BBC NI | NW200

First Practice Impressions

Wed, 12 May 2010 15:36:15 +0000

With the weather predictions for rain coming in there was a little tension with the riders in the paddock not knowing what to expect, but the atmosphere and the excitement gathered and, although it was cold, the sun stayed out. The 125s got off to a pretty fast first section and followed it up with a second lap speed in the Superbike practice of 204mph by Stuart Easton. So, the pace was set and practice was now off to a seriously good start. The new chicane had to be treated with care as we have suddenly turned a 160mph corner into a 30mph chicane.

My job with briefing the newcomers and taking them round on a guided bus tour was much appreciated by the new riders. This makes the first few laps a little less daunting as, for some of these riders, it will be the first time they have ever done over 150mph never mind 200mph! One newcomer who did particularly appreciate this was Gary Mason, currently a very successful British Superbike rider. In his interview after his first official practice session he was just blown away by his first roadrace experience and said there was nothing in the world like it and that he would be going home to tell all his mates about it. One of his most shocking experiences was when he was sitting up breaking hard from 200mph when Steve Plater came blasting past still tucked in behind the screen with throttle on the stop. With a few less newcomers competing this year, it was decided to start them at the back of normal practice sessions in their appropriate class with their own instructor, rather than their own seperate, introductory practice session as in previous years. After guiding them for three laps, myself and the other instructors pulled in and let them continue with the rest of the qualifiers.

At 6.30am this morning I was off to the Giant's Causeway to do some filming with the Greenlight boys and with Guy Martin as my sidecar passenger in a 1939 Ariel Sidecar Outfit. It was was a beautiful fresh morning as Guy and I toured the coastal route. I continually tortured him with questions, trying to work out has he really got the potential to win a Superbike race on Saturday. I believe he has the talent and the machinery to do this, but only he knows if mentally he is capable of this.

I am rushing off now to see the preview of Joey Dunlop Remembered, a new film for BBC Northern Ireland about the legacy of the legendary Joey Dunlop, sadly lost to the racing world ten years ago. I was honoured to take part in the programme dedicated to such a local racing hero. The film goes out on BBC One Northern Ireland at 10.55pm on Saturday, 15th May. There is also a BBC website where you can trace Joey's life and send in your memories and photographs at www.bbc.co.uk/joeydunlop.

On Friday I'll be back to give you my thoughts on Thursday's practice.

The Newcomers

Tue, 12 May 2009 16:39:02 +0000

The excitement has started for another year. My main objective today is to look after the newcomers competing at the North West 200 for the first time, make sure they're looked after and get the first night of practice over safely.

We had the newcomers' briefing at 1.30pm and then at 2 o'clock we put them on the bus with my special helper Roger Marshall. Then we take them on a complete circuit of the course and give them both technical and safety advice for each section of the course.

There were a few worried faces for the first few corners, but the time we had finished everyone was much happier.

It was the first chance for these guys from all over the world to see the NW200 circuit up close and personal.

Final thoughts

Sun, 18 May 2008 20:57:11 +0000

So, that's the end of another very successful NW200, and it has been one that will live long in the memory. Saturday was so eventful! Every race was a dogfight in which no-one could pick a winner until the bikes were round the last corner and heading towards the finish line. It also featured what was surely the most emotional victory ever in the North West 200, when Michael Dunlop triumphed in the opening 250cc race after a titanic battle with Christian Elkin, dedicating the win to his father, Robert Dunlop, who had tied so tragically in Thursday's practice session at the event.

The most unlucky rider of day had to be Guy Martin, who was riding the race of his life in the second Superbike race until a jubilee clip on his water hose broke, and the rest of the results of the day confirmed that the Honda and Suzuki domination of the NW200 over the last few years is well and truly over.

The most successful rider of the day was Steve Plater on the Yamaha, with three wins - two on the Superbike and one on a Supersport. He rode brilliantly and was prepared and backed brilliantly by a professional and well run team.

