What a day's racing folks, probably one of the best North West 200 race days yet. From the off we had thrills and spills, with some cracking slipstreaming and overtaking manoeuvres.
Certainly the gutsiest ride of the day came from Michael Dunlop, who won the 250cc race under very difficult circumstances and dedicated it to his father Robert. He received a standing ovation the whole way round the circuit and I'm sure there were more that a few people with a tear in their eye and a lump in their throat.
Stevie Plater was, for me, the man of the meeting, taking two Supersport 600 wins and the second Superbike race, with Michael Rutter winning the first. There was also a superb debut win for Michael Wilcox in the 125cc race, and Carrickfergus man Alastair Seeley won a thrilling Superstock race.
Don't forget that you can catch all the action on ´óÏó´«Ã½1 Northern Ireland on Sunday, 18th May at 10.20pm and the on Monday, 19th May at 9.00pm. There's also a two-and-a-half hour programme on BB2Ìýthis Saturday, 25th May. With the superb helicopter shots of the 12 man gaggle of slipstreaming riders in the Supersport race, as well as the many kerb cams and onboard footage not available in the live streaming, it's viewing definitely not to be missed.
So, that's the end of our NW200 blog for 2008. I've really enjoyed doing it and hopefully we'll be back next year in some shape or form.
So, that's the end of another very successful NW200, and it has been one that will live long in the memory. Saturday was so eventful! Every race was a dogfight in which no-one could pick a winner until the bikes were round the last corner and heading towards the finish line. It also featured what was surely the most emotional victory ever in the North West 200, when Michael Dunlop triumphed in the opening 250cc race after a titanic battle with Christian Elkin, dedicating the win to his father, Robert Dunlop, who had tied so tragically in Thursday's practice session at the event.
The most unlucky rider of day had to be Guy Martin, who was riding the race of his life in the second Superbike race until a jubilee clip on his water hose broke, and the rest of the results of the day confirmed that the Honda and Suzuki domination of the NW200 over the last few years is well and truly over.
The most successful rider of the day was Steve Plater on the Yamaha, with three wins - two on the Superbike and one on a Supersport. He rode brilliantly and was prepared and backed brilliantly by a professional and well run team.
Another big story of the day was the fact that the Irish are back. Alastair Seeley rode brilliantly all day to claim a win the Superstock class as well as a couple of second places in the Supersport races. He has served his time at the NW200 and proved himself to be a true winner yesterday. I feel he has the potential to be my successor - could he now one day make it five wins in a day? Add to this Michael Dunlop's incredible victory, which set the tone for the day and helped turn tragedy into a fairytale ending, and you have double Irish winners. Hopefully the shape of things to come.
And that's all from me for this year's NW200 blog. Thanks for your comments and maybe we'll be back next year to chat some more.
Well folks, obviously there is a very sombre mood in the paddock this morning with the sad news of Robert Dunlop's death last night following a practice crash. I'm sure everyone has fond memories of Robert, and I am especially in awe of someone who in his day was equally brilliant on the roads or on the British short circuit scene and, on behalf of myself and I'm sure everyone reading this blog, I would just like to let Louise, the boys and Robert's family circle know that everyone's thoughts are with them at this time.
Our thoughts are also with Darren Burns who was involved in the incident, and we wish him well and a speedy recovery as he recovers from his injuries.
In news from yesterday's timings, John McGuinness continued to top the time sheets in the Superbike class, with Keith Amor the fastest on the Superstocks and Steve Plater taking pole for the Supersport 600. Best of the local riders was Alistair Seeley, qualifying second in both the Superstock and Supersport.
It's all shaping up to be a great day's racing tomorrow, and with the sun being out I'm sure there'll be records galore broken, so if you are coming up to the circuit make sure and get here early as the roads close at 10am. If you're not, then you can keep up to date either online at bbc.co.uk/nw200 or by listening to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster from 11am on 1341 Medium Wave.
