North West 200 set to bring “massive boost” to local economy
The sporting spectacle is set to attract around 100,000 visitors to the area
Last updated 1st May 2024
The North West 200 is gearing up for thousands of spectators to attend a week filled with events culminating on Saturday the 11th of May on race day.
The motorcycling sporting spectacle kicks off this Sunday and is set to attract around 100,000 visitors to the area.
According to race boss Mervyn Whyte the most up to date figures show the week-long programme generates between £18 - 20 million pounds for the local economy.
Mr Whyte said: “The North West 200 is outside of, if you like, the peak vacation period. It kicks off in May and as a result it brings a major boost to all the businesses in the North Coast.
“We have done several surveys over the years and the latest says there is 18 to 20 million brought into the local economy. So, that’s a massive, massive boost to for all the businesses in the area.
“It kicks off the season because it’s fair to say that a lot of the businesses in the area have had a quiet winter, particularly in the follow-on from Covid. So, this is a major boost for them, it helps them pay all their bills and helps them move forward and kicks off to the start of the season.
“We have a number of other events on the North Coast itself and throughout the season, so this is really the start of all those events moving forward.”
To try and expand and grow the size and success of the event organisers have made several changes to this year’s programme and race schedule.
With many of the teams and riders that compete in the NW200 scheduled to race at the Oulton Park British Superbike championship meeting on Saturday-Monday, May 4-6 their arrival in Northern Ireland will be delayed until Tuesday, May 7.
The start of this year’s practice and qualifying sessions are happening Wednesday, May 8.
There will also be a rejig to the qualifying order.
On Wednesday, the traditional opening Newcomer session will now be followed by a one-hour long Superbike qualifying session.
On Thursday, the Superbikes will be the first machines on track.
Previously the Superbike qualifying sessions have been the final sessions during both practice days.
Mr Whyte added: “We’ve always been trying to grow the NW200. We’ve always been trying to make improvements and we have done that this year.
“We are making a number of other improvements for the spectators who are coming. We’ve introduced a fan zone on the opposite of the paddock this year."
Ex-Grand Prix star, Jeremy McWilliams, is set to take to the grid in the days ahead and said the race is one of the biggest in his calendar.
He said: “It’s such a beautiful part of the world and great place to spend time at and we do our best to spend as much time as we possibly can up there.
“It’s an incredible spectacle to enjoy. There is nothing like the North Coast it’s a pretty special place to be.
“It’s such an incredible atmosphere and feeling just being so close to the spectators with the spectators being able to spend time in the paddock which is quite unique. It’s quite a special event.”
The circuit covers the Triangle area of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine and attracts a big television audience, which showcases the area’s scenery to a global audience.
Aine Kearney, Director of Events Tourism NI, said the race brings a real energy to the seaside town.
She said: “It’s an authentic event it’s one that plays to our sports heritage, and it broadcast images of our unbelievable fabulous Causeway Coastal Route and the coast to hundreds of millions of homes around the world.
“It’s fabulous to see that this year’s event is going to be a week-long event and has something not only for the people who are interested in road racing there are loads of other activities going on around the edges for people who just want to come and be part of the experience.”
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