2002
Coca Cola International
North West 200
Motorcycle Road Races
Press Launch
29th January 2002
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COCA-COLA INTERNATIONAL NORTH WEST 200
BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER
After the disappointment of last year's cancellation due to the foot and mouth crisis, the Coca-Cola International North West 200 will be back this May with an even better and bigger event.
Speaking at the launch of this year's event, Clerk of the Course Mervyn Whyte said: "As the result of financial assistance from the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure we have been able to invest in a number of improvements to the circuit, particularly at Station Corner and Mathers Cross. We have also worked with Coleraine Borough Council to improve the start/finish areas.
"We are also progressing a number of additional upgrades for this year's race including a realignment of the chicane at Magherabuoy, following an inspection of the circuit by competitors in December.
"Of course none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of the Coleraine & District Motor Club and the Coca-Cola International North West 200 Supporters Club, all of whom give their time as volunteers throughout the year."
And in terms of bigger, the 2002 Coca-Cola International North West 200 will also boast its highest ever prize money with £110,000 available to the winners of a slightly revised race programme.
Eddie Johnston, Race Secretary explains: "There will now be two 600cc races at the Coca-Cola International North West. These races will include the existing 250cc competitors who will now be able to compete for extra prize money. Also we are hoping that in addition to continuing to attract the very best competitors from the UK and Ireland, we will be bringing fresh talent in from Europe and will be travelling to at least one European competition in the next couple of months."
This year's Coca-Cola International North West 200 will also mark the tenth and final year of sponsorship by Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd.
Jonathan Gates, Events Manager for Coca-Cola said: "We have enjoyed a tremendous ten years of racing and sportsmanship with the Coleraine & District Motor Club and are determined that this year will be the best yet. We will be working closely with the race organisers to make the whole event a huge attraction for local people and tourists. We will be repeating our incredibly popular schools outreach programme which helps local children learn about road safety and plan to bring our sponsorship to life in as many creative ways as possible."
And it won't just be visitors to the area who will benefit from the week long Coca-Cola International North West 200. Mencap is to be the event's official charity for the second year running and Hollyoaks actress Lesley Johnston was on hand at today's event to explain how involvement with the Coca-Cola International North West helps the charity.
Lesley said: "There are over 33,000 people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland and every day another family is told that their child has this most common form of lifelong disability. Working with Coca-Cola and the Coleraine & District Motor Club at this year's Coca-Cola International North West 200 will not only raise much needed funds, helping Mencap to support these families and individuals, it will also play a huge role in raising awareness of what living with a learning disability means."
This year's Coca-Cola International North West 200 race day will be Saturday 18th May with events throughout the week beginning Monday 13th May. Further details of these events and other race developments will be announced over the coming months.
The Coca-Cola International North West 200 is organised by Coleraine & District Motor Club with support from Coleraine Borough Council. Additional support for the 2002 event has also been secured from NI Events Company and Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
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