Everywhere this morning there is a total state of shock and bewilderment at the sudden and tragic loss of Robert Dunlop yesterday evening. Robert and I were tough competitors for 15 years, both on the Irish scene and worldwide. We both had our eyes on the prize of becoming the King of Irish racing.ÌýWith so many years competing at that sort of levelÌýcame a lot of respect for each other, and over the yearsÌýsince I stopped racingÌýour relationship had become even closer. Although I stopped racing a few years ago, Robert opted to continue, such was his love for the sport and his will and determination to continue racing motorbikes. Motorbike racing can be likeÌýa drug and is certainly addictive. The feeling that it gives you, that rushÌýof adrenaline, outweighs all the dangers.
My fondest memory of Robert is the Macau GP in the late 80s.ÌýWe bothÌýrealised beforeÌýwe started the race thatÌýboth of us badlyÌýwanted to win it and so we went at it likeÌýtwo mad Irishmen, and Robert came out on top with me behind him in second. That's when I knew, andÌýgot to experience first hand, thatÌýhe was a true legend.
Robert Dunlop was one of the toughest competitors out there who had an unflinching determination to win. It is a sad, sad loss both to his family and the wider circle of motorbike racing. He wasÌýone ofÌýthe best ambassadors for motor racing andÌýfor hisÌýcountry, and his memory will live on for a long, long time.
Hi folks,
Well, it's Thursday and the weather is great again, so some super fast lap speeds should be achieved tonight. After a day off yesterday the riders will be floating about the pits making a few alterations to their machines that they hope will make the difference to them being on pole or the second or third row of the grid.
The good weather has also brought the fans out in their droves, the paddock is completely packed with people hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes and their machines, get a few autographs and maybe a souvenier or two.
Last night, I was involved in the Fans Forum on ´óÏó´«Ã½i. It went very well and we got loads of emails and texts from all over the world, far too many to get them all answered unfortunately. But keep sending them in and hopefully tonight we'll be able to get through a few more and, you never know, one of them might even be yours!
Afternoon all. It's the second practice day today at the NW200, and I've been speaking to the newcomers again earlier, where we reminded the new riders of the high speeds and safety round this unique circuit. Then it was back on the bus for a more detailed lap of the triangle. Roger Marshall and I provided the commentary on the characteristics of every corner and straight, every camber and rise in the road. Having now had a go round the circuit on Tuesday night, I think that the riders really took everything we said on board, whereas on Tuesday afternoon they perhaps didn't appreciate fully what was in store.
Last night was the Gala Dinner up in the hospitality marquee, with sponsors and the great and good from local government and the tourist board.ÌýAfterwards, a few top class riders were waiting to pick my brain, so we had a rattle round the circuit so I could give themÌýthe benefit of my experience. I'll not let slip who they were, because they're now bound to be favourites come race day on Saturday!
Looking ahead to the practice tonight, I reckon that Rutter, Plater, Anstey, Guy Martin, John McGuinness and a few others will shine as bright as the sunshine we've all been blessed with so far this week. All the riders will reckon that they've got the perfect gearing and set up to nail a good time and get themselves up the grid positions for Saturday.
Adrian and I are now off on a wander round the paddock to get the lowdown on what all the teams and the riders are up to as the clock ticks down towards 5.30pm. We'll report back as soon as we can.
Thursday is second practice day, the last chance for the riders to put a good time in and get further up the starting positions for race day. It's also the day that spectators, a lot of whom are bikers themselves, start to arrive in force, which means that there will be a lot of bikes on the roads around Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush over the next few days, over and above the racing round the circuit.
While we all enjoy the thrill of motorbike riding, it's important not to take silly risks that can endanger your life as well as those of other road users. With this in mind, I spoke to Constable Bill Holden of the PSNI and rider Ian Lougher about what Bikesafe is all about.
Watch my video entry about Bikesafe...
You can also watch highlights of the practice sessions from Tuesday night to gear up for tonight's practice. Watch the Superbikes going through their paces, as well as the Superstock class and the 125 & 250cc bikes.
There is also some great footage that the Greenlight boys filmed onboard Alistair Seeley's bike. Normally the onboard cameras are mounted on the side to give you as close to the rider's point of view as possible, but this one is looking directly back at Alistair from under the screen. It looks absolutely fantastic, and sounds like you're on the bike yourself.
I'll be back later with more from around the paddock.
