KENNEDY GROUP INTERNATIONAL NORTH WEST 200 GETS SET FOR 2007 The 2007 Kennedy Group International North West 200 launched today with plans to make Ireland’s largest sporting event bigger and better than ever. Saturday 12th May is the date for this year’s Race Day and organisers are once again looking forward to a top line-up of local and international riders. Along with many local riders, top UK riders Michael Rutter, John McGuinness, Steve Plater, Ian Hutchinson along with Isle of Man rider Conor Cummins and Scotland’s Keith Amor were in attendance as Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte announced that, while there may be some minor upgrades to the course, there will be no major changes. “Coleraine & District Motor Club and Coleraine Borough Council invested heavily in major upgrades to the course, paddock and trade village areas in 2006. The changes to the course this year will be slight but we’re continuously looking at the course to ensure it is as safe as possible. Many people described last year’s event as the best ever so we plan to build on that,” said Mervyn Whyte. Coleraine based construction and development firm Kennedy Group is once again title sponsor of the event. The company, which has supported the International North West 200 in-kind for many years, last year agreed a three year contract worth in excess of £200,000. Commercial director of Kennedy Group, Alistair Kennedy, said, “Kennedy Group has a long association with the North West 200 and we’re delighted to offer our support in such a tangible way. We have been a main sponsor of the North West 200 since 2003 both through the Kennedy brand and through Junction One International Outlet Centre. We believe it is most important to back an event which brings much to the community in terms of tourism and economic wealth.” Race Week will take place from 7th 12th May with practice nights on Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th May. Roads will be closed from 5pm 9.30pm on practice nights and 10am 6.30pm on Race Day with the first race starting at 11am. There will once again be a separate practice session for Newcomers on Tuesday evening. The format on Race Day will remain the same as last year with a seven race programme to include two Superbike races, two 600 Supersport races, Superstock, 125/400 and 250 race. Entry forms/ regulations will be available from Friday 26th January. The Secretary of State Peter Hain MP also attended the launch and highlighted the major contribution that the North West 200 makes to Northern Ireland’ s economy, tourism and international sporting image. He said, “The International North West 200 is one of the key events in Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar and it is the thrill of road racing which attracts competitors and spectators from Ireland, UK, Europe and beyond. The North West 200 brings huge economic benefits to Northern Ireland. It is the extraordinary achievements and the history of the race over its 76 years that continues to draw record crowds. I wish the organisers every success for a terrific day’s racing.” BBC Sport Northern Ireland is the official media partner for the Kennedy Group International North West 200 for the next three years. Coverage will include preview and highlights programmes on television, live commentary on Radio Ulster as well as a dedicated website. BBC Northern Ireland’s head of sport, Mike Edgar, said the three-year deal will provide fans with enhanced coverage throughout Race Week. “The North West 200 is a massive event and we’re thrilled to have secured this partnership. North West 200 fans can look forward to the event’s most extensive coverage ever,” said BBC’s Mike Edgar. Shackleton Crean Event Management, incorporating Bridgestone Catering, is the hospitality partner for the Kennedy Group International North West 200 2007. The company, which last year assisted Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) in running hospitality at the North West 200, will be managing all aspects of hospitality at this year’s event. Northern Ireland Events Company came onboard in 2003 to encourage the North West 200 towards self-sustainability. Mervyn Whyte said, “We are grateful to NIEC for their guidance, expertise and help in previous years. The hospitality at the North West 200 has improved significantly in recent years to a world-class standard. The Shackleton Crean team are no strangers to the International North West 200 and this year will be no exception.” John McNally of Shackleton Crean said, “Following on from last year’s hugely successful event, we are diversifying and expanding the hospitality products offered at the Kennedy Group International North West 200. For example, we will be fully utilising the two tier hospitality marquee throughout Race Week until lunchtime on Race Day, offering lunch and dinner to 9pm, exclusive events, live entertainment and corporate hospitality.” As well as managing the fully serviced adult campsite for up to 2,000 people at Islandtasserty Road, Shackleton Crean will also manage the family campsite on the Ballyreagh Road and the food and beverage outlets in the paddock area, available from Tuesday 8th May. The prestigious two tier hospitality marquee will host lunch and dinner through until lunchtime on Race Day, live charity entertainment party on Wednesday evening (ticket only) and a live entertainments programme from Tuesday to Saturday. The sponsor’s/stewards dinner will be held for the first time on the second floor of the hospitality marquee on Wednesday evening. Corporate hospitality on Race Day will include breakfast on arrival, champagne reception and a gourmet four course lunch with excellent views of the course. Race Day will end with what is already being dubbed the hottest party in town, held in the hospitality marquee on Race Day evening (ticket only event). As with last year, two levels of corporate hospitality will be available with prices starting at £90 + vat. For more information on campsites and hospitality, contact [email protected] or telephone 028 3752 8080. Mayor of Coleraine Borough Council, Cllr William King MBE, said, “This spectacular event attracts many thousands of visitors to the Borough throughout the Race Week and makes a significant contribution to our local economy. Coleraine Borough Council is delighted to be involved with what is one of the largest and most popular annual sporting events in Ireland. “There has been a lot of collaboration between the Club and Council staff on the organisation of the North West 200 and we applaud the huge amount of work and commitment that is sustained by the Coleraine and District Motor Club. The road races generate a significant amount of income for the local economy and Council will continue to support the Club both financially and in-kind to stage a quality event that attracts pure motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world as well as a very broad family audience.” Macmillan Cancer Support is the official charity of this year’s Kennedy Group International North West 200. Lisa Brockerton, Fundraising Manager from Macmillan Cancer Support said, “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated as the official charity for the 2007 event and we are really looking forward to working with all the organisers over the coming months on what promises to be a fun-packed programme during the Race Week Festival. All the funds raised during the event will be used locally to help improve the quality of life for people affected by cancer and their families.” The New Year saw a new title for Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte who was awarded a MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Mervyn was also presented with the Services to Sport award at the Irish Racer Magazine Motorcycle Awards 2007 on Friday evening. Mervyn has been involved in the North West 200 for over 35 years and has served the Motorcycle Union of Ireland for 25 years. The North West 200 programme will again be published by Careva Publishing, one of Ireland’s leading motorcycle publishers and producers of Irish Racer magazine. This will be Careva’s fifth year handling the North West 200 programme. Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte MBE concluded, “It has been a privilege to see the International North West 200 grow from strength to strength since its early beginnings in 1929. Today, it stands as Ireland’s biggest sporting event and we’re determined to grow and improve it year-on-year and ensure that the international status of the North West 200 is reflected in all aspects of the event. We look forward to another year where the safety of the riders and spectators will be our number one priority. “The International North West 200 owes its success to the support of key organisations and individuals. Our title sponsor, the Kennedy Group, has been an invaluable support to the event. Not only is their sponsorship worth in excess of £200,000, the personal commitment of Alistair and Adele Kennedy and the company’s in-kind support is deeply appreciated. The Supporters Club have done a superb job fundraising and are already hard at work fundraising for this year. Coleraine and District Motor Club will make every effort to ensure the 2007 Kennedy Group International North West 200 is a success,” said Mervyn Whyte.