Another big story of the day was the fact that the Irish are back. Alastair Seeley rode brilliantly all day to claim a win the Superstock class as well as a couple of second places in the Supersport races. He has served his time at the NW200 and proved himself to be a true winner yesterday. I feel he has the potential to be my successor - could he now one day make it five wins in a day? Add to this Michael Dunlop's incredible victory, which set the tone for the day and helped turn tragedy into a fairytale ending, and you have double Irish winners. Hopefully the shape of things to come.

And that's all from me for this year's NW200 blog. Thanks for your comments and maybe we'll be back next year to chat some more.

Robert Dunlop

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:22:01 +0000

Everywhere this morning there is a total state of shock and bewilderment at the sudden and tragic loss of Robert Dunlop yesterday evening. Robert and I were tough competitors for 15 years, both on the Irish scene and worldwide. We both had our eyes on the prize of becoming the King of Irish racing. With so many years competing at that sort of level came a lot of respect for each other, and over the years since I stopped racing our relationship had become even closer. Although I stopped racing a few years ago, Robert opted to continue, such was his love for the sport and his will and determination to continue racing motorbikes. Motorbike racing can be like a drug and is certainly addictive. The feeling that it gives you, that rush of adrenaline, outweighs all the dangers.

My fondest memory of Robert is the Macau GP in the late 80s. We both realised before we started the race that both of us badly wanted to win it and so we went at it like two mad Irishmen, and Robert came out on top with me behind him in second. That's when I knew, and got to experience first hand, that he was a true legend.

Robert Dunlop was one of the toughest competitors out there who had an unflinching determination to win. It is a sad, sad loss both to his family and the wider circle of motorbike racing. He was one of the best ambassadors for motor racing and for his country, and his memory will live on for a long, long time.

The benefits of experience

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:18:48 +0000

Afternoon all. It's the second practice day today at the NW200, and I've been speaking to the newcomers again earlier, where we reminded the new riders of the high speeds and safety round this unique circuit. Then it was back on the bus for a more detailed lap of the triangle. Roger Marshall and I provided the commentary on the characteristics of every corner and straight, every camber and rise in the road. Having now had a go round the circuit on Tuesday night, I think that the riders really took everything we said on board, whereas on Tuesday afternoon they perhaps didn't appreciate fully what was in store.

Last night was the Gala Dinner up in the hospitality marquee, with sponsors and the great and good from local government and the tourist board. Afterwards, a few top class riders were waiting to pick my brain, so we had a rattle round the circuit so I could give them the benefit of my experience. I'll not let slip who they were, because they're now bound to be favourites come race day on Saturday!

Looking ahead to the practice tonight, I reckon that Rutter, Plater, Anstey, Guy Martin, John McGuinness and a few others will shine as bright as the sunshine we've all been blessed with so far this week. All the riders will reckon that they've got the perfect gearing and set up to nail a good time and get themselves up the grid positions for Saturday.

Adrian and I are now off on a wander round the paddock to get the lowdown on what all the teams and the riders are up to as the clock ticks down towards 5.30pm. We'll report back as soon as we can.

Bikesafe

Thu, 15 May 2008 11:49:27 +0000

Thursday is second practice day, the last chance for the riders to put a good time in and get further up the starting positions for race day. It's also the day that spectators, a lot of whom are bikers themselves, start to arrive in force, which means that there will be a lot of bikes on the roads around Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush over the next few days, over and above the racing round the circuit.

While we all enjoy the thrill of motorbike riding, it's important not to take silly risks that can endanger your life as well as those of other road users. With this in mind, I spoke to Constable Bill Holden of the PSNI and rider Ian Lougher about what Bikesafe is all about.

Watch my video entry about Bikesafe...

You can also watch highlights of the practice sessions from Tuesday night to gear up for tonight's practice. Watch the Superbikes going through their paces, as well as the Superstock class and the 125 & 250cc bikes.

