Communities Minister ‘races’ to the starting grid of the North West 200
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has visited the Briggs Equipment North West 200 to meet with riders and spectators.
The North West 200 was first run in 1929, and has always used the same circuit around Portstewart, Portrush and Coleraine and is one of the biggest sporting events in Northern Ireland.
The Minister said;
“It was great to meet with so many competitors and fans at the world famous races, which are now in their 96th year.
“The NW200 continues to deliver a spectacular event and is now one of the largest annual sporting events in Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar.
“Safety for everyone is of paramount importance for both the organisers and riders. I recently announced £187,000 of motorsports safety funding and I am pleased to see the new safety bales in place at the event today.
“Together with Sport NI, my Department and Sport NI has supported a range of safety features over the years, with the purchase of safety bales, fencing around the paddock and the electronic marshalling warning lights for the track.
“I acknowledge the effort, enthusiasm and commitment of the Coleraine and District Motor Club, sponsors and other partners who work hard every year to organise and run the event.”
Mervyn White, Director of the North West 200 races said;
“I was pleased to welcome the Minister to the event this year and would like to express my thanks to him again for the recent funding which allowed us to purchase safety bales.”
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