So, Tuesday night practice went well for most of the riders and teams, with only the one stoppage for one of the newcomers who crashed at Black Hill. Thankfully, Mervyn Whyte, the Clerk of the Course, tells us that the rider concerned is in a comfortable condition in hospital.
John McGuinness seemed very happy last night with his times as , seemingly without pushing it too much as the track was very dusty.
The Relentless Suzuki by TAS boys, Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald, had a smooth running evening swapping between their Superbike and Superstock machines with only a few minor gearing changes. Steve Plater spent a bit of time in the pit lane while changes were made to his machine to suit the triangle circuit, and team-mate Ian Hutchinson failed to register a lap on his Supersport machine due to a fuel mapping glitch at the start of the session, gearing issues and then the red flag situation at Black Hill. Ryan Farquhar, Alistair Seeley and Stephen Thompson all hadÌýsolid sessions, settingÌýgood times for Saturday.
All is looking good for race day onÌýSaturday, but before that we have Thursday's practice and of course ourÌýFans Forum.
That's all from me on what is a fairly quiet day around the paddock, but it'll all heat up again tomorrow, so keep checking back here for news and opinions from myself and Phillip McCallen.
Hi everyone. I've only made it up to the paddock today, along with a number of teams both big and small, after a long journey from Brands Hatch in London. It was an all night affair, up to Stranraer and across on the ferry, but at least I didn't have an awning to put up and machines to prepare (just baby bottles) for Tuesday night's practice when I arrived.
For the first time I sat in on the newcomers briefing, and on their lap of the circuitÌýinÌýthe bus, with Phillip McCallen and Roger Marshall taking them through each section. Along with everyone else I'm sure, I found it very informative and interesting, and the banter between the two boys was mighty. Phillip also does a great video circuit guide on the NW200 site.
The weather so far has been fantastic and looking out to sea you could easily mistake it for being somewhere in Spain, so hopefully practice tonight should run smoothly and we'll maybe get to see some cracker times set. I'm off to be the roving reporter for the live streaming coverage, but I'll be back with more of my thoughts soon.
Well, here we are at the NW200 for the first day of practise. The traffic has already started to flow as people begin to pick their spots for the race, and there's slight congestion building up on the roads on the way in. The buzz and the excitement build as you get closer to the track and see the programme sellers at the side of the road. Then, when you get to the "Magic Roundabout" and see the Kennedy Group flags and the painted curbstones, you know you're here.
First thing today is the very important briefing for newcomers - riders who haven't ridden the NW200 circuit before to make sure that everyone is well aware of the rules and regulations and the layout for the week's racing. With that safely over we put them all on a bus and take them on a full lap with a full running commentary from yours truly on how to get round safely the first night and, hopefully, be a potential winner come race day.
The next thing, at 5.30pm, is that the newcomers get a practice session to themselves where they are broken into groups of 6 or 8 with their own instructor. I've a group of Supersport 600 riders. I'm away to do some commentating now, but I'll be back with more from the paddock later on...
I spoke at length to John McGuinness at the NW200 press launch in the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum. And when I say at length, I mean at length. The boys who do the great ´óÏó´«Ã½ NW200 website filmed it all, so have a look at the videos below. Oh, and it was in one of the famous DeLorean cars from the Back to the Future film. Made, of course, in Northern Ireland.
Part One: Watch John talking about the calibre of the NW200 and the esteem in which it's held...
Part Two: Watch me reminding John about Christian Elkin beating him last year...
Part Three: Watch John telling me what a pleasure it is to ride for team boss Clive Padgett...
Part Four: Finally, watch John assessing his competition at the NW200, particularly the AIM Yamaha team...
When we were up at the NW200 press launch in the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum recently, we got to take a look at loads of vehicles that have been a big part of Northern Ireland's motoring history. And of course, like everyone else, I wanted to see what it was like inside a DeLorean. I managed to persuade Cameron Donald to join me and we had a wee chat about his hopes for this year's event, riding with the TAS Suzuki team.
Watch me and Cameron go Back to the Future...
