The run up to the North West 200 2008 continued last Wednesday night at Stormont, Parliament Buildings where ex-DUP Junior Minister, Ian Paisley jnr, performed one of his last duties as a Junior Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
He welcomed the gathered crowd which included visiting riders John McGuinness, Steve Brogan and Ian Hutchinson, alongside the home team of Robert Dunlop and his two sons William and Michael and Alaister Seeley and Adrian Archibald.
The conference was to launch three sponsors Ballymoney Borough Council who will sponsor the Supersport race and new sponsors for 2008, Autozone who will sponsor the 125 race. Meryvn White also announced that his own local council, Limavady will be sponsoring the Mill Road Roundabout for the first.
During the evening which saw Paisley give a guided tour round the NI Assembly Chambers, while providing an interesting commentary which also included various references to his own political downfall of recent days.
It also saw local BBC TV personality Jackie Fulton grill Brogan about his “Baywatch” nickname and giving him some grief about his tan, which has recently been topped up in Mexico where he was married.
Morecambe’s McGuinness also found his new career path when he stole local photographer Stephen Davidson’s camera and tried to have a go at taking some snaps! Unfortunately his apprenticeship is still in the early stages as he was trying to use a converter instead of a lens on the camera. Best stick to the day job eh, John?