×

Calendar

January 2021
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Dec   Feb »

Archives

SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Bishopscourt Racing Circuit

  • SUPPORT
  • LOGIN
  • HOME
  • THE CIRCUIT
    • Circuit History And Information
    • Bishopscourt, Life Before Racing
    • Circuit Records
    • Circuit Photos
  • VISITORS
    • Accommodation
    • Local Restaurants
    • Local Area
    • Petrol Stations
    • Links
  • RESULTS
  • GALLERIES
    • Videos
  • CONTACT US
  • Photographers
  • Entry Forms And Regs
  • Home
  • Blog / News
  • ‘NI Tourism needs the North West 200’:
29th January 2023

‘NI Tourism needs the North West 200’:

‘NI Tourism needs the North West 200’:

by bishopscourtcircuit / Friday, 22 January 2021 / Published in Blog / News, Motor Bike Racing, Road Racing

By Roy Harris:- Belfast Telegraph

Race legend Phillip McCallen calls on government to support event after double cancellation

Eleven-Time North West 200 race winner Phillip McCallen said it is sad but understandable that the event has been cancelled for the second year in a row.

The loss of the iconic event in May is a hammer blow not only for competitors and fans who normally flock to the north coast but to the Northern Ireland economy too.

However, McCallen – the only competitor to win five races in one day, in 1992 – feels it is also time for the government “to step up to the mark”.

“It’s sad, not only for myself, but for motorcycle racing, the fans, the competitors, Coleraine and District Motor Club and the north coast area,” he said.

“I can fully understand the health and safety reasons, and it’s not only us in the Irish racing world who are set to be tormented by lockdown and regulations for months to come, vaccinations or not – health of people always comes first.

“It has to be remembered the North West course runs through densely populated areas and the last thing the health authorities need is for tens of thousands to flock to the event, possibly bringing different strains of the infection into the area.

“We have seen how serious this Covid is.”

McCallen is confident the event will return to the calendar in the future.

“Yes,” McCallen said emphatically when asked. “People never realise the impact of losing someone or something until they are gone and the majority want the event back.

“Remember, there is nothing like the sight of riders plummeting down the hill at 180mph towards Metropole, lined up across the road hard on the brakes to get an advantage towards the run across the unique Coast Road.

“However, I would put a caveat on that; I believe that it is now too big for the Coleraine Club – and I do not mean that in any disrespectful way to the hard, hard work by the club members and officials. Government has to step up to the mark.

“Look at the economic loss to the North Coast area, £24m in the two years the event has been cancelled. We have 80,000 people on race days and millions worldwide view not only races but the picturesque nature of the surrounding area.

“Basically, the north coast area and NI Tourism needs the North West 200, and don’t forget the NI government needs to introduce some positivity for everyone after the last two years we have suffered.”

Meanwhile, the Mid Antrim 150 club have announced ambitious plans for the forthcoming season, starting with their Ballymoney Motorcycle Show in Ballybrakes Bowling Club being pushed back until the later dates of March 26-27 (dependent on government restrictions).

Saturday, April 17 has been pencilled in for the A1 Spring Cup at Bishopscourt, followed a day later by a new venture, endurance team races for Juniors and Seniors each lasting two and a half hours. That should be interesting with fuel stops and rider changes.

Then, the club promote the Neil and Donny Robinson Memorial races at Bishopscourt on June 17-18, and finally they will sponsor the USBK Moto1 Championship with a prize fund covering the top 10 finishers, with the best club finisher receiving the Victor Gilmore Memorial Trophy.

It is worth noting, however, that these plans are of course subject to Covid restrictions.

 

 

  • Tweet
Tagged under: fonaCAB And Nicholl Oils Northwest 200

About bishopscourtcircuit

What you can read next

Ulster Superbike Championship Round Four
Blow for Irish road racing as plethora of meetings cancelled in the Republic of Ireland
Sunflower Trophy Races Start List

Recent Posts

  • Team Wood Motorcycle Youth Academy continues support for young hopefuls in 2023 Ulster Superbike Championship

    By Kyle White Belfast Newsltter A host of young...
  • Team Wood Motorcycle Youth Academy 2022 Season Round up.

    The Team Wood Motorcycle Youth Academy had a ve...
  • Richard Kerr dominates for maiden Sunflower Trophy victory at Bishopscourt

    By Kyle White Belfast Newsletter Richard Kerr p...
  • Richard Kerr makes winning start at Sunflower Trophy meeting as Alastair Seeley clinches Superbike pole

    By Kyle White Belfast Newsletter. Richard Kerr ...
  • Michael Dunlop confirmed as late entry for Sunflower Trophy race on McAdoo Racing Kawasaki

    By Kyle White Belfast Newsletter Michael Dunlop...
  • From Joey Dunlop to Jonathan Rea – every winner of Northern Ireland’s prestigious Sunflower Trophy race

    By Kyle White Belfast Newsletter The prestigiou...
  • Alastair Seeley has golden chance to add his name to illustrious Sunflower Trophy roll of honour at Bishopscourt

    By Kyle White Belfast Newsletter. Alastair Seel...
  • Cooper and Hutchinson for Sunflower Trophy races

    Multiple Pirelli National Superstock champion R...
  • Sunflower Trophy Motorcycle Races

    Over the past number of years, the Sunflower ha...
  • Former winners Christian Iddon and Richard Cooper join line-up for Buildbase Suzuki at Sunflower Trophy

    By Kyle White Belfast Newsletter. Former winner...

Categories

  • Blog / News
  • Car Racing
  • Circuit News
  • Karting
  • Minibikes
  • Motor Bike Racing
  • Other News
  • Rally
  • Road Racing
  • Ulster Superbikes
  • Uncategorised

Archives

BishopsCourt Racing Circuit Ltd

address 29 Lismore Road, Bishopscourt, Downpatrick, BT30 7SY

tel NI: +44 (0)28 4484 2202

tel Rep.IRE: 048 4484 2202

tel Mobile: +44 (0)7813329090

email roy@bishopscourt.org

 

Map Location

LATEST GALLERY:-Ulster Superbike Championship Rnd 8 1st October

Ulster Superbike Championship Round 8 1st October
Click to View Album

 

 

FOLLOW US

  • Tweet
  • GET SOCIAL

© 2018 Bishopscourt Circuit Ltd. All rights reserved.

TOP