It’s the North West 200 this weekend. Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event attracts crowds in excess of 100,000 as well as the biggest names in the sport including Michael Rutter, Guy Martin, Ryan Farquhar and Michael and William Dunlop. The circuit runs between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine.
In Superstock and Supersport it's been all about the TAS Suzuki of Alistair Seeley. The British Supersport rider was all over the Superbike timesheets as well until gremlins struck in Thursday's practice. The team are confident the problems will be sorted before Saturday.
Michael Rutter is the Man in Pole position on his Ducati superbike. He rocketed around the "triangle" in 4 minutes 26.33 seconds, an average speed of 121.245 MPH. He was just six tenths of a second faster than his teammate, Martin Jessop.
As for the Manxie's, in the Superbike class Gav Hunt managed 16th, the recovering Conor Cummins starts 17th, Dan Kneen lines up in 34th and Si Fulton will start in 36th position. In Supersport it's Dan in 12th Conor 13th, Gav 21st and Si 30th. And in the Superstock class Gav lines up 12th, Conor Cummins put the Kawaski in19th place and Dan Kneen is 22nd on the grid.
For Full times and results you can check out the official North West 200 website
The event, filmed by Greenlight Television for the BBC is live behind the red button on Saturday 21st May and steamed online around the world.
There is also two, one hour highlight programmes on BBC 1 Northern Ireland (sky channel 973). The first is at 10.20 pm on Sunday evening and the second on Monday night at 10.35pm.
You can watch the live stream and find out all there is to know on the BBC NW200 website.
JP caught up with BBC commentator Richard Nichols and eleven times NW200 winner Phillip McCallen to find out who they thought would be the boys this weekend and also spoke to BBC commentator and former rider Steve Parish to get a feel of the course.
Richard Nichols & Phillip McCallen
Steve Parish
