15 replies to this topic

[Darren Galpin]

At some point in the past (I guess the 1950s), a motorbike race called the Northwest 200 was held on a road circuit in Northern Ireland. The circuit was not Dundrod, so what was it? Where? How long? Layout? Map? Was it used for any other races? Anyone?

[Ray Bell]

Motorcycles get to race in many places cars can't. Ballarat in Victoria had two circuits - one through a nice park, tree lined, shady grounds, all the nice stuff, and that was the one the bikes used year after year for two decades or more.
For cars, however, the only place to race was at the airport, if permission could be obtained and there were enough haybales to mark out the hairpins etc. Spectators stood in the open, exposed to sun and rain... it was only used four times (one of which was abandoned due to rain), with a prospect of another time if the Albert Park circuit had not become available when it was Victoria's turn in 1953 to host the Australian Grand Prix.
Dan Gurney won the last major race there in a BRM...
So the bikes get all the interesting circuits.

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[Keir]

Speedvision just had a video on the late fifties version, won by Bob Anderson, who later raced in F1.
The route was much like the Isle of Man circuit, just public roads connected for the race.

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"I Was Born Ready"

[Ray Bell]

Bob Anderson, ran Brabhams in F1, Climax V8 in the late 1500 years, I think that's right, went to 2.5/2.7 FPF in 1966, killed soon afterwards testing at Silversone (?).

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[FlagMan]

I think the Northwest 200 Motorcycle meeting may still be running - I vaguely remember seeing something about it on motor sports round up program on TV a couple of years back - it was on a triangular(ish) road course (can't remember where abouts though).

[Eric McLoughlin]

When I was a kid (about 1970 I suppose) I bought a second-hand book called "Irish Motor Cycle Road Races - 1954". Here is a paraphrased version of their description of the track used in that year.

The track was situated in County Derry (or Londonderry if your'e British), was 11 miles long and triangular shaped. The top leg of the triangle ran along the Atlantic coast between the towns of Portrush and Portstewart before turning left and south to the town of Coleraine. This was the second side of the triangle. The third side ran from Coleraine back to Portrush. Apart from the sections through the three towns, most of the circuit was through countryside.

As a matter of interest, the winner of the main 500cc race in 1954 was Reg Armstrong riding a Gilera at an average speed of 92.81mph.

[This message has been edited by Eric McLoughlin (edited 05-04-2000).]

[Huw Jenjin]

The Northwest 200 was still being run when I last looked, on a total road circuit. It bred a certain sort of rider, notably Joey Dunlop, who would beat the pants of establised aces year after year. The Irish rider must have lacked the "imagination" part of the brain, and made up for it in memeory and Gonad dimensions.Fabulous viewing, amust for thrill seekers, but like the IOM TT, having seen it once, i did not want to go back for fear of witnessing something I really did not want to see.

[Eric McLoughlin]

I used to go to the Skerries 100 motorcycle race meeting. Skerries is a small fishing village about 20 miles north of Dublin. The race is held just outside the town on what amounts to country lanes, and not very well surfaced lanes at that. The last time I went was 1983 and it scared the you know what out of me. I hid behind a tree for most of the racing. Road racers remind me of the introduction to the movie "The Right Stuff". The Edwards Air Force Base test pilots risked life and limb every time they took up one of the new jet or rocket 'planes. They were real heroes but, as the movie says, "Nobody knew their names". Road racers are just the same.They are a breed apart.

By the way, the North West 200 was held last Saturday (May 6) but, guess what, I don't know who won it.

[green-blood]

Anybody with an interest living in the UK should be able to pick up ITV - Ulsters coverage of the Northwest 200 on Wednesday night the 10/5. The race is run over country and coastal roads similar to the (in)famous Isle of Man TT. The Skerries race still happens every year. I am always reminded of the old Nuburgring or long Spa at these races they have the same atmosphere. In last years series 4 riders lost their lives - which is not the atmosphere one would like to be reminiscent about.....

[Irvine`s Love Child]

The North West 200 was the first motorsports event I attended at the age of eight. Seeing ( and hearing ! ) riders speed down to Metropole corner, three abreast at over 180mph can leave an indelible mark on a child !
I think it has been going since 1929, and is held on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of May each year.
For those interested, http://www.northwest...m/northwest200/ contains race audio from previous races and an on board flying lap with Philip McCallen.

[MoMurray]

Yes indeed the NW200 is still run every May. Many of the riders use it as a warm up for th Isle of Man TT races the following Month. The circuit is truly spectacular and very very fast. Basically it is a triangle which runs from Portrush to Coleraine to Portstewart. As these are main roads it is easy to find on any map. I believe the lap length is about nine miles. The great Tom Herron lost his life there as did many others riders but it continues today as one of the highlights of the Irish road racing season. Truly a great race to see if you are ever in beautiful County Antrim in May (and besides the Bushmills distillery is just down the road)

Mo.

[ghinzani]

Is the NW200 sponsorship in BSB that Rutter had but left at Rob Macs team provided by the NW200 organisers then?

[MoMurray]

Is the NW200 sponsorship in BSB that Rutter had but left at Rob Macs team provided by the NW200 organisers then?

Yes it is. They use the BSB sponsorship to promote the event. Still a magical event but one that last year cost us Robert Dunlop, although in fairness he accident was highly unusual and could have happened at any circuit.

Mo

[Stephen W]

A couple of years ago whilst over in Northern Ireland for the Ulster Speed week-end in August four of us took a hire car for a run round the North West 200 circuit. With it being on public roads there were a few restrictions but we did get the Mondeo up to 110mph on one of the straights. I would love to go over to see the racing as it is a true road racing circuit and the locals are so welcoming.

[Gregor Marshall]

The Northwest 200 was covered by the BBC, the same as last year, but the strange thing was that two weeks later was the IOM TT with the same cast/presenters but now on ITV, I never did find out why!!

[JtP1]

Yes it is. They use the BSB sponsorship to promote the event. Still a magical event but one that last year cost us Robert Dunlop, although in fairness he accident was highly unusual and could have happened at any circuit.

Mo

Seen it on the tele. A track for the truely brave. I like the fact that the bus stop chicanes really are bus stops.