No 400cc at NW200 (or minitwins)

Dunlop award for top NW200 rider


Michael Rutter will ride a Yamaha at the 2009 North West 200


A perpetual trophy in memory of record 15-time winner Robert Dunlop is to be awarded to the man-of-the-meeting at this year's North West 200 on 16 May. Dunlop's death after a practice crash cast a shadow over last year's meeting.

"We believe this is a fitting tribute to a rider who did so much for the North West," said race organiser Mervyn Whyte at the launch of the 2009 event.

The event will again boast seven races, but the 400cc class, which was run in tandem with the 125s, has been dropped.

"In recent years the quality and number of 400cc entrants has diminished so we believe it's no longer viable a viable option to continue to run this class," said clerk-of-the-course Whyte.

The races will again be sponsored by the Kennedy Group, with Coke Zero being brought on board as associate sponsors.

The racing spectacular is celebrating its 80th anniversary, having first been run on 20 April, 1929.

Meanwhile the organising Coleraine Club has announced a change to the running order during both practice nights, with each practice session this year beginning with 125/250 bikes followed by the Superbike and Superstock machines and finally the 600cc bikes.

Michael Dunlop, winner of the 250cc race last year, is hoping to get permission to ride a Norton at this year's race.
The bike does not meet existing specifications for the Superbike class but the Ballymoney rider is hoping that special dispensation to compete will be granted. BBC Sport NI will again provide extensive coverage of the event on television, radio and online.




This means there will be no minitwins racing there either!


Taken from another site:

If you feel there should be a race for 650 twins at the North West 200 this year then get on the ball now and email Mervyn Whyte MervynWhyte@aol.com BEFORE WEDNESDAY 14th as the club will be having a meeting on Thursday.

Quote borrowed from another website

After careful consideration on Thursday evening last week and Friday the committee have decided against running a SV 650 Twin Race in 09. The decision was not taken lightly , it was felt that we would continue to run the 125cc and 250cc races and would review the possibility of the 650 class for 2010.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Regards,

Mervyn

Mervyn Whyte MBE
NW200 Clerk of Course

Kennedy Holdings Ltd
Sandel Village
Knocklynn Road
Coleraine.
BT52 1WW

Tel 028 70355800
E-Mail mervynwhyte@aol.com