There is also some great footage that the Greenlight boys filmed onboard Alistair Seeley's bike. Normally the onboard cameras are mounted on the side to give you as close to the rider's point of view as possible, but this one is looking directly back at Alistair from under the screen. It looks absolutely fantastic, and sounds like you're on the bike yourself.

I'll be back later with more from around the paddock.

It's only just begun

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:21:25 +0000

Well, here we are at the NW200 for the first day of practise. The traffic has already started to flow as people begin to pick their spots for the race, and there's slight congestion building up on the roads on the way in. The buzz and the excitement build as you get closer to the track and see the programme sellers at the side of the road. Then, when you get to the "Magic Roundabout" and see the Kennedy Group flags and the painted curbstones, you know you're here.

First thing today is the very important briefing for newcomers - riders who haven't ridden the NW200 circuit before to make sure that everyone is well aware of the rules and regulations and the layout for the week's racing. With that safely over we put them all on a bus and take them on a full lap with a full running commentary from yours truly on how to get round safely the first night and, hopefully, be a potential winner come race day.

The next thing, at 5.30pm, is that the newcomers get a practice session to themselves where they are broken into groups of 6 or 8 with their own instructor. I've a group of Supersport 600 riders. I'm away to do some commentating now, but I'll be back with more from the paddock later on...

John McGuinness interview

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:02:15 +0000

I spoke at length to John McGuinness at the NW200 press launch in the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum. And when I say at length, I mean at length. The boys who do the great BBC NW200 website filmed it all, so have a look at the videos below. Oh, and it was in one of the famous DeLorean cars from the Back to the Future film. Made, of course, in Northern Ireland.

Part One: Watch John talking about the calibre of the NW200 and the esteem in which it's held...

Part Two: Watch me reminding John about Christian Elkin beating him last year...

Part Three: Watch John telling me what a pleasure it is to ride for team boss Clive Padgett...

Part Four: Finally, watch John assessing his competition at the NW200, particularly the AIM Yamaha team...

Steve Plater interview

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:36:24 +0000

Me and Adrian were up at the NW200 press launch in the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum a couple of weeks ago, and there were a lot of amazing vehicles there. I ran into Steve Plater and managed to pin him down on his slightly secretive preparations for the NW200 as we sat in the famous DeLorean.

Watch the video of us chatting and then let me know how you think Steve will do this year by leaving your comments...

10 Questions - Phillip McCallen

Thu, 01 May 2008 13:48:42 +0000

We thought we should give you a bit of background on your NW200 bloggers, so myself and Adrian answered the same ten questions about the big event and our own biking careers. How would you sum up the NW200? Who was your motorbiking hero? And which local rider do you think stands the best chance of getting on the podium this year?

Watch the video of me answering Adrian Coates' questions...

I've answered them all a bit more concisely below. See if you agree with me and post your comments.

How would sum up the NW200 in one word?
Superb.

Who was your biking hero when you were growing up?
Freddie Spencer on the track, Joey Dunlop on the roads.

Which bike currently at the NW200 would you like to ride in a one-off race now?
The NW200 Ducati.

Worst moment on a bike?
Falling off my 250cc in '92 at the NW200. I had won five races and fell going for the sixth.

Best moment on a bike?
Those five wins in a day at the NW200 in 1992.

Favourite bike of all time - on or off the track?
A factory RC45 Honda hand-built to my exact specifications for the TT in '98. Sadly I never got to ride it as I broke my back that year.

If you could choose to have any job (other than riding... eh, ...bikes) what would you do?
TV commentator.

What has been the biggest innovation in bike racing in the last ten years?
You can now buy a bike straight out of a shop and more or less go superbike racing. The difference between superbikes and super stock bikes is very small these days.

Which local rider has the best chance of a podium this year at the NW200?
Ryan Farquhar.

Favourite part of the NW200 circuit and why?
The Coast Road.