.” Event Director, Mervyn Whyte, MBE, explained.

“After the success of this year’s races we have been inundated with enquiries about 2015 as people begin to plan their holidays and this is a free week between the May Day Bank Holiday BSB meeting and the start of the Isle of Man TT.”

Next year will be Whyte’s 15th year in charge of Ireland’s flagship motorcycle event, having first become involved with the event as a marshal in 1972. He is showing no signs of slowing down.

“The North West bounced back in 2014 with packed grandstands for both Thursday evening and Saturday’s racing.” Whyte enthuses.

“Yes, we have had a couple of tough years because of the weather, but road racing as a sport is booming, both internationally and locally, and the North West 200 is very much part of that phenomena.”

“Riders like Guy Martin have a huge public profile and our own homegrown stars like Michael and William Dunlop have a massive following. Television coverage and press exposure for road racing is at an all-time high and more and fans are flocking to the roads to watch the spectacular action.”

“We have also received strong Government backing in recent years to extend and increase the flexibility of our road closures and that has helped us to introduce innovations like day time practice and Thursday evening racing which have been popular with everyone. The goal now is to continue to build on that and make the North West 200 as safe and enjoyable for racers and spectators as we possibly can.”