NEWS

RELENTLESS UNVEILED AS NW200 TITLE SPONSOR FOR 2010

13/01/2010

A host of road racing stars at the NW200 press conference

By Ireland Reporter Andrea Campbell
Image by Philip Campbell

It’s all systems go for the 2010 International North West 200 which for the first time will be sponsored by Relentless, the energy drink which has been associated with the TAS Suzuki over the past number of years.

After months of speculation, Race Director Meryvn Whyte announced at the packed press conference the main title sponsor for this year’s North West 200 will be Relentless which will be joined by associate sponsor Black Horse Finance, a firm which has a long association with bike racing.

Whyte said: “Each year, the North West 200 team works hard to ensure an even bigger and better event for riders and spectators alike. With a new title sponsor, refreshed brand and already strong line-up of competitors, we hope the 2010 Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse will be a year to remember.”

Despite the snow and ice in UK, a number of top English riders were on hand, alongside the Relentless by TAS duo of Bruce Anstey and Alastair Seeley to see the unveiling of the new sponsorship package, including 2009 double race winner Honda Racing’s Steve Plater and his 15 times Isle of Man TT race winning team-mate John McGuinness.

Also on hand to uphold the Dunlop family honours at their home track was William and Michael Dunlop, who are disappointed that there will be no 250cc race at this year’s event, although they are both planning an assault on the Superbike and Supersport classes.

The new race format for 2010 will see the Supersport 600 Race 1 up first ahead of Superbike Race 1, 125cc Race, Superstock Race, North West 200 Superbike Race and the programme is scheduled to finish with the Supersport 600 Race 2. The Coleraine & District Motor Club are also hoping to make one more change to the race week in 2010, this will be to introduce a new time for Thursday’s practice session.

Tuesday practice will remain the traditional 5pm – 9:30pm but the Club are currently awaiting confirmation if their application has been successful to run the Thursday practice from 9:30am – 3pm, they are hoping to find out the outcome of this application by the end of January.