NORTH WEST 200 organisers have moved to clarify the reason they are searching for a new sponsor for their 90th anniversary next year.
After five years as headline sponsor, Vauxhall Motors UK have stepped away, leading to speculation a recent series of road racing rider fatalities had influenced the decision.
However, both Vauxhall and the North West have confirmed their contract agreement ended as scheduled with this year’s races in May
— before the tragic loss of William Dunlop at Skerries,
Dan Kneen, James Cowton and Adam
Lyon on the Isle of Man and Fabrice Miguet at last week’s Ulster Grand Prix.
Vauxhall also ended their backing of the four football Home Nations last month.
North West event director Mervyn Whyte (above) explained: “Vauxhall began as a race sponsor in 2013 and then took over the title sponsorship 12 months later. The original deal was for a three-year period but such was the success of the partnership, it was extended for another two years.
“We have obviously been fully aware that the Vauxhall contract was ending in 2018 and discussions are already underway with several interested parties. 2019 and our 90th anniversary is a landmark occasion for the North West 200 and we are now looking forward to celebrating it with new commercial partners.”
COLM LENAGHAN/ PACEMAKER
Staring it up : Carl Frampton (right) at big fight weigh in with Luke Jackson at Europa Hotel CARL Frampton says Northern Ireland sport is in for a night at Windsor Park that will be talked about for decades to come.Frampton bids to overcome Australian Luke Jackson on the ultimate stage for the 31-year- old Belfast man before going on to challenge for a world title, while his close friend Paddy Barnes (below) bids to make history by taking the quickest route ever by a Northern Ireland boxer to world title glory as he faces WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales in only his sixth bout as a professional. Add in former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury being watched at ringside by WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder, with the two on course to meet at the end of the year and it all points to quite a night at a sold-out 25,000 Windsor.“This can be a golden night for Northern Ireland sport. This is one of those occasions that everyone who is there and everyone watching on BT Sport will talk about for the rest of their lives,” said Frampton.“I’m determined not to let down myself, my fans and my family, I have to win in style and I believe Paddy can win the world title in his sixth fight which would be an incredible achievement. People say this has come too early for Paddy but I genuinely believe that he is ready for this.”