´óÏó´«Ã½

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport Northern Ireland has signed a new deal to continue broadcasting the North West 200 International road races, one of the most famous and prestigious motorsport events in the world.

The deal – for the next five years – runs from 2010 to 2014.

Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the NW 200 has attracted motorsport fans from all over the world with upwards of 100,000 people witnessing the thrills of road racing on the nine miles of public roads.

The deal will continue to provide fans with enhanced coverage throughout the week-long festival across ´óÏó´«Ã½ TV, radio and online.

There will be reports from behind-the-scenes with interviews and features on the riders, the fans and the people who make it one of the sport's biggest attractions.

Peter Johnston, Controller of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland, said: "I am delighted that we are continuing our partnership to provide exclusive coverage of the Northwest 200 again. It's a fantastic community event as well as a real sporting spectacle.

"We plan to use all of our resources across TV, radio and interactive to enable our audiences to enjoy this great occasion in lots of new and exciting ways."

Coverage of the NW 200 festival on TV will include preview and highlights programmes, live reports from the circuit each night on µþµþ°äÌý±·±ð·É²õ±ô¾±²Ô±ð and enhanced onboard and road-side footage.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster will continue to have live coverage of the main race with features, build-up and live reports on everything happening during the festival on a number of programmes throughout the week.

Shane Glynn, Editor of Sport says: "When we secured the rights to the North West 200, we pledged to provide fans with the most innovative, creative and in-depth coverage of the races and the week leading up to them. I hope we've delivered on that promise.

"Our partnership with Mervyn Whyte and his team is very strong, and we're looking forward to working together at the North West until 2014, and hopefully beyond.

"The profile of the North West has risen tremendously, and we're delighted to be involved in what has established itself as one of Ireland's top sporting events. We will be working hard with Mervyn to see how we can further improve and develop our coverage."

Mervyn Whyte MBE, Clerk of Course, says: "We are completely delighted that we have been able to secure a further five years with ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland. We have achieved so much over the past three years together and to be able to continue this relationship is the icing on the cake for the competition.

"The coverage across TV, radio and online has been second to none and the NW 200 are excited about the relationship going from strength to strength in the next five years."

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport NI will continue to provide a dedicated website with live race streaming, practice, interviews and results. The site will also allow fans to post their views, comments and pictures.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport Northern Ireland's Ceefax service will also provide the latest news and information during the NW 200 festival week.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland Press Office