Watson Writes... (part one)
Hello from the North Coast! I'm Stephen Watson and this is the first of my blogs,Ìýin whichÌýI'll be keeping you up to date with what's happening here at the Triangle all week.
My job this week is to present all our live inserts on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Newsline every day, as well as hostÌýtwo live preview programmes on Wednesday and Friday, and front the live coverage on the grid on Saturday. If you have any quirky stories you think we should be covering please letÌýme know.
Yet again we are beaming the all over the world on this website,Ìýso wherever you are watching please let me know - I'd be delighted to hear from you. As I write this during Tuesday pratice we've just had emails landing in the inbox from Paul in Tenerife,ÌýGregory in San Diego,Ìýand Curtis in Florida to name but a few. I still find it amazing that so many people can now see this fantastic event in every literally every country on the planet - including John on an oil rig in Angola!! If you are enjoying the coverage then do tell us, and send us any questions you would like answered by our team of experts.
It's always nice to see familiar faces popping into say hello. One of the first visitors to the paddock area this week was European Tour golfer . A Portrush man, he flew in from America on Monday afternoon, and called in to see us en route to the Irish Open in Baltray. Ìýboss Hector Neill gave Graeme the run down on the new Suzuki Superbikes, but he couldn't resist asking the Ryder Cup star for a quick lesson - if you see him give him some stick!
I'd also like to hear your thoughts on any potential local winners this week. Can Michael Dunlop win aÌý600cc race like he did at Tandragee? Can Ryan Farquhar or Adrian Archibald get on the top step of the podium? Or will it be Alastair SeeleyÌýflyingÌýtheÌýflag again for Northern Ireland with theÌýUlster based TAS team?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers,
Stephen.
Comment number 1.
At 13th May 2009, PedroPat wrote:Stephen
I'm really looking forward to your blog on the NW200. I plan to go next year and want to learn all I can about the races and the atmosphere.
Cheers
Pat Clar
Pedro Point, California USA
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Comment number 2.
At 14th May 2009, Rosiegirl22 wrote:So what's happening behind the scenes in the Paddock?...could it be afternoon tea...or afternoon ---? By all account Stephen Davidson (pacemaker press) got an early parole from the toilet block behind CD racing (William Dunlop) due to the mechanical skills of one of their team (a teenyweeney team as per the ´óÏó´«Ã½!!). Following a phonecall they assist the call out with a screwdriver and all their expertise to release the beast lol... will keep you posted on events.
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Comment number 3.
At 14th May 2009, micromoffett wrote:Hi all you bike fans.
Due to restrictions placed on photographers for this years North West 200 many areas are now out of bounds. Great photo's like you have seen in the pastwill never be repeated, treasure them they will never be seen again. Places like exit from York, Mill row round-a-bout Head-on at the Coleraine round-a-bout, Metropole, and church corner.
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Comment number 4.
At 14th May 2009, righteousCasper wrote:Stephen
Just a note about Tandragee... was looking at the chicane opposite the paddock and, to me it just looks about the right size to catch the side of a bike coming around it and throw the back wheel, and the rider, into the air. In other words it looks like a bad accident waiting to happen. Do you not think that if they are going to put a chicane into a course they have a duty to put a proper one in, not some Mickey Mouse thing that has the potential to kill?
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Comment number 5.
At 17th May 2009, brendaover wrote:Stephen,
Your biggest fan Brenda here again! What time will you be round luv? I have the 3 bar gas fire on in the van as i know your little toes get cauld.
Brenda.
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