Me and Adrian were up at the NW200 press launchÌýin the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum a couple of weeks ago, and there were a lot of amazing vehicles there. I ran into Steve Plater and managed to pin him down on his slightly secretive preparations for the NW200 as we sat in the famous DeLorean.
Watch the video of us chatting and then let me know how you think Steve will do this year by leaving your comments...
Hello. We're the people behind the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s NW200 website, and we thought we'd let you know what the craic is with the NW200 Blog.
Phillip McCallen and Adrian Coates, two local biking heores, will be part of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ commentary team bringing you live streaming from the NW200, during both practice sessions and throughout race day, and will be around the paddock and the pit lane all week. They'll be letting you know their thoughts from behind the scenes, who they think will take the glory, any gossip floating around and basically whatever pops into their heads.
Watch this video of Philip and Adrian introducing you to the NW200 Blog...
The vid also features snippets of chats the boys had with John McGuinness, Cameron Donald and Steve Plater, and we'll be posting the full interviews in due course. Leave your comments and keep checking back here for the inside track on the NW200.
We thought we should give you a bit of background on your NW200 bloggers, so myself andÌýAdrian answered the same ten questions about the big event and our own biking careers. How would you sum up the NW200? Who was your motorbiking hero? And which local rider do you think stands the best chance of getting on the podium this year?
Watch the video of me answering Adrian Coates' questions...
I've answered them all a bit more concisely below. See if you agree with me and post your comments.
Ìý
How would sum up the NW200 in one word?
Superb.
Ìý
Who was your biking hero when you were growing up?
Freddie Spencer on the track, Joey Dunlop on the roads.
Ìý
Which bike currently at the NW200 would you like to ride in a one-off race now?
The NW200ÌýDucati.
Ìý
Worst moment on a bike?
Falling off my 250cc in '92 at the NW200. I had won five races and fell going for the sixth.
Ìý
Best moment on a bike?
Those five wins in a day at the NW200 in 1992.
Ìý
Favourite bike of all time - on or off the track?
A factory RC45 Honda hand-built to my exact specifications for the TT in '98. Sadly I never got to ride it as I broke my back that year.
Ìý
If you could choose to have any job (other than riding... eh, ...bikes) what would you do?
TV commentator.
Ìý
What has been the biggest innovation in bike racing in the last ten years?
You can now buy a bike straight out of a shop and more or less go superbike racing. The difference between superbikes and super stock bikes is very small these days.
Ìý
Which local rider has the best chance of a podium this year at the NW200?
Ryan Farquhar.
Ìý
Favourite part of the NW200 circuit and why?
The Coast Road.
Ìý
We thought we should give you a bit of background on your NW200 bloggers, so myself and Phillip answered the same ten questions about the big event and our own biking careers. How would you sum up the NW200?
You can watch video of me answering Phillip McCallen's questions at the press launch of the NW200 in the Ulster Folk & Transport museum...
Or if you don't want to listen to us rabbiting on, you can read the shorter version of my answers below.
Who was your motorbiking hero? And which local rider do you think stands the best chance of getting on the podium this year? See if you agree with me and post your comments...
Ìý
How would sum up the NW200 in one word?
Awesome.
Ìý
Who was your biking hero when you were growing up?
Eddie Lawson.
Ìý
Which bike currently at the NW200 would you like to ride in a one-off race now?
Michael Rutter's NW200 1098 Ducati.
Ìý
Worst moment on a bike?
Finding out i had no brakes on the superbike at the end of the back straight in Almeria Spain and having to jump off, breaking my knee. Ouch!
Ìý
Best moment on a bike?
Wining the 250 championship in 2001.
Ìý
Favourite bike of all time - on or off the track?
RS250cc Honda.
Ìý
If you could choose to have any job (other than riding... eh, ...bikes) what would you do?
I think I'd have to stay in biking in some capacity, so probably a team manager.
Ìý
What has been the biggest innovation in bike racing in the last ten years?
The change from 500cc twostroke screamers to fourstroke moto GP machines.
Ìý
Which local rider has the best chance of a podium this year at the NW200?
Ryan Farquhar.
Ìý
Favourite part of the NW200 circuit and why?
Start & finish in front of the big screen because now with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ coverage you can see right around the circuit.
Ìý
