North West 200 - 2008
20th May 2008
For many, the 2008 NW200 will be remembered as the race which took Robert Dunlop from us. Robert was a great ambassador for the sport and will be remembered, like his brother Joey, for many years by the motorcycling fraternity at large and in particular, the people of Ballymoney. It should be noted that Robert's accident was just that - an accident. It could have happened at any circuit in the world, short or road. To the best of my knowledge, safety of the circuit was not a contributing factor and indeed, the Coleraine Motor Club must be commended for the way they put safety at the top of their priorities each year.
The day started with an emotional win for Robert's son, Michael, who won the 250cc race "for me Da". I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye around the circuit as he crossed the finish line to take his maiden NW200 win from Christian Elkin and John McGuinness. Michael's cousin, Paul Robinson, also raced well to take fourth place.
Steve Plater showed his natural talent for this circuit and proved once again he is a master of the roads by taking the main Superbike race and the two Supersport races. Can he challenge John McGuinness on the Isle of Man this year in what will be his second appearance there?
Michael Rutter took the first Superbike race on board the North West 200 Ducati - it was fitting that Michael's first win for his new team should come at this event.
The ever-trying Michael Wilcox finally won the 125cc race, with Ollie Linsdell taking victory in the concurrently run 400cc event.
For me, the "man of the meeting" was Alastair Seeley from Carrickfergus, who, on Ballymoney's JMF Millsport Racing Yamahas, won a thrilling Superstock race and had a brace of second places behind Steve Plater in the Supersport category.
The day started with an emotional win for Robert's son, Michael, who won the 250cc race "for me Da". I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye around the circuit as he crossed the finish line to take his maiden NW200 win from Christian Elkin and John McGuinness. Michael's cousin, Paul Robinson, also raced well to take fourth place.
Steve Plater showed his natural talent for this circuit and proved once again he is a master of the roads by taking the main Superbike race and the two Supersport races. Can he challenge John McGuinness on the Isle of Man this year in what will be his second appearance there?
Michael Rutter took the first Superbike race on board the North West 200 Ducati - it was fitting that Michael's first win for his new team should come at this event.
The ever-trying Michael Wilcox finally won the 125cc race, with Ollie Linsdell taking victory in the concurrently run 400cc event.
For me, the "man of the meeting" was Alastair Seeley from Carrickfergus, who, on Ballymoney's JMF Millsport Racing Yamahas, won a thrilling Superstock race and had a brace of second places behind Steve Plater in the Supersport category.