North West 200 ditches 250s

The Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd will next year  promote a six-race North West 200 programme following a decision to remove the 250cc race category.

The revised programme will comprise two  races for superbikes, two for supersport and one apiece for superstock and GP125s.

That means there will be no longer be 250cc race on the NW200 schedule and Race Director Mervyn Whyte MBE said, “Having considered this option for the past couple of years we now believe the time is right to discontinue the 250cc category.

“Two-stroke bikes no longer feature in Grand Prix or British Superbike race programmes and, as a result, manufacturers have reduced the number of models and ranges produced each year.

“We therefore don’t have the same number of teams nor individual competitors wanting to enter this particular class and, having taken all these factors into consideration, felt it was appropriate to promote a strong six race event in 2010.”

The NW200 management team have also proposed significant changes to the Thursday practice session.

Whyte continued: “In response to competitor and team feedback, we are examining opportunities to hold our traditional Thursday practice during the day as opposed to later in the evening.

“We would anticipate roads closing on Thursday morning at 9.30am and re-opening at 3pm and believe it would cause less disruption to residents and the business community as well as providing important additional machine set up and practice time for riders and in particular event newcomers.” 

The Coleraine & District Motor Club is currently consulting with key organisations and business people as well as local residents.

Tuesday evening practice and Saturday Race Day timings are set to remain the same as previous years.