NW200 prepares to celebrate 80th anniversary

Stars gather to join in the pre-race festivities




'Ere, watch the paintwork, love

IRELAND'S North West 200 celebrates its 80th anniversary this year and Miss Northern Ireland was there to join in the warm-up festivities.

The original race, one of Ireland’s oldest, was first run on April 20th, 1929 whilst this year’s 80th anniversary event will take place on Saturday 16th May.

Attending this year’s launch were North West 200 heroes Steve Plater, six times winner at the North West and riding under the HM Plant Honda team banner together with NW200 speed trap record holder and winner of 12 North West trophies, Michael Rutter, who recently confirmed he will ride a new NW200 R1 Yamaha bike under Rob Mac Racing. We could have shown you a photo of the two old(ish) farts astride some shonky old British iron, but we thought you'd prefer a shufti at Miss North Ireland instead.