North West 200 organisers have today announced that Vauxhall will be the event's title sponsor for 2013.

The deal is a major coup for Ireland biggest outdoor sporting event and brings a big-name non-core backer into the sport for the first time since the country's branch of Coca-Cola had its name in lights.

“We are delighted to be working with Vauxhall Motors. As an organisation and a team they understand the event and share our passion for not only the success of the North West but the desire to further develop the event into something very exciting and new for 2013. Together we have already achieved a few firsts and I’m looking forward to what will be an exhilarating partnership," said event director Mervyn Whyte.

Next year's festival starts on May 12 and goes on until main race day